Hearts on
Fire
Book One of the Hearts Series
By
Sabrina Wagner
Copyright © 2016 by Sabrina Wagner
Hearts on Fire
Book One of the Hearts Series
Cover art by Jill White at Jillzeedesign.com
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect are appreciated. Names, characters, businesses, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers 18+.
Author’s Note
The songs used in this story, help to capture the feelings of the characters and express their emotions. By clicking on the links provided, it will take you to the YouTube videos for these songs. I highly suggest that you utilize this feature to truly enjoy the book.
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1: Kyla
Chapter 2: Tyler
Chapter 3: Kyla
Chapter 4: Tyler
Chapter 5: Kyla
Chapter 6: Tyler
Chapter 7: Kyla
Chapter 8: Tyler
Chapter 9: Kyla
Chapter 10: Tyler
Chapter 11: Kyla
Chapter 12: Tyler
Chapter 13: Kyla
Chapter 14: Tyler
Chapter 15: Kyla
Chapter 16: Tyler
Chapter 17: Kyla
Chapter 18: Tyler
Chapter 19: Kyla
Chapter 20: Tyler
Chapter 21: Kyla
Chapter 22: Tyler
Chapter 23: Kyla
Chapter 24: Tyler
Chapter 25: Kyla
Chapter 26: Tyler
Chapter 27: Kyla
Chapter 28: Tyler
Chapter 29: Kyla
Chapter 30: Tyler
Chapter 31: Kyla
Chapter 32: Tyler
Chapter 33: Kyla
Chapter 34: Tyler
Chapter 35: Kyla
Chapter 36: Tyler
Chapter 37: Kyla
Chapter 38: Tyler
Chapter 39: Kyla
Chapter 40: Tyler
Chapter 41: Kyla
Chapter 42: Tyler
Chapter 43: Kyla
Prologue
Hearts on Fire
My first love was like fire.
It flickered in the beginning, then blazed to life.
It engulfed my soul and consumed me.
The beauty of the flames blinded me.
I was so entranced by the light and the heat,
That I forgot how easy it was to get burned,
And my heart, incinerated.
Chapter 1
Kyla
It was the first day of my senior year at Oak Valley High. I’d spent extra time making myself look just perfect. I added a second coat of mascara to make my green eyes pop. I curled my long, blond hair in soft waves down my back. There was only one objective today, and that was to get the football team’s new quarterback to notice me. Being the captain of the cheer squad was definitely in my favor. I heard the girls at cheer practice talking about how he had just transferred to Oak Valley from Bay City, which was about two hours north. He was without a doubt the newest attraction at school and I hoped I’d get a chance to meet him today.
I threw on my skinny jeans, a cute pink blouse and my new sandals. I thought I looked pretty good. Giving myself one last look in the mirror, I bounced down the stairs and waited for Tori to pick me up. Tori and I had been best friends since the third grade. We were practically inseparable. She was the sister I never had.
When I got to the kitchen, mom and dad were having their morning coffee and looked up when I came in.
“Big day today, sweetie”, dad smiled and held out his arms to give me a hug.
“Yep! I’m so excited to start my senior year,” I said moving into his embrace. “This year is totally gonna rock!”
“Well, you look beautiful as always. Do you want some breakfast before your big day?” mom offered while sipping her coffee.
“No thanks!” I said, as I grabbed a strawberry out of the bowl on the table and popped it in my mouth. “Tori should be here soon to pick me up. We want to get there early to catch up with everybody. Don’t forget I have cheer practice after school,” I reminded them. Just then I heard the horn honk.
“Gotta go! Love you both!” I blew my parents kisses and grabbed my backpack from the front hallway.
Tori’s old, blue beetle was sitting in the driveway, music blaring. I opened the door, threw my stuff in the back and got in. As I looked back at the house, my mom and dad were standing in the doorway, arms around each other, waving good-bye. Tori and I both waved back as she pulled out of the driveway.
“Your parents are so damn cute,” Tori said.
“I know it’s almost sickening isn’t it? They’ve been together since they were seventeen. I hope I find that someday.”
“Kyla, this is our year. We’re fuckin’ seniors girlfriend! Time to lose that V card you hold onto so tightly.”
“Seriously, Tori? Is that all you think about?”
“Not the only thing. But trust me, Kyla, you have no idea what you’re missing! Since Chris and I did it, I can’t get enough… of his dick that is!”
“Eww! TMI for sure!” I made a disgusted face. This is what I loved about Tori though. She didn’t hold back. I’m pretty sure there was no filter between her brain and her mouth. “I’m not going to have sex, just to do it. It’s got to be right. I want it to be with someone I love. I want it all! I want the butterflies in my stomach, the stars in my eyes, the head over heels kind of love. It’s out there somewhere,” I sighed.
“You’re just a hopeless romantic. And I love you for it, but let’s be real. The chances of you finding that here are pretty slim. There are no knights in shining armor or white horses, for that matter. Just a bunch of horny teenage boys in pick-up trucks. Not that that’s a bad thing,” Tori smirked. “Pick-ups usually have bench seats,” she waggled her eyebrows at me.
