Start a Fire: A Dark High School Bully Romance (The Savage Crew Book 1)

by Julia Wolf

  “Can Bex come?”

  “You need a chaperone?”

  “No, I just want my girl there since I assume this is going to be a party full of your friends.”

  “I wouldn’t leave you by yourself.” He brushed his lips against mine. “Yeah, she can come if she wants. She’s cool.”

  I pressed my lips to his, already aching for more. “You should come to my apartment to work on math with me after school.”

  “Yeah?” His lips twitched. “Just math?”

  “Maybe English too? And some Spanish…”

  He jerked me into him, wrapping me in his arms, his erection prodding my stomach. “I like when you tell me you want me. You’re my straightforward girl.”

  “I do want you.” There was no sense denying that. We were past that point.

  “Spend the night with me after the party Saturday.”

  That sounded...intense. Not something I’d ever done before, that was for sure. But I wanted to. That hour of Sebastian asleep on my leg had been sweet in a weird, unfamiliar way. I could do with more of that.

  “I’m not sure my mom will go for that. I’ll ask, though.”

  His head shook in confusion. “You’re not gonna just tell her you’re sleeping at Bex’s?”

  “No. She trusts me. I’m not going to break her trust by lying like that.”

  His forehead fell on mine. “You’re such a good fucking girl.”

  “Sometimes.”

  He kissed my temple and pulled away. “Come on. Let’s go feed you before the monster shows up.”

  * * *

  That night, after spending a couple hours with Sebastian in my bed and getting no homework done, my mom and I sat down to a late dinner together.

  “How’s your week going?” she asked.

  “Good,” I said around a mouthful of noodles. “I’ve been busy.”

  “With Sebastian?” She shot me a look that said she knew a lot more than I gave her credit for.

  “Definitely with him. Work too. But yeah...Sebastian and I kind of decided to make it official. We’re doing the couple thing.”

  “I kind of figured, given the matching hickeys the two of you are sporting.” She’d come home before Sebastian had left, and her eyes had zeroed in on the fresh bruise I’d left on the side of his neck. He’d left one on me too, but my hair hid it better. Or so I’d thought. “I’m all for you guys being a couple. He’s clearly way into you. But maybe cool it on the hickeys in visible places? There’s no need to broadcast to the world what you do behind closed doors.”

  I flushed with embarrassment. This was all so new to me. I liked seeing my marks on his skin and pressing the tender spots he left on mine, but I didn’t want others to see them and assume they knew anything about us.

  “You’re right. I’ll tell him.” Whether he’d listen was a whole other thing.

  She patted my hand. “I’m not mad. I get it, I was young too. But with age comes a little wisdom, which I like to share with my kid. I’m happy for you, though. If that boy treats you right and warms your heart, then keep him. You need some of that right now.”

  “We’re only getting started,” I said.

  “I know. I’m not buying a mother-of-the-bride dress, believe me.”

  I huffed a laugh. “That’s a fairy tale you lived. Most people don’t marry their high school sweethearts.”

  She shrugged. “You never know.”

  We went quiet for a minute or two, slurping up cold soba noodles.

  “What would you think if I slept over at Sebastian’s house on Saturday after a party?”

  Mom’s fork froze midair, her mouth hanging open. She put it down in her bowl and wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Well, hmmm. I kind of wish Dad was here so we could talk about this. This feels like a big parenting decision.”

  “I won’t be mad if you say no,” I rushed out, guilty I’d even asked.

  “Babe, no, don’t worry about that. I’m glad you asked instead of sneaking around.” She looked at me, letting her eyes roam over my face. “You have to promise me, if you drink at the party, Sebastian will stay sober. And you’ll text me as soon as you get to his house so I know you’re safe and I can sleep.”

  My eyes went wide. “You’re saying yes?”

  She lifted her finger. “As long as it’s okay with his parents. I don’t want you disrespecting their house rules.”

  I nodded. “I’ll make sure.” My stomach swooped. I couldn’t believe she’d said yes. “Thank you, Mom.”

