by M. A. Foster
Grabbing my backpack from the floor, I stuff my purse inside and follow Jay.
Walking into the kitchen, I can’t help but laugh when I see everyone gathered around the island while Grace stands in front of the stove swaying her hips. I swear these people should have their own reality show.
“Harper!” Emerson calls out and dances over to me. Taking my hand, she jerks me toward her and twirls me around. “Come on, Harper. Loosen up. You’re part of the family now so you have to participate.”
An emotion I haven’t felt since the day Mia took me into her home settles in my chest.
Family.
I can’t remember what it’s like to be part of a family.
Unfortunately, this won’t last. Once they find out the truth, I’ll lose them, too.
I’ll lose Jay.
BASS SAID IT might take a couple of days before my car is ready, so Jay is my ride. From the driver seat, Jay fiddles with the buttons on the steering wheel, searching for a station. She settles on “Closer” by the Chainsmokers.
“I love this song,” she coos. “It’s my favorite.”
“According to your interview in Rhythm & Riffs, you don’t have a favorite song,” I teasingly remind her. I pulled up Jay’s interview on my phone last night.
“Yeah, well, I also failed to mention that I have a girl crush on Halsey.” She snorts. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know.” She gives me a brief sideways glance before returning her eyes to the road. “You’re being weird.”
“I’m not being weird. I just can’t believe Jaybird is driving me to school.” I squeal like a fangirl, tapping my feet excitedly on the floorboard. “You probably have some crazy stories.” I smack myself on the forehead. “Of course you do. Your best friend is a freaking supermodel.”
“You’re a dork.” Jay snorts as we pull into the student parking lot. “Weenie is a bitch. And she wasn’t always a supermodel.” She eases her Range Rover into the empty parking spot beside Zach’s Jeep. “Would you believe that I’m actually pretty boring?”
I give her a look as if she’s crazy. “Jayla Mackenzie, you are the furthest thing from boring.” I point to the gorgeous blond football god making his way toward us wearing the goofiest love-struck expression on his face. “I think he’d agree.” Reaching out, I stroke the necklace dangling from her rearview mirror. “What’s with the necklace? I noticed Alex, Dylan, and Cole, all wearing one.”
“We all have one. My dad had them made for us. The guitar picks were his and the angel wings are…” She doesn’t need to say it. I get it.
The driver door opens and Zach leans in. “Hi, babe,” he coos before he tilts his head and presses his lips to hers. And what starts out as an innocent kiss turns into a full-blown make-out session.
“I’ll see you two inside,” I say with a laugh.
Like they care.
Climbing out of the Range Rover, I pull my backpack over my shoulder and make my way through the common area.
“Where’s your car?” Cole asks, falling in step beside me, opening the door and gesturing me to go first before following me to my locker.
“It’s in the shop. I had a flat tire.”
“Just one?” He smirks, leaning against Jay’s locker.
I curse under my breath. “What did you hear?” I hiss, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one is listening.
Cole’s brows draw inward. “Chill, Harper. My dad said someone slashed your tires and you’re staying with Jay,” he whispers. “Did you have a bad breakup with your boyfriend?”
Rolling my eyes, I slam my locker shut and pull my backpack over my shoulder. “I’m not talking about him with you. It’s weird.”
The sexy smirk is back. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are, but I’m not so sure your girlfriend would be too happy with our newfound friendship.” I nod toward Ashton who’s making a beeline right for us. “I have to get to class. See you around, friend.”
“WHAT ARE YOU doing with her?” Ashton asks, propping one hand on her hip and gesturing in the direction that Harper just went with the other.
“I’m not in the mood for one of your interrogations,” I reply in a bored tone, just as Jay and Zach walk up.
“Excuse me.” Jay waves for us to move out of her way so she can get to her locker.
Pushing off Jay’s locker, I take a step back and catch Ashton sneering at the back of Jay’s head.
