by Lacey Heart
“I thought as much.” Both Jake and Tommy look at me full of surprise, and I know they’re both unsure of how I’ll react to the news. But I know Mia and I know she doesn’t take orders from anyone. If I’m being honest, I’m not sure why I expected anything different from her.
“You seem a little too close to the calm side, Cole. Should we be worried?” Tommy calls out and his furrowed brow shows me he really is worried.
“Nah. It’s a party after all, right? If Mia wants to come and join in on the fun, then that’s fine. So long as she stays out of my way, we’ll be good. Plus, I’ve a few of my own extra guess coming along too. Isn’t that right, Jake?”
I look back towards Jake and he gives me a disapproving look while shaking his head and then he shrugs. “Whatever, man. But remember, it’s your funeral.”
“Like fuck it is.” I shout. “Ain’t no funerals gonna be taking place, you hear me.”
“All right. Someone needs to back the fuck up and tell me what I’ve missed.” Tommy questions and I know he’s gonna lose his shit. But it’s only fair if I have to deal with Mia to keep his bitch of a girlfriend happy, then he can deal with my extra guests.
“You haven’t missed much, pussy boy.”
“Pussy boy?” Tommy snaps, taking the bait just like I knew he would.
“If you won’t tell him then I will.” Jake stands and widens his eyes at me. Giving me the heads up that this is my one and only chance to pull out, but there’s no way I’m about to do that. Not now that my mind is set on it.
“Do your worst.” I shrug back at him.
“He wants to invite Emily.” Jake deadpans like it’s the worst news in the world.
Nothing but silence surrounds us for a few awkward moments and then Tommy’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Are you shitting me?” He almost spits his beer out. “Emily, as in ginge?”
“The one and only.” I tell him firmly before turning my attention back to Jake. “What’s with the face? I thought you’d be happy?”
“A lot has changed since then, Cole. People change.”
“Yeah, they sure do.”
“So, quit trying to fix something that isn’t broken.” He hurls back at me and I know he’s pissed. So much for trying to do my friend a favor.
CHAPTER NINE
COLE
People started arriving just after eight, and my house soon resembled the halls of Riverstone. I’d spent the first hour stood on the balcony waiting to see if Avery would surprise me and walk through the doors, but two hours in, I think it’s safe to say she’s a no-show.
Just like she said she would be.
I don’t know why I expected her to make a sudden appearance because she already told me she had plans and she wouldn’t be cancelling them. Not even for the great that is Cole Ashford. And, in the short time I’ve known her Avery doesn’t strike me as one to mix her words either. She strikes me as an all or nothing kind of girl and I kind of like that about her.
She’s nothing like the other girls of Riverstone. She’s not out to make a name for herself, or to win a popularity contest. No, it seems she’s just there to do her thing because she has to and when she’s done, she’ll be out of there faster than a bat out of hell.
My kind of woman.
Maybe that’s why I’ve developed this unhealthy obsession when it comes to Avery Parker. After all, I’ve spent my whole life having people of all ages and genders hanging off my every word—everyone but her.
Avery couldn’t give a fuck who I am or where I’ve come from. None of that matters to her because as far as she’s concerned, I’m nothing but some measly teenage horn-dog trying to get into her pants. Any other girl in this town would jump at the chance to be seen on my arm, but not Avery. And no matter how many times I try to wrack my brains, I just can’t figure out why.
But I am Cole Ashford and I’m used to getting what I want in life and I haven’t failed yet. I plan on making it my sole mission to get close to her and make her want me like she’s never wanted anyone else. I’ll make her need me like her life depends on it, only to walk away and humiliate her the way she keeps humiliating me.
Avery Parker will learn the hard way who I am, and what happens when you choose to mess with me.
“Oh, there you are.” A familiar voice creeps up on me and I can’t help but clench my jaw, willing her to turn the hell around and walk away. But she doesn’t turn around as I feel her step closer to me and the heat of her breath as it tickles my skin makes me cringe. “Did you lose my invite?”
