Eden High Series One: The Eden High Series Boxed Set, Books 1-6

by Silver, Jordan

  With all that being said there’re a few things that we have to clear up. If Sian isn’t interested it’s obvious that you will leave her alone, though I don’t think that will be the case.

  And, just because I admire your approach doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t break every bone in your body if you make her cry. Understood?”

  “Yes sir, you won’t regret it.” We stood and shook hands while I came down from that precipice I’d been balancing on.

  As confident as I was in myself, there had always been the chance that there could’ve been a problem. Now with that out of the way, I just needed to convince my little slugger.

  Chapter 4

  SIAN

  “Jared.” I dragged my brother into my room when I caught him out in the hallway. “What’s going on, why is Jace in there with mom and dad?”

  “I don’t know sis you’ll have to ask him when he comes out.” He smirked at me and I was about to gut punch my second jock for the night. I was a little worried though and it must’ve shown on my face.

  “Sis, do you like, like Jace even a little bit?” What kind of moron was he? Didn’t he know no teenage girl worth her salt would discuss such a thing with her brother?

  I started to give him my withering glare designed to make all lesser beings whimper, but he caught me off guard with his next words.

  “This is serious sis; I don’t even think you two have even met yet, well before tonight. But are you interested in him?”

  “What if I am?” I folded my arms and leaned against the wall. I still wasn’t willing to give anything away yet.

  I haven’t been thinking straight since that car pulled up in our driveway and now he’s downstairs locked away with both my parents, after sending me to my room of all things.

  I was having an out of body experience, that’s the only explanation for what was going on here. And that kiss; well it was more like a peck really but…

  “I think he’s a nice guy Si, like seriously nice.”

  “Yeah but he has a girlfriend.”

  “I don’t think so, I think they broke up. He doesn’t say much about it which is another great thing about the guy, but I’m pretty sure they’re not together. Plus I don’t think he’d be here practically asking mom and dad for your hand if he wasn’t serious…”

  “He did what?”

  “Oh shit…” He tried scampering away but I was too quick for him and blocked off the doorway.

  “Start talking or your signed Danny Marino pigskin is going the way of Jimmy Hoffa.”

  “Dude, don’t even joke about that shit.”

  I had to roll my eyes at him, because he was acting like I nut punched him.

  “Spill.” I advanced on him and he backed up, dad would skin him if he even looked at me wrong and I had no problem using that to my advantage. I know it’s unfair but meh, you use what you’ve got.

  “Start talking Jared Claiborne, what is going on down there?”

  “Oh man, look here’s the deal. I’m not really sure since I’m not in the room. I think you should wait until mom and dad calls you or something.”

  “But you said he was asking for my hand.”

  “Kinda, sorta, I think he’s asking if he can date you, but I’m not sure.” He tacked on that last piece when I folded my fist and gritted my teeth.

  “How can he be asking them when he hasn’t even asked me?”

  “Actually I think his approach is very affective, I’m thinking of using it myself next time I meet a girl. Dad was looking kind of shell-shocked.”

  “I guess it is kinda sweet and old fashioned…”

  “Sian, come down here please.”

  Oh shit oh shit oh shit. I was suddenly the most nervous that I’d ever been in my life. I didn’t know what to do.

  The thing was I wasn’t certain if I was more nervous about a boy asking my dad to take me out, or the fact that that ‘boy’ was Jace, the hottest guy in the world, and he was interested in me.

  “Coming dad.” I looked at Jared but he was no help the idiot. He was grinning like the fool that he is as I crept out of my room at a crawl.

  This is almost embarrassing. The hottest guy ever was standing in my kitchen with my dad and they had been discussing me.

  What if dad had said no? I sped up a little faster on that thought. If he had I’d just have to change his mind.

  Uh-oh, I didn’t have time to pursue that thought because mom met me in the hallway outside the kitchen and hugged me and kissed my forehead with this look on her face like she was sending me off somewhere.

  “My little girl is growing up.” She sniffled into a tissue and pushed me towards the kitchen. “Go on honey your dad is waiting.”

  What the hell, had that freak really asked for my hand in marriage or some crap?

  “Dad what’s wrong with mom?” It was as good a cover as any, to hide my nervousness. I didn’t look at Jace just long enough to see him lounging back against the island with his arms folded and his legs crossed.

  He didn’t look like he’d been asked to leave, or threatened with dad’s gun and I felt a stirring in my heart. A soft warm flush went through me and I felt like smiling.

  I can’t even believe this is really happening. I’m about to have my first boyfriend. I mean why else would he go through all this trouble?

  Oh crap, what if he doesn’t like me? He’s accustomed to more worldly girls and I’m so…well he can get stuffed if I’m not good enough for him the pig. I gave him the stink eye and heard my dad snicker.

  “Sian I’m sure you know Jace, why don’t I leave you two alone to talk and I’ll see you before you go to bed.”

  Huh? That’s it? what the…dad left and Jace walked over and took my hand, leading me to the little breakfast nook in the corner.

  He sat me and bumped me into the corner of the window seat before sitting down next to me.

