by R. S Burnett
Cover
Copyright
Wanna bet?
By R.S Burnett
Copyright 2013 R.S Burnett
License Notes
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Acknowledgments
Everyone who emailed me and answered my questions via twitter.
Dave for putting up me when I regularly checked out of the real world to live inside my head, even though I shouted at you a lot when you kept trying to talk to me, I love you. I’m sorry.
My mum for letting me rant and rave and cry and laugh whenever I felt like it, and for passing on your love of a good book to me but please don’t read anything I write, it would be like reading my diary or something. I’m sorry.
Most importantly, you, for reading this book.
Much love and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Cover 1
Copyright 2
Acknowledgments 3
Table of contents 4
Chapter One 6
Chapter Two 24
Chapter Three 33
Chapter Four 49
Chapter Five 67
Chapter Six 76
Chapter Seven 88
Chapter Eight 100
Chapter Nine 111
Chapter Ten 120
Chapter Eleven 137
Chapter Twelve 162
Chapter Thirteen 170
Chapter Fifteen 185
Chapter Sixteen 194
Chapter Seventeen 204
Chapter Eighteen 208
Chapter Nineteen 228
Chapter Twenty 250
Chapter Twenty One 290
Chapter Twenty Two 301
Chapter Twenty Three 319
Chapter Twenty Four 327
Chapter Twenty Five 339
Chapter Twenty Six 350
Chapter Twenty Seven 355
Chapter Twenty Eight 365
Chapter Twenty Nine 379
Chapter Thirty 387
Chapter Thirty One 398
Epilogue 404
About the author 410
Hope – A sneak peek. 411
Chapter One 411
You two were forever 411
Chapter One
I lower my head as I make my way into the café avoiding the eyes of the other students. I make my way over to my usual table in the corner noticing that Sophie is already seated. I glance up and look around the room. I know I don’t have to keep my head down to avoid conversation; no one is really that interested in talking to me. I’m not typically pretty and wear baggy clothes to cover my figure.
I sit down next to Sophie and start picking at my lunch while she tells me all about the party she’s headed to this weekend, I honestly can’t keep up with her social life, she seems to go to a party every other night. Sophie’s not the typical type of girl that I’d get along with but as soon as we came here and were put in a dorm together we quickly became close friends. She’s popular where I only have a few friends, she’s loud to my quiet but she is also one of the most caring people I have ever met, apart from her long term boyfriend Matthew.
We are soon joined by one of Sophie’s friends from the dance club and Matthews’s cousin Tucker, they both sit on the opposite side of the table rather than take the empty seats next to us which I appreciate.
“Who’s your friend Soph?”
I look up to see him staring at me, knowing we have met many times before at parties but he has always been pre-occupied with his entourage of girls. I roll my eyes and return my attention back texting my mum trying to get out of going down there this weekend.
“Brooke. You two have met before right?” Sophie asks me looking confused.
“I’m not sure” I mutter not looking up from my phone.
“No I would definitely have remembered you, I’m Tucker” I look up to see his hand outstretched.
“Pleasure, I’m sure” I say shaking his hand briefly then turning my attention back to my phone.
“What’s going on, you’re very occupied this afternoon” Sophie asks me trying to peak a look at my phone.
“Trying to get out of a party tomorrow at my mums” I explain dropping my phone back into my bag at my feet.
“Is he going to be there?” she asks but the concern on her face is quickly replaced by an adoring smile as Matthew takes the seat next to her.
“Hey baby, who’s he?” Matt asks her, using the same emphasis and pulling the same face Sophie did moments ago referring to our conversation.
“He is no one” I quickly put in before Soph can give away too much “And yes he most definitely will be there” I add to Soph.
“I can go with you if you need me, you know that right” she whispers to me while Matt talks to Tucker about their weekend plans.
“I know but if I do go I’ll ask Luke so it’s not a problem I know you have plans this weekend anyway”
“Hey, how come you never come out with us lot?” Tucker asks me while staring at my chest that is thankfully completely covered in the baggy hooded jumper I’m wearing with my baggy jogging bottoms, It’s not that I’m ashamed with my body it’s just that I hate men staring at it and checking me out so blatantly.
“I’m busy” Is all I offer as an excuse, no need to explain that I only go out about once a month.
I reach into my bag to get my phone that’s just started ringing. I freeze when I see the name on the screen, I snap my head up and start looking for an escape knowing that there is no need but rational thought escapes me. Tucker and Matthew are exchanging confused glances between staring at me but Sophie reaches over takes the phone from me and answers it smoothly. I faintly listen to her side of the conversation and try to appear normal.
“Hello” she smiles at me as she chirps happily into the phone.
“No, Brooke’s just popped out a minute”
“Of course I can”
I catch her wincing and know it’s not good. “Ok I’ll tell her, bye” she hands me back the phone and doesn’t say anything else.
