Toxic Creek (The Allstars Series Book 1)

by KC Kean

  My mother is a saint by day and devil by night, running legitimate businesses through multiple companies in the day, laundering her dirty money from her insider trading and corrupt under-the-table business deals that take place once the sun has gone down.

  Knight's Casino is the biggest front, allowing her to do whatever she wishes and letting others pay her to do the same. It welcomes criminals and two-faced politicians in, promising them anonymity, only to exploit them for her own gain later.

  Ilana Knight is the queen on the chessboard, the rest of us her pawns to do with as she wishes.

  "Feisty, Xavier," she says with a grin, never allowing herself to act surprised by my outbursts, but her white knuckles wrapped around her glass tell me I'm walking a thin line. "It's simple really, I don't trust you."

  I frown at her words, confused why she would say that as I pace back and forth on her favorite Persian red rug. "What have I done to make you not trust me?"

  Placing her glass on the coaster on the small wooden side table beside her, she clasps her hands together in her lap.

  "She is a test. Eden Grady is a test, and you're failing."

  "What?" I fake surprise, but I had a feeling back at the stadium, and my gut isn't usually wrong.

  "Jennifer Grady was everything I despised, making Eden Grady the exact same by association. I sent her family away because I fucking could. Nobody hurts me without feeling the consequences. I set out the rules, and they chose not to follow them. Which meant I had to make an example out of the Grady family."

  She's crazy, my mother is officially batshit crazy. Shaking my head, I try to understand what Eden’s parents must have done to begin with.

  "What—"

  "I know about Ohio State," she says, taking another sip of bourbon and licking her lips as she watches my reaction. My pulse picks up, my heartbeat pounding in my ears, but I force myself to just stare her down, giving nothing away as I freeze in place.

  It's like a staring contest, each of us waiting for the other to break. I bite my tongue. Of course she fucking knows. It was naÏve of me to believe she didn't, but I won't utter a word until she continues. In some instances, like now, we're too alike.

  "I'll let you go, but it comes at a price," she finally adds with a sigh, tapping her fingernails against her glass.

  Of course there's a price. There is always a price with this woman, but I really want to play football. I want out of this town, and Ohio State has always been the dream.

  "Eden is the price," I murmur, gulping down the bile slowly rising, and she smiles wide.

  "Yes. Her family broke me, and I'll break her, just like I did her parents. I want her spiralling further into chaos than she already is."

  "Why?" I ask, my mind filled with my own brand of chaos as I try to play this cool.

  Is Ohio State worth giving up Eden before I've even really had her? I haven't even given into how I feel about her, not really. Could I slip back into the careless Xavier I usually am, or am I too far gone on her?

  "The why isn't for you to know, maybe not just yet at least. Not without proving yourself. So what do you say?"

  "What is it you expect me to do?" I ask, and her eyes light up, loving that I'm willing to listen and bend to her will.

  "Like I said, break her. I know you saved her from the Brummer boy. Does she think you love her? Does she love you?" She cackles, throwing her head back in delight as I remain still, staring her down as I wait for her to continue. Rising from the chair, she stops right in front of me, the devil burning in her eyes.

  "How am I supposed to do that?"

  "I'm going to tell you something about little Eden, and you're going to help shatter any last strands of hope she has left. I recall her mother telling her not to trust anyone, and she didn't listen. Tell her. That's how I'll know where you stand, agreed?"

  Eden

  My head doesn't hurt as much now, but I definitely won't be drinking, that's for sure. The back of my head is super sensitive and likely covered in bruises, but I refuse to look. Instead, I take some of Hunter's little magic pills. All natural herbal mood boosters are my current go to. The world doesn't seem so dark after one of these.

  "You ready, gorgeous?" Tobias asks from his spot on my bed as I finish off my look in my walk-in closet.

  Opting for my favorite long-sleeved, black cropped top that has a deep V and cutouts on the side with a matching black miniskirt, I'm good to go. Sticking to simple sandals and an ankle bracelet, the rest of my jewelry is minimal, and my hair is framing my face in beach waves.

