Reapers and Roses: (Grove High School Book One)

by A. R. Breck

"Listen here, Leonard. I don't have all day to deal with this shit. I've got shit to take care of, otherwise I would just bring you down to Rich right now and sort this out. You say that you have information for Rich? I'm giving you until Saturday night. You go and straighten this shit out with Rich or we are going to have everyone in Minnesota on the hunt for you. And when we find you? You will wish some sick, sadistic fuck like Jeffrey Dahmer would have gotten to you first." I release him and take a step back.

  "Yes, of course, Easton." He straightens his clothes and takes a step away from me. "I will speak with him by Saturday. No problem."

  "Get the fuck out of my sight then." I bark

  With a flash, the door opens and closes and Leonard is gone. He better stick to his word - or else he will have some serious explaining to do. And I will then have to tell Rose why I killed her father.

  Fuck.

  I rake my hands through my hair in frustration. This is the absolute last thing I need at a time like this. Finally - when things are starting to become somewhat normal, this shit happens? Am I supposed to explain this shit to Rose?

  Because most likely - Rich is going to want Leonard killed no matter what the outcome is or what he has to say. Rose will freak out, most likely. I mean, I guess I'm not totally sure since we haven't really discussed her father. But anyone would lose their shit if they knew their boyfriend killed her father.

  Wait, what? Boyfriend?

  "Shit." I groan and slap my palm against the wall.

  I'm going to just keep this shit to myself until we figure out what's really going on with Leonard. I'm not going to freak Rose out until we know for certain if he is the rat or not. Rich might not like that I let him go today, but I'm not dealing with this tonight.

  And I haven't really been looking for Leonard these last few months. If Rich puts me on the search crew, I guarantee I would find him within twenty-four hours. Easily.

  Walking back out into the main area, I see Logan and Jackson standing near Hugo as the rest of the workers finish loading up the trucks. The table have been emptied and taken down, and some of the trucks have even left for their transports.

  "How'd it go?" I ask once I reach them.

  "No issues." Logan says. Looking over at me, I can tell he immediately notices how off I am by the way his body tenses. "What happened?"

  "Leonard." I mumble.

  Jackson's back stiffens as he looks around. "Leonard? Where?" Hugo even steps up at this, looking around as if he might jump out at any moment.

  I shake my head. "He's gone. I'll tell you guys on the way back. Can we get going? I gotta go train before my fight on Saturday." The last of the trucks starts up and begins pulling out, and I take that as my cue to get the fuck out of dodge.

  As I walk to Hugo's truck though, a thought comes to mind.

  If Leonard came to talk to me, why did I catch him trying to sneak out?

  Shit.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  Rose

  So when the Devil wants to dance with you, you better say never, because a dance with the Devil might last you forever. – Immortal Technique

  When I walk into school on Friday, my energy level is about as full as my gas tank, which is actually below empty right now. I feel like I'm running on fumes and I'm not even really sure of the reason why.

  Since my fight with mom the other day, she seems to have been doing her very best to avoid me at all costs. She's been gone before I get up in the morning and she is never home when I get home in the evenings. The only indication she even comes home at all is her daily coffee mug in the kitchen sink.

  I'm not even sure what I feel about the situation anymore. All I know is, I can't take this avoiding thing we have going on for much longer.

  Easton, Logan and Jackson have also been gone since yesterday. They all came to school early in the week, and things went pretty rather smoothly considering there was no yelling or fighting involved. I'm not sure when Easton and I went from the I hate you vibe to the I'm kind of feeling you vibe, but I'm just going to roll with it until it crashes. Which I'm sure it will at some point, knowing my life.

  The boys are now off to prepare for Easton's fight tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it – considering this will be the first fight that I go to since we became a thing. If we even are a thing.

  Jesus.

  I run my fingers through my pin straight hair and pull myself together. It doesn't really matter what our relationship status even is.

  Right?

  A pounding on my window snaps me out of my rambling thoughts. Looking over, I see a smiling Cara and give her a small smile before hopping out of my car.