“I saw that,” I call her out, drawing Zach’s attention. He looks over curiously, his eyes flicking between me and Ashton.
I’ve already warned Ashton once not to be a bitch to Jay. Apparently she needs reminding.
“Saw what?” Jay asks as she twists the combination into her lock. “The shitty look she threw at me behind my back.” She snorts as she switches out her books. How the…? I lean over and peek inside Jay’s locker, looking for a mirror. She closes her locker and turns around to face Ashton. “You’re cute, Ashton.” Jay’s lips curl up on one side. “But no one sees it because you walk around wearing that ugly sneer all day. Maybe if you smiled for a change, a nice boy might actually date you.”
“Boom.” Zach mimics a mic drop, then holds his fist out to me.
“Word.” I pound my fist against his.
“Let’s go, Z,” Jay says, pinning Ashton with a glare before she turns and walks off hand in hand with Zach.
Ashton clicks her tongue and turns to me. “That was rude.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t like her.”
“You started it.” I laugh. “And you don’t have to like her, but you don’t have to be a bitch to her, either. I mean it, Ashton. You better watch it.”
She wrinkles her nose as if she smells something foul. “Don’t threaten me, Cole.”
“Don’t piss me off, Ashton.” I raise my eyebrows, challenging her to keep going.
But she knows better.
“All right, fine.” She drops her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
That’s what I thought.
“Apologize to her, not me.” Pushing off the locker, I smack her ass and jerk my head to the side. “Come on. Let’s get to class.”
Ashton falls in step beside me as we make our way to our first-period class. “Can I come over today?”
I pause outside the classroom door to mull it over. It’s been a while since Ashton’s been over, and maybe a guaranteed tension release will help me get my head on straight.
“Sure.”
“APHEE, WATCH ME,” Willow demands as she leans back to wet her hair under the faucet like a brave little girl. However, she doesn’t lean back far enough and it barely gets wet.
I giggle. “You gotta lean back a little more, Willow, if you want to wet it.”
She pins me with a serious look. “I did.” She lifts the only wet piece of hair. “See, it’s wetted.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. She definitely got Jade’s sassy little attitude. “I see that.”
Willow just turned two last month but she has the vocabulary, wit, and personality of a teenager.
She’s beautiful, sweet, and funny.
I can’t get enough of her.
These past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster, but with Willow in my life, they’ve also been the best.
She’s life.
Bass texted me to let me know my car was in the parking lot and the key was under the seat, so I followed Jay to pick up Willow from Mimi’s house and then went to the park.
The best part was that I happened to have my camera with me and was able to get some pretty amazing pictures of Willow.
Jay walks in and puts her hands on her hips. “Boo, you were supposed to wet your hair.”
Willow slaps her hands down in the water, making a big splash. “I did,” she drawls.
Did she just roll her eyes?
Jay shakes her head. “She’s a little scared of the water after wha
t happened a few weeks ago.”
I frown. “What happened?”
Jay squats down beside me in front of the bathtub and lowers her voice. “Cole was watching her while Uncle Max and Aunt Jessica were both at work. They were playing in the pool. Cole looked away for a second and she went under. Aiden had to do CPR. Cole was really upset.”
Tears prick my eyes at the thought of losing Willow.
I can’t even fathom what Cole must’ve been feeling.
“Crap,” Jay mumbles, pulling me from my thoughts. “Harper, will you go grab her robe? I left it on her bed.”
“Sure.” I stand up and head for the door. “Which room is hers?”
“Second door on your left.”
“Got it.”
The second door on my left is closed. Thinking nothing of it, I grab the handle, swing it open, and freeze in the doorway.
Shocked.
Cole slowly turns his head and locks his green eyes on mine. His are glazed over with pleasure, lips slightly parted. Possessed by euphoria. My eyes trail down to his hands tangled in a mass of brown hair.
Ashton.
Gross.