Well, I guess she had a point there.
Although we had been friends forever, Tori and I couldn’t be more different. She went for the bad boys and had a style all her own. Edgy and carefree. Raven-haired and beautiful.
I was more the classic, All-American girl next door. I was popular because I was nice to everyone. But, I’d always played it safe and been the good girl. Sensible, excellent grades, followed the rules…in other words...I’d been friend–zoned too many times to count. Most guys weren’t attracted to the good girl. Sure, they were all about being my friend, but boyfriend? That was a different story. They wanted someone willing to stretch and bend the rules.
It’s not that I hadn’t ever had boyfriends. I had. I’d been kissed plenty of times, but none of them had sparked that extra something inside me. I’d always ended up with someone in the “safe” zone. Either they would get bored with me or me with them. Honestly, I couldn’t justify wasting time in a relationship I knew was going nowhere. What was the point?
I needed a little excitement in my life, but was too afraid to look for it.
I turned to Tori, “So what do you know about the new guy? He’s playing football with Chris, right? Have you met him?”
/> “No, I haven’t met him and yes, he’s playing football. I don’t really know much about him at all, except he’s supposed to be some superstar quarterback.” Tori rolled her eyes. “Chris seems to think he’s cool though. I think he and Chris drove to school together today, so I guess we’ll find out.”
“Are you serious?” I panicked. I pulled the visor down and unfolded the mirror. I pulled my lip gloss from my purse and applied a fresh coat, checking my make-up one last time before we pulled into the parking lot.
Tori started laughing, “What the fuck, girl? He’s a football player, not exactly your type. What’s with all the primping?”
I sighed, snapping the mirror back into place, “Okay. Here’s the deal. I heard he’s hot. Like really, really hot. And what do you mean he’s not my type? Do I have a type?”
“Uhhh…yeah. You definitely have a type. All the guys you’ve dated have been the smart, quiet, shy type. I mean they’re cute, but in a wholesome way. You know, kind of like a puppy,” she laughed at my expense.
I threw up my hands in exasperation, “What? Puppies are cute and loveable.”
“Girl, you need a Rottweiler, not a Labrador Retriever,” she laughed. “In all seriousness, Kyla, you need to let go a little. You spend so much time studying and trying to make your parents happy. I just want to see you have some fun. Please, just try. Be a little bad, break some rules. You’re too damn nice!”
“Number one,” I held up my first finger, “there’s nothing wrong with nice. And number two,” I sighed, holding up the second finger, “you’re totally right.” I slumped back against the seat, “I just don’t know if I have it in me.”
We pulled into our parking spot and Tori killed the engine. She turned to me and took my hands in hers. “Listen, you’re beautiful, smart, and…I don’t mean this in a lesbian kind of way, because I like guys way too much…you’re sexy. Own it. Be open to possibilities. Expand your horizons.”
“I’ll try,” I promised. “What do you think is between a Labrador and a Rottweiler, because I’m not sure if I’m ready for that?”
“I don’t know. A Labraweiler?” She shrugged.
“That’s not even a real thing. Is it?”
“Maybe not, but it might be just what you need.”
Chapter 2
Tyler
Changing to a different high school senior year fucking sucked! No other way to put it. I’d left all my friends and my team back in Bay City.
My only saving grace was football. Even that wasn’t great. Walking onto the team as the starting quarterback, didn’t exactly make me Mr. Popular at Oak Valley High. Some guys had been waiting for that opportunity for years, and I just waltzed in and took it. Not that I didn’t deserve it, I’d had scouts looking at me since freshman year. Football was the one thing I was really good at.
They’d be changing their tune when I took them to the state championships, which is just what I intended on doing. I got good grades, but football was my thing. I had a natural talent that just couldn’t be learned. You either had it or you didn’t. That’s what my dad always told me. And I had it. I planned on attending either Michigan State University or University of Michigan to play football, although I expected offers from other Big Ten schools as well.
Standing outside the school on the first day, my anxiety was getting the best of me. Chris was hanging with me, while we waited for his girlfriend. At least one guy on the team was cool with me, so I didn’t have to look like a total loser.
“Dude, quit fidgeting. You look like a junkie waiting for your next fix,” Chris laughed.
“Glad you’re finding humor in this. This sucks. New school, new friends, new team” I sighed. “I just want this day over!”
“Be cool, man. Tori’s just pulling up now.”
I watched as two chicks got out of a blue beetle and walked over to us. One with dark hair, the other blond. As they strutted our way, I hoped the dark haired chick was Tori. Because the blond…she was a knock out. I was going to lose my only friend here, if I was crushing on his girl.
“Hey baby,” the dark haired girl leaned in and gave Chris a quick kiss. I let out a breath of relief, I didn’t realize I was holding, and sent up a silent “thank you”.
“Tori, meet Tyler. He’s our new quarterback. Tyler meet my girl, Tori,” Chris introduced us. “And let’s not forget her bestie, Kyla.”