  "What the hell are you doing still sitting in your car?" She asks, tilting her head to the side.

  "Nothing really. What's up?" Now is definitely not the time for a counseling session. Preferably never.

  My aversion apparently goes in one ear and out the other. Her mind must be focused on something else. "Tonight is the party, remember? I've already texted the boys and they're planning to be there later tonight. We should sneak out early to get everything ready before people start showing up. You down?"

  Let me think about this – sit here and wallow in self-pity? Or go get fucked up and shoot this self-pity in the face?

  No brainer. "Just let me know when."

  "Yes! I knew I loved you! Let's head out after lunch. I have to get myself hot tonight." She shouts to me as she starts walking away.

  "Hot? For who?" How did I not know that my newest best friend liked someone?

  She blushes and leans in to me. "I'm hoping to score with Logan tonight." She whispers.

  "Lo-what?" I screech.

  "Hell yes. You know how good looking he is. I've heard he's a machine in bed." She bites her bottom lip and I instantly go from eager for information to wanting to soak my ears in boiling water.

  "Gross. Way too much information!" I plug my ears, because no. I just can't.

  "Ha, whatever. I think he's secretly been pining for me forever. Might as well give him what he wants."

  She is seriously grossing me out. "I will see you at lunch. We will go get ready for the party then."

  "Sounds good, see you in a bit." She struts away in her tight jeans that make her ass look about five times bigger than it actually is.

  I walk to class, hoping that this day goes quickly so that I can forget this day inside a bottle of liquor.

  Shit, I'm becoming my mom.

  ◆◆◆

  "'Kay, so we have about five hours before people start showing up. We need to get liquor, kegs and snacks. Anything else?" She has a post-it note and a pen, scribbling down what's needed for tonight.

  "I don't know. Maybe some cups or plates or something?"

  "Oh! Duh. Fucking idiot. Of course." She writes that down as I navigate to the closest Walmart.

  "Are you using your fake ID to get the liquor?" In Woodbury, some of my friends' older siblings would always score us some bottles. I've never been expected to pick it up myself.

  "Uh, yeah?" She looks over at me with a weird look. "Jesus. You really are a rich bitch aren't you." She laughs and looks over at me, only clamming up when she notices the scowl on my face. "Sorry, I'm just saying. I will talk to my guy about getting you one. You can't live in the Grove without a fake ID. Seriously."

  "Whatever." I pull into the Walmart parking lot and we walk in and grab a cart, ready to load up on snacks for a bunch of kids with the munchies. "Considering I still have to get ready, I have less than five hours. I have to go home and get changed and stuff."

  "This won't take long. What are you wearing tonight, anyway?"

  "I haven't decided. What are you going to wear?" I ask.

  "A dress... not sure which one. Something that will make Logan bust a load in his pants when he sees me." She laughs.

  "Oh my God, stop!" I laugh and cover my ears. "Can't you be discreet? Like, ever?"

  "Be what?" She tilts her head at me, and she honestly looks confuse
d.

  "Nothing, never mind."

  Although, secretly, I'm trying to figure out what dress I can where that will make Easton want to bust a load in his pants when he sees me, too.

  ◆◆◆

  A few hours later, I'm freshly showered and my hair is in large, dark curls that cascade down my back like a waterfall. I've got dark, smoky eyes that make the brown streak in my eye pop out like no other. I decided to go with a darker look than what I usually go for, because I also decided to let go of the rich bitch I keep being referred to as and embrace the new badass me.

  And badass me might also be a little darker. At least a few shades.

  I decide to go with some high waisted jeans that cut off near my belly button with a top that is pretty much a bra; a black little number that only covers my chest with thick leather straps lying tightly over my shoulder. It is probably the most daring thing I've put on since I moved here.

  Mom left a note on the counter saying she's out for the evening with Jeff. I barely spared it a glance before sliding on my heels and walking out the door.