But it’s like she’s not even in the room. Keeping his eyes pinned on me, as if he’s performing just for me, daring me to look away, Cole bites down on his bottom lip and begins pumping his hips vigorously. With one last thrust, he lets out a soft groan before falling back on the mattress and throwing his arm over his face.
That was the hottest, most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen. A hot flush creeps across my cheeks and a tingle of desire settles low in my stomach.
I need to go.
Turning on my heels, I walk right out the front door without even a goodbye to Jay or Willow.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
What in the hell is Harper doing here?
When I saw Harper standing in my doorway, suddenly it was her big beautiful lips wrapped around my dick and her fiery red hair in my hands.
If Harper’s here that means Jay’s here.
Which means… Willow is here.
Shit.
“Ashton, you gotta go.”
JAY APPEARS IN my doorway laughing her ass off, and I can’t help but laugh, too.
“It’s all your fault. Go away.” I grab one of the pillows from the bed and chuck it at her. “Your cousin is disgusting.”
“Oh.” Laugh. “My.” Laugh. “God.” She continues to laugh as she stumbles over to my bed and falls to her back, swiping her hands over her tear-streaked face. “I was like ‘Where the hell is Harper with that robe?’ and then Cole came to the bathroom and he was laughing. He said you walked in on Ashton—”
“Giving him an after-school special,” I finish, and she bursts out laughing again. “FYI, the second door on the left is Cole’s room.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t even know he was home. I guess he didn’t expect me to be back so soon.” Suddenly, she stops laughing, turns to me, and curls her lip. “That’s just… eww.” She shudders. “I don’t know what Cole sees in Ashton. She’d be cute if she wasn’t so bitchy.”
I snort. “I’m sure it’s got nothing to do with her winning personality and everything to do with her oral skills.”
“Gross.”
I FEEL THE heat from Cole’s body as he presses against me from behind, gripping the top of my locker. Leaning into my ear, he whispers, “Did you enjoy the show, Harper?” His lips barely graze the outer shell of my ear, and the warmth of his breath sends chills up my spine.
Desire pools low in my stomach. For a split second, I forget who I’m dealing with, nearly melting against his chest, but I quickly come to my senses. I’m not falling for Cole Mackenzie’s flirty bullshit.
I turn around with a retort on the tip of my tongue, but he’s still invading my personal space, our lips only an inch apart. My eyes move to his lips and I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like to have them pressed against mine.
Yes, I’m attracted to him. And so is every other female in Heritage Bay who’s not related to him.
But it can’t happen.
“Were you imagining it was you instead?” he continues. “Because I know I was.” He leans in a fraction of an inch closer, his gaze darting between my lips and my eyes, and I swear he’s about to kiss me. “Tell me,” he whispers.
I curl my lip in disgust. This beautiful jerk is making my heart race and it’s starting to piss me off.
What happened to being friends?
Clearing my throat, I palm his face and push him out of my personal space. “Actually, I was thinking maybe I could give her a few pointers.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. You like those mature guys.” He straightens with a smirk. “I bet you could teach me a few things, too.” Taking another step backward, he winks before he turns and walks off, disappearing in the sea of students crowding the hallway.
Zach and Jay walk up hand in hand before Zach moves to his locker on my right and Jay moves to hers on my left. I should offer to switch lockers with one of them.
“Is the Mackenzie charm working?”
I look over at Jay. “Huh?”
She grins as she twists the lock. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
I shake my head to clear the fog. “I’m not interested in your cousin, Jay. He’s with Ashton,” I remind her. “I’m still trying to push that entire scene from last night out of my head.” I shudder.
“I know.” She scrunches up her nose. “Gross.” She makes a gagging gesture.
“Actually,” Zach cuts in as he slams his locker shut and pulls his backpack over one shoulder, “he’s not with Ashton.”
“Um, Z, I’m pretty sure he is,” Jay argues, gesturing to me. “Harper walked in on her sucking his—”
“Don’t say it,” I interject, and Jay bursts out laughing again. “Ugh. I kinda hate you right now. But not really.” I give her a hug. “I’ll see you after school.”
