by M. A. Foster
“Oh, hey, Harper. We were just wondering where the yearbook committee meeting was?”
I frown. “We only meet on Tuesdays. Why? You’re not even on the committee.”
Ashton pretends to be confused, and Hannah snaps her fingers as if she’s just figured it out. “That’s right, duh.” She rolls her eyes. “Let’s go, Ashton.”
The two sidestep me to head toward the stairs. Ashton clips me with her shoulder, causing me to stumble back a step or two.
“Oh, my bad,” she says in a fake sweet voice. “You should probably stay out of my way.” She sneers before turning and descending the stairs.
What the hell?
It would be so easy to extend my foot and send the bitch tumbling down the stairs, but I’m not that girl.
Besides, hurting her would only hurt the Averys.
Something is off.
A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, and I hurry toward the studio. The lights are off but the door is unlocked.
I flick on the lights and immediately scan the room, checking to see if anything is out of place. Everything seems to be in its rightful place and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Until I notice the equipment locker door is cracked open. My pulse pounds in my ears as I move over to the locker and pull the door open farther. My heart shatters into a million pieces as I reach for my mother’s mangled camera, swallowing back the unshed tears as I run my finger over the shattered lens.
And so it begins.
“I’M SORRY, HARPER,” Principal Avery says. “Unless you have proof, there’s nothing I can do. And unfortunately, the school doesn’t cover personal property.”
Normally I wouldn’t bother with Ashton and Hannah because sticks and stones and all that. But destroying my mother’s camera? They may as well have shoved a knife in my heart.
“It’s not about the money.” I stand and pull my backpack over my shoulder. “The camera was my mother’s. It’s irreplaceable.” I turn for the door.
“Harper,” he calls out, and I pause, turning around to face him. He rubs his index finger over his eyebrow. “Is there a reason these girls would be targeting you?”
I shrug. “Probably because I went out with Cole Mackenzie Saturday night.”
He holds up his hand as if to say ‘enough said.’ “I take it this is new.” The corners of his mouth curl upward.
I smile in return, but inside I’m giggling like a little girl. Because unbeknownst to Principal Avery, we’re having our first heart-to-heart about boys as granddaughter and grandfather.
“I’m sorry about your camera. See if there’s a way to get it repaired and let me know. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you,” I say, before leaving his office and school for the rest of the day.
HARPER IS CLEARLY sticking to the whole ‘taking things slow’ relationship. I haven’t seen her at all today. And yes, I’ve been looking.
I set my lunch tray on the table and drop into the empty chair beside Zach. “Where’s Jay?”
He shrugs. “Who the hell knows? Probably arguing with Alex.”
I snort. “My money’s on Jay.” Alex should’ve known what he was getting into. Jay’s a sweetheart and easygoing most of the time, but she’s also the product of a domineering rock star and a hardheaded, mouthy Mackenzie.
Zach shakes his head, chuckling. “No more bets. Where’s your girlfriend?”
I still.
Shit.
I have a girlfriend.
And that’s a good question. Where is my girlfriend?
I don’t have time to dwell on it before a shadow looms over my lunch tray. Glancing sideways, I see it’s Ashton. She’s glaring at me in her usual pouty stance, hands on her hips. “What?”
“Harper Murphy, really?”
This girl.
Leaning back in my chair, I lift my head, giving her my full attention. I want to make sure there is no miscommunication between us from here on out. “Since when did my life become your business?”
Tilting her head, she purses her lips and taps her index finger to her chin. “Hmmm.”
I flash her a knowing grin.
“Well?” I challenge, my grin widening.
“Since I sucked you off more than a dozen times” is what she wants to say. The retort is right there on the tip of her tongue.
But Ashton’s not that crude.
Not in public, anyway.
“Gah! I hate you.” She spins on her heels and storms back to her table.
“No you don’t,” I call out.
“WHERE WERE YOU today?” Cole asks.
“I broke my camera this morning,” I half lie.
I decided earlier that I wasn’t going to tell him about the incident with Ashton and Hannah. We’ve been together all of five minutes. I don’t want my new relationship to be tainted with lies, but the last thing I want is Cole having to deal with my girl drama and realizing I’m not worth the trouble. I knew what I was getting myself into when he demanded I go out with him.
Concern mars his gorgeous face. “Your mom’s camera?”
I nod. “I needed it for class, so Principal Avery excused me for the rest of the day so I could take it to get fixed.”
Actually, I spent the day with Mia, catching her up on everything. Then we had lunch while she helped me find somewhere to get my camera fixed.
“CO, PWAY MY jams!” Willow demands from the back seat. Today we’re taking her to the park for a picnic before I go in for my afternoon shift at Mac’s.
Grinning from the passenger seat, I look over at Cole. “What’s her jam?”
Cole glances at me and winks. “You’ll see.” He presses a button on the steering wheel and an unfamiliar beat drifts from the speakers. But the voice is very familiar.
I jerk my head to face him. “Is that Jay?”
Cole nods. “Yep.” He looks over at me smiling proudly. “This is the new Royal Mayhem album, Jaybird.” I read in the interview Jay gave Rhythm & Riffs, that she and her father co-wrote Jaybird. The album was named after her.