“Thanks”
I jump when I feel to strong hands cover my eyes from behind and almost fall out of chair. “Guess who?” A husky voice whispers in my ear.
“Luke!” I squeal and jump up to wrap my arms around him, he swings me around laughing and a settles me back on my feet with a kiss on the cheek, I sit back down and he sits on the other side of me.
“Missed me huh?” he smirks at me.
“When did you get back?” I ask grinning before he has a chance to reply Sophie clears her throat beside me.
“Sorry” still grinning I return my attention to the table “Tucker, Matt this is Luke. Luke, Matthew: Sophs boyfriend and his cousin Tucker” I make the introductions, Tucker looks surprised that I know he’s Matt’s cousin and looks at me as if trying to remember if we have met before. I smirk just as a very busty blonde comes over and sits next to him; his attention is immediately on her.
“Do you think Kate would mind if I borrowed you for the day tomorrow?”
“No why?” Luke asks while helping himself to the burger on my plate.
“I need you to play the part of my very over protective boyfriend at my mums” I explain.
He looks at me knowingly and nods his acceptance.
“Anything I should be worried about?” I ask Sophie referring to the
phone call she took for me.
“Just make sure you go to the party” she says apologetically
“Right I need to go, I’ll catch up with you all later” I call as I leave to head towards my next class.
“So is he your boyfriend?” I turn to see Tucker following beside me.
“Who?” I feign confusion just because I’ve been asked this question so many times before.
“Luke” he replies with an exaggerated eye roll.
“No”
“Fuck buddy?” he asks causing me to stumble
“Friend” I say disgusted that anyone could think I would just casually sleep with anyone.
“Mmm hmm” he mummers as if in thought. I carry on walking and ignore him.
I’m completely aware that he’s still walking next to me as we make our way across campus, not because my body seems to be aware of him but because I can faintly hear different people calling out greetings to him as we pass, I put my head down and pick up my pace, not wanting anyone to notice me, he catches up with me easily.
“Is there a reason you are here?” I snap at him, irritated that he hasn’t left me alone yet.
“I’m going to class” he says as if stating the obvious. I throw a glare his was as he follows me into the lecture hall. I make my way over to my usual seat and pull out my notebook and pen, I huff dramatically when he takes the vacant seat next to mine in the corner of my eye I can see him smirking at me. I’m just about to make some sort of sarcastic comment to him when my phone beeps beneath me, thankful for the distraction I reach for it and look at the screen.
Cassie: Who’s the hottie sat next to you?
I turn in my seat to look at where Cassie and two of her friends are giggling in the back, she winks at me, I turn around disgusted at the child like behavior coming from them and pass my phone to Tucker.
“I have to say it normally doesn’t take this long to get a girls number” he winks at me grinning.
“I’m assuming the message is about you as there is no one else sitting next to me” I reply begrudgingly, he reads the message and looks at me questioningly I gesture to the back row with my head, he turns and seems amused as he starts texting back and forth with the girls in the back. “Please delete all the messages when you are finished”
“Jealous?” he asks cocking an eyebrow at me.
I roll my eyes at him making him grin.
“No I just like to keep my dinner down if possible”
He flicks his eyes over my body assessing and frowns before turning back to the texting. I plug my iPod in and blank out the class as I wait for the lecture to start, after about ten minutes I’m poked in the side I turn with a restrained sigh and Tucker winks at me before standing and leaving the class closely followed by Cassie, I sigh and shake my head, wondering what is wrong with the world. The lecture finally begins and I concentrate on taking notes and copying down quotes from the studying material.
As I leave the room I’m stopped in tracks by the sight of Matt leaning up against the wall in front of me.
“Hey” I smile as I make my way towards him.
“Tucker gave me this to give to you” he cocks an eyebrow at me as he hands me my phone back.
“Thanks I was worried about that, I didn’t know when I would get it back”
“Any reason why he had it? I didn’t realize you two were friends”
“We’re not, one of the girls in the class text me asking who he was, I passed him my phone so he could message her himself and when they left shortly after he took my phone with him” I explain as we make our way outside and I head to the coffee stand.
“Well as long as it isn’t your heart he’s breaking” he smirks at me.
“I’m not sure I’m his type” I return dryly, momentarily distracted by the smell of coffee that’s strong in the air making me smile widely. Matt, used to my addiction by now thanks to being in the dorm I share with Sophie just rolls his eyes and chuckles at me. I playfully shove his shoulder and jump in the queue.
“So big party tomorrow huh?” he asks
“Uh yeah, something like that” I’m not sure how much of my home life he knows about from Sophie, I know she may have mentioned a few things to him in passing, which I understand and assure her regularly that that’s OK as long as he keeps the information to himself.
“You know, I can always help out if you need me, never be afraid to ask”
“Never be afraid to ask what?” comes from behind, causing both of us to spin around to see Tucker standing there, eyeing us curiously.