  After dinner, I went to my room to text Sebastian.

  Me: My mom said yes to sleeping over.

  Bash: Are you shitting me? Being honest with your parent actually works?

  Me: I...think so?

  Bash: I get you an entire night.

  Me: Whatever will we do?

  Bash: We forgot to do homework today.

  Me: Are you saying we’ll be doing homework at our sleepover?

  Bash: How about we don’t call it a sleepover? You’re making us sound like twelve-year-old besties.

  Me: Ew, yeah. I’ll do better.

  Bash: And no, no homework. I’m not texting you all the things I’m going to do to you.

  Me: So it can’t be used against you at the trial?

  Bash: What am I going to be on trial for?

  Me: Um...stalking?

  Bash: Is it really stalking if the victim likes it?

  Me: You should ask your lawyer.

  Bash: Just called. She said no. I’m not your stalker, just your boyfriend.

  Me: My psycho boyfriend?

  Bash: Goes without saying.

  Me: Okay. Just checking. I’m going to do some homework for real now.

  Bash: Look under your pillow first.

  Me: My black panties?

  Bash: Wear them tomorrow.

  Me: And if I don’t?

  Bash: Guess you’ll find out.

  Me: Why do I like you?

  Bash: That’s a good question.

  Me: Good night!

  Bash: Good night, baby.

  I lay back on my pillows, holding the scrap of black lace Sebastian had left for me. There was no doubt about it, I’d be wearing them tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Bex stood beside me, leaning forward to check her eyeliner in the bathroom mirror. We were at her house, getting ready for the party. She’d been staring at herself for a long time. So long, I was starting to wonder if she saw things I didn’t.

  “You look perfect,” I said.

  “I feel weird without my glasses. Like I’m too exposed.” She tilted her head to study her face.

  “Then take your contacts out and put your glasses on.”

  “No.” She sighed, straightening. “I’m committed to this look now. There’s no going back. Besides, if it’s crowded and some asshole bumps me, I won’t have to worry about my glasses going flying.”

  I slung my arm over her shoulder. “If it’s that kind of crowded, I won’t want to stay anyway. Gabe said Javi’s parties are usually pretty mellow.”

  She snorted. “And you trust anything Gabe says? Mellow to him is probably a dose of LSD and dancing elephants.”

  “I think he sees dancing elephants without any chemical enhancement. The kid is whack.”

  She laughed harder. “Why are we trusting him to take us to a party again?”

  “Because Sebastian will be there.”

  Her eyes met mine in the reflection. “And we trust him?”

  “To keep us safe, definitely.” From other people.

  I’d worn the black panties yesterday, and he’d kept me waiting and guessing all day. He hadn’t mentioned them, and neither had I. And then I’d gone into the bathroom to change before working on my art project, and he followed me, taking me bent over the sink with my panties shoved to the side. Having sex at school wasn’t me, but when I was with Sebastian, there didn’t seem to be any boundaries. I certainly hadn’t told him no. I hadn’t even thought it.

/>   We ran outside when Sebastian texted he and Gabe were out front. Bash got out of the car, holding the back door open. He had on black jeans, boots, and a plain gray T-shirt that hugged the defined muscles in his arms and chest. Bash had a way of making basic look crazy hot.

  “Hey.” He’d already made me a little breathless.

  He looked me over in my little silk slip dress and Docs and shook his head. “I’m gonna have to mess some motherfuckers up tonight. You look too damn good.”

  I pursed my lips, prepared for a fight. “I’m not changing.”

  His hand came around my waist. “I wouldn’t ask you to. Just know I’m gonna be attached to you and probably annoy the shit out of you by the end of this thing.”

  “Because you don’t trust me?”

  “No, because I don’t trust anyone with a dick. And because I’m going to need to be looking at you and thinking about what you’ve got on under that dress.” He kissed my neck, making me sigh. “Now, get in the damn car, Grace.”

  He shoved me into the back seat, following close behind. He probably got a shot of my underwear, but it served him right for being a caveman. Bex was already seated in the front by Gabe, who was in the middle of rapping along with the Mac Miller song filtering through the speakers.