My jaw drops in surprise. “I thought it wasn’t supposed to come out till next year?”
He shrugs. “It’s not. But I have connections.” He smirks.
I turn in my seat to see Willow bobbing her head to the beat like a little rock star and a huge grin spreads across my face. God, I love her so much.
“CAN I ASK you something?” Cole asks from beside me on the picnic blanket as we watch Willow run around the rubbery asphalt deciding what she wants to conquer next.
I give him a sideways glance. “Sure,” I drawl.
He chuckles. “It’s killing me, Harper. I’m curious about the ex.”
“Why?”
“I’m just curious to know what you could’ve possibly had in common with someone so old.”
I snort. “He wasn’t that old,” I defend. There’s a pause and I blow out a breath. “We met shortly after my sister died. I was in a bad place. I didn’t have any friends….” I let my words trail off.
Cole nods. “I get it. He was there when you needed someone.”
“Exactly.”
“Did you love him?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“Why’d you break up then?”
“Because he wasn’t the guy I thought he was.” That’s probably the most hypocritical statement of the year.
“Do you still love him?”
I shake my head. “No. I care about him as a person but my love for him wasn’t a long-lasting love, if that makes sense.”
Cole nods as I reach for my camera and snap a few pictures of Willow before standing and extending my hand to Cole. “Come on. Let’s go make some memories.”
PUSHING THROUGH THE bathroom door I rush into the middle stall to relieve my screaming bladder. There was a test second period and no bathroom breaks are allowed during a test.
The bathroom door opens followed by a bunch of giggling.
Ashton’s voice breaks through the g
iggling. “Cole texted me last night and asked me to Homecoming, but I told him he was too late. I already have a date.” I freeze behind the stall door.
This isn’t the first time she’s mentioned that Cole still calls her. I roll my eyes. I hate that I have a class with her this year and even worse she sits right behind me.
Cole is a flirt—sometimes to the point it kind of pisses me off—but old habits die hard. However, he’s not a cheater. He’s forward, blunt, and sometimes he forgets to use a filter, but it’s part of his charm and he’d never disrespect me like that. I trust him. I remain still and listen as Ashton continues to serve up lie after lie to her cheerleader friends. I’ll give it to her though, her bullshit is almost believable.
The bathroom door opens and their chatter fades into the distance. Sliding the lock of the stall door I step out to see Claire leaning against the marble countertop.
“Ignore them,” Claire says. “They knew you were in here and they’re just trying to start drama.”
“Thanks?” What is she doing?
Claire smiles. “Just be careful with him, Harper. You seem like a nice person and I’d hate for him to ruin you like he did me.”
I frown. “What do you mean? How did he ruin you?”
“We were together for two months. Everything was great and then he just broke up with me for no reason.”
“He didn’t give you a reason at all?”
She shrugs. “Just that he didn’t have time for a girlfriend.” She blows out a breath. “He broke my heart. Don’t let him break yours.” Then she turns and walks out the door.
“YOU’VE GOT TO be shitting me,” Ashton screeches as Cole and I walk past her. “I can’t believe you brought her as your date.” She steps in front of us, her face twisted in disgust like she might vomit.
Cole and I have been together for a month and she still refuses to accept that we’re a couple.
“Of course I brought her.” Cole wraps an arm around my waist. “Why wouldn’t I bring my girlfriend to homecoming?”
“Your what?” Her high-pitched screech draws the attention of nearly everyone in the room, including her date.
Cole has never come out and called me his girlfriend. I like the sound of it. Maybe now Ashton will take the hint and move the hell on.
“Ashton, go back to your date,” Lexi admonishes in a bored tone. “You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Ashton pins me with a glare that tells me to watch my back, and I glare back, challenging her to bring it on before she turns on her heels and storms off back to her date.
“She’s a brat,” Jay says beside me. “Even Willow is better behaved.”
Truth.
The rest of the night is a blur. The Project Mayhem class performs a few songs before Principal Avery announces Lexi Davis as homecoming queen and Cole Mackenzie as king.
“I’m so glad Lexi won,” Jay singsongs, looking across the room. I follow her line of sight to see Ashton pitching another fit while her friends gather around to console her.
Zach harrumphs. “She’s ridiculous.”
I think Jay said it best: “Homecoming is basically a high school party with pretty dresses and no alcohol.”
With the lifestyle Jay had in California, I can’t imagine that homecoming would leave a lasting impression on her life, but I understand her needing to experience it at least once.
Honestly, I wasn’t all that impressed with it either, but at least we both got to experience it for the first time together with our friends and ridiculously hot boyfriends.
After the dance, we all go our separate ways. Jay and Zach are heading to Cam’s house to hang out with Zach’s brother Logan, who’s in town for the weekend. The rest are hitting up the after parties and begging us to go, but Cole waves them off, telling them we have plans.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asks, taking my hand and leading me over to his Tahoe.
I look down, brushing my free hand over the front of my dress. It’s a short, deep navy halter with an open back lined with lace, paired with silver strappy heels to match the zipper in the back.
