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

by Julia Wolf

  “Stop that. You gave me the chance to run and I didn’t.”

  He reached for my face, bringing my mouth to his. His tongue chased mine as he deepened our connection, and I sighed into his kiss. Even though my lips were swollen, I never wanted him to let go.

  Eventually he did, resting his forehead on mine, keeping his palm on my nape.

  “If I stay—”

  “You’re staying,” he barked softly.

  My mouth curved with affection. “If I stay, I don’t think I can have sex again tonight.”

  “Jesus Grace. I know. I practically tore you apart. I’m a monster, but even I can control myself.” He let me go, but followed me back to my side of the bed, resting his head on my shoulder. “What’s your favorite movie?”

  I stroked his silky dark hair, grinning. “There’s something you need to know about me: I’ve had an unholy obsession with The Nightmare Before Christmas since I was a kid. Have you seen it?”

  “Can’t say I have, but I know what it is. That’s the brother on your notebook?”

  “Jack Skellington, yeah. I have a Sally notebook too. Jack and Sally forever.”

  He turned on his TV, which was hooked up to every app available, and quickly found my movie. After everything that had happened over the last couple hours, the intensity of it all, it took me time to unwind, but I did. Sebastian’s head migrated to my chest, arm slung around my stomach. I stroked his hair, and when I stopped, he grabbed my hand and put it back.

  He grew so still, his head heavy on me, I thought he’d fallen asleep until he spoke.

  “Sara was born addicted to heroin. Mama didn’t want to quit her habit just because she got knocked up. Sara had a lot of issues when she was a kid, some she overcame, some she didn’t. She’s never been quite right, though. Her mental health is fragile and being married to Bradley doesn’t help. Tonight, she mixed her meds with wine. I’m so used to her barely existing on the same plane, I barely notice it anymore. You did, though.”

  Sadness seeped into my veins, for Sara and for Sebastian. Neither of them deserved this. They weren’t even given a chance at life. My heart panged for them.

  “Yeah, I did. I don’t think any less of her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  He hugged me tighter, burrowing his face between my breasts. “She’s not always like that. It’s the Sunday dinners. Anytime Bradley and I are in the same room, we clash. I think he gets off on it, and I don’t back away from conflict. So yeah, it’s stressful. She heavily medicates to get through it.”

  “What do you normally do after dinner?”

  He kissed my chest through my shirt. “Smoke, paint, work out, punch the shit out of the walls.”

  “Fuck?” I asked, cringing at my stupid curiosity.

  He shook in my arms. “Sometimes. It’s never been like it was between you and me.”

  “Okay,” I whispered. “You don’t have anything to be ashamed of. If you want me to come back for more dinners, I will. If it’s too stressful for you and Sara to have me there, I’ll stay away until it’s over, but then you have to call me. I’ll fuck you, paint with you, smoke with you, punch shit with you, go for runs—whatever you need, I’ll keep Sundays clear.”

  He lifted his head, his eyes slightly wild. The way he cupped my jaw made me feel like I was made of glass, and if I shattered, he’d shatter right along with me. “You know I’m never going to let you go now, right?” He slid his nose along the length of mine, shuddering.

  “I thought that had always been your plan.”

  “There was an escape clause before. It’s been incinerated now. I hope you like me, because I’m going to be your shadow until you go to your grave, and then I’ll follow you into the dark, baby.”

  I planted a hard kiss on his mouth. “Sebastian...that’s so sweet and creepy.”

  He grinned as he kissed me back. “That’s me. Now, shut your pretty little mouth and let me watch this movie. I need to know if Jack is ever going to get his head out of his ass and notice my girl Sally’s been in love with him this whole time.”

  * * *

  Bash rose with the sun, and as he seemed to like to do, he woke me with his tongue. Once he’d made me come so many times my throat became hoarse from crying out, we had sex even though I was still tender. He went gentle and slow—for him—and it was all I needed. How would I live without this boy when the time came? He’d swiftly become a part of every aspect of my life. A necessity. I had a level head, but when it came to Sebastian, I lost it entirely.

  When he dropped me off at my apartment, he held on to me, staring into my eyes.

