by Lacey Heart
BULLY ME #1
A Best Friend's Brother Bully Romance Series
By
Lacey Heart
COPYRIGHT
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Lacey Heart holds exclusive rights to this work.
Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Copyright © 2019 by Lacey Heart
Formatted by Bookaholic Formatting
Books by Lacey Heart
Damaged & Destroyed
Reckless: A Damaged & Destroyed Novella #1
Amazon UK: https://amzon.to/2HZNCPX
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2DZzAd8
Ruthless: A Damaged & Destroyed Novella #2
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Db3ieo
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2DhaZQ5
Bully Me
One Night Only – A bully Me Companion Novella #0.5
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/34vDdCR
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LqJsQJ
Bully Me This: Bully Me #1
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2YpcmbS
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2YEAI2h
Bully Me That: Bully Me #2
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2MeV2yX
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2Mcg1lK
Dear Diary: Tales from Riverstone High
January:
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2MldSD1
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2VfTw2n
To the strongest woman I know.
Mum, this one's for you!
I'll always remember his eyes.
Cold, calculating, and as gray as wet stone.
Beautiful, yet deadly.
He used to call me his princess.
A sign of endearment from an early age and that we’d get married one day.
I foolishly believed every word he said.
He was my best friend’s brother—totally off limits, and I loved him with everything I had.
Then one day something changed.
He changed and my love quickly grew into something darker…
HATE.
I didn’t know much, but one thing was certain.
I hated Colby Carter almost as much as he hated me.
PROLOGUE
“I hate you.”
Gritting my teeth, I ball my hands into fists and press them into my sides. My breathing comes in short, fast bursts as I try to contain the fountain of anger flowing inside me before it explodes.
I want to reach out and smack the smug look from his face.
I want to hurt him. I want him to suffer. I want to inflict as much pain on him to reflect the agony he’s caused me—but it doesn’t matter how hard I attacked him it wouldn’t even come close.
“Keep telling yourself that, princess.” He smirks back at me, which only intensifies my anger. “Maybe one of these days you might start to believe it.”
“Fuck you, Colby.” My teeth chatter as the cold wind penetrates my lungs, but I barely feel the icy burn from the adrenaline pumping through my veins. “If you don’t back the hell up out of my face, I’ll scream this park down.” I keep my voice steady, and with every frantic beat of my heart as it thuds in my chest, it does absolutely nothing to deter him. If anything, it probably heightens his amusement. Nothing phases him. Colby’s like a machine—indestructible and totally void of any emotions.
His gray eyes sparkle with danger, and I can see the bright lights of the Ferris wheel reflecting back at me as he takes a step closer to me.
He’s cocky, sadistic, obnoxious and totally full of himself. Colby isn’t short of friends, or his choice of girls but he still makes it his daily mission to make my life hell.
“No you won’t.”
My breathing falters when his hands connect with my hips and a gazillion vaults of electricity pulsate through my body as he slams me back against a ‘doh-so-good’ booth, adding to the chill in the base of my spine. Then the son of a bitch digs his fingers into my hips, and I gasp when his warm lips fall on mine.
I hate him.
I hate myself too because even though I shouldn’t, I can’t help but lose myself in all things Colby. I love the way he makes me feel. I love it when he touches me, even when we both know it’s wrong, and I love it when he pulls me aside and focuses all his attention on me—the way he used to do before he turned all moody and evil. Before he sold his soul to the devil.
When he pulls back, I feel empty, like he’s sucked a vital part from me, and when I feel strong enough to open my eyes again, I see his are hooded. Hazed over with a hunger I know only too well. His eyes pierce into mine and I’m frozen to the spot, the heat of his crisp minty breath is hypnotizing.
“Scream, princess. I dare you.” He snickers. “But we both know no one will hear you.”
Colby raises a brow, daring me to argue with him but I couldn’t even if I wanted to. I’ve lost all ability to speak as I’m trapped under his spell. I’ve totally lost all sense of reason and he sure as hell knows it too. Once again, I’ve found myself at the hands of his mercy and he rewards me with a sweet smile of victory.
Where the hell is Hadley when I need her? She’s supposed to be my best friend, on hand to ninja warrior her savage brother’s ass and keep him away from me. But instead she knows nothing about the silly games Colby likes to play when no one is watching. No one does. Hadley’s far too busy, probably embraced in Ryder’s arms somewhere deep in the park with zero fucks to give.
Everything happens so fast that I don’t have time to act.
Colby moves closer to me, sneaky and hypnotizing like a python luring in its prey. His hard, athletic body is flush against mine, our bodies aligning perfectly together, and his lips come crashing down against mine once more.
Soft delicate lips. Lips I don’t think I could ever tire of.
