Toxic Creek (The Allstars Series Book 1)

by KC Kean

  “So you didn’t come to practice this afternoon because you were here with Eden?” Xavier asks, and I can feel the annoyance radiating off him.

  “Not like that, X.” Archie sighs with a roll of his eyes.

  “You sure?” Hunter murmurs, coming to stand beside me, and Archie waves his hand dismissively.

  “I’m sure that I’ve seen the three of you drilling holes into her with your eyes, trying to decide if you want to tear her apart or piece her back together again. But we’re men, so we don’t talk about that shit, right?” The humor in his eyes makes me scoff, and Xavier barely grunts a response, refusing to admit to anything as Hunter heads straight for the girl in question.

  “Don’t wake—”

  Hunter cuts Archie off with a one-finger salute behind his back, and we instantly trail after him in silence. Coming to a stop at her side, Archie walks around to her left as Xavier stands by her head, and I crouch down beside Hunter.

  She looks so peaceful in comparison to every other time I’ve seen her.

  “Does she have sunblock on?” Hunter asks, glancing at Archie, who shrugs in response. “Don’t just fucking shrug, Archie. Skin cancer is a real thing, you know.” The bark in his voice causes Eden to stir, while the four of us look down at her like circling vultures.

  “Shut up, man, you’ll wake her,” I grumble, rising on my feet as I glare at him, but the look on his face tells me he doesn’t give a shit if it means she’s safe.

  “My skin will burn from the four of you staring at me while I sleep, you fucking creeps.” Eden’s blue eyes peek open, and she instantly finds Hunter before glancing at me and rolling over onto her back.

  I can’t help but bite my knuckles as her perky tits are revealed, hidden beneath small white triangles of material. Her nipples are pebbled, begging to be touched as she casually wipes the sleep from her eyes.

  “You want a water, cookie?” Archie asks, stepping back, and she hums in response as he heads inside.

  “Cookie? What the fuck does that mean?” Xavier grinds out, and Eden just snickers in response.

  “It doesn’t matter to you, asshole. Do you all want to give me some space to wake up?”

  “No, not really,” I answer before my brain can even catch up, dropping my hands to my sides, and her gaze flickers to mine in surprise as Hunter and Xavier take a seat at the nearby table under the umbrella.

  “You going to stand there staring at me all day, Holmes?” she asks, and the use of my last name on her lips feels like she’s making sure to put distance between us because there was nothing personal about it. Challenge accepted. I’m not against chasing what I want.

  “I mean, I could, or you could let me lie down on top of you. You could maybe even come swimming with me, but realistically, I just want you involved.”

  “I’m not awake enough for your shit right now. You already fucked with me twice in school today. I don’t really care for it here as well.” She slowly rises, stretching her arms above her head as she stands. “Holmes, my eyes are up here.” Pulling my eyes from her body, I meet her gaze. She grins knowingly at me as I ignore her remarks on what went down earlier.

  “I’m very aware.” I fix my beanie as I bite down on my bottom lip, loving how her blue eyes track the movement, dilating with arousal as I step in closer.

  “You still owe me seven minutes in heaven, bubble,” I murmur, stroking a loose tendril behind her ear. “Or have you forgotten?”

  The way she holds my attention makes it feel like we’re the only two people in the world, never mind here in this moment too. I like having her undivided attention as well. The way she looks over every inch of me feels like magic.

  “You bitches cheated. I owe you nothing,” she murmurs, and my hands fall to her waist, loving the feel of her skin under my fingertips, all soft and delicate against my touch.

  “I could definitely make it worth your while if you let me.” Excitement zips through my body. Having her this close alone has my dick begging to be touched.

  Eden looks over her shoulder, her grin not wavering as she turns back to face me and places her palms on my bare chest. Thank god I changed into a pair of shorts when we got home and boycotted a T-shirt. Now I get to feel her hands on me.

  I hear one of the guys grumble from behind her, but I don’t let them distract me from the attention I’m finally getting from Eden.