My long red hair hangs down my back in thick, shiny waves thanks to Jay’s fabulous hairstylist. I kept my makeup light and finished the look with the ‘love’ bracelet from Jay and the Alex and Ani bracelets from Cole.
Cole opens the passenger door, but before I can climb in, he tugs me to his chest. Leaning down to my ear, he whispers, “I’m done taking it slow, Harper.”
Desire ignites in my lower stomach, setting my entire body on fire.
“Then don’t.” A coy smile curls up one side of my mouth.
Cole kisses my cheek, then steps aside and gestures for me to get in before he rounds the front of the Tahoe. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he shoots me wink. A wink that holds so much promise of what the rest of the night holds for us.
Hello, panties? You’re excused for the rest of the night.
THE HOUSE IS quiet as Cole and I make our way up to my room. He’s already tugging at his tie before we make it inside, tossing it on the bench at the foot of my bed.
“Leave those heels on, Harper.”
Quirking a brow, I turn and lift my hair. Cole moves behind me and tugs the zipper down on my dress. He places a kiss on my shoulder before he begins unbuttoning his dress shirt.
I slip the straps over my shoulders and guide my dress over my hips, down to my ankles, and then step out of it.
Standing in nothing but a pair of lace panties and silver heels, I turn to face Cole. His throat bobs as he stares at me with fire blazing in his eyes. I reach for him, but he shakes his head and takes a step back. “You’re fucking beautiful, Harper,” he breathes. “Get on the bed.”
He finishes undressing, then slips on a condom before crawling on the bed, settling between my thighs and propping up on his forearms. I can’t help but squirm with need, seeking friction. He’s so close. I can feel him right there. One flex of his hips and he’ll be inside me.
Pressing his forehead against mine, Cole inhales deeply through his nose. “Harper,” he murmurs through a shaky breath, brushing his lips softly against mine. “I’ve been fantasizing about this since the first day I laid eyes on you,” he admits. “I know this isn’t your first time, and it’s not mine either, but it’s our first time. I’m really trying to be a good guy here and make this perfect for you because you deserve it. But I’m not a good guy. And I’m not perfect.”
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rake my fingers through his thick black hair. “Good guys are overrated,” I whisper. “And you’re perfect for me.”
Cole brings his mouth down on mine. Our lips part and our tongues collide in a deep kiss filled with need. Sliding his arms under my back, he grabs my shoulders, anchoring himself to me, our bodies pressed tight. The only thing getting between us is heat and sweat.
“Hold on.”
STUMBLING INTO CARTER’S room, still drunk on sex, I fall backward on his bed, stretching my arms over my head. I close my eyes and sigh as clips from last night replay in my head. Me on top, and then Harper on top, swiveling her hips like some kind of exotic dancer. A small involuntary groan pushes past my lips and I open my eyes.
Carter pauses his game and looks over with raised brows. “That good, huh?”
“Dude,” I drawl, rolling my head to the side to look at him. “How could you let me go without it for so long?”
Carter chuckles. “I told you to stop punishing yourself.”
“I wasn’t,” I mumble. “It was worth the wait. Do you think it was different for her? She was with that older guy before me.”
“Are we really doing this?” He scratches the overgrown scruff on his jaw. “Should I break out the nail polish and call the girls over?”
Someone is extra sarcastic today. “What’s wrong with you?” I scowl. “Olivia not giving it up?”
Carter tosses the game controller to the side and leans back in his chair. Heaving a deep breath, he says
, “Sorry. My dad is talking about relocating to California.”
“Good riddance.” I wave dismissively.
“If he relocates, he’s taking Smith with him.”
I jerk upright. “He can’t do that.”
Carter snorts. “Yes he can. He’s our dad.”
“He hasn’t been your dad for a long time.”
“He’s only taking Smith to get me to go to UCLA.”
“What are you gonna do?”
He shrugs. “I guess I’m going to UCLA.”
My heart drops into my stomach like a brick. Carter has been my best friend since kindergarten. The reality of not seeing him every day or having him nearby weighs heavily on my chest, even though I knew the day would come when we all went our separate ways and be adults. My original plan was to leave Heritage Bay for South Carolina, but those plans changed when Willow came into my life. As much as I would love to play for my dream team, I love Willow more.
“What about Olivia?”
Carter shakes his head. “I care about her, but we’ve only been together a few months. Who’s to say we’ll even make it to the end of the year?”
“Your optimism is overwhelming.” I roll my eyes.
Carter chuckles. “Sorry, man. Life will do that to you. What about you?”
“Gulf Coast University wants me to play for them. Since the team is new, I’ll get more field time.”
“Are you committing to them?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I mean, it makes the most sense. I’m not leaving Willow, but I also can’t take her to another state, away from my parents and my brothers. She still doesn’t understand our roles in her life. I’m sure she understands that I’m her dad, but she needs all of us. And I need the help.”
“Then there’s your answer.”
ANOTHER MONTH HAS passed and fall is upon us. Football season is over, although the team still has conditioning training a few days a week. Ashton has been surprisingly quiet, and although I should be relieved, I’m not. Ashton Grant doesn’t strike me as the kind of girl to back down or give up so easily.