“Hey Tori. Kyla,” I acknowledged them with a slight lift of my chin, sticking my hands in my pockets. I was gonna play this cool. I hoped Kyla didn’t have a boyfriend, but I didn’t want to seem like an over anxious asshole.
The chick was tiny. Maybe five foot. She had a tight little body, with curves in all the right places, which I pretended not to notice. I already wanted to wrap my arms around her and see how she felt under my hands.
“Hey, Tyler. Chris says you’re pretty amazing on the field. Welcome to Oak Valley,” Tori said.
“Amazing, huh,” I smiled.
“Yeah, ‘amazing’ is not what I said. Don’t let it go to your head, dude. But you are pretty good. It’s gonna be a great season! Hey, and Kyla is on the cheerleading team, so you two will probably see a lot of each other. Plus, these two,” Chris motioned between Tori and Kyla, “are thick as thieves, so if you’re gonna hang with me you’ll be hanging with the two of them.”
I could do that! Endure the hardship. For a friend that is.
“Hey, Tori could do worse for a best friend,” Kyla smiled. And what a gorgeous smile it was. “I try to keep her on the straight and narrow. It’s a full time job, especially since she’s hooked up with you,” Kyla winked and pointed her accusing finger at Chris.
“Always the party pooper, Kyla,” Chris chided.
“Don’t listen to him, Tyler. He knows I’ve saved their butts more than once. I’m their cover story for all their illicit activities,” Kyla laughed.
“Well, nice to meet you, Ky. I guess we’ll be hanging together, since this asshole is my only friend so far,” I motioned to Chris.
“Damn right. I’m the only one who can put up with your cocky ass,” Chris joked.
“Oh, you wound me,” I feigned hurt as I clutched my chest. “Right here, man. That hurts.” I pounded my fist to my heart. “Don’t let this guy give you the wrong impression,” I said turning to Kyla. “I’m one of the good guys,” I flirted.
“We’ll see,” she flirted back with a coy smile.
I stood at my locker, looking at my schedule for about the tenth time. World Lit then lunch. Thank god! I stood there trying to remember if I needed to go right or left to find room 408. I looked up and Kyla was at her locker, a few down from mine, grabbing the things for her next class. What the hell? I might as well ask her for help. It would be better than walking in circles and for sure being late to my next class.
I approached her as she closed her locker. She jumped back in surprise, when she saw me standing there. Her hand flew up to her chest. “Jesus, you scared the crap out of me,” she gasped. “How’s your first day going?”
“Alright I guess,” I shrugged. “Hey, can you point me in the right for direction for room 408? I’ve got World Lit next, with Harrison.”
“Really?” she said kind of excited. “Me too!” She linked her arm with mine, and dragged me through the hallway. She smelled like the beach, coconut and vanilla. It was intoxicating. I let the smell fill my senses as she led me to class.
She yammered on about something, but I didn’t know what. I forced myself to focus. “Harrison’s kind of tough. I had him for American Lit in tenth grade. Just make sure you keep up on the reading. He likes to put you on the spot.”
“Good to know,” I replied as we turned the corner and she led me into the class. There were lots of seats open. Kyla walked right to the front and took a seat in the front row. Fucking fantastic, I internally cringed. I looked around the room, seeing an empty seat in the back. I eyed it, but then moved to the seat next to her. If I wanted to get to know her, sitting in the
back was not an option.
I watched her as she unpacked her backpack. Her long, blond hair shielded her face from me, as she pulled out her notebook and pens. Yes, pens. As in multiple. A variety of colors. I let out a low laugh.
She turned to look at me. “What’s so funny?” she asked, squinting her eyes at me.
I pointed at her array of pens. “Basic black doesn’t do it for you, huh?”
“I like to color code, okay? Take it or leave it. It works for me.”
I would definitely take it. She was damn cute. “Don’t get defensive. I’m not judging. It was just an observation.” I reached down to grab my own pen from my backpack. I looked in the front pocket, then the side pocket. Shit! I must have left it in my last class.
I turned back to Kyla, pointing at her pens again. “Do you think I can borrow one of those? I must have left mine in chemistry.”
She scooped them up in one hand and fanned them out for me. “Sure. Pick a color,” she smiled.
“Thanks.” I pretended to contemplate my decision. “I think I’ll go with blue,” I winked, stealing the pen out of her hand.
Chapter 3
Kyla
Cue the butterflies. They were there, making my stomach queasy as we walked to World Lit together, day after day. Tyler’s dark hair and blue eyes were hypnotizing. His body was strong and muscular. He was tall and made me feel small, but not vulnerable. We had developed an easy friendship. But I just had a feeling. I couldn’t shake the thought that something more was to come. Maybe it was just wishful thinking.
He had become so popular, so fast. Tyler quickly became the school hero, pushing our football team’s winning record higher than it had ever been. We we’re definitely headed for a championship.
Why would he want a mousy, smart girl, when he could clearly have his pick of any girl in the school? God knows, I’d seen them shamelessly flirting with him. It was ridiculous, actually, the way those girls threw themselves at him.
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