  Stepping back into my room, I feel Tobias' gaze heat my skin instantly.

  "You are something else, bubble," he murmurs, standing from my bed as he slowly prowls towards me.

  "Flattery will get you everywhere right now while I feel sorry for myself," I admit, and he grins, wrapping his arms around me as he places a gentle kiss to my forehead, and I can't help but hum at the delicate touch.

  "Hmm, I'll remember that. Hunter just messaged to say Xavier is here now too, and all his tech shit is organized."

  "Good, hopefully we can get Billy to talk," I mutter in response as Tobias steps back and opens my door for me, and I lock it shut behind us.

  Lacing his fingers through mine, Tobias guides me down the stairs, and I let him, allowing myself a moment to lean on somebody else, even if it is just for a night. I'm a little banged up, and admittedly, I was scared earlier. But being with him makes me feel a little safer.

  Cutting through the groups of people on the ground floor, we step outside, and Charlie spots me immediately, releasing Archie's hand to come barreling towards me.

  "Hey, girl. How are you feeling?" she asks, linking her arm through mine as Tobias refuses to release my hand, and she grins.

  "I'm okay, thanks," I answer, having to shout a little over the music from here, and she smiles.

  "Listen, do you guys want to stay and hang up here for a bit? I don't think you want to go down by the fire right now," she says, leaning in to whisper in my ear, and I frown. Why would she say that?

  "What the fuck?" Tobias mutters, looking down at the beach, but I can't really see from here.

  Moving towards the steps, Charlie lets go of my arm as Tobias squeezes my fingers.

  There, sitting by the fire in a deck chair, is Xavier with Roxy on his lap. His hand is on her bare thigh as she nips at his chin, giggling as he laughs with some guys from the football team.

  "What the fuck is he doing?" Hunter growls out, coming to stand in front of me, and my eyebrows knit together as I stare at him. I don't have the answer, and it seems these two don't either.

  "I don't know, but we won’t find out standing here," Tobias says, glancing down at me with an apologetic look.

  Why is everyone worried about my reaction? First Charlie, now Tobias. I want to rip her goddamn hands off him, but he's a grown ass man who can make his own life choices. He just has to fucking stand by them.

  As I move toward Xavier, Tobias still holding my hand as Hunter places the palm of his hand on my lower back, he finally looks our way. His eyes are a black void of any emotion, and I know instantly that the guy from earlier is gone. Any inkling of emotion that had simmered in his eyes is gone. His body language closed off.

  "Tobias, man, get the shots in, yeah?" he says with a laugh, and Roxy giggles like it's the best joke she's heard all year.

  "No, no, Xavier. Tell them what you just told us. It's brilliant. Eden, will definitely want to hear this one," she says with a smirk on her lips as she strokes her fingers through his hair.

  Archie and Charlie move to our right. Charlie looks like she's ready to rip her apart, while Archie stands stock-still, looking between Xavier and Roxy.

  "I can get rid of her if you want?" Archie asks, turning to look at me, but she interrupts before I can respond.

  "No way, Archie, you'll want to hear this too. Won't he Xavier, baby?" she teases. "As a matter of fact, Archie, when's your birthday again?" she asks, and he f
rowns.

  "September twenty-first," he answers, bored with her games already, and my eyes widen in surprise.

  That's my birthday too.

  "That's right, and does anyone else here have the same birthday?" she calls out, looking around at everyone standing nearby before her eyes settle on mine. "Xavier knows, don't you, baby? Tell them."

  I look to Xavier, but he refuses to meet my gaze, his eyes fixed on the fire as my skin prickles.

  "That's enough, Roxy," Archie growls out, but she just laughs louder.

  "Oh my gosh, it's like Parent Trap or something."

  "What the fuck are you going on about, Roxy?" I shout, fed up with her talking in circles instead of getting straight to the point she's clearly trying to make.