  He didn’t say anything for the longest time, just looked at me like he was studying me for a test.

  I was starting to squirm under his hot gaze but then he took pity on me and looked beyond me out the window.

  “I’ve never done this quite like this before; approached a girl’s parents to ask them, no tell them, that I was going to be dating their daughter.

  I’ve never been nervous about anything in my life, not really. Not even when I went out for the team. Tonight, sitting in that room I was nervous as hell.

  I guess you’ve pretty much figured out what’s going on here. I’m here to ask your parents if I can take you out, they said yes if it’s okay with you.

  It’s okay with you because I’m not really giving you a choice for it to be otherwise.”

  Now he looked at me and the intensity in his eyes was almost too much. There was so much heat there in that one look and I wasn’t sure that I was up to the promise of what I saw written there.

  He took my hand and held it, turning it over in his, “so small,’ the words were barely above a whisper and then he inhaled deeply and sat back with his eyes closed, head resting against the wall behind us.

  “We‘re going to have a great time together Sian, I promise you that.” He brought my hand up to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. Then he stood up, pulling me up with him.

  “I don’t want to push my luck too far tonight, your dad is being very understanding right now.” He trailed his finger down my cheek to my lips and gave me the briefest of kisses.

  I automatically got up on my toes and tried to hold the kiss longer. He teased his tongue across my lips, gave me a squeeze around my waist and then put me away from him.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep tight beautiful.” With one last peck to my lips he was gone and mom was calling down to me. I stood in that spot for the longest time not willing to move less it was a dream.

  Chapter 5

  SIAN

  The next morning I was a mess, I thought I was going to wipe out on the way to school. I had nervous butterflies, sweaty palms and twitchy parts all working at th
e same time.

  I kept imagining what it would be like to be with him, it’s all I could think about last night and this morning.

  It’s a wonder I didn’t give myself away with my mooning at the breakfast table.

  Dad was already looking as though he regretted his decision to let me have a life. One whiff of my hot shorts and he’d lock me away somewhere for sure.

  I might not have been allowed to walk two feet next to a guy other than my brother before in my life, but I do know what sex is. And my mind has been full of sex with me, and one Jace Saunders.

  Oh my word I can’t believe I’m thinking about sex with Jace Saunders, the hottest guy in school.

  Pay attention before you run over some innocent bystander. I barely stopped myself from running into the back of the car in front of me when he pulled up to the stoplight.

  My mind was all over the place, running from one scenario to the next without any let up. Of course I imagined every horrible thing that could go wrong between us as well.

  Having never had a relationship of any kind with a member of the opposite sex, all I had to go on was the excellent example that my parents set.

  But I don’t think anything could’ve prepared me for the alien feelings that had taken up residence in my head.

  What was it going to be like, how was he going to act? Will he be standoffish, or will be like he was last night?

  These were just a few of the questions plaguing me as I drove onto school grounds.

  My nerves shot up when I saw all the kids milling about. I wasn’t even sure what I was supposed to do now. He did say he would see me today at school but what did that mean exactly? Oh for crap sake Sian get a grip.

  ***

  I pulled into my usual spot, well usual since yesterday and today; and who do I see in my rearview mirror?

  My dream car sidled in beside me. I watched him pull in and get out, still sitting in my car like a stump. Did I mention that I forget all motor skills when in his presence? It’s pathetic.

  He walked over, opened my door and helped me out. I think I forgot how to breathe. His scent was the second thing to assail my senses, after the smile that he gave me.

  He was dressed in one of those three button thermal Henley shirts, pushed up to the elbows and opened to the third button. Even the gold Rolex on his wrist looked sexy.

  Did I mention that he’s built? Well, what little I could see led me to believe that he had a very nice body, and let’s not forget his ass in his football uniform.

  Today he was wearing jeans that fit just right in front. My mouth went dry. How did you go from a virgin to having lustful thoughts overnight?

  No wonder parents locked their kids away; they were probably remembering how it was to be a teen themselves.

  There were lots of murmurs in the background as I’m sure we were making a spectacle of ourselves, and one loud scream came from somewhere behind us.

  Not a scream like I’m hurt, I need help, but more like I’m about to throw the mother of all tantrums if I don’t get my way right now. Two guesses as to who that was.

  I couldn’t look around to see if it really was Mandy making that racket, because Mr. man crowded me against the car door and did that thing where he sniffs my hair. Why is that even sexy? No clue, but it makes me weak in the knees.

  He ran his nose down the side of my face, and then I felt the lightest kiss against that place where my ear meets my cheek. I thought I would swoon. I had to grab ahold of his shirt to steady myself.

  “Morning babydoll.” He kissed my lips, but once again it was just a tease. He took my hand and turned and led me across the lot with my hand held firmly in his.

  I saw Belle with Tammy and Cassandra off to the side watching us with their mouths looking pretty much like guppies.

  Belle gave me a little thumbs up and Cassandra looked as if she were about to pass out. Tammy as always, kept her head down.