  “Guh-race! Wassup, baby!” He turned around, grinning. “Did you know your girl hates me?”

  I laughed. “Maybe you could try being less annoying?”

  He tapped Bex’s headrest. “Think that’d work?”

  “It’s worth a try.”

  He looked at Bex again, then shook his head. “Nah, I don’t think that’s it.” Then he turned the volume up and rapped at the top of his lungs as he drove. That was a surefire way to get Bex to love him.

  Sebastian slid his hand up my thigh and under the hem of my dress, and I grabbed his wrist to stop him from moving any farther.

  “Don’t,” I mouthed. “Not here.”

  He leaned over, cuffing my chin with his knuckle, and aligned his mouth with my ear. “I’m not gonna touch your pussy in the car with Gabe and Bex two feet from us. I just want to hold my cranky girlfriend’s leg.”

  I turned my head to brush my lips against his. “I’m not cranky.” I slung my leg over his. “I’m happy to be with you.”

  He gave me another gentle kiss. “You’re so fucking good at that. Just saying what you feel.”

  “You wouldn’t like it as much if I wasn’t happy about something.”

  “Think I might.”

  Bex reached forward, turning the volume way down on the stereo. “Is it possible not to burst my eardrums so early in the night?”

  Gabe grinned at her. “Anything’s possible if you put your mind to it, Rebecca.”

  “I could sprout wings if I thought about it hard enough?” she retorted.

  “Sure. Why don’t you spend some time thinking about it. Maybe some quiet time,” Gabe volleyed back.

  Sebastian chuckled under his breath, and I caught his eye, grinning back at him. This felt so...normal. Our friends snarking at each other, us snuggling in the back. If I hadn’t known how we’d started, I would have gotten a little swoony over us. I knew, though. As much as I liked Sebastian, this couldn’t possibly last, even if I wanted it to.

  Javi lived in a house on a lake, his closest neighbors through a thatch of woods or across the water. Bright lights spilled from the sprawling house as we pulled up. I took Bex’s hand so we wouldn’t get separated, and Sebastian held on to my waist from the other side.

  Inside wasn’t as packed as I had expected. A cloud of smoke floated beneath the ceiling, explaining the low-key vibe. Kids were sprawled on couches passing joints and puffing on bongs. Gabe broke off from us, high-fiving a guy I recognized from the soccer team, who passed him a J.

  I looked at Bex. “You want?”

  She shook her head. “My parents will murder me if I come home drunk or high. I’m sticking to one drink, then it’s water for me.”

  Sebastian steered us into the kitchen where the drinks were. He greeted a few people standing around the island covered with alcohol, then turned his attention back to me. “I’m driving tonight,” he murmured into my ear. “Have fun, baby.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t have to drink if you want to.”

  “I’m good. Already told Gabe I’d drive us home.” He released his hold on me and picked up a bottle of vodka. “What’s your drink?”

  “Make something for me and Bex. I’m not picky.”

  Bex shrugged. “Me either. Just not too strong.”

  “Bexie!”

  Bex and I both twisted around to see Elijah approaching from the sliding door to the patio, a huge grin on his face. “Why didn’t I know you were going to be here?”

  He dipped his head to kiss her cheek, still grinning, and Bex flushed crimson.

  “It was a last-minute thing. I didn’t know you’d be here either.”

  He tipped his chin at Bash, and I didn’t fail to notice the step he took toward Bex, clearly marking who he was interested in...and who he wasn’t.

  “I’m a party boy, what can I say?” His shoulder bumped Bex’s. “You gonna hang out with me?”

  Bash handed her a cup, which she lifted to her lips, batting her perfectly lined eyes at Elijah. I didn’t think she even knew she was doing it, but it was hella cute.

  “Sure. Lead the way, party boy.”

  Bash handed me a cup, and I sniffed it, hit with the scent of rum and spice. I took a sip and lifted my eyes to his. “Rum and ginger ale?”

  He chuckled. “Only the finest bottom shelf rum for you, baby.”

