Trust Him: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Rebels of Sterling Prep Book 4)

by Caitlyn Dare

  “No, never. I’d love to, though.”

  “We’re playing Saturday. You think you could get out to watch?”

  “Yes,” I say, possibly more excitedly than I ever have in my life. “I mean, yeah, I should be able to.”

  He chuckles at me. “Great. How about you come to the game, have a look around campus, get a feel for the place. I can get you in the locker room, meet the team if you like.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Sounds great.” I fall silent as I try to process everything he’s telling me. “I’m sorry, I’m totally overwhelmed right now.”

  “I get it, son. This is a big moment. One you’ve probably been dreaming of your whole life.” I nod at him, because he doesn't need to know the truth. That my nights are filled with nightmares, not dreams. He doesn't need any reason to change his mind about this right now. “Here’s my card,” he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a black card with the Colts horseshoe on it. “Let me know if you can make it this weekend.”

  After telling Hadley about the possibility, we sat together on my bed and looked up the university. We looked at the team and I tried to picture myself running out onto a field wearing black and listening to the crowd in the one-hundred-thousand capacity stadium.

  We looked at courses, discussed what our majors might be, and had our first serious conversation about what our future together might look like.

  I expected her to tell me that she had a college lined up. Her parents seemed to have a plan for her, so I was expecting something to be in place, but it seems she’s as clueless about her future as I am. The only thing we agreed on was that wherever we end up, we’ll be together.

  “Thank you.”

  His hand lands on my shoulder, and I immediately stiffen at his unexpected touch.

  “You should get back out there,” he says, seemingly unaware of my reaction to him.

  Pushing from the bench, I pocket his card and jog over to where the guys are running drills. I pass Coach who nods at me as I join in before he heads over to Chris.

  They fall into easy conversation, and I wonder if they actually know each other, if Coach had anything to do with this.

  I start sprinting, and the next time I look over, Chris is gone, and Coach is standing alone, watching us.

  All the guys moan around me at the intensity of the session, but I barely feel it. I’m too lost in my head, trying to imagine a future for me, my girl, our baby, and Colton U.

  “Hey,” I say, pulling Hadley into my arms. She’s been waiting for me on the benches in the last of the day’s winter sun while I finished up practice.

  “Mmm, you’re so warm,” she says, nuzzling into my neck.

  “If you’re cold, you should have gone in.”

  “I like the fresh air,” she argues. “I feel like I’m always stuck in my dorm room with a window that hardly opens.”

  “I wish you could move in with us.” I don’t realize the words come out loud until she turns to stone in my arms. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “I know,” she says on a sigh. “One day, Cole. One day, it’ll just be us.”

  “I can’t wait.” My hold on her tightens and I drop my lips to her hair. “How about a whole weekend?”

  She pulls back, and her huge green eyes stare up at me. “What about a weekend?” she asks hopefully.

  “That scout I told you about was at practice just now. He invited me to spend the weekend at Colton U. You down for it?”

  “The whole weekend?”

  “Yep. I was thinking we could head up after the game Friday night and spend it together.”

  “In a hotel?” she asks, her eyes darkening.

  “In a hotel,” I confirm. “Can you get away?”

  “Yes. I’ll figure something out. Oh my God, I’m so excited. A whole weekend with no school, no Sterling Bay, no one else apart from you.”

  “Sounds like heaven to me, Little Dove.”

  She stretches up on her tiptoes and brushes her lips against mine.

  A feeling I’m becoming more and more used to tightens my chest before warmth seeps through my entire body.

  “I’m starving,” she whispers against my lips.

  “Let’s go get dinner then. What does the raspberry desire?”

  “Pizza. And ice cream,” she adds quickly. “Lots and lots of ice cream.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  We spend the night like any other young couple. I pick a diner on the outskirts of town in the hope we don’t bump into anyone we know, and we eat our body weight in pizza and ice cream as we talk about the gossip that’s been whispered down the hallways at Sterling Prep, along with our upcoming trip.

  Every time one of us mentions it, Hadley’s face lights up. I didn’t realize quite how much she disliked it here. I’ve always been very vocal about not wanting to be here, but she’s just got on with life like she belongs. It’s only as she’s started opening up that I realize she’s just been playing a part this whole time. It’s another thing that I think helps bind us together, and it helps me understand the connection that Remi and Ace found almost immediately after we moved. They see that in each other too.

  “I wish you could come up and spend the night,” Hadley sighs when I pull up in front of her dorm building later that evening.

  “I can. I’ll just sneak back in later.”

  “We can’t, Cole. If we get caught…”

  “Then what? What are they really going to do?”

  She turns as white as a sheet. “They’ll call my parents. I can’t, Cole. I-I can’t…”

  “It’s okay. I get it.”

  “He called me,” she admits.

  “Who? Your dad?”

  “Yeah. Miss Jones went running straight to him to announce that I’d quit the squad.”

  “But I thought—”

  “Yeah, me too. But she’s in their back pocket. I have no idea what the connection with them really is but… ugh. It was the reminder that I needed. We need to be careful. If they get even a whiff of this, they’ll probably drag me back kicking and screaming and lock me in a basement or something.”

