The Sinner: A High School Bully Romance (Haven Grace Prep Book 1)

by Kelsey Clayton

  As Mr. Trayland excuses himself, Gray and I stay in the middle of a crowded restaurant, wrapped in each other’s arms. He presses kisses to the top of my head and declares his love for me a million times over. I may not have all the answers, but there’s one thing I know.

  Apart, we’re two broken souls just trying to make it through, but together, we’re flawlessly whole.

  Epilogue

  SAVANNAH

  Out of all the parties Jace throws throughout the year, I think New Year’s is my favorite. It’s the one time of year he doesn’t make it exclusive to students and alumni of Haven Grace Prep, which makes it the biggest event in town. No one asks questions or judges anyone else, and everyone has a good time.

  “I’m still trying to figure out how you broke your wrist.” Carter eyes me curiously.

  I roll my eyes. “I told you! I punched a guy in the face!”

  “Sure, you did, princess. Sure, you did.”

  Everyone laughs, but he drops the topic. Good, it’s not like I ever intend on telling them what really happened. I don’t want their pity. I’m doing just fine on my own.

  Since all the bruises have healed and I’m finding it easier to get around now, I told Grayson I could go stay with Delaney. Her parents offered to let me move in. However, the second it came out of my mouth, the look on his face threw the idea right out the window. The plan is for me to stay with him until graduation, when I’ll hopefully be moving to attend Juilliard in the fall. I don’t want to leave any of my friends, Grayson especially, but dancing has always been my dream. And besides, I have a feeling Gray is going to follow me anywhere.

  “Savannah?”

  I turn around to see most of the cheer team standing behind me, Becca and Paige included. My eyes widen when I see Becca with crutches and a boot.

  “Oh my God. What happened?”

  “We’re so sorry. You have to come back to cheer,” she pleads. “We need you to be captain again. Kinsley is the worst and has us trying stunts that are going to kill us.”

  I sigh. After seeing the way that she was making them practice, I knew something like this was bound to happen. She doesn’t understand that you need a certain skillset to perform stunts of that difficulty. You can’t just throw a girl in the air and expect her to know how to do it. Still, after everything I’ve been through lately, I simply don’t want to go back—but, I may have a solution.

  “I can’t. You already have a captain.”

  Paige looks defeated. “Sav, please. Kinsley can’t keep doing this.”

  I shake my head. “Not Kinsley.” Reaching behind me, I grab Emma’s hand and pull her closer. “This, is your captain. She has more skill and knowledge when it comes to cheer than you can begin to imagine. You’d all be crazy to not take advantage of that.”

  Leaving them to talk, I walk away and over to where Delaney is leaning against the counter. Carter is obviously trying to impress her, no matter how many times we tell him he doesn’t stand a chance, but she isn’t fazed. I slot myself against her side.

  “You know, you could give him a chance.”

  She laughs. “I’m hardly his type. It’s the thrill of the chase. He’ll get over it.”

  “Eh, he might surprise you.” I rest my head on her shoulder. “But if he tries playing his normal games on you, I’ll kick his ass.”

  It’s clear she’s considering it, but then her attention switches to something else. “Who’s that talking to Grayson?”

  I look across the room to find my boyfriend standing with none other than Knox Vaughn. The two of them together can never mean anything good, but damn is that a pretty sight. There’s no denying Knox is hot, and his tattoos only increase his sex appeal. However, at least in my book, Grayson beats him by a mile.

  “Knox? Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s nothing but trouble.” I grab her hand. “Come on. Let’s go dance.”

  Grayson

  I watch Savannah as she and Delaney move to the beat. Even with a cast on her wrist, she’s nothing but grace and beauty. The day I found out she had my father exonerated, I knew I’d never love anyone in the world more than her. I will spend the rest of my life making sure she knows just as incredible she is.

  “She has no idea what you did for her, does she?” Knox asks. “How her father really died?”

  Savi smiles at something Laney said and throws her head back, laughing. Happiness looks so damn good on her. I think of the letter I plan on giving her tomorrow morning, the one sitting in my desk—a notification of her acceptance and full scholarship to The Juilliard School. It arrived at the dance studio yesterday, and I picked it up from Brady. Her life is finally on the right track, and I’ll do anything to protect that. To protect her.

  “No, and she never will.”

  The Saint

  Haven Grace Prep, #2

  DELANEY

  Cruel.

  Heartless.

  A mistake waiting to happen.

  Knox Vaughn is the epitome of a bad boy.

  He's trouble in a sexy-as-sin package.

  I know it.

  They know it.

  Even he knows it.

  But, it's like a moth to the flame.

  I can't stay away—even though I'm going to get burned.

  You know what they say,

  The sinners are much more fun.

  And this saint is changing the game.

  KNOX

  Sweet.

  Innocent.

  Valedictorian.

  Delaney Callahan is perfect,

  Too perfect for me.

  Hell, she's too perfect for anyone.

  She's an angel,

  But with me, she's playing with the devil.

  I'm the last thing a woman like her needs.

  And yet, I can't keep my hands—and mouth off of her.

  We're from two different worlds,

  Worlds that can't possibly work.

  I'd do anything for her,

  But I can't be the SAINT she deserves.

  Coming April 2020

  Preorder Now

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people to thank for helping with this book. I’ll probably end up forgetting some, but know I appreciate every single one of you so much!

  A huge thank you to Christine Estevez at Wildfire Marketing Solutions. Your expertise is invaluable. Thank you for always being on top of things and keeping me on track, as well as helping me when my mind goes blank. I don’t know what I would do without you.

  To my editor, Kiezha Ferrell, thank you for making this book as perfect as possible and for all your insight in the process. You’re a vital part in helping me improve my craft and I can’t thank you enough for that.

  Ashley Molina, the best friend I could ask for, thank you for always being there to listen and tell me whether something is a good idea or way over the top. I swear, you could add Professional Sounding Board to your resume. This book is so much better because of you. I love you.

  To my beta readers, thank you for reading and giving me your honest opinions as I wrote this book baby. You’re all so important to me and I appreciate each one of you.

  And finally, to the readers. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love. So with my whole heart, THANK YOU. You’re all fantastic and deserve all the happiness in the world.

  If you’ve enjoyed this book, please consider reading a review.

  xoxo,

  Kels

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  About the Author

  Kelsey Clayton is a 29-year-old mother from a small town in lower Delaware. Born and raised in New Jersey, she discovered her love for writing when she used it as a coping mechanism to get through hard times. Since then, she has been passionately writing novels that make people fall in love with the characters and the storylines. She writes from a mix of personal experience and imagination. As an avid beach lover, her dream is to wri
te an entire book with her feet in the sand.

  The Sleepless November Saga:

  Sleepless November

  Endless December

  Seamless Forever

  Awakened in September

  Standalones:

  Returning to Rockport

  Haven Grace Prep:

  The Sinner

  The Saint (April 2020)

  The Rebel (June 2020)

  The Enemy (July 2020)