  I took a long swallow. “This was clearly made with love, which makes it taste better.” When he stilled at my mention of the L-word, I pressed my chest to his. “That’s just something my dad would say when we went out to dinner. If food tasted really good, he’d say it was made with love.”

  Sebastian threaded his fingers in the back of my hair and tilted my face back to stare at me long and hard. Then his mouth covered mine, kissing me deep in front of a room full of people. I couldn’t find it in myself to really care that they might be watching, not when his tongue was sliding along mine and his grip on my hair awakened nerve endings all over me.

  His forehead rested on mine once he ripped his mouth away. “Let’s go outside before I take you upstairs and we miss this entire party.”

  “That wouldn’t be the worst thing.” I sipped my drink again, raising my brows over the rim.

  “Not my plan for tonight.” He took my hand, and we went through the sliding glass door to the patio. Lights were strung around the pergola, and a fire crackled in a small firepit. People were spread around, some by the pool, a few dancing, and others sitting around the patio table, smoking and drinking.

  “Gracie! You’re here!” Helen lifted her cup from where she was kicked back on a lounge chair by the table. She scooted over and patted the cushion next to her. “Come sit by me, girlie.”

  Sebastian’s hold on my hand tightened. “Nope. Not happening.”

  Helen stuck her red lip out in a pout. “Mean Bash. Let the girl socialize.”

  “She can socialize next to me.”

  I laughed at how ridiculous he was being, but I really did want to sit by Helen. We hadn't worked together this week, and I’d barely seen her in school, so we could use the catch-up time.

  “What do you think will happen if I sit next to Helen?” I dropped my voice to speak low beside his ear. “I already know the worst of you. And I think you know I’m not going to run away. Don’t be crazy. Save that for later.”

  The look he gave me said he was a breath away from dragging me out of here by my hair and fucking me over the hood of Gabe’s car. While I wouldn’t have minded that, now that we were here and I saw how chill it was, I kind of wanted to stay a while.

  With a growl, he deposited me by Hells, then stalked off to make me another drink and find a chair for himself. Helen snickered at how grumpy he’d gotten in suc
h a short span of time.

  “Oh my lord, have you broken Bash?”

  “I hope not.” I chugged the rest of my drink, already feeling it in my head. “He’s been like that from the beginning. I thought that was just how he is.”

  “Nope.” She took a joint and lighter out of her bra, wiggling her eyebrows at me. “Bash has never had a girlfriend. Just, you know, girls. And friends. But never both. You are his girlfriend, right?”

  “Yeah. He told me so a couple days ago.”

  That made her giggle. “That’s very Bash-like. He told you you’re his girlfriend? So classic.” She lit the joint between her lips and took a long drag before passing it to me. I puffed, filling my mouth with smoke, and rested my head on the cushion beside Helen’s.

  She took another drag on the J, then passed it back to me again. “Do you miss Switzerland?”

  “Not really. While I was there, I thought I hadn’t missed Savage River, but now that I’m back, I feel like I’m home. Have you ever lived anywhere else?”

  She took the joint, shaking her head. “Nah. I’m a lifer.”

  “There are worse places to do time.”

  “True, true. I can’t argue that.”

  My eyelids fluttered open to find Sebastian standing over me, something close to a smile curling his lips. He pulled up a chair beside us and handed me a fresh drink.

  “Thank you,” I said, grinning.

  “Look at you.” He shook his head, sinking down into his chair. “You’re high as fuck.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Are you mad?”

  “Why in the hell would I be mad at getting to see you enjoy yourself?”

  Helen snuggled into my side, her head on my shoulder. “Sorry, Bash. This is my girlfriend now. Find yourself another one.”

  Before he could go caveman again, someone pulled his attention away. I was too relaxed to really listen, but I gathered he was talking to Javi, the host of the party. Helen and I carried on our own conversation about school and our work schedule while laughing at things that weren’t funny. At some point, Sebastian reached over to squeeze my leg and didn’t let go. He kept talking to his boy while rubbing his thumb back and forth.