I don’t stop him or push him away even though I know I should. I have zero control when he’s this close to me. Colby is all kinds of wrong, but I don’t have the willpower to stop myself, and that scares me because I need more of him. Always more.
My body goes lax as I allow him to taste me, his tongue searching for mine, desperate, hungry—like I’m the air he breathes, and I foolishly do the same. After a few moments I finally loosen my fists and allow them to glide up his hard, defined stomach, over his shoulders until they find their resting place; tangled in his hair as I pull him closer to me.
I savor every moment, carefully storing this feeling in the forbidden box in my mind so I can come back to it and torture myself some more at a later date.
A deep guttural groan rises in his throat as he rolls his hips into me, and I breathe him in—all of him—knowing this will be the last and final time.
I hate him with every fiber of my being, but I love him with a fierce passion too. He’s the boy I shouldn’t want, but my heart chooses to believe otherwise.
Either way, Colby Carter is no good for me. Mind, body or soul, and this sick and twisted game we’re caught up in has to end before it’s too late.
CHAPTER ONE
WILLOW
“That’s everything.” I tell myself as I wipe my hands on my jeans while taking in the sorry sight before me. A few brown boxes are scattered at my feet and I finally take a moment to breathe. I pull myself up and relax my shoulders and I can
feel the tension release and start to melt away. For the first time in forever they feel light and airy—a huge weight finally lifted.
I’m surprised.
I really thought this whole process would have been a lot harder, but it turned out to be far easier than I could have ever imagined. I think if I’d have known just how easy it was going to be then I probably would have made this move long ago.
The irony isn’t lost on me either. In fact, it speaks volumes, firmly cementing in my mind that even through all the doubts, I definitely made the right decision.
Consequences be damned.
I shudder at the thought, a cold chill tingling the base of my spine and I offer a quick prayer to all the God’s that there won’t be too many consequences coming to bite me on the ass.
Confrontation has never been one of my strong points. I’ve always been a run and hide kind of girl, and I’m at my most happiest when my head is firmly buried deep in the sand. It’s not something I’ll apologize for either.
But this time something had to give. Something within me switched and no matter how hard I tried I just couldn’t shut it down.
I tried. I really did, but I couldn’t handle the bullshit anymore. Way too much has happened for me to just sit back and play along like a ragdoll, being tossed to the side over and over again.
I knew I needed to get away.
I needed to start again. Wipe the slate clean and erase the past three years of my life, and what better way to do that than going back home—to my roots.
Home is no longer a threat for me, and so long as I remember I’m doing this for my own happiness and wellbeing, I’m sure I’ll be fine.
I have to be—and it’s not like I haven’t survived worse. The ghosts of my past may haunt me, but it’s the living who have the power to inflict the most pain.
“Wow. You sure travel light, or is the rest of it in the truck?”
I spin around as Hadley appears behind me and I manage a small smile. Her voice is warm and welcoming, and it sounds just like home. Something I didn’t realize how much I’d missed until now.
“Nope. This is it. This right here is what three years of bullshit looks like.” I shrug not really knowing what else to do or say. I’m embarrassed and ashamed to say these few boxes are all I have left to my name. I know materialistic things can be replaced and if I’m going to wipe the slate clean properly then I need to make sure I’ve erased all visible reminders. “Just the basics, you know?” because I have a shit ton of permanent reminders in my head. “Everything else can be replaced.”
“Hey, you can bring as much or as little as you need.” Hadley’s eyes search mine and hers are filled with nothing but kindness and love.
I reach out and squeeze her hand affectionately and say, “thanks. I know this is all last minute, but I really appreciate everything.” A hard lump forms in my throat preventing me from expressing what I really want to say to her. Instead, I nod my head to signal her humble abode, hoping she understands my unspoken words.
“Don’t worry about it. That’s what best friends are for, right?” Hadley smiles and my damn lump grows bigger. The last thing I wanted to do was get all emotional, yet here I am fighting back the tears which are threatening to spill over and fall down my cheeks. “Look, so long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
I’m so not prepared when she drags me forward and pulls me into a hug. I’m caught off guard and lose my footing, almost sending us both flying over my discarded boxes.
“I’ll get there.” I muffle into her hair as I continue to fight against my sobs and breathe her in. Her familiar floral scent calms me and sets my panic induced mind at ease. “I know I will.” I say, my voice full of conviction because I don’t feel as bad as I should given recent events, and that has to be a good sign, right?
“Sure, you will.” Hadley pulls back and cups my face with both of her hands, her eyes searching mine, looking for some hidden clues. “But first, you’re gonna need to move these boxes before one of us ends up dead.”
