Heart Shaped Lock

by RH Tucker

  Heart Shaped Lock

  RH Tucker

  Evergold Press

  Copyright © 2018 by RH Tucker

  All rights reserved.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Edited by Melissa Ringsted of There For You Editing Services

  Cover design by James at GoOnWrite.com

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  From the Author

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Lucas

  If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that I’d be spending my senior prom standing off to the side, without a date, too uncomfortable to go hang out with my two best-friends, I’d have called you crazy. If you would have said that I’d be ignoring one of my best-friends for the last five years because I recently confronted him on how big of dickhead he was, and I’d be feeling like a loser and an outcast, I’d have said you were deranged. I would have checked you in to a mental institution myself, absolutely sure that you were suffering from delusions and were most likely on the edge of schizophrenia.

  But no, it’s not a delusion. It’s not schizophrenia. It’s my life. My actual life.

  “Dude, you’re acting weird.” Jackson bumps my shoulder.

  Jackson Lawrence. We’re not friends. He was on the baseball team with me, so I know him. I mean, we’re friendly, but we’re not friends. I guess beggars can’t be choosers.

  “Come on, let’s dance,” his date says, pulling him away and he follows her out to the dance floor.

  And Sam Patterson, this year’s prom court joke-vote is not only dancing with someone, but they’re making out on the dance floor. Dude, when did I become such a loser?

  One of my friends, Carter, walks over to me with a drink in each hand.

  “What the hell are you doing, Lucas?” He hands me the cup of soda.

  “I know, I know.” I take a drink and then look down at the ground.

  “Just come over and hang out with us. Whatever’s between you and Jen, she’s been with Franco most of the night.”

  “Ugh, don’t remind me.” I roll my eyes and scan the crowd against my better judgement. I find Jen—my neighbor since we were five years old, and up until eighth grade my best friend—hanging all over Franco Avila.

  Jen’s a knockout. Blonder hair than mine, pouty lips that I’ve thought about way too much, and a cute, upturned nose. She’s a little on the thinner side, but that never bothered me. She has grayish-blue eyes, and tonight she’s wearing this shimmering black and emerald dress that hugs her skin but leaves her shoulders bare. She’s gorgeous. She’s always been gorgeous. And if I hadn’t screwed it up all those years ago, I might be the one out there on the dance floor dancing with her, instead of Franco.

  We’ve kept our distance from each other for the last few years—ever since my stupid, nervous mistake—but it’s not like I’ve forgotten her. It’s hard to forget a girl you’ve been in love with since elementary school.

  “You never told us what the deal is between you two. You should’ve just asked her out, man.”

  Carter and our other friend, Matt, think I only have a crush on her. They don’t know we’re neighbors and that we used to play together when we were little. That we went trick-or-treating together, or that we’d pretend we were drunk off of apple cider during my parents New Year’s Eve parties, or that we used to have sleepovers. All memories I’ve tried to ignore or forget, but they never leave.

  “It’s complicated.”

  Carter chuckles. “Whatever.” He turns to see that I’m staring at her. “She’s been with him all night. Just come over.”

  Earlier this year Carter started going out with Emma, Jen’s best friend. I still hang out with Carter and Matt, but it’s usually during our games, after school, or on the weekends. Jen’s around during school hours, so I just avoid them. It’s easier that way.

  Jen and I haven’t spoken more than five words at one time to each other since middle school, and even though I know it was a mistake, she still hates me for what I did. Ever since then, she’s tried to cease all communication, and I make sure I try not to upset her. I look at it as my way of still trying to be a part of her life, by making sure she doesn’t have to work very hard to ignore me. How ass-backwards is that? See, I’m such a joke.

  I let out a sigh and see Matt dancing with Izzy, a girl he’s liked for a while. The song the DJ is playing switches from a fast one to a slow one, and I see Izzy reach her hands around Matt, as he pulls her closer. I avert my gaze, partially to give them their privacy, but mostly to scan the crowd again and find Jen. I’m a glutton for punishment. And punishment I find, when I see Franco holding her tightly and she leans her head back to kiss him.

  “Ugh!” I practically spit and turn to walk away.

  “Dude,” Carter says, grabbing my arm. I shrug him off, but he doesn’t take the hint, and follows me.

  “Go ask Kayla to dance.” He points to the side, where I see Kayla Johnson.

  She’s a nice girl with short brown hair, and she’s laughing with some of her friends. She looks pretty in her gold and blue prom dress, but I’m not in the mood to get close to anyone tonight.

  I shake my head, but before I can say anything Emma comes over to us.

  “Hey, Lucas.” She smiles.

  “Hey.”

  She pulls at Carter’s arm. “Come on, I love this song.”