  “I have to go in.” I made no move to get away.

  “Sara was right. I’ll regret not going to homecoming with you. Can I take you?”

  I startled. That was the last thing I’d expected him to say. “Um…really?”

  He smirked at my surprise. “You think I’ll make you look bad?”

  “As if that’s possible.” I bit my bottom lip, those butterflies from last night fluttering madly in my belly. “Yes. You can take me. But I’m not ditching Bex.” I poked his chest in warning.

  “Didn't think you would. We’ll do a group thing. Gabe’ll go. Hells too.”

  I blinked at him to make sure I wasn’t still asleep. “You’re going to wear a suit?”

  His hand slid beneath my hair, cupping my neck. “For you? Yeah. Remember, I’m your fucking shadow. I’m not gonna sit home while some dick gets to slow dance with my girl.”

  My eyes narrowed. “Oh, so that’s what it’s about?”

  “That’s always what it’s about, baby. I also just want to be there with you.”

  I curled my arms around his neck, hugging him tight, my pounding heart flush with his.

  “Thank you, Sebastian.” I kissed the corner of his mouth three times. “I’m going inside now or I’ll never go.”

  He slapped my ass before releasing me. “Tell your mom hi for me.” Then, the motherfucker winked, like he hadn’t already charmed the pants off me and all my ancestors.

  I ran from him, knowing this was the one time he wouldn’t chase. With the mood I was in, if I didn’t run, I was liable to ask him to elope with me. I wasn’t afraid of Sebastian Vega anymore, but he’d never been scarier to me than he was now.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  My second Sunday with Bash had gone easier than the first. He told me to skip dinner, but he showed up at my apartment after, chaotic but not dangerous. We’d gone to the skatepark and I helped him paint the next section he’d been commissioned for. We painted until it was too dark to see, then he took me back to his house. He fucked me slow and hard, face-to-face, heart-to-heart.

  Bex and I found pretty dresses to wear at a little boutique in the next town over. It had cost far more than I had budgeted, but naturally, Bash had come with us, and he took the garment from my hands and paid for it with the credit card his sister had given him.

  By the time it was homecoming day, my head and heart were filled with Sebastian Vega. Sara had been right. I would have regretted going to this dance without him. I was looking forward to being ironic with Bex, but the less cynical part of me couldn’t wait to dance with my boyfriend in our finery.

  My mom drove me to Bash’s house to take pictures before we met up with our friends. He was waiting in the driveway for me, wearing a black suit that fit him like a glove and stole my breath right out of my lungs.

  Bash may have paid for my dress, but I hadn’t allowed him to see me wearing it. Leaving my apartment, I’d felt pretty in the strapless, blush-colored dress that hit me mid-calf. The pale ivory stars and silver beading made it unique and romantic. When Bash looked me over, I felt more than pretty. I felt like the only star in the sky.

  He leaned in, touching his lips to my cheek. “Baby, you are the finest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m going to have to kill every kid at this dance tonight because they’re all going to be looking at my girl.”

  “Or…” I slid my cheek
against his, “you could be proud I’m with you and no one else.” I ran my hands along his lapels. “I didn't know you did dashing.”

  “Grace,” he whispered, completely glossing over my compliment, “you’re beautiful. So fucking beautiful.”

  My mother’s and Sara’s cries of ecstasy at the sight of us together broke us apart. Sara was back to being more like the first time I met her, flighty but lucid. She and my mom took a thousand pictures of us, posing us like models. Sebastian was surprisingly patient. Then again, he had me in his arms and his sister was happy, so I figured he didn’t mind prolonging the moment.

  We left my mom and Sara chatting on the front lawn to meet our friends at Bex’s house for more pictures, then our group piled in a limo. Bex had invited Elijah when I informed her Sebastian was going too, and he’d gladly accepted. Gabe and Helen had paired up, although I didn’t think there was any type of romance going on between them.

  Gabe took a flask from his inner jacket pocket. “Who’s in?”

  Helen wiggled her manicured fingers. “Hand it over, honey.”

  The flask got passed around to each of us. I took a long, burning swallow, but stopped at one. I had no edge I needed to take off. I was just...happy. There was a lot I needed to think about and consider, but not tonight.