Her words make me laugh, and it feels incredible. I almost forgot what it felt like to laugh and to feel happy. But no matter what I can always count on Hadley to make me smile. She’s always been the overdramatic one, but I wouldn’t change her for a thing. Not even all the decent guys in the world. Actually, that one’s pretty debatable right now.
Yes, she’s overdramatic but she’s also crazy, loving, fiercely loyal, protective, and the best bit—she’s mine.
“Don’t worry, I’m already on it.” I tell her knowing it won’t take me long to unpack the few items I’ve brought with me. The majority of my boxes are filled with an endless supply of books and notepads, something I never leave behind anywhere—no matter what.
And, I bet Hadley won’t even realize I’m here most of the time.
CHAPTER TWO
WILLOW
I reach the end of the hall and lower the last box onto the floor. I hesitate before I reach out and push the handle down and push the door open. A wave of nostalgia hits me hard in the chest and knocks all the air from my lungs.
I know this room.
I know this room far better than I should do too.
I guess I didn’t expect it to stay the same. I thought it would have changed a little over the last five years, but it’s just how I remember, like I was only here yesterday.
I try to regulate my breathing as I take in the sight before me: the walls are still painted the same shade of light gray, and I know if I look in the far right hand corner there will be a huge crack in the plaster. The old oak bedroom furniture is still in the same position and the bed is still under the window.
The only things missing are his belongings.
I know I shouldn’t remember the small things the way I do, but it’s hard not to, especially now it feels like I’ve never been away.
This room even smells the same. Fresh water with a hint of mint. Manly—but fresh, and old hidden memories begin to swirl in my mind, sending me dizzy with how clear they are.
Hadley and I have been best friends since kindergarten, and I spent most of my childhood and teenage years hanging out at her place. I know this house like the back of my hand, but this room—the one I tried so damn hard to stay out of, has me feeling a mixture of emotions as they build and ripple through my body like a goddamn tidal wave.
Happiness…
Pleasure…
Sadness…
Anger…
Regret…
The list could go on and on, but I’m quick to shut it down and slam the door on that chapter of my life. I’ve moved on since then and I’ve come way too far to allow those memories to flood back in.
I can’t allow myself to let him back in. There’s no way I can crumble, let everything unravel and reveal the hidden demons I’ve tried so hard to forget.
My time here wasn’t all too bad though. Not if I erase all thoughts of him. Hadley and I had an incredible childhood here. Better than most in our town and surrounding areas, and that was all thanks to her parents. God rest their souls.
My parents aren’t worth a mention. My dad was nowhere to be seen. He decided to up and leave town when I was only six weeks old, and my mom? Well, the less said about her the better. She sure as hell didn’t bring any happiness to my life, that’s for sure. But this house holds a ton of happy memories for me—for the most part at least.
I’ve always been fine here, but I guess this room must be some kind of trigger for me. I never thought I’d set foot in here again, let alone use it as my own.
Willow stop. I scold myself. I can’t and won’t allow my mind to go back there. It’s way too painful and it definitely isn’t worth the hassle.
I was young, stupid and naïve.
I’ve also had five years to break the habit of a lifetime. Five years to try to find out who I truly am and move on from his torment. It hasn’t been easy—not by a long mile, but I’m proud of myself for how far I’ve come.
I’m a totally di
fferent person now.
I’m nothing like the girl I was back then—back when he stole my heart, tore it out and shattered it into a million pieces just for shits and giggles.
He made sure to leave me broken—damaged beyond repair. But none of that matters now. I need to remember he isn’t here anymore. He can’t hurt me anymore, just the memories, and without him I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I could be.
There’s no way he can continue to hurt me, not if I refuse to let him in.
“Hey, Willow. You down there?”
I snap out of my thoughts as Hadley’s voice filters down the hall and before I know it, her tall, slender frame appears in the doorway.
“So, what do you say?”
“About what?” I turn to face her only to find her watching me expectantly, amusement dancing in her big brown eyes.
“I asked if you wanted takeout.”
My stomach grumbles in agreement before I have a chance to answer. “You bet.” I’m starving and it’s only now at the mention of food I realize I haven’t eaten anything since lunch yesterday. I guess that’s what happens when you wake up at three in the morning ready to plan your sudden and totally unexpected departure.
“Come on then because this chick is beyond hangry and I’m getting worried for everyone’s safety.”
I force a smile at my best friend while trying to remove the unwanted images of her brother from my mind, but I should know by now that he’ll always be there, simmering in the background ready to materialize at any given moment, ready to haunt my every move.
“What do you feel like eating?” Hadley throws me an obligatory eye roll because she already knows what my answer will be. The same one I always give her, yet she always takes the time to ask me. She’s probably praying that one of these days I’ll venture onto the wild side and change my mind, but we both know that isn’t going to happen.