  She gives him a pleading look, but even if she didn’t, I know Carter would do whatever she asks. Damn it, why do all my friends have to be in love?

  And there I go, feeling like an ass for about the hundredth time tonight, getting upset at my friends for having girlfriends. Carter gives me an apologetic shrug.

  “Go.” I motion to the dance floor and Emma smiles at me.

  “Thanks,” she whispers, and I give her a nod.

  Even though the dance still has a couple hours to go before it’s technically over, and there will probably be after parties I could go to, I know my night’s over. I showed up because it’s my senior prom, and even if I was dateless, I still felt like I wanted to experience it. Now I just wished I’d stayed home, ordered a pizza, and played some Call Of Duty.

  And as I walk out the doors, it’s exactly what I plan on going home to do.

  Chapter 2

  Jen

  I’m on cloud nine as I slide into the table at lunch. I’ve been there ever since prom, two days ago. Franco was perfect. The night was perfe
ct. After drooling over him for a while, even though I played my cool and just flirted here and there with him, we’re finally together. Okay, we’re not officially together, but prom went just as I expected and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we make it official. I’m mostly just excited to finally find someone I can let my guard down around. Someone I can trust with my heart.

  I smile at both Carter and Emma, before my mood changes drastically. Matt’s walking toward us, which isn’t the problem. Ever since Carter started dating Emma, Matt’s been really cool. And I owe him big time for hooking Franco and I up as prom court couples last week. The issue is that Lucas is next to him.

  Our eyes meet, and I can’t help curling my lip a little. It’s stupid, because the thing I’m mad about happened so long ago and it really is childish, but it’s what we are now. He was the first boy I ever liked. The first boy I kissed. The first day I saw that dirty blond hair and those green eyes, I was smitten. It didn’t help that the older he got, the hotter he got. But that all changed and now I get annoyed just seeing him.

  He gives Matt that fist bump thing and turns the other way, while Matt walks over to us. Turning his head to see what I’m frowning at, Carter sees Lucas.

  “Okay,” he says, giving me a confused look. “Jen, I have to know.” Matt looks at him as he takes his seat at the table. “No, we all have to know. What the hell is the issue with you and Lucas?”

  Sighing, I grab my water bottle. “It’s nothing.”

  “Bullshit.” Matt laughs.

  “I’ve known you all four years of high school and you’ve always hated him.” Emma stares at me. “What happened with you two?”

  Letting out a deep groan, I check my emotions. It’s not like I’m still mad at Lucas for what he did when were in middle school, it’s just that … okay, I’m still mad.

  Matt and Carter watch on, unsure what I’m going to say. I don’t mean to rag on their friend, who just so happened to be my best friend all those years ago, but it still annoys me. Nearly five years later and I still get mad about it. But hey, I was in love with him from the time I was five. Not that they know that.

  “Okay, fine, he’s my neighbor. Has been since we were five.”

  “Really?” Emma’s expression turns to one of surprise.

  “Yeah. So, long story short, we were in eighth grade—”

  “Eighth grade?” Carter interrupts.

  “Shush. We were in eighth grade and I always thought he was cute, right? I mean, growing up we’d play outside, hang out, all that stuff. And there was our back-to-school dance, which I really wanted him to ask me, but he never did. He got all quiet and stuff around me.”

  Emma looks on, awaiting my next words, while Carter and Matt stare blankly.

  “So, I waited all week, but nothing. Then, finally, after class one day I walked up to him and said ‘Hey, Lucas. I don’t know if you’re going to the dance, but I was wondering if you want to go with me?’”

  “Jeez,” Emma says. “Even in middle school you were a go getter, huh?”

  “Damn straight, girl. Anyways, do you know what he did?”

  “What’d he say?”

  “No, he didn’t say anything. What he did. Rebecca Thomas was walking by and out of nowhere he grabs her arm, slings his around her like they were going out, and kissed her right in front of me!”

  “No way.” Carter shakes his head.

  “He kissed her?” Emma looks about as shocked as I did that day.

  “Yes! Well, it was just a kiss on the cheek, but still! I was humiliated! I turned around and stormed off. Ever since that day, we’ve barely said anything to each other. And we still live right next to one another.”

  “Okay, that is crazy and all, but come on, Jen.” Carter takes a drink of his Pepsi. “You guys were little kids. Middle schoolers. He either didn’t want to say no and hurt your feelings, because you guys were friends, or he didn’t know how to say yes and freaked out.”

  “Carter, that makes absolutely no sense. The saying no part, okay, I can see that. But freaking out about not knowing how to say yes, so he kisses another girl right in front of me? That’s bullshit, even for an eighth grader.”