  Gabe tipped his chin at Bex and Elijah, who were cozy beside each other. “I’m pretty betrayed, you know.”

  Bex smirked at him. “Oh? Is it because I’m wearing the dress you had picked out for yourself?”

  Gabe pounded his chest with the side of his fist. “Okay, first of all, how did you know about that? The shopkeeper told me she’d keep my love of lacy dresses a secret.” Bex snorted. “But second, you promised yourself to me when we were children. How could you be with another man? We’re betrothed!”

  Elijah chuckled, clutching Bex’s hand. “Sorry, bro. You snooze, you lose.”

  Bex shook her head. “Way to make Helen feel like chopped liver.”

  Helen wiped her red lips with her fingertips after she tipped back the flask. “Oh, I’m fine. I do not give a single shit what Gabriel does.”

  “See?” Gabe held up the flask like he was giving a toast. “We’re in the free and clear aside from Elijah over there. We used to be homies, but now I’m gonna have to kill the guy.”

  Their bantering continued, and I grinned at Sebastian. “Why are all of our friends lunatics?” I whispered.

  “’Cause it makes us feel sane in comparison.”

  “Oh,” I held up a finger, “that’s right.”

  Our limo pulled up to the entrance of our school gym where the dance was taking place. Kids in formalwear hung out along the walls around the door and more streamed inside. We joined the stream, the boys close behind the girls as we all walked in together.

  Loud music and glittering lights grabbed me the moment we stepped foot in the gym. The dance floor was already packed with the writhing forms of our classmates. I couldn’t make out anyone in particular. They were a solid group, moving as one to the same beat.

  Sebastian’s arms circled my waist, his mouth close to my ear. “You wanna dance? Or sit and laugh?”

  “Dance, for sure. Then sit and laugh.”

  Hells already had her arms over her head, rocking her hips to the rap song that had just come on, and Bex was hopping around in place. Elijah and Gabe couldn’t have looked less interested if they’d tried.

  “I think we’ll do a girls’ dance,” I said.

  He kissed my jaw. “I got you. If someone of the male persuasion tries to put his hands on you, though…”

  “I know, I know. You’ll kill a motherfucker.” I grinned back at my crazy boyfriend, and the gleam in his eyes said yeah, he’d do it and feel no remorse.

  Hells, Bex, and I entered the fray, dancing in a tight circle with each other. The music was too loud to really talk, so we didn’t. It had been so long since I’d danced like this—since freshman year, probably—I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it until that moment.

  I closed my eyes, feeling the pulse of the song, when someone bumped into me, sending me back a step or two. My eyelids flew open, and I grabbed Bex’s hand to steady me, laughing at my own clumsiness.

  Through the crowd, my gaze caught on Nate Bergen’s. He had a girl in front of him—not Elena—bent forward as he ground on her ass, his eyes already on mine. And the way he looked at me said he was imagining that ass was mine.

  Disconcerted and a little disgusted, I left the dance floor in search of Sebastian. I didn’t have to go far. He, Gabe, and Elijah were with a few other guys from school, sitting around a table near the wall. At the sight of me, Sebastian patted his legs, and when I was close enough, he pulled me into his lap.

  “Done dancing already, baby?” he said just loud enough for me to hear.

  “Until there’s a slow one. Then you’re going to dance with me.” No way would I be telling him about creepy Nate. If I did, I had no doubt Sebastian would teach him a lesson with his fists. While the idea of Nate getting his ass kicked by my man was appealing on the most base level, I was more interested in enjoying this night—quite possibly the only chance I’d have to slow dance with Sebastian.

  Hells and Bex eventually found us at the table, and this time, Helen pulled a flask from her purse. She and Gabe were cut from the same exact cloth. Two sides of the same damn coin.

  The music slowed, and I turned to Bash, kissing the corner of his mouth. “Dance with me?”

  “As long as you don’t mind me stepping on your toes.” He pushed me off his lap and led me to the very edge of the dance floor. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and his slipped around my waist. We didn’t do any fancy moves or really try to keep up with the song at all.

