The Eastwood Series

by M. E. Clayton

  “Ford Abrams?” Even as a freshman, Ford Abrams had been larger than life.

  “And I know you remember Charlie Harden,” he said.

  “Yeah. She tried talking me into playing soccer our freshman year.”

  “Well, she’s dating Raiden Cruz,” he said, further surprising me.

  “Wow,” I mumbled. “I would never have thought.”

  “You have no idea,” he chuckled.

  Chapter 8

  Alistair~

  I really wanted Rory to come home with me, so I thought it’d be best to tell her everything. It wasn’t that she had been shy when she had gone to Eastwood, but, like me, Amelia, and Charlie, she hadn’t run with the likes of Samson and them. Even though she was passionate about sports, she was more book nerd than sports groupie.

  However, I wanted her to know what she was getting into if she went home with me. “Do you remember Samson and Duke Maddox?”

  She snorted. “Of course. They were…like…royalty. And even though Duke had only been in the eighth grade before I left Eastwood, I had still heard of him.”

  “The beginning of our senior year, Mackenzie Harden started going to Eastwood. As Charlie’s cousin, we met her, and we all became friends. Well, Samson Maddox ended up falling for her, and we all sort of came together with them being a couple. Soon, Ford was dating Amelia, and Raiden started dating Charlie.”

  “Wow,” she whispered. “Talk about coming up in the world.”

  I laughed. “It had been a rough introduction to super stardom and popularity, but they’re actually all good people,” I told her. “At the beginning of this year, Duke started dating this girl genius, Willow Davis, and it’s the real deal.”

  “So, they’re the ones waiting for you in Eastwood?”

  “Yeah,” I replied. “We’ve all become super tight, and the friendships are real.”

  “How is everyone dealing with college?”

  “It’s actually pretty amazing.” My hand came up to play with her hair. “Samson and Duke’s father is kind of a…advocate for true love. He’s paying everyone’s college tuitions, so that they can all go to school together.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. Crazy, right?”

  “That’s just…wow,” she muttered.

  “Samson, Mackenzie, Ford, and Amelia all go to Ohio State because Samson and Ford are destined for the NFL, and the girls hadn’t had any concrete plans for their futures, so that’s what they agreed upon. Raiden’s going to the NFL, too, but he and Charlie got into UCLA together, and it works out for me, since they’re only a few miles and minutes away.”

  “That’s crazy generous of Mr. Maddox,” she replied.

  “More than you know,” I snorted. “He’s paying for Duke and Willow to go to Stanford together next year. And even though we weren’t loved up like everyone else, Mr. Maddox had considered me and Amelia’s brother, Steele, family enough to foot our bills, too.”

  Rory’s head popped up, and she looked down at me. “He’s paying for your college?”

  I nodded as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah. It’s fucking crazy. All of our parents still live in Eastwood, so every break we’ve been going back to see them and each other.” I leaned up and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I’d really like you to meet everyone.”

  “That’s an impressive crowd to meet,” she grimaced.

  “You already know Amelia and Charlie, Rory,” I reminded her. “The others aren’t as intimidating as they seem.”

  Rory dropped her head back down on my chest, and she was quiet for so long, I was sure she was going to say no. I had no problem staying back, but I really wanted everyone to meet her. I knew Amelia and Charlie would remember her, but I wasn’t too sure about Samson, Raiden, or Ford. And Duke and Willow knew nothing about her, so I really wanted her to come home with me.

  But then a thought occurred to me. “Unless, you’re going home later this week.”

  “No,” she muttered. “Wisconsin isn’t my favorite place to be.”

  My stomach tightened at the resignation in her voice. “Why’s that?”

  “My mom…oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t want to paint her in this horrible light, or anything, but…we kind of grew apart living in Wisconsin.”

  “I’m sorry, Rory,” I mumbled as I softly started scratching her scalp.

  “At first, she was still bitter and heartbroken,” she went on. “She was so wrapped up in her…hate, that she kind of lost sight that I had been struggling, too.” I could hear her soft sigh. “By the time she came out of her bitter depression, we’d already grown apart.”

