by Rachel Leigh
I hold my focus on the front of the classroom, “And, why is that exactly?”
“Because I get to show you the stars.”
“What crappy romance novel did you step out of?” I turn around to face him, but he leans back in his seat, straightening his face and taking notes again as Mrs. Tate continues her lecture.
I let out a sigh, sinking further into my chair.
After hearing the constant tap of Mrs. Tate’s shoes against the marbled floors, class is dismissed. I close my blank notebook and head out in the hall to meet up with Knox.
“What the hell, Blakely?” He grumbles as we walk to his locker.
“I’m sorry, I completely forgot that partners were getting assigned today. Who did you get?”
“Nikki Rowen.” He sighs, as her name rolls off his tongue.
I can’t help but laugh. I may be a slacker, but I still have more brain cells than that girl. Poor guy. “I’m sorry,” I say again.
“It is what it is, but you’re the one who’s going to be sorry. You’re partnered with the biggest douchebag in the school.”
“Jasper? Isn’t he new?”
“Yeah, he is.” Knox says, shutting his locker and walking with me, since his next class is on the way.
We make our way through the crowded halls overflowing with students. Knox gets a few pats on the back as his classmates wish him luck for tonight’s game.
“How did he claim that title so soon?”
“He may be new to Redwood, but he’s not new to me. He is... well, he was, the Las Verdes starting quarterback and none other then, Isaac’s son and my new housemate.”
“That’s Isaac’s son?” My eyes widen. I knew his mom’s boyfriend and son would be moving in, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
“Yep, and the minute he stepped foot in the door, he had a chip on his shoulder. Acting like we all owe him something.”
“Oh come on, he can’t be that bad.” We turn down the senior hallway as students begin staggering into classrooms.
“Blakely,” he clenches his teeth, “he tried taking my bedroom because he said he liked the view better. He seriously expected me to pack up my life and move to the spare room.”
“Did you?”
“Hell no! The asshole even had the nerve to park his car in my space in the garage.”
We stop at my locker, so I can grab my books for next hour, continuing our conversation while rummaging through the mess. “Did you say anything about it?”
“Of course, I did. If he does it again then my key will be meeting the paint of his four-door sedan.” Knox glances at his phone, I assume it’s to make sure he isn’t late. He’s much more punctual than I am.
“Well, I’m proud of you, because we all know what a pushover you can be. It’s about time you got a backbone. I’ll set that boy straight. No one messes with my best friend.” I shake my head in disgust of this new kid.
“Whatever. I gotta go. Are you going to Axel’s party after the game on Friday?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” I beam, eager to get through this week, so the events of Friday night can unfold.
As I turn from my locker, I feel the weight of a body crash into me. “Watch it, whore,” Petra growls.
“Excuse yourself, you bumped into me,” I snap.
Principal Somers comes into view, giving Petra an out, as she slithers between myself and the door frame.
Levi walks in after her, winking as he passes by me. I keep my sights on him as he walks right over to Petra’s desk. I don’t know why he continues to meddle with that girl. It was only a year ago that she was practically invisible, and now all of a sudden, everyone gravitates toward her. I refuse to let it get me down. I may not be their hero at the moment, but I once was, and I will be again. When I am, the whole school will know what a liar and manipulator Petra is.
Enjoy your sunshine, sweetie. A storm is coming.
“You forgot this.”
That voice again, only this time, it’s not sending chills down my spine.
“Forgot what?” I say, taking the paper that Jasper’s waving obnoxiously in front of my face. I skim over the headline, Greek Mythology Project, stuffing it in between the pages of my math textbook. I look over and see he’s still there. “You can go now. I have class.”
“After you.” He gestures to the classroom.
“Wonderful.” I walk inside with him still chirping in my ear.
“If we’re gonna be working together, you might want to tone down the bitchiness.”
I shuffle to my seat but stop myself as soon as his words hit my ears.
I prance after him and lean over his desk. “Hey new kid, let’s get a few things straight, first of all, I am not a bitch.” I stop when I look around and notice everyone watching us intently. A couple of nobodies spewing laughter at my comment.
I’m not a bitch. What do they know? I’m a lot of things—spoiled and materialistic, maybe—but it’s because I know my worth.
Most of this school thinks they know who I am. Sure, they know my name, but they don’t truly know me. I’m more than meets the eye.