  She tries to put some humor into her words, but I see right through them. She really is worried.

  “I won’t let that happen, Dove.”

  “But—”

  “No,” I interrupt. “No one is taking you away from me ever again.”

  “You promise?”

  “I promise, Hadley. It’s me and you now.”

  “I love you, Cole,” she says, staring up at me like I’m the most incredible person she’s ever met. And just like every other time she’s done it, I want to tell her that she’s wrong, that I’m not the person she thinks I am. I have to keep reminding myself that she already knows the person I am. She knows more about me than anyone else, even with the darkness I’m still holding within me.

  “I love you too, Little Dove.” Reaching over the console, I wrap my fingers around the back of her neck and pull her lips to mine.

  We make out in my car for over an hour before she finally breaks away, telling me that she really does need to go inside. Reluctantly, I let her go.

  I don’t drive away until I know she’s safely inside, and even after she disappears, I still sit there for a few minutes, trying to get my head around everything that’s happened and how it led us here.

  As I’m running up the stairs to my bedroom, I pull my cell from my pocket and find a message waiting for me.

  Dove: Thank you for tonight. I can’t wait for the weekend ;)

  My fingers fly over the keys, typing out my response.

  Cole: Me either. I’m still hard.

  Dove: You’re such a guy.

  Cole: And you love it. What are you wearing?

  Dove: Nothing. About to shower.

  The image of her standing naked with her cell in her hand fills my mind. I can’t help reaching down and palming my cock over my pants.

  Cole: I knew I should have snuck back in. My hand isn’t going to c
ut it. Picture?

  I smile to myself. I’m joking, I think. I don’t actually expect her to send me anything, but when the next message comes, I almost drop my cell to the floor.

  “Fuck me,” I grit out.

  Cole: You fucking slay me, Dove. Friday night can’t come soon enough.

  Dove: Do not touch yourself. Save it for me ;)

  “Fuuuuuuck.” I immediately lift my hand from myself, doing as I’m told.

  Cole: Oh Little Dove, do you have any idea what you’ve just started?

  Dove: I have a clue. You’re welcome xo

  Laughing to myself, I drop my cell to the bed and fall back.

  How many hours away is Friday night, exactly?

  I keep my promise, as hard as it was. Pun intended.

  By the time Friday night’s game comes around, I’m damn near desperate to get my hands on my girl. I know she’s feeling the same, I see it in her eyes every time I’ve looked in them, felt her desperation in her kisses in the few moments we’ve stolen together since the other night.

  The crowd roars as we take to the field for tonight’s game. The division is coming to an end, and although we might be sitting in second position, there’s still a lot to play for. Especially tonight, as West Bank currently holds the top spot. If we beat them, we’re one step closer to the playoffs. The playoffs that I haven’t been interested in until my chance at a future began to turn into a reality. Suddenly, I want to win, I want to taste that victory so I can join the Colts—or another team, if that doesn’t work out—and know that I really am bringing something to the team. That I was good enough to be a part of a winning team, and I’ll be good enough to join them.

  My chest puffs a little, knowing that while I’ve been drowning in life and expelling my frustrations in the field, someone has been watching, picturing me as part of a bigger team, thinking of my future when I’ve been unable to.

  I scan the crowd. I know she’s here with Remi, Ace and Conner, but although I can’t see her, I can feel her. I know she’s watching me right now, and I can’t help but smile to myself.

  In just over an hour, the two of us are going to be in the car and heading toward the hotel James booked for us.

  Only a few weeks ago, I never would have thought I’d have asked him for anything. But I know I don’t have the resources to give Hadley what she deserves, so I forced myself to do the one thing I swore I wouldn’t. I went to him for help.

  He’s booked us into a hotel that I never would have been able to afford myself and ensured that Hadley has the best weekend away. The weekend that she deserves, after all the bullshit I’ve caused her.

  I can still picture the look in his eyes as he turned to me after agreeing to my plan and told me that he was proud of me.

  I hate to admit it, and I probably won’t ever out loud, but I got a little choked up.

  Maybe Ace and Conner weren’t wrong to accept this new life as easily as they did.

  Maybe the Bay and James aren’t all that bad.

  Right before the whistle blows, I find her in the crowd, her eyes trained on me as if she was waiting for me.

  “I love you,” she mouths. All I can do is shake my head in disbelief as the whistle blows and I turn my attention to the game. Just over an hour, then my entire focus can be on my girl.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Hadley

  The second Cole’s eyes find me, I know he sees what he failed to earlier.

  “Fuck.” He strides toward me. “My number. You’re wearing my number.”

  I bought the jersey a couple of days ago. I wanted to surprise him, and if the look in his eyes is anything to go by, it worked.

  Leaning up, I move my lips to his ear. “And I’m not wearing anything underneath.”

  He pulls back, meeting my gaze. His brow lifts, and I chuckle. Cole glances around and discreetly slips his hand underneath the jersey, their coolness making me shiver. But it’s nothing compared to how they feel gliding over my breasts.

  “Are you trying to kill me?” he groans.