  “And your dad?”

  “He tried for about a year to keep in touch and try to parent me from California, but…I just couldn’t look past what he’d done. He had ripped my world apart, and it seemed as if he hadn’t even cared. He had hurt and devastated us, but he went on to be happy with his new wife and her children.”

  “I’m so sorry, Rory.” And I was. I was killing me that, not only had she lost her father, but she had lost her mother in a manner of speaking, too.

  “When my mom started dating my stepfather, Kevin, she seemed happier, and I realized it was time to move on from my own unhappiness,” she continued. “Eventually, I started making new friends, and did my best to be…normal, I guess.”

  Sadly, I knew exactly what she meant. It had taken a long time for me to realize I couldn’t continue to drown in my own misery. We’d been so young, we really had no choice but to snap out of it, even if we never completely had.

  “I talk to her once a week, but she has her hands full with Kevin’s daughter, Chrissy.” I could hear the sympathy in her voice. “The girl’s a bit of a handful.”

  I chuckled. “A brat?”

  “The worst you can imagine,” she confirmed. “Her mother died while Chrissy was very young, and Kevin’s been overcompensating ever since.”

  “Why USC?”

  “I’m here on scholarship,” she answered. “I knew my mom couldn’t afford college for me, and I’m not close with Kevin at all. So, the only choice I had in getting out of Wisconsin was to work my butt off and apply for scholarships. USC was one of the schools I impressed enough to offer me one.”

  “You know, I’m kind of surprised we haven’t run into each other before now.” When I thought of all the months I’ve wasted being here but being without her, it made my chest ache.

  “I know,” she replied. “I mean…I wasn’t looking for you in the crowds or anything, but your blonde hair is kind of hard to miss.”

  I laughed. My hair has always been my most defining feature. My parents had been sure it would darken as I got older, but it never had. It was practically white. It didn’t bother me, though. It was just a bit unusual.

  “So, what do you say about going back to Eastwood with me?” I asked again.

  After a minute or two of silence, she said, “I’ll ask tomorrow during my shift.”

  I wrapped my arms around her and rolled us over until I was covering her again. I smiled down at her. “Yeah?”

  Her face lit up. “Yeah,” she confirmed.

  “How about I show you how happy I am that you agreed,” I teased.

  “Why do you think I agreed?” she teased back.

  I stared down at the girl in my arms and felt like I could finally breathe after four years under water. “God, I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too, Alistair,” she replied softly. “I…there’s always been a hole there, you know. Like…this dull ache or pain you just sort of learn to live with.”

  I knew exactly what she meant.

  “Rory, when I fell in love with you, I fell in love with you all the way,” I told her. “I know you used to think it was silly of me when I’d tell you I fell in love with you at first sight, but it’s the truth, baby. That’s how I knew it would always be you no matter where life took me.”

  “I’m just hoping it’s not too good to be true,” she grum
bled.

  I kissed the tip of her nose. “How long do we have to stay in bed for me to prove that this is the real deal?” I teased. “Because I’m willing to fight the good fight, you know.”

  Rory laughed just like I’d hope. “Wow,” she grinned. “That’s mighty noble of you, Alistair.”

  “I think so.”

  “What about your beauty rest?” she quipped. “A guy who looks like you surely needs his full eight hours of sleep to look so pretty.”

  I laughed.

  I laughed so hard, I rolled off her body.

  And it felt so good to laugh with her like this.

  It felt right.

  It felt like we were in love.

  Chapter 9

  Rory~

  I couldn’t lie. I spent the entire flight back to Eastwood nervous as hell. Even never having met Duke, Willow, or Mackenzie, I remembered Charlie and Amelia vividly.

  Charlie had been a beautiful thing with brown hair and expressive brown eyes. She had played soccer and had been feminine and fit.