  “Can’t believe I’m at a school dance with Grace Patel.” He shook his head, eyeing me like I was a unicorn he’d spotted out of nowhere.

  “It’s not so crazy. Look at us, we’re perfect.” In my heels, we were the same height, so we were eye to eye.

  “Think that’s you. I’m riding your coattails.”

  He held me even closer, burying his face in my neck, murmuring words I couldn’t quite hear but knew were something about following me forever and ever. He overwhelmed me with his intensity. It was easier for me to believe he wasn’t serious than to contemplate whether he was.

  We clung to each other for one perfect dance. Sebastian could be gentle when he wanted, and he was tonight. I didn’t quite know how to deal. Not with his sweetness, and not with the deep, complicated feelings bubbling in my chest.

  When the music sped up again, we walked back to the table. Bex and Elijah were off dancing, but Hells was sitting there, bickering with Gabe.

  “Hey, girl. Come to the bathroom with me?” I asked.

  Bash squeezed my hip. “I’ll go with you.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not that kind of bathroom trip.” Not the kind that ended with me bent over a sink. No, this was more of a I-might-be-in-love-with-my-boyfriend-and-need-time-to-breathe type of excursion.

  Helen popped up, and we left the boys behind. I felt Sebastian’s eyes glued to my back until we were out of his eyeline, then I breathed a sigh of relief. Not because I didn’t appreciate how he always looked at me, but it was heavy sometimes, and right now, I needed light.

  In the bathroom, Helen turned to me. “Did you really need to go?” she asked.

  “No, not really. Just needed a couple minutes away from the loud music.” I swiped my finger under my lip, but my lipstick was still in pretty good shape. Bash had been considerate, kissing me everywhere but my lips for most of the night.

  “Understandable.” She lined her full lips with a dark liner. Her lipstick was nearly black, but I guessed when you wore red almost every day, you had to bring on the drama on special occasions.

  “Are you and Gabe a thing?” I asked.

  She snorted, catching my eyes in the mirror. “Nah. Neither of us are into boyfriend-girlfriend drama. We mess around sometim
es, and the boy can bring it, but that’s as far as it goes.”

  “Bash never got jealous you were with Gabe too?”

  Turning to face me, she propped her curvy ass on the sink. “Bash was having sex with someone else too. I never wanted him for myself, and even if I had, I would’ve been disappointed. I don’t know how you locked him down, but I’ve never seen him more obsessed.”

  “Is obsession a good thing?”

  “I think his two modes are apathy or obsession. No in-between.” She checked her reflection in the mirror one last time, rubbing her lips together with a pop. “All set. Ready?”

  We walked back toward the gym, the music filtering through the halls of our school. As we drew closer, Gabe appeared, standing in front of the balloon arch.

  “Hey, little princess. Wanna dance?” There was something off about him. A little more manic than usual, but he didn’t seem high.

  “Sure.” I tried to move past him, but he moved with me, blocking the door. “Um…let me go check in with Bash first, then we can dance.” And ensure he wouldn’t murder Gabe if I danced with him.

  He grabbed my hand, giving me a rough twirl. “Let’s dance out here. It’s too loud in there.”

  Helen shoved his shoulder. “What are you doing, Gabriel? Stop being a creep.”

  “I just wanna keep the little princess out here with me.” He tried to twirl me again, but I broke away.

  “What are you doing?” My eyes narrowed on him as the hair on my arms stood on end. “Why are you trying to keep me out here?”

  Gabe reached for my hands, but Helen jumped in his way, giving me the split second I needed to charge around him. I burst into the gym, heading directly to the spot where I’d left Sebastian.

  He wasn’t at the table anymore, and the guys who were looked at me warily. One of them jerked his head toward the corner, so I went that way. I wished I hadn’t. I wished I’d stayed in the hall with Gabe, dancing like a little princess with my crazy friend. Instead, I got to see my boyfriend with his hands on Elena Sanderson and hers on him.

  She stroked his chest while he held on to her shoulders. They didn’t notice me approaching, and the music was too loud for me to hear what they were saying. It didn’t matter, though. Bile rose in my throat as my stomach sank.