  ◆◆◆

  Pulling into the trailer park, I can see there are already people who are getting their partying on. Music thumps through the park as it rattles the thin, cheap walls of the trailer homes. Teenagers are stumbling down the road as they walk towards Cara's house. Apparently, some people decided to party before even showing up here.

  Finding a spot to park takes effort, but I eventually find a tight squeeze without nicking any cars next to me. Honestly, none of the cars would probably notice anyway, with all of the dents and scratches that adorn all of the cars in this town.

  Locking up my car, I follow the heavy bass of the music and give an apprehensive wave to the neighbors that are sitting on their front steps as I make my way up to Cara's door. I walk in – since the door is already wide open. The booze and snacks are already starting to dwindle away. I'm glad we bought as much as we did. I don't think we would make it through half the night without our two shopping carts full of junk food.

  "Holy. Shit. Rose!" Comes from behind me, making me twist around and I spot my best friend. Correction – smoking hot best friend.

  "Shit, Cara. That dress is dangerous." The dress is already too short as it is, but the slit up the side of her thigh shows that she is definitely not wearing any panties. The side of her hip is almost fully on display.

  "Dangerous you say? That's the point. But don't get me sidetracked here. Do you see your outfit? Do you see your curves? Let's forget about the boys and just date each other. I don't need Logan, all I need is some Rose and I will be one happy woman." She looks me up and down and I see her eyes already a little hazy.

  My cheeks grow warm. "Thanks, Cara. I wasn't really sure if this would be too much or not, but I thought I would just go for it. What the hell, right?"

  "It is definitely too much. Too much for me and every person that is going to walk in here tonight. I'm seriously turned on by you right now. I can't even imagine what Easton is going to do when he sees you in that top. Shit, your tits are about to explode right out of it." She swipes her finger along the top of my cleavage and I bounce back, looking down and seeing that, yes, she is of course right.

  I try to adjust the top to no avail. "Ugh, I knew it was too small. Can I borrow something of yours?" Now I just feel self-conscious. I cross my arms over my chest to cover myself up. I don't even have a large chest, about a B. But this top definitely makes me look more like a large C, at least.

  "No. Absolutely not. It's not too small. It's perfect. The top is supposed to do that to your chest. Only the most daring of daring girls can pull this kind of top off. And you blow that shit out of the park. Come on, enough about your tits. It's been way too long since I've been laid. Let's go get drunk and dance the night away while we wait for our men."

  She grabs me by the wrist and drags me from her living room over to the kitchen. I'm glad it's a nice night out, because people are able to hangout both inside and outside so we don't all have to be cramped in the confines of the cube that is her living room. Talk about claustrophobia.

  After mixing me a drink, she hands it to me and grabs her own. I take a sip and wince at her love for mixing majority liquor with only a dash of soda. I take note to drink slow and not have more than two. Otherwise tomorrow is bound to be an awful day.

  Cara takes a large swig of her drink before coming up to me and shouting over the music. "Have you heard from any of the guys? I'm not sure what time they are planning to show up."

  "No, I haven't heard from any of them since Wednesday." Easton, more specifically.

  Cara, being in wedge heels taller than my own, doesn't have to look up to me nearly as much she usually has to. "I've barely heard from Logan either. Don't sweat it, things get really tense between all of them before a fight. I don't think it has anything to do with you."

  I shrug and take another sip, glad this one goes down a little smoother than the last. "Hey, I never asked. Does your mom know you are throwing a party? And what about… you know, your step-dad?" I mumble the last part, not wanting to draw unwanted attention.

  Cara sighs and rolls her eyes. "My dearest step-father has been sleeping in a room above the bar downtown. Most nights, my mom stays there with him. I haven't seen her all week. I doubt she will randomly show up tonight. They are probably three sheets to the wind at the bar, listening to karaoke and playing fucking darts."

  I frown at her, hearing the sadness in her voice. I wish my friend had a different life. She doesn't deserve this, she is way too good of a person to be put into this lifestyle.

  "What about your step-dad. Have you seen him?"