I close my eyes, trying to focus my mind before I turn around to face her and a wicked sparkle gleams in her blue eyes. A look which used to drive me crazy and make my dick stand to attention—but not anymore. Now when I look at her all I see is nothing more than a cheap, desperate wannabe trying to piggyback on my name and my blood boils.
“What makes you think it got lost?” I tease her as her blue eyes glaze over and I slowly bring my hand up to cup her jaw. I don’t stop there, even though I know I should, and I lean in close. Close enough to kiss her and breathe her in, and she gasps, her own breathing falters a little but I don’t miss it.
“Because I had to find out about it from Jessica, and she only knew because Pucker had made it clear I wasn’t welcome.” Her eyes narrow, daring me to tell her she’s wrong, but we both know I’m not going to do that. “What’s happened to you, Cole. You and I both know you’re so much better than that.”
I can tell she’s pissed and she sure as hell isn’t afraid to show it with the rapid rise and fall of her chest, but like I’ve said before, I really couldn’t give a damn how she feels anymore. “Well, you’re here, aren’t you?” I quickly glance over her bare shoulder and see more people piling into the house and for a brief second everything stops and becomes a blur as my focus falls and locks onto a pair of hazel eyes. Eyes I would recognize anywhere. Eyes I could never tire of looking at.
Avery. She’s fucking here. Even when she was so adamant that she wouldn’t be. I breath in quickly, eager to regulate my breathing before Mia notices something is off, and I smile to myself.
Avery is obviously a stubborn chick, but not as stubborn as she likes people to believe.
“You know, it doesn’t have to be like this, Cole.” Mia whispers down my ear but I don’t really hear her from the loud thudding of my heart. It’s going crazy and everything else seems to be blocked out with the exception of Avery. All I can see is Avery, and I watch as she stops in her tracks and her eyes lock onto mine.
It’s game over. Both of us are trapped under some crazy ass spell that neither one of us can explain, and if I was to actually stop and think about it, I’m not all too sure I’d want to break it.
All too soon, and before I can register what is happening, Mia’s lips press against mine and I don’t have the energy to pull away. I know I should, and I know Avery is watching me with her big beautiful eyes, but it still does nothing to make me move. Instead, I allow Mia to claim my mouth the same way she used to do. Exploring my mouth, hungrily seeking out my tongue like she’s been starved of the air she breathes, and I let her. Like the stupid prick that I am, I let her do whatever she wants while I continue to watch Avery and I imagine it’s her lips claiming mine and not Mia’s.
CHAPTER TEN
AVERY
This was a bad idea.
Probably one of the worst idea’s I have ever agreed to. I knew I should have listened to the festering snakes in the pit of my stomach and told Jessica where to go.
I should have known something was up when we arrived at Monty’s. I should have told her to turn the hell around and take me home when Jessica and Mia were exchanging hushed voices in the front of the truck—but I didn’t.
I just sat there telling myself I was nothing but a stupid girl over and over again.
I can’t really explain it, but I got a bad vibe from Mia the second I laid my eyes on her. And I already know the two of us will never be friends. She’s not my type of perso
n, and I’m not plastic enough to be hers.
Now, what’s confusing me is why Jessica would waste her time on someone as fake as Mia. She’s nothing but a Grade A bitch if ever I saw one and coming from Los Angeles, I saw quite a few. Yet Mia manages to top them all.
My gut instantly worsened as soon as we turned off onto a dark and winding driveway, a million lights guiding the way before Jessica finally killed the engine outside a huge mansion. I have no idea who lives here, but whoever it is I already know that I won’t fit in with this crowd.
“Let’s party.” Both Jessica and Mia say in unison before cackling like a pair of witches on Halloween. “Are you ready for this?” Jessica seeks me out from the rear-view mirror and all I can do is look at her. What the hell does she want from me? Some kind of club dance?