  I had a quick moment of worry about Cassandra when I remembered her reaction to him that day on the field. I hope she didn’t hate me.

  But when she gave me one of her shy smiles I knew it was okay. Jace was pulling me along, but I gave his hand a little tug. Here was our first test.

  He looked down at me when I tugged and I pulled him in the direction of my three new friends, who looked like they were about to bolt at any second.

  If they did, I wouldn’t speak to anyone of them ever again in this lifetime. They must’ve caught the kill lights in my eyes because they stayed put.

  “Good morning ladies.” Jace greeted them with that devastating grin of his; he’s such a showoff. I think these three idiots sighed like those ladies you read about in historical romance novels.

  I rolled my eyes and kept going, with them falling in beside us. We pretty much ignored the glares and whispers as my new boyfriend walked me to my first class.

  “I’ll see you at break, wait for me outside your lit class and I’ll come get you and walk you down to the cafeteria.”

  Another one of his drive-by kisses and he was off. I watched those fine buns all the way down the hall until he got to the end.

  “Inside Sian.” Damn, how did he know I was still standing there? The four of us snickered and three of us headed for one class while Cassandra hustled and went to her class on the other side of the building.

  Wait a minute, how did he know what classes I had? I didn’t have much time to dwell on it because Belle was dragging me to our tables.

  We were in a huddle and you would think I’d won an Oscar or at the very least an Emmy the way they were carrying on.

  “You’ve been holding out on us, maybe you need a lesson in friend etiquette, but you do not keep the fact that you’re dating the school heartthrob from your girls.”

  “Why Belle, I was sure you wouldn’t have any interest in that seeing as he’s a jock and all.” I batted my lashes at her.

  “You’re such a fail, try to follow along please. My interest is not so much in the meat per se, but more in the affect this new turn of events will have on the twat brigade.

  I can see only good things coming from this. It will kill her, and a more deserving wench we have yet to meet.”

  “Geez Belle blood thirsty much?” I secretly agreed with her assessment but wasn’t about to let her know that. It was early days yet and I’m way into self-preservation.

  Now I don’t think Jace would’ve gone through all that he had last night on a dare, or as some sort of joke. But there was so much that could go wrong with a new relationship…

  I caught myself in mid-thought. It was finally dawning on me that since my arrival here I’ve been acting like the proverbial twit. I guess I was a bit intimidated, but no more.

  “Okay you’re right but this all just happened last night. I’ll tell you guys all about it later, the teacher’s coming in.”

  And so were Mandy and her crew. I pretty much expected the bump into my desk that one of them did in passing so didn’t acknowledge the juvenile move.

  I was expecting there to be some backlash, in fact I’d spent a good part of last night thinking about that, when I wasn’t imagining Jace and I together. I came to the decision to choose my battles and rise above whatever they threw my way.

  “Skank alert.” Belle, not so much!

  “It won’t last you know, he’s just mad at me about something, but we all know he always comes back to me, his one true love. I’m sure he probably has some kind of bet going with the rest of the team. You know how those guys are.”

  This was said loud enough for everyone who was interested to hear of course, and I had a momentary fear that she might be right.

  I mean that made more sense than the hottest guy anywhere ever, being interested in me.

  Then I remembered him holding my hand and closing his eyes last night; that look on his face.

  There was definitely something there; just the memory of that moment made my heart race and filled me with…something.

  Besides, my br
other is on the team. Surely he would’ve told me if something like that was even remotely true.

  My thoughts were interrupted by the loud acclimations of Jace’ profound love for her and how they were meant to be together, blah, blah, blah. Of course her girls agreed that they made sense as a couple.

  I too may have thought that about fifteen hours or so ago. But now, hella no bitches! As soon as I find my nerve I’ll be all over that.

  I decided to ignore the snickers and the catty remarks until the teacher called for order and everyone finally settled down.

  I was able to pay attention in class for the rest of the morning, but half an hour before lunch period my body went into system overload again.

  ***

  “So come on give, when, how, where, we all know why.” Belle was more curious than I expected her to be. She always gave the impression that she had no interest in relationships, and in fact I have never heard her even mention a guy.

  Tammy always blushes whenever the conversation head in that direction and I think little Cassandra thinks it’s all dreamy. Oh to be young and naïve, which I was yesterday at this time.

  No one told me that my stomach would feel like it had rocks ratting around in there and that I would forget how to perform the most basic of human functions, like breathe.

  “He came over to meet my mom and dad. I didn’t even know what was going on, or that he was going to be there…”

  I told them about the evening and pretty much everything up until Jace and I had made a spectacle of ourselves in the parking lot.

  “I see you don’t hear so good new bitch.” I turned around to see Mandy and her den of vipers approaching us from behind. Belle moved her body in front of me, which I thought was so sweet and even Tammy, shifted a little.

  Little Cassandra, who had been moving towards us from the opposite direction, with a big excited grin on her face, stopped short and seemed to be taking in the scene before her.

  There was something weird about the way she was looking at the other girls, and I couldn’t tell if it was one in particular or all of them; but now wasn’t the time to ponder.