Petra, my ex best-friend who was amongst the laughter, doesn’t know the whole story of what happened that night with her ex, Wyatt. He took advantage of my unconscious state and decided to take it upon himself to undress me in his bedroom when I passed out at a party he was throwing. He may not have physically harmed me, but he made a mockery of me.
Sharing with all of his friends and social media, the glory of his drunken idiocy. It was one of the lowest points in my life. He stole my voice, he stole my dignity, and he destroyed my reputation— with the help of Petra. She chose to believe the other side of the rumors and in turn dragged my name through the mud. It wasn’t until two days later that the photos surfaced and Petra accused me of trying to sleep with him. That's also the story that she told the entire school.
I never said anything. I let him get away with what he did because Mom told me it would draw too much attention to the family. When the rumors died down and the photos were deleted, she held onto it as a reason to think the worst of me. After that night, I told myself that I would never again allow someone to belittle me or make me feel like I’m not good enough.
It was after that night that I truly broke. But I glued myself back together and came back stronger. A force to be reckoned with.
Axel, who is Knox’s best friend, doesn’t know that when his mom was sick, I'm the one who had a week’s worth of meals delivered to them. And when she passed, I cried. Not for myself but for him. My mom may be living, but I’ve mourned the loss of her for years.
I look back to Levi who is elbows deep into Petra’s desk and whispering something in her ear that woos her. A flirtatious smile growing on her face, followed by giggles. She may call me the whore, but she’s the one who spreads her legs for every guy in this school. I’m not sure why it irks me, but it does.
The rest of the day drags, but when the final bell rings, I’m released from my slumber.
I toss everything into my locker and slam it shut, making my way through the maze of students.
“Hey.” Knox jogs to my side as we approach the locker room. “Swing over tonight after practice. You can finish that drawing you started.”
“Sounds good. I have no plans.” I shrug with a smile.
Knox takes off in the other direction to the guys’ locker room as I walk into the girls’.
***
I’m heading to my car after practice when I hear footsteps on the pavement behind me and a familiar voice. “B, wait up.”
I don’t turn around; I don’t have to. I already know that voice.
Jasper.
I continue to ignore him and head to my car.
“B? Let me guess, short for bitch.” I exhale deeply, as he steers at my side. “Go to hell.” I climb in my car and leave the door ajar, since he’s obviously ignoring my request.
“Are you always this difficult?” He hangs on the doo
r frame as if he’s had an invitation into my personal space.
“Yes, I am. Are you finished?” I stare straight ahead, avoiding eye contact, out of fear that he will drag this conversation out.
“No,” he growls, “I’m not doing this project on my own. So one way or another, you have to talk to me.”
I inhale deeply, holding my breath while I think. “Fine. But not tonight. I have plans. Meet me in the cafeteria tomorrow morning.” I attempt to close my door, but his foot jammed in the door stops it from closing.
“I’ll be there.” He turns to walk away, “And, don’t be late. I’ve seen how punctual you are.”
I slam my door closed and rub my temples as I watch him walk away. I’ve known him all of three hours and he’s already giving me a migraine.
This guy will soon learn that this is my school. He’s just a new boy taking up too much space.
Want More?
Read Like Gravity on Amazon and Free in Kindle Unlimited.
Also by Rachel Leigh
Book Two in the Redwood Rebels series is coming soon!
Preorder Heathen Now!
Redwood High Series
(All books can be read as a stand-alone)
Book One: Like Gravity
Book Two: Like You
Book Three: Like Hate
Standalone
Undercover Barmaid
Message From the Author
First of all, I want to send a big thank you to readers who gave Striker a chance. I hope you enjoyed these twisted boys and Talon’s story.
Thank you so much to Amanda, and Aurora for beta reading. And, Sara for putting up with my constant back and forth, mental breakdowns, and for talking me through it all!
Thank you to Britt and Red Hatter for all that you do for me. You all rock!
Greys Promo, thank you for helping get the word out about my books and for being so easy to work with.
Thank you to all the bloggers who like, love, share, and review. I appreciate you all so much.
My amazing street team, thank you for your daily support and shares!
I’d love to hear what you thought of Striker by leaving a review. It would be greatly appreciated. I’d also like to invite you to join my readers group Rachel’s Ramblers.
xoxo-Rachel
About the Author
Rachel Leigh resides in West Michigan with her husband, three kids, and a couple fur babies.
Rachel overuses emojis and lol. Coffee is her guilty pleasure. Writing is her passion. Her goal is to brighten at least one person’s day with the worlds she creates between the pages of her books.