  She shakes her head no and finishes off her drink. "Haven't seen him since that night. That's one thing I'm happy for, at least."

  Pretty Ricky's Grind on Me comes on, and Cara goes from forlorn to excited in the blink of an eye. "I fucking love this song. Stay here, I'm going to get another drink. Do you need another one?"

  I wiggle my glass in her direction, showing her my drink with still half a cup left. "Pff, lightweight. I'm getting myself a drink, and then we're dancing. Okay? Don’t move." She walks off in her ungodly high heels like she's walking a runway.

  Shit, if I was in high heels that high, I would have already busted my ass. Don't get me wrong, I live in high heels on a daily basis. But the things she is wearing? They are a hazard more than anything.

  A few minutes later and she grabs me by the wrist again, pulling me into the center of her living room. The minimal furniture she has in her house has been pushed out of the way so there is more room for everyone to move around.

  Cara takes a large sip of her drink, and I follow suit. This time, the drink slides down smoothly and could almost be considered tasty. Almost, but not quite.

  Nearly plastering herself up against me, Cara uses her free hand and places it around my waist, grinding up against me to another song. Although I'm not sure what the name of this one is, it's equally as erotic and hypnotic as the other songs, with its heavy bass pounding into your body, you can't help but fall victim to the beat.

  I take another sip of my drink and place my hand on her hip beside her ass, following her lead and grinding into her just as she is to me.

  This goes on for a while, so long, that both of our drinks are gone and all the other partygoers flow in and out, but we pay them no mind. Our cups have been deposited on a table off to the side, and sweat drips from both of our bodies as we finally let loose.

  Cara leans into me so close I'm almost worried she's going to kiss me. I'm even more worried that I might let her. Shit, I've had way too much to drink. "Look towards the front door." She whispers.

  I sneak a glance over at the door and see the three stooges, with Easton front and center. Their mouths are hanging open and I watch as Easton's eyes grow darker by the second. Shit, he's in one of those moods.

  Cara pulls my face back to facing her. "Follow my lead, okay? I just want to see how far we
can go until they intervene."

  "Okay." I breath. I'm too intoxicated on everything to even care at this point.

  Cara sinks even further into me, both of our bodies slick with sweat as she reaches up and pulls me down to her lips, kissing me and groaning into my mouth like she has been waiting all night to do this.

  I think she has.

  I moan back, because how can I not? I'm not… into Cara like that. I'm not into girls like that in general. I think Cara might be, but I know she doesn't like me like that, her heart is too set on Logan to fall for someone else. I think this is just the alcohol speaking and her letting go of her shit life. Cara has a rocking body, that's for sure. Her petite frame and her perfect curves make the best mini treat I've ever seen.

  It's just… we've been dancing all night. And I'm so turned on at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if a wet spot was forming on my jeans at this very second. I'm comfortable with Cara, but what's turning me on more than anything at this moment is knowing that Easton is a few feet behind me, watching me overflow with desire.

  I know he wishes he were Cara right now. Shit, I wish he were Cara, too.

  Cara releases my mouth and looks up at me with heavy lidded eyes. "I can feel their lust brewing from the other side of the room. Can you?"

  "Yes."

  "What's going to tip them over the edge?" She gets an evil smirk on her face, and I can't help but mimic it as I see the wheels turning in her head.

  "Let's find out then. You down?"

  I nod my head yes, and that's all the agreement she needs before she grabs my hand and peels it off of her waist, lifting it to the side of her chest. I suck in a breath, unsure on how far I want to go.

  Cara must notice my hesitancy, because she squeezes my hand on top of hers, letting me feel her soft, plump breast in her hand. "Just let go, Rose. Be in the moment. I'm not trying to fuck you. Let's just get our boys riled up, okay? Let go with me, Rose. Just let go."

  My drunkenness is finally catching up with me, as is my desire to let go of the tight ball of tension that is throbbing between my legs. I give her a nod and squeeze her breast on my own, liking the way Cara's face melts into one of pleasure.