  Matt shrugs. “Well, first day of freshman year I wanted to ask out Jackie Langston, remember her?” He points to Carter who nods. “But I freaked out. I walked up to her, said hi, and then told her I liked her friend. I wanted to say like her, but I chickened out and said her friend. I felt so stupid after that.”

  “See?” Carter looks back at me, but I’m not buying it. “We’re guys. We do stupid stuff all the time.”

  “Whatevs.” Taking a drink of my water, I collect my thoughts. “My point to all this was, there is no Lucas. Yes, I had a crush on him all those years ago, but I’m with Franco now?”

  “What?” Emma gives me a blank look.

  “What?”

  “Jen, you two are together? It wasn’t just a prom thing?”

  I can’t help the smile that sneaks across my face. I’ve liked Franco for a while now, but he always seemed uninterested. When I made prom court and Matt—who’s our student body president—finagled his fingers around who’d be partnering up with who on the court, he paired Franco and I together.

  “I mean, it might’ve started out that way, but I like him.” I feel the blush running up my cheeks, before trying to get my emotions under control. I always keep them in check. I might flirt a lot. Some might even call me a tease, and sure, I can be. But Franco is the first guy in a long time I let my guard down around. The first one since Lucas that I’ve trusted.

  “By the way, thanks again, Matt.”

  “Yeah, don’t mention it,” he says coolly, but gives Carter a weird look.

  I turn and look at Emma, who’s eyes dart away from our table, off to the distance.

  “Guys, what’s going on? Come on, he’s totally hot and he likes me.”

  Matt glances at Carter again, who looks at Emma, as if he’s getting permission to tell me something. She bites her lip and nods.

  Carter shakes his head, not making eye contact. “Jen, are you sure this thing you guys have is … for real?”

  “Carter! Emma!” I snap to the side, staring at her. “Come on, you guys, you know I like him.”

  “I know, Jen.” Emma cringes. “It’s just that … well, Franco hangs out with Jeremy, and you know how that circle is.”

  “Ugh!” I shake my head. “I can’t believe you guys.” Pointing at Carter, I wrinkle my brow. “You guys are going out and in love. And you?” I point to Matt. “You got your nerd love, or whatever, going on.”

  “Hey,” Matt counters.

  “It’s cute, Matt. It really is. I’m just calling it like I see it. Don’t I deserve to be in love, too?”

  “Of course you do!” Emma wraps her arms around me, squeezing me tightly.

  “Jen, you’re cool. I like you a lot.” Carter offers me a half-smile. “But Franco, I mean, he’s not on McCormick’s level of douchiness, but—” He stops and looks away, before staring at Matt. “How do I put this?”

  Before Matt can answer, I speak up. “Just put it.”

  “He can be a player,” Carter answers while Matt nods, staring at the table. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he can be cool at times. Like earlier this year when McCormick and I got into it, he had my back a couple times. But, more times than not, he tends to think the way Jeremy thinks.”

  “What’s that mean?”

  Carter gives a worried look to Emma, as if he doesn’t want to say it in front of her. Then he takes a breath and let’s it out. “He’s a hit it and quit it type of guy.” Emma scoffs. “Sorry, babe, but it’s true. Franco likes to have fun, and when things get real, he gets gone.”

  I cringe because even though Emma is my best friend, I still haven’t told her what happened after prom on Saturday night. I’ve hooked up with boys before, but only had sex once, and Emma knows about it. The first time wasn’t special. I just wanted to get it over and done wit
h. But I didn’t tell her about me and Franco. What happened between us is special and I want to keep it to myself for a little while longer.

  I can’t bring myself to believe what Carter’s saying. Franco was the perfect gentlemen at prom. And he didn’t even pressure me to have sex with him afterward. Yeah, we were fooling around at the hotel suite he and a couple friends got for the night, but every step of the way he was checking with me. Making sure that’s what I wanted to do. And I did. And it was perfect.

  “Jen?” Matt stares at me, and I’m not sure when Carter stopped talking and if Matt added to his less-than-favorable description of Franco.

  “Maybe he was like that before, but this is different, you guys.”

  “I don’t know,” Carter says, giving me a worried expression, before smirking at Emma. “He’s got a little bit of the dark side in him. See, I used it correctly there, right?”

  Emma giggles and nods, as Carter smiles proudly.

  “Awesome, you got him to watch all the movies?” Matt asks Emma.

  “Dude, I’ve seen Star Wars before,” Carter complains.

  “Yeah, but only Return of the Jedi.” Matt gets a worried expression on his face, his hand coming across Carter’s shoulder. “Hold on, please tell me you started with Episode Four.”

  “Why would I start with Episode Four?” Carter says. “What is it with you guys and these movies? Why wouldn’t you start in chronological order?”