  "This is fucking brilliant, you really don't know, do you?" She stands from Xavier's lap, who continues to look anywhere but at me as Tobias grips my fingers in a deathly hold and Hunter trembles with anger beside me.

  "Know what?" I ask as she comes to stand right in front of me.

  "That Archie is your twin."

  My what?

  She laughs as she spins in a circle, loving the whispers that follow from bystanders.

  My eyes burn into the side of Xavier's head, waiting for him to look at me. Who told him that bullshit? Glancing at Archie, I stall as his blue eyes meet mine, filled with guilt.

  Wrenching my hand from Tobias', I step from between them and move to stand before Archie.

  "You knew," I state as he swipes a hand over his face, offering me nothing. Blood burns in my veins, anger boiling beneath the surface as tears prick my eyes."You fucking knew," I cry, pushing at his chest, but he doesn't move.

  "Cookie, I…"

  "Don't fucking call me that. Don't you dare. How could you?" I push against his chest, panting with each ragged breath I take, and he does nothing. "Say it. Fucking. Say. It," I growl out as arms wrap around me from behind, stopping me from taking my anger and frustration out on him.

  "I knew."

  Of course he did. I fucking… God, I can't deal with this shit. My mind is swirling with so much, I want to curl up in a ball and cry, but not here. They've seen enough of my emotion.

  "Let go of me," I say calmly, and Hunter turns me to face him, concern and surprise etched across his face, and I scoff. If Xavier fucking told Roxy, then he obviously told his brothers, their act won't work on me. “Get your filthy, lying ass hands off me.”

  Moving to the side, I find everyone watching me, waiting for me to break down, but I won't. Xavier finally meets my gaze, no emotion on his face, and I'm desperate to know what changed in the hours since I last saw him. But none of it matters now, not anymore.

  Moving towards Xavier before I can overthink it, I shoulder past Roxy, stopping in front of him.

  "You're fucking dead to me," I growl out, staring him down as I lean into his space, my hands braced on the chair as I do.

  "Welcome to Knight's Creek, Eden Freemont."

  Epilogue

  Fuck these assholes. Fuck them all.

  Trust no one. Trusting fucking no one.

  My mom was right—Xavier Knight is as vile as his mother, tearing everyone down without a care in the world.

  Grabbing a bottle of vodka from the liquor wall, I rush to my room, the sound of someone calling my name from behind me doing nothing to stop my feet from covering as much ground as possible.

  Unlocking my bedroom door, I slam it shut behind me, turning the lock quickly before I make sure the balcony doors are locked and draw the curtains.

  I don't want to see anyone. Not a fucking soul right now. I want to be left alone.

  Stepping into my bathroom, I make sure to lock that door too.

  Climbing into the empty tub, my phone in one hand and the vodka in the other, I finally let the tears fall. My heart tears in two, and so many unanswered questions swirl in my mind. How many more secrets are there?

  Who the fuck are my mom and dad? Who the hell am I?

  Swiping at my cheeks, the tears continue to fall, and I scream, letting my lungs burn as I try to get out all my anger.

  I don't know how long I sit there for, fully clothed in an empty bath, screaming like my life depends on it, but the taste of vodka makes it all better.

  Unlocking my phone, I'm not surprised that no one has attempted to call or text. The damage has been done. I'm all alone. Again.

  As if clicking my own self-destruct button, my fingers swipe across the screen of my phone, pulling up the link I've refused to look at, until now.

  Eden Grady’s Obituary

  Eden Grady, officially born as Eden Freemont, seventeen, of Knight’s Creek, California, unexpectedly passed away on September 3rd as a result of suffocation after being buried alive.

  She was predeceased by her parents, Carl Grady and Anabel Freemont, and is survived by her twin brother, Archie Freemont, also of Knight’s Creek.

  She should never have been more than a cum shot to the back of the throat. May you rot in hell, along with your father. Jennifer Grady shall be right behind you.