“Uh .. if she needs me and Sophie to stay over mine instead of their dorm, you know if we get too much” Matt quickly says, sending me an I-got-it-covered smile.
“Ahh so you’re a prude” Tucker says swiping my coffee and taking a sip.
“Ugh you can keep it” I muttered backing away from the drink he keeps trying to hand me back.
“What?” he asks looking offended but ruining the effect by looking slightly amused at my reaction
“I don’t know where your mouth has been, and as far as I can tell you have no standards so I’ll pass on that thanks” I state turning to get another coffee hoping he will leave it at that, I’m not so lucky when I turn back around he is staring at me open mouthed.
“I have never been with an ugly woman!” he argues.
“You’ve never been with one that can tie her own shoe laces either” I return with a wink and walk off leaving Matt chuckling and Tucker mumbling about not knowing if that is true or not. I grin to myself as I wonder whether he was referring to me or himself not having that knowledge.
* * *
The next morning I’m woken up by my phone beeping and a text message that make me want to cry.
Luke: Sorry hun, can’t make it today, went to a party last night, Kate fell and broke her arm we’re still at the hospital waiting for her cast to be put on xx
Me: OK not a problem. Hope she gets better soon xx
Sighing and throwing my legs over the bed, I sit up and glance at my wardrobe thinking about what I can wear today that will be the safest option, not that what ever I wear will save me. Defeated I get up and throw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt covered by a big woolly jumper. Grabbing a cup of coffee I head out for the drive.
An hour later I get the familiar queasy feeling in my stomach that I always get when ever I’m near my mums house, resigning to stay only for an hour or two I drag myself out of the car and into the house.
“Honey, I missed you when are you going to start visiting more often?” My mum cries as she throws her arms around me, this of course is just a show for the group of her friends that have made it over here before me, what they can’t see is my wincing from her sharp nails digging into the back of my neck and her harsh whispers in my ears threatening to behave and not embarrass her. When she finally lets me go, I head into the kitchen where my half- brother is making drinks.
“Hey sis, how’s life?” Phin asks handing me glass of orange juice. We take a seat at the kitchen table and chat for most of the morning about school and catching up in general, he asks a lot of questions about Sophie and I can’t hide the smile that takes over my face whenever he talks about my roommate, since meeting her six months ago he has had a crush on her, which she finds adorable and flirts with him at every opportunity.
I excuse my self and make my way to the bathroom as the rest of the guests arrive and lunch is being dished out. As soon as I make it to the bathroom I am momentarily pushing back the stars that have taken over my vision as I’m slammed into the door from behind, a hand covers my mouth and I stop breathing when a familiar voice is in my ear whispering harshly. “In the bathroom now, not a noise from you” I nod and open the door slowly, he pushes me inside and follows behind me not taking his hand from my mouth. After he locks the door behind us he kicks my legs out from under me. Slammed into the cold bathroom tile I resist the urge to rub my knees from the fall knocking them on the hard tiles. I look up and watch as
my step dad leans over me and pulls my hair. “I see you still haven’t changed, still the same whore you have always been” he snarls at me spitting every time he says something, I cringe inwardly at the spit that is gathering around his mouth and my stomach turns. “Have you got a boyfriend yet?” he asks me while pulling up the sleeves on his old grey long sleeved shirt that has a few cigarette burns in the front. I know I need to answer his question but as I take in his appearance from his worn top to his equally old jogging bottoms and odd socks I’m transported back to when I turned thirteen and my life turned into this nightmare, granted he may never have raped me but what he done to me on an almost daily basis is just as bad. Of course I could have told but he threatened to kill me if I told anyone and on a few occasions he used to take it upon himself to show me how much he meant that promise by choking me until I started to loose consciousness and then letting go and letting me come back to and he would repeat the process three times, every time he thought I was getting close to telling someone. I’m brought of out my memories by a sharp blow to my jaw, my head slams to the side and hits the corner of the sink, I can already taste the blood filling my mouth but block the pain out. It’s then I realise he never expected me to answer he was going to do this anyway, as a punishment for leaving it too long since my last visit. He needs my visits so he can exercise this control over someone, he doesn’t hurt his son, he used to tell me how Phin is perfect and I’m nothing but a dirty little whore, and I deserve to be with my dad. Of course the irony is that I would have gone with my dad in a heartbeat if I could have but he died when I was eleven. I manage to block out the next few kicks and thankfully we are interrupted by my mum shouting up the stairs for him to join them for lunch. He leaves me lying on the bathroom floor and leaves the bathroom silently. I wait a few minutes until I hear him talking beneath me in the kitchen. Leaving as quietly as I can without whimpering in pain and clutching at my side where his foot connected with my ribs I make my way through the backdoor so I can leave unnoticed I get back in my car and head back to my life, knowing that at least for another month I can forget that the family I just left even exists.