“I HEARD YOU walked in on Ashton and Cole,” Lexi says with a laugh from her lounger.
Today is a half day because of Teacher’s Planning Day or something, so Jay invited the girls over to hang out before the football game tonight.
I look over at Jay and narrow my eyes behind my sunglasses.
She holds her hands up in defense. “Don’t look at me.” She laughs. “I didn’t say a word.”
“Evan told me,” Lexi admits.
“Carter told me, too.” Olivia giggles from her lounge chair.
I move my gaze to Cherry and she throws her hands up. “Of course Brad told me. That boy would burst if he had to keep that juicy piece of gossip to himself.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head.
“Don’t worry, it’s just us,” Lexi reassures. “And we’re not gonna say anything.”
“Ashton doesn’t know that I saw them?”
Lexi shakes her head. “Trust me, if Ashton knew, she would’ve gotten in your face by now, reminding you who Cole Mackenzie belongs to.”
Jay snorts. “I’d like to hear what Cole would have to say about that.”
“That had to be weird,” Olivia chimes in.
I shrug. “I wouldn’t say it was weird. Awkward is more like it.”
“I still say it’s gross,” Jay adds.
Lexi looks over at Jay. “What’s gross? Ashton and Cole, or blow jobs in general?”
“Ashton and Cole,” Jay answers.
“Oh my God, Jay.” I can’t help but laugh. “You’re turning red. Are you embarrassed?”
Jay shrugs. “Talking about sex with friends is new to me. My best friend had to practically force me to tell her about my first time with Zach.”
“Same here,” Olivia adds. “Carter was my first.”
“Go, Carter.” Lexi laughs. “That boy moves fast. You guys have been together for what, a month?”
“He’s hot,” Olivia offers with a careless shrug, making us all laugh as Lexi gives her a high five.
“Evan was mine,” Lexi adds, then looks o
ver at Cherry.
“Hannah did a number on Brad, so we’re taking it slow. But he wouldn’t be my first,” Cherry admits.
All heads turn to me, and it’s my turn to be embarrassed. “I don’t want to say.”
“Oh come on, Harper,” Lexi pushes. “We’re your friends. Whatever is said between us stays between us.”
“What did I miss?” Kali walks over and drops down on the edge of Jay’s lounge chair.
“Harper was just about to tell us who popped her cherry,” Lexi tells her.
“Oh my God, Lexi.” Jays snorts. “You’re so blunt. Harper, you don’t have to tell us—”
“Derek Hayes,” I blurt, then slap a hand over my mouth.
Jay pushes her glasses off her face. Her eyes are bugging out, mouth open.
Lexi gasps. “Derek. Hayes. Are you freaking kidding me?”
“Zach calls him Derek the douchebag.” Jay laughs.
“I call him Derek the dickhead,” I admit.
“What’s wrong with Derek?” Olivia asks. “He’s hot.”
Kali laughs. “He’s the biggest manwhore in school.”
“I thought Cole was the biggest manwhore in school,” I offer and look over at Jay. “No offense.”
“None taken.” She shrugs. “I’m beginning to think Cole’s reputation was made up by some seriously pissed-off girl. Cole’s a flirt, but I’ve never seen him with anyone but Ashton.”
“Hold on,” Lexi interrupts. “Let’s back this up. When did you hook up with Derek? And how?”
I lower my sunglasses and give her a look.
Lexi laughs. “Harper, I don’t mean it like that. I’m just saying, Derek Hayes is a slut and”—she gestures to me—“you’re not. He screws all the sluts including the cheerleaders—”
“Not this cheerleader,” Kali interjects, holding up her hand. “He tried once, but I told him to take the shit somewhere else because it was never gonna happen.”
Jay barks a laugh. “Oh my God, Kali, I love you. That’s awesome.”