  Afterword

  I motherfucking did it!

  I wrote another damn book! Woohoo!

  You know I love to leave us wanting more, and here's hoping I did just that. Don’t be mad. LOL

  This story was supposed to have a different ending, and a different under theme for Eden, yet they chose to tell their own story, allowing me to join the ride. But I love it. Every inch of this book, even as a writer, had me on the edge of my seat wondering what on earth was going to come next!

  So, the real question is; Xavier, Hunter, Tobias, or why choose?

  The balls in your court. Come tell me in my readers group!

  Roll on July 9th

  THANK YOU

  My partner and children have been my rocks as always. In between moving, getting a new puppy, and just about rearranging our whole lives they have supported me as always. Thank you for being my awesome nerds.

  Valerie Swope. My other half, partner in crime, and biggest cheerleader! Thank you for helping me through the whole process. You’re there from start to finish every time, and I couldn’t do it without you! Ride or die for life!

  My fabulous Beta reader’s <3 Hope, Monica, Catherine, Amy, and Jessi <3 I love you all so much. I appreciate how you offer your time to make my books extra awesome, and the input you give is always next level. Thank you for being the coolest of cool.

  Cassie, you got me on the co-dependent sprinting scene, and I can’t ever leave. I hope you enjoy my needy ass for all eternity! This all your fault.

  Thank you to Bellaluna Designs for the most stunning cover!

  Laura, thank you for convincing her I was nice enough to snatch such a beautiful model LOL

  Meredith, thank you for being hot as hell, you are fabulous!

  About the Author

  KC Kean is the sassy half of a match made in heaven. Mummy to two beautiful children, Pokemon Master and Apex Legend world saving gamer.

  Starting her adventure in the RH romance world after falling in love with it as a reader, who knows where this crazy train is heading. As long as there is plenty of steam she’ll be there.

  Come and join us over on KC Kean’s Facebook Group and follow her on Instagram by clicking he icons below.

  You can also subscribe to KC Kean’s newsletter here.

  Also By KC Kean

  Featherstone Academy Series

  My Bloodline

  Your Bloodline

  Our Bloodline

  Red

  Freedom

  All-Star Series

  Toxic Creek

  Tainted Creek coming July 9th

  Twisted Creek coming September 14th

  Read on for an excerpt of My Bloodline from the Featherstone Academy Series.

  My Bloodline Excerpt

  I'm a little stunned.

  She's caught me off guard if I'm honest, but I'm trying to not show it. Veronica has shown up a few times over the years,
barely hung around for five minutes, then she's gone again. I'm trying to process what she just said and the scene in front of me. I move towards Rafe trying to gain his attention. As I do, one of the guys that seems to be here with my mother, steps behind me and locks the door.

  "Rafe, what's going on?"

  He looks at me with such anguish in his eyes, I'm halted. He looks broken, this can't be because of the fight. I mean I knew he'd be angry when he eventually found out about it, but the look on his face is something else entirely. We’re not hearts on our sleeve’s kind of people, but I can see the emotion in his eyes, the devastation.

  "Luna, don't be rude, aren't you going to greet your mother?"

  "Last I checked, I don't have a mother, you can leave now," I blandly respond, keeping my eyes trained on Rafe.

  This woman is bat shit crazy. Standing here like she's given me the world and sacrificed herself to do so. The only one here that has sacrificed is Rafe, so it's him I'm going to look towards… to try and understand what the hell is going on here.

  She cackles like I just told a cheap joke, slowly trying to approach me, forcing me to sneer in her direction.

  "Luna, don't be silly. We're here to assist your transition to Featherstone Academy. Rafe knew this day would come. We don't have time to waste, especially if you want to grab a few of your things before we leave."

  "Leave? I'm not going anywhere, definitely not with you or to some random Academy. I'm happy where I am, and I'd be even better if you would actually just fuck off, and take your fucking muscle men with you."

  These guys are just milling around, taking up space. Clearly here to back my mother.