  Amelia had been Alistair’s best friend, so, naturally, I couldn’t have forgotten her. She had been a stunning petite little thing with natural curls that bounced when she moved, and I remembered her having the softest, smoothest dark milk chocolate skin that always shimmered. Her twin brother had been just as beautiful.

  And while I hadn’t run with their crowd, you only had to meet Samson Maddox, Ford Abrams, and Raiden Cruz once to know you’d never forget them. They had been your typical hot jocks. Samson with his dark brown hair and serious hazel eyes. Ford Abrams with his dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes. And Raiden Cruz with his dark brown hair and ocean-colored eyes.

  I had felt Alistair’s words in my heart when he had said he hadn’t, didn’t, and wouldn’t ever care about the dark circles under my eyes or my extra weight, but introducing me to the beautiful people was nerve-wracking.

  Alistair had spent the night with me Saturday, and we spent all night talking in between bouts of sex. When morning had come, I had been exhausted, but I had been able to internet stalk his friends during work. Like Alistair, they all had just gotten sexier, hotter, and more beautiful.

  And in pulling up Samson’s social media, I had gotten a look at his girlfriend. Charlie’s cousin, Mackenzie, was positively breathtaking. I mean, like stop-traffic-kind-of-breathtaking. She had black hair and purple goddamn eyes. She was also built like she’d been forged from sex and sin. I’d never seen anyone so stunning and I lived in California where perfection was the norm.

  After getting the time off, I had called Alistair and told him. He had immediately booked me a flight and rearranged his, so that we could fly over together. I had protested at first, but he said it was his invite, so it was on his tab. He also reminded me that his college was being paid for by Mr. Maddox, so he had the extra money.

  We talked the entire way over, and I learned all about how he got that scar across his eyebrow. It had been a story straight out of a movie, but it made sense how close they were now. It was hard not to go through something intense like that and not bond with one another.

  It was funny how Alistair has changed, but he also hadn’t. We had fallen back into the comfortableness of each other easily, and there were times when it really felt as if we’d never been apart.

  I was also looking forward to seeing his parents again. Jamison and Hannah Brown had always treated me wonderfully when me and Alistair had dated. They owned an insurance firm and had been really down to earth and kind. Since my parents fought a lot during that year, I had spent as much time at the Browns as I could, and they never made me feel like I overstayed my welcomes. They were good people, and I realized I had missed them greatly.

  Now we were on our way to the hotel in a rental. It felt weird being back in Eastwood but settling, also. As we drove through the town, I saw that not much has changed, but it’s only been four years. It’s not like I’ve been gone a decade or something.

  When we reached the hotel, Alistair pulled into the guest parking, and we hauled our bags out of the trunk and made our way to the reception area. I glanced around the lobby as Alistair checked us in, and I had to admit, The Meadow was very nice, indeed.

  “Ready?”

  I turned to face Alistair. “Yeah. I-”

  “Alistair!” We both turned to see who called him, and my eyes immediately welled up.

  Amelia.

  I stepped aside as she threw herself in his arms. Alistair’s arms wrapped around her, and it was the sweetest moment between best friends. Anyone with eyes could see they missed each other.

  When they finally let go of one another, Amelia turned to me, and there were tears in her eye. “Oh, Rory,” she choked out and engulfed me in one of the tightest hugs I’ve ever experienced.

  I hugged her back.

  I hugged her like I was scared I’d never see her again.

  I hugged her remembering how I had lost her, too.

  “Amelia,” I whispered tearfully.

  When she finally pulled back, she laughed, but tears were leaking. “I’m so happy to see you,” she breathed out. “When Alistair told me he found you again…”

  “Hey,” Alistair jumped in, “I need those tears dried before Ford kicks my ass for upsetting you.” She laughed, and it was just as I remembered.

  I wiped my face and I said, “So, Ford Abrams, huh?”

  Her smile lit up the entire lobby. “Who would have thought, huh?”

  “Where is everyone?” Alistair asked.

  “Duke and Ford took Tally and Rachel to Calico’s for some quality time,” she answered. “They’ll be back this evening, though. Raiden and Charlie are with her parents. Willow is hanging out with Meagan and Sarah at their parents. I just came from Mom and Dad’s. Steele won’t be in until tomorrow.”