  “Maybe.” I smirk. “Just a little bit.”

  “How am I going to drive us to Colton U now?”

  “Just think of how much fun it’ll be when we get there.”

  His eyes flash with hunger and he breathes, “Fuck.”

  “Hey, man.” Ace and Remi approach us. “Congratulations, you were on fire.”

  “It was a good game.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short.” A look of pride washes over Ace. “You did good.”

  “All set for your big weekend?” Remi asks, and I bury myself into Cole’s side.

  I can’t wait to spend the weekend with him, away from Sterling Bay and prying eyes. Of course, Miss Jones thinks I’m spending the weekend with Remi.

  “Don’t forget to lay low,” I say. “I need her to think I’m—”

  “Got it. You don’t have to worry. We don’t plan on leaving the pool house all weekend.” She trails a finger up Ace’s bulky arm.

  “Hey.” Conner jogs up to us. “What’d I miss?”

  “Nothing much,” Ace replies. “Just telling Cole how proud we are.”

  “Actually, you didn’t say it,” Cole grumbles, but there’s laughter in his eyes.

  “Well, we are.”

  “Too fucking right. This is your time, bro. The Colts are a good team, this is a huge opportunity.”

  “Con, you don’t know the first thing about football.” Ace frowns.

  “I know stuff.”

  “You googled them, didn’t you?” Remi chuckles, and Conner blushes.

  “I was doing some research, yeah.”

  “I appreciate it,” Cole says. “I do. But we have to...” He flicks his head to a car I don’t recognize.

  “Cole?” I ask, noticing Ace and Conner’s amused expressions.

  “Surprise,” he says around a meek smile.

  “Surprise? What is this?”

  “It’s a Nissan Skyline, Hadley, baby.”

  “Con,” Cole warns.

  “Come on,” Remi says. “We should leave them to it. Enjoy the weekend, but be safe.”

  “We will.” I shoot her an appreciative smile.

  They take off, leaving us alone in the emptying parking lot. Cole takes my hand and starts leading me to a car that looks suspiciously like Conner’s new one. “I hope you like it.”

  “Like it?” I gawk. “It’s amazing. But why do you—”

  He shrugs. “I thought it was time.”

  “You did?” I stare up at him. This is huge. Cole has always been so adamant he wanted nothing to do with James’ wealth.

  “Yeah. It was just sitting there, so I figured we could ride in style. Besides, we can’t turn up at the fancy hotel he booked in my rust bucket.”

  “You let James book the hotel?”

  “I didn’t let him... okay, I kind of did.” He takes a step toward me, crowding me against the side of the car. “I want this weekend to be perfect.” His intense gaze pins me to the spot. “I want to show you how serious I am about us.”

  Looping my arms around his neck, I lean up. “You don’t have to change for me, Cole. Ever.”

  “And that means so fucking much, Dove. But I want to look after you and our baby. Until we figure things out, James has the means to help me do that. I told you, I’ll do anything for you.”

  “Even bury the hatchet with James?”

  “Even that. I’m not saying things will ever be fully okay between us, but I’m willing to try.”

  I nod, overwhelmed at his declaration. Just when I think Cole can’t surprise me anymore, he does.

  “I want to wait to tell them, though,” I say. “People are going to...” The words dry on my tongue.

  “I don’t give a fuck what people say. We’re eighteen. We graduate in five months. What we do with our lives is nothing to do with them.”

  “Remi knows,” I remind him.

  “Yeah, and I’m glad you have her to talk to.”

&nb
sp; “We haven’t really...”

  “Hey, that’s okay too.” He brushes his lips over mine. “I know you’re scared, I am too. But I’m right here, and I promise I’m not going anywhere, okay?”

  “Okay.” Relief sinks into me.

  I kiss Cole, pouring every ounce of what I’m feeling into every slide of my lips. He presses me back into the car, letting me feel the outline of his hardness.

  “If we don’t go soon,” he rasps, “there’s a good possibility I’ll fuck you right here, over the hood of my car.”

  My tummy clenches at his words. But it would seem Cole has more restraint than I do. He kisses the end of my nose and says, “Come on.” Opening the door for me, he waits as I climb inside.

  The leather seats are soft and comfortable, and everything looks expensive. It’s a strange feeling. I grew up wanting for nothing, but now I have nothing. Cole had nothing, and now, if he accepts James’ help, he’ll never want for anything.

  “What is it? What’s wrong?” he asks as he slips inside.

  “Nothing.” I smile.

  “Ready?” His eyes search mine, and I grin.

  “Ready.”

  Colton U sits somewhere between Fresno and Monterey Bay, against the backdrop of the Diablo Mountain Range. The town itself is small, a couple miles out from the campus, but from all the big houses and expensive boutiques, it’s clearly a wealthy place.

  When we finally pull into the parking lot for The Grand Hotel, my mouth hangs open.

  “This is where we’re staying?”

  “Guess so.” Cole is pale as he takes in the hotel. It’s by far the biggest building on the block, standing proud against the inky night sky.

  “We can go stay somewhere less—”

  “No, we’re doing this.” He runs a hand down his face. “Come on.”