  “Oh yeah, and how might you do that?” she asks, turning us and slowly walking us towards the house. I can’t see where we’re going, but right now, I’d let her lead my ass anywhere.

  “Well, it depends on how strict we are with the seven minutes because I can do this thing with my tongue—”

  My arms flail at my side, trying to keep my balance, but it’s no use as I feel myself falling, a snicker on Eden’s lips the last thing I see.

  One second, I’m talking a big game to the hot blonde who has taken over my wet dreams, and the next…I’m wet. Literally dripping fucking wet because she shoved me hard in the chest, pushing me into the pool. I should have noticed the switch in her eyes, but I was too late, the devilish glimmer the only hint before I was toppling into the water.

  Emerging from the pool, I pull my hat from my head as I swipe the water from my eyes, and all I can hear is laughter.

  “And the crowd goes wild as Eden Grady makes the tackle of the season,” Eden cheers, hands waving enthusiastically in the air.

  Archie is laughing at the table with Hunter and Xavier as they clap and cheer at her efforts, while she stands at the side of the pool, hands on her hips as she grins down at me. I can’t help but laugh along with the rest of them, even if I am the reason for the joke.

  Crouching down at the edge, she gives me a pointed look. “I deserved that,” I murmur, moving closer to where she is, and she nods.

  “You really fucking did, and much more if I’m honest, especially with all the shit you guys have done to me.”

  I don’t deny it. I can’t.

  “Come swim with me.”

  “Nah, I’ve given you enough of my time already.” She grins, offering me a wink before grabbing the bottle of water from Archie’s outstretched hand and heading for the house.

  Her ass sways like a pendulum, and I watch every step she takes as she disappears inside.

  Finally looking at the others, I notice Hunter and Xavier are still watching where she just left, while Archie taps away on his phone. There is no way in hell he is into her because it would have been impossible to pull your gaze away from her bubble butt.

  22

  Eden

  Wednesdays are starting to be one of my favorite days at Asheville High. One hour’s worth of homeroom before lunch has me chilled out, and I suddenly can survive hump day.

  Taking a seat with Charlie at the round table by the window, I drop my bag at my feet and pull my laptop out. I’m as up to date as I can be on homework, so I don’t need to work on anything except the work given to me in marketing today. I might have missed a shit ton of work so far, but I take it seriously, learning without really trying.

  It’s probably one of the only lessons I enjoy. If I have a future past this town, I think I could consider that career path.

  The whispers and rumors about me are in full swing, especially since Hunter’s public show on Monday. Even though they actually left me alone yesterday, everyone is questioning what level of a whore I am. Apparently, being publicly claimed by the Allstars means I spend every minute of the day with my legs open. I wish.

  The sneers and dirty looks from the girls don’t bother me, nor do the leery eyes from some of the guys. Each of them suddenly gives me a wide-berth now, but I can hold my own. I’ve been through the gossip mill enough to let it all just fly over my head. But I know Roxy and KitKat are not just going to let me be.

  “Have you seen the state of my face?” Charlie groans, pointing to the thick orange makeup lines around her face, and I bite my lip, stifling my smile. “It’s not funny. Connie doesn’t know wha
t she’s fucking doing in cosmetology. You should see how pretty I made her, and I end up with this.”

  Her bright blue eyeshadow isn’t blended in. None of it is, really. I can see the highlighter and contouring from a mile away like a beacon, but I don’t want to make her feel any worse.

  Opening her laptop, she switches the camera on, pulling a pack of wet wipes from her bag and rubbing vigorously at her face.

  “I’m just glad I had no choice and got put in marketing,” I offer in response, laughing as the wet wipe is covered in makeup in seconds, barely taking any of the product off her face. “It’s a good job you’ve got a full pack of wet wipes there.” I chuckle, making her glare at me.

  “Hey, hey, cookie,” Archie hollers, dropping into the chair in between us, and I groan at how loud he’s being.