I desperately want to tell her to restart the engine and drive me back home, but I know I’ll only embarrass myself in front of the cool crowd, so in a rare move, I keep my mouth shut.
“No offense, but this totally doesn’t look like your scene.” Mia pipes up and I bite down hard on my lower lip to stop myself from telling her how I really feel.
“The world is full of surprises.” I tell her instead, and I can see Jessica looking between the two of us, obviously noticing the tension and a hint of worry creeps onto her face. It quickly passes though as she pulls herself together and plasters on her big white smile.
“Quit bitching, you two.” She bites out through clenched teeth. “It’s Saturday night so let’s go and have some fun.” Jessica can try as hard as she likes to make us like each other but there’s no way that’s going to happen. Plus, I’ve never been here to make friends.
“Oh, don’t worry, boo. Fun is my middle name.” Mia smirks at me and I can already tell she’s up to no good. This girl has trouble written all over her perfectly contoured face and she gives me all the bad vibes.
I waited until Jessica and Mia had finally climbed out of the truck and I slowly followed behind them as they made their way toward the massive house in front of us.
It’s freaking huge. Again, I’m from Los Angeles and I’ve seen some pretty epic builds in my years. But this one, totally hidden away by the damp foliage of Riverstone—it makes my head spin a little.
I thought this place was just full of run-down farmhouses, but it’s clear to see this one is a total new renovation, enhancing it to the next level. I shouldn’t be here. Mia is right, not that I’ll ever admit to that out loud, but this is totally not my scene—not at all.
I’d much rather be back at the farmhouse hidden away, with just my music, journal and thoughts for company. But there’s no way I’ll ever find my way back from here.
“Avery?”
I spin around for the second time tonight looking for the person who called out my name. It’s hard to figure out because of the noise around me, but I know it’s not Jessica or Mia because they’ve already disappeared through the large double doors.
Fortunately, I don’t need to look to far because a mass of ginger hair appears in my peripheral and I instantly know who she is.
“Emily?” I shout. “What are you doing here?” I ask, totally shocked, yet happy to see her at the same time.
“Girl, I should be asking you the same thing.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me, as though she’s just caught me doing something I shouldn’t be doing.
“You’ve lost me.” I confess, and my teeth are still chattering from the cold air.
Emily laughs and shakes her head. “Oh, come on. It’s me you’re talking to. If you didn’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I’m a big girl and I can take it.”
“Tell you what?” I ask again. “Have you been drinking because you’re not making any sense. My cousin dragged me here and trust me I would rather be at home being boring.”
I don’t know what I’ve said but whatever it was it seems to have gotten her attention as her big eyes grow even bigger and her mouth forms a perfect o. And then she suddenly clamps her hand to her mouth.
“Oh, my god.” She squeals, her legs start to shake with excitement, and I have no idea why she’s suddenly acting all loopy. “You don’t even know where you are, do you?”
“Well, isn’t that obvious?”
Emily reaches out a hand and grips mine, and it gives me a strange feeling that she’s trying to offer me some moral support, but I have no idea why. “Avery, you’re going to freak the hell out, but whatever you do, do it quietly and don’t make a scene.”
Why would I make a scene? I’m really starting to think that Emily might have had too much already. At the same time nerves flutter in my stomach as I patiently wait for Emily to enlighten me, but she’s clearly a massive fan of dramatics as she keeps me waiting.
“Whatever, Emily. Just open your mouth and tell me what you’re desperately wanting to tell me.”
“Not here.” She whispers as she checks the surrounding area. Then she pulls on my hand and drags me up the big stone steps that lead to the huge double door. “I’ll tell you when we’re inside.”
I know by now that it’s so much easier to play along instead of trying to argue with her. So, I keep my mouth closed and reluctantly follow her lead.
When we step inside my jaw almost hits the floor.
This place is freaking huge. So much bigger that I expected, and I feel like I’ve left the real world and walked straight into a movie. “Woah… what is this place and why am I here?” I say out loud and Emily gasps at my side.