  “And Samson and Mackenzie?” Alistair asked.

  Amelia snorted. “They’re in their room. I think Samson was about to bust a vein having had to share her Saturday and Sunday.” I almost snorted, too. I’ve seen the girl’s pictures. Even though Samson Maddox was hot as hell, I wouldn’t blame the guy for keeping his girlfriend close.

  “Well, we’re going to go get settled,” Alistair told her. “Afterwards, we’re going to head to my parents for dinner, but we’ll be back early enough if you want to hang out.”

  Amelia smiled. “I’d love that. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure everyone will be staying at the hotel tonight. Maybe we can all get together in our room.” Amelia shrugged a shoulder. “It’s the biggest one what with Tally and Rachel having a connecting room. It could hold us all, especially since the twins have to stay at home tonight. They stayed with us the past couple of nights, and Ford’s parents are making them stay home tonight and tomorrow before they can come back.”

  Alistair chuckled. “Is Ford bummed?”

  “Yeah,” she said smiling. “He really misses those girls.”

  “Alright. We’ll see you guys later tonight, then.” Alistair leaned in to give her a kiss on her cheek, and I hugged her before we headed towards our room.

  Once we got to our room, Alistair unlocked the door, and we carried our bags in. The room was nice, and Alistair had booked a king bed, so there would be plenty of room for the both of us this week.

  I was unzipping my toiletry bag when I felt his strong arms wrap around me from behind. His face nuzzled the back of my neck as he said, “We have a couple of hours before we’re expected at my parents. Know a way we can kill some time?”

  My body collapsed into his embrace. “I have a few ideas,” I teased.

  “I wonder if they’re as good as mine,” he teased back.

  I turned around in his arms, and as soon as I did, he leaned over and pushed our bags off the bed. I laughed as he laid me down onto the mattress with his body following.

  “Your ideas seem awfully similar to mine, Alistair.”

  “Imagine that,” he muttered behind a smile.

  I let out a deep sigh of c
ontentment. “It was really good to see Amelia,” I said. “She looks great.”

  Alistair nodded. “Love agrees with her.”

  “It must,” I agreed. “She looked…radiant, even.”

  “Ford adores her,” he remarked. “Absolutely adores her.”

  My hands played with the strands around his ears. “I’m kind of nervous to meet your friends, Alistair.”

  He cocked his head. “Why? You already know Charlie and Amelia. And even if you weren’t friends, you know who Samson, Ford, and Raiden are.”

  “I know, it’s just…”

  His voice softened. “What, baby?”

  “From the way you talk about them, these people are important to you,” I replied. “It’s important to me that…they like me.”

  “Well, Charlie and Amelia already like you, Rory,” he pointed out. “The others will, too.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I love you,” he stated simply. “One thing about that group is that they are loyal. The fact that I love you is enough for them.”

  I prayed he was right.

  Chapter 10

  Alistair~

  I knew Rory was nervous, and I really didn’t blame her. Before Mackenzie rolled into Eastwood, I had been intimidated by the guys, too. Most of the entire Eastwood campus had been. They were larger than life and didn’t give a fuck about anything but theirs.

  As soon as we entered Amelia and Ford’s suite, everyone threw out their hellos. Charlie and Amelia were in the kitchenette making drinks, it looked like. Raiden was tossing some chips and salsa together, while Ford was setting out paper plates and napkins. Duke and Willow were missing, but Samson was on one of the loveseats cuddled up with Mackenzie.

  I pulled Rory with me and sat her next to me on the couch. The room had one couch, two loveseats, and a couple of armchairs decorated it the corners. When Raiden set down the chips and salsa on the coffee table in the middle of the room, he pulled the armchairs from their corners and stuck them in between the couch and loveseats.

  “Rory!” Charlie exclaimed as she pulled Rory up from the couch and into a hug. “Oh, God, it’s great to see you.”