  “Can you shush your musher?” I grumble, and they both look at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Can you shush your musher?” I repeat, leaning forward and flicking his lips, and they both chuckle at me. “Don’t you laugh, Oompa Loompa,” I say, pointing a finger at Charlie, who gestures for me to fuck off, but we all laugh together.

  “So I keep forgetting to ask, but you’re coming to the game on Friday night, right?” Archie asks, folding his arms on the table as he leans forward, and I grin slightly as I watch Charlie drool at his bulging biceps.

  Since they’re hitting football practice morning, noon, and night, we’re like passing ships at the moment, and he’s getting a ride to school from someone on the team as well. It’s crazy how much I miss our morning drive to school together. Listening to my own music in my own sanctuary doesn’t feel as good as it used to.

  “What? And have her sit in those shitty seats at the back?” Charlie asks with a frown, pulling her gaze from Archie to look at me. “Girl, it’s not even worth it. Honestly.”

  “I—”

  “Of course not in those seats. You can take my family spot close to the field, Eden,” Archie says, cutting me off as he shakes his head at Charlie, who ignores us as she continues wiping her face.

  “Wait, it’s high school. Why do they even have family spots?” I ask, fanning the neckline of my T-shirt to cool my body since it seems the air conditioning isn’t working today.

  “Because they think they’re way more badass than they are,” Charlie chimes in, winking at me as Archie rolls his eyes.

  “Well, I can’t accept an invitation until you tell me which football team you’re actually a fan of. It’s important information. Our whole friendship hangs in the balance,” I say with a straight face as I stare Archie down, and he sits tall in his seat, the challenge in his eyes.

  “We both say which team at the same time,” Archie throws back, and I nod in agreement.

  “Three… Two… One…” Charlie says, counting us in.

  “San Fran 49ers,” we both call out at the same time, and the surprise has me throwing my head back with laughter.

  “Jinx!” Archie shouts, and I offer him my middle finger.

  “Fuck off, Arch, we’re not in grade school now,” I say with a chuckle, pulling my phone from my bag, but still no call or text from my mom.

  “You’re only saying that because I said it first.”

  “I mean, we can argue about it, or I can accept your invite to the game and we can carry on as adults?” I offer, and it’s Charlie who scoffs this time.

  “Adults? Archibald Freemont? Never.”

  Clamping a hand over my mouth, I gape at Archie as he blushes at the full use of his name. God, I’ve not laughed this much in forever.

  There’s a reason for that, I remind myself, and sadness seeps into me. Not as much as usual, but enough to remind me why I’m here.

  “Hey, don’t do that,” Archie murmurs, rubbing my arm supportively, and I offer him a soft smile.

  “So, what are we talking about, people, bubble?” Tobias asks as he takes the seat to my right, and I welcome the distraction.

  Turning my attention to him, he smiles wide at me, his whole face lighting up as he does. He adjusts his beanie, his brown hair flicking out at the back as he relaxes back into his seat, dropping his arm on the back of mine, and butterflies instantly start in my stomach.

  “Eden was just telling me how she’s a 49ers fan, and she’s going to take my family spot for the game on Friday,” Archie offers as Hunter and Xavier join the table too, dropping down into their seats like they’ve never sat anywhere else.

  The three of them together, at my table, fills me with suspicion. Nothing good comes out of situations like this when they’re involved, and I’m enjoying today. I don’t actually want any trouble.

  Charlie exchanges a glance with me, feeling the same as I do, and I lean back from Tobias.

  “The 49ers used to be okay. They’re not the New England Patriots though,” Hunter states casually, his eyes on mine.

  “Have you ever even been to New England?” I ask, and he offers the smallest grin that doesn’t meet his eyes.

  “That’s where his first boarding school was,” Xavier states as he scrolls through his phone, not even looking at anyone, and the table falls into silence. I instantly get the vibe that we don’t discuss that period of time in Hunter’s life.

  “So, you’re coming to the game on Friday, Eden?” Tobias asks, scraping my chair closer to his, a grin on his lips as he patiently waits for me to answer.