“Your awesome cousin didn’t tell you where you were headed, huh?”
“Nope. But you obviously know where we are, and now you’re going to tell me.” I narrow my eyes at the girl stood before me, all freckles and ginger hair and I know she’s the closest thing I have to a friend here in Riverstone. And my gut is already squirming, letting me know that I’m not going to like what I’m about to be told.
If I’m being truthful with myself, I think deep down I kind of know the answer too.
“All right. Well… don’t shoot the messenger, and remember you asked.” She shrugs casually at me. “You’re at the one place you didn’t want to be. You’re at Cole Ashford’s party.”
“Are you shitting me?” I try to laugh it off hoping this is Emily’s idea of a sick and twisted joke, but she isn’t laughing along with me.
“Afraid not.” She dead pans, and even though I know I had a tiny incline, hearing it out loud doesn’t make me feel any better about it.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
AVERY
“Why would Jessica even drag me out here?”
“Well, why not? The question you really need to ask yourself is why does Jessica do anything?” Emily looks at me and she doesn’t look happy. “What you have to remember is Jessica Parker is part of the cool crowd. She’s so far up there that there’s only Mia Campbell stopping her from taking the top spot.”
I notice the ice in Emily’s voice when she talks about Jessica and I suddenly remember their heated glances outside Monty’s earlier. “Has something happened between the two of you?” I know it’s none of my business, but I just can’t stop myself. Me and my inquisitiveness knows no bounds and I know it will get me into a lot of trouble one day.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about.” She tells me on a sharp quip of her tongue, and I get the feeling she doesn’t want to talk about it all that much. Maybe I’ll be better getting more from Jessica on the ride home. “Anyway, we’re here now so we may as well make the most of it and have ourselves some fun.”
I just about manage a weak smile as I say, “I’m not sure fun is the word you’re looking for. More like endure.” I guess all I can do is hope and pray I don’t bump into Cole and we’re out of here in no time. “How come you ended up here?”
Emily stops dead in her tracks and looks back at me and I suddenly realize how that must have come across. “Why? Because I’m not one of the cool kids?”
“No. That’s not what I meant.” I stammer out the words and I worry if I
keep talking, I’m going to dig myself a bigger hole.
“It doesn’t matter.” Her tone tells me it does, but she shrugs anyway and pushes her mass of ginger hair out of her eyes. “It’s true and I’m not afraid to admit it either. Honestly, I don’t mind. I’m so much happier being myself. There’s no expectations from anyone then, you know?”
I nod back because I do know. More than she probably realizes. I’ve never been a people pleaser and I don’t believe in following the crowds. This whole like for like that everyone has going on these days is nothing but overrated bullshit. It does absolutely nothing to validate you as a person, yet all these fake kids don’t see it. They’ll do anything to fit in with the IT crowd. “Uh, huh.”
“Plus, I’d rather claw my eyes out than spend my time trying to please those witches. No offence.” She quickly adds.
“None taken.” After all, Emily has known the likes of Jessica and Mia a hell of a lot longer than I have and if she’s telling me they’re bad news then I don’t have any reason not to believe her.
“You know, I had no idea that Jessica was your cousin. I mean, you’re nothing like her; fortunately for you.” She offers me a small smile before pulling me down a long hall.
How does she even know where she’s going? I’m getting lost just looking at the place. I don’t have too much time to think on it because when Emily comes to a drastic stop my eyes fall on the one person I didn’t want to see.
And he’s not alone.
Mia is stood very close to him. Her slim body pressed up against his strong, athletic one and they look like two pieces of a puzzle perfectly slotted together.
I should go.
I know I should move but I just can’t stop looking at him. All tall, dark and handsome. He has me well and truly captive under his gaze. It feels like my entire body is drawn to him, transfixed by some weird spell and I can’t break it. No matter how hard I try.