  Their calm demeanor has me relaxing back into my chair a little as I nod in response to Tobias’ question.

  “The view from the top is shit. I wouldn’t waste your time,” Xavier throws in, still not looking up from his phone, and Archie clears his throat.

  “Actually, she’s going to take my family spot.” Xavier finally glances up, his eyes finding mine immediately as he says nothing, keeping his facial expression neutral.

  “What position do you think I play?” Tobias asks, distracting the conversation again, and I tap my finger against my lip as I stare at the four of them.

  “Archie already told me he was running back, which makes sense with why you trust him,” I state, and none of them argue in response. “Which tells me Xavier is the QB because he also seems like the least trusting and does most of the shouting when we’re all out on the field at the same time during gym class.”

  “None of that means I’m the QB, Nafas,” Xavier grunts with a roll of his stormy eyes, but that only makes me believe it more.

  “Tobias looks like he would fit the role of a wide receiver with his speed and agility, while Hunter looks like he could handle tight end like nobody’s business.”

  Tobias grins wide as Hunter’s eyes crinkle in surprise.

  “How did you guess that? Or who told you?” Xavier asks, and I sigh.

  “I like football, almost obsessively. I can just tell these things,” I say with a shrug, making Charlie giggle.

  “You are too damn pretty to be a tomboy.” She laughs with a shake of her head.

  “No stereotyping, Miss ‘looks like a pretty valedictorian while also being on the cheer squad,’” I throw back, and she holds her hands up in surrender with a smile.

  “It’ll be awesome, Eden. We always have a party down on the beach afterward. Even Charlie might show this time, since she never usually joins the cheer squad at the others,” Archie continues, making Charlie sigh at him.

  A hand on my thigh makes me still until I turn and see the challenge in Tobias’ eyes as he leans forward.

  “They are good parties. You should come to this one. Or we could have a party for two in your room,” he murmurs against my ear, and I shiver with desire. Fuck, why am I so drawn to him? “You know you want to,” he adds, dipping his head to graze his lips against my collarbone, and I about die from sexual tension.

  Holy. Fuck.

  His lips are so soft against my skin, but he’s pulling back all too quickly.

  “Hmm, you might be onto something there,” I murmur in response as he lifts his gaze to mine, heat in his eyes just like I expect there to be in
mine. He glances between my eyes and my mouth, freezing me in place, and I think he’s about to touch his lips to mine when Xavier interrupts us.

  “Tobias doesn’t know his way around a woman’s body like I do, so don’t be disappointed when you have to finish yourself off in the bathroom when you’re done.”

  Hunter bursts out with laughter as Tobias growls, turning a dark glare on his friend while I try to calm my racing heart. I had been seconds away from practically jumping him in the damn homeroom.

  “TMI, man,” Archie grumbles as my phone vibrates on the table, Mom flashing across the screen.

  Standing, I grab my phone, “I need to take this,” I murmur, moving around the table to take it outside when Xavier grabs my arm.

  “Take the call here,” he orders, clearly expecting my mom to have some information that might be of interest to him, and I frown down at him.

  “Are you going to clue me in on Ilana?” I ask as my phone stops vibrating in my hand, and frustration bubbles through my veins.

  “No.”

  “Then it’s going to be a hard no from me too,” I bite back, snatching my arm from his grip and rushing from the room.

  I hit redial as soon as I step out into the hall, but it instantly connects to her voicemail. Fuck. Trying a few more times, I get nothing.

  Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh with irritation, opting to leave her a voicemail.

  “Hey, Mom. It’s me. You literally rang seconds ago, and now I can’t get through. What’s going on? Call me back. I love you,” I add at the end, worry settling in the pit of my stomach as I glance back inside the classroom to feel the Allstars staring at me, while Roxy has suddenly found herself in Hunter’s lap and KitKat has taken my seat.

  I can see Charlie heading towards me with my things, but I don’t care. I’m more bothered about Roxy cupping Hunter’s chin and turning him away from me.

  No way. No fucking way. I am not jealous, not of her or for him.