Ever After: Lost Boys of Neverly Prep: Academy Romance

by L. E. Bross

  Luc comes in with a cup of coffee in one hand and a plate with pancakes in the other.

  “Thought you might be hungry.”

  I take the coffee from him while he sets the plate on the counter.

  “Thank you. You didn’t need to make me breakfast.”

  He turns. “I wanted to. Plus, I figured I’d have to talk you into going to school today. Bribery always helps.” He waves his hands at the pancakes.

  “I don’t think so.” I can only imagine the field day Aine and her friends would have if I walked through the doors this morning. An almost felon walking the halls with them.

  Luc reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a phone. “At least take this. In case you need anything. I won’t push you today, but I really think you should go back. No one likes summer school.”

  I roll my eyes. “Go. And thank you for breakfast.”

  “There’s more coffee in the house. Help yourself.”

  He’s just about to the other side of the pool when I remember something.

  “Luc!”

  He swings around. “Wasn’t your dad supposed to be home by now?”

  I’m not sure I want to run into him just yet. I got his son shot. I’m sure he’s been planning all the ways to dispose of the body without getting caught.

  “He came home Saturday morning, but I told him I was fine and after he saw it for himself, I told him to go back to Boston and finish his meetings. He’ll be back tomorrow night. He can’t wait to meet you.”

  I’m sure he can’t.

  I wave and he disappears around the house.

  After he’s gone I realize just how quiet it is and my neck prickles. I never asked what happened to Trey. I duck back inside and lock the door behind me. When I check the phone, I see Luc has programmed his number in already.

  I hate being a wimp but I need to know if I should worry about getting jumped.

  Where is Trey?

  A few minutes go by and the phone buzzes.

  In Seattle with his grandma.

  I have no idea why he’s there, but I exhale in relief. One less thing I have to worry about. I take another long, hot shower because I can, then pull on clean shorts and another tank top.

  After I reheat the pancakes and coffee, I settle into a stool at the counter. I wish I knew the guys’ numbers. They have to be the ones who bailed me out, yet they’ve made no attempt to see me.

  I don’t know what that means.

  That would be one plus of going to school, but I’m scared that they’ll ignore me there, too. I can’t take their rejection a second time, not in public like that.

  I wash the plate and cup then decide I’m tired of being trapped inside. That might be my life for a long time soon. I grab my laptop out of my suitcase and a bottle of cold water and head out to a lounge chair. It’s hot, even in the shade, but there’s a breeze and it feels so good on my skin that I close my eyes and just inhale and exhale for a while.

  The creaking of the gate sends me bolting upright and I tip out of my chair.

  “Shit. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  I look over and see a wide-eyed Meri frozen by the gate.

  “Luc said you were staying here so I skipped to come and see you. If it’s okay?” She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and I see the hesitation on her face. “If you want me to go, I will. I wouldn’t blame you, I was the worst friend in the history of friendship.”

  I right myself and sit up. “Come on.”

  She hurries across the patio and stops next to me. And promptly bursts into tears. “I’m so sorry.” She blows out a breath and pats at her cheeks. “I promised myself I wouldn’t act all hysterical. Great plan, huh?”

  I pat the seat next to me and she sinks down.

  “Are you okay?” she asks. “That’s a stupid question, of course you’re not. Is there anything I can do?”

  “My calculus homework for the rest of the year,” I joke.

  “Done.”

  She looks so serious that I shake my head. “I’m kidding, Mer. I’m not even sure I’m going to finish school.”

  “Don’t say that. This has to be a huge misunderstanding. It’ll get straightened around.”

  “I’m not so sure. Peter set me up good. Everything that’s happened, he made it seem like it was all orchestrated by me. And I think the guys might have bought into it.”

  She looks at me in confusion. I’m tired of half-truths.

  “I’ll start at the beginning.” I tell her about Belle, about how I broke into Panchard and Peter offered me a deal. I tell her I broke into Luc’s safe and what we found. Her eyes get so wide when I tell her that Trey is Peter’s son I’m afraid they’re going to bug out of her head.

  I tell her about Wendi and what I overheard.

  And then I tell her about Peter’s ultimatum and how he set me up to take the blame for everything. How the guys stood there and let the sheriff lead me away in handcuffs and now they won’t talk to me. When I’m done, her face is pale and tears glisten in her eyes.

  “I can’t...I just…” Her mouth moves for a few seconds with no sound, then she explodes out of the chair. “Fucking assholes!”

  I’m not sure who she’s talking about because there are a few in my story.

  The fierce expression on her face makes me smile. She has my back and we may have stumbled for a few steps, but we’re good now.

  I feel better now that I’ve purged everything, so it’s my turn to ask. Because my friend is lost a lot as well.

  “How are you? You’ve been through hell, too. I’m sorry about Trey.”

  Pain slashes her features. “I’m pissed. Hurt. I want to go burn down his house with him in it, but it’s also the sheriff’s house and Trey isn’t even there at the moment so... I’m so sorry he tried to hurt you. And I really am sorry about how I treated you, Ever.”

  I grab her and pull her into a hug. “It’s not your fault. Everything that’s happened is Peter’s fault. Every damned thing. I just wish I could talk to the guys and find out if they believe him or not. I hate not knowing.”

  Her eyes dance. “I know exactly how we do that. How do you feel about disguises?”

  ~

  The whine of the dirt bikes is like a salve to my soul.

  I tug the ballcap down lower over my face. Meri insisted we use disguises. She brought me a wig to wear and everything. The baggy clothes she brought hang off me and I’m sure we look like a couple of homeless people.

  We’re getting strange looks amongst all the shorts and t-shirts.

  Not exactly incognito.

  But to give her credit, no one from school recognizes me.

  She grabs my hand and leads me toward the starting line. I don’t know if the guys are even here, I haven’t seen them yet, but Meri said they would be. I fight the panic crawling against my skin at being back here so soon. I know Trey is across the country but I can’t help the worry settling in my gut. My skin grows clammy and I tug on Meri’s hand. She’s hella strong from such a small thing.

  “There!” she shouts over the noise.

  I look to where she’s pointing and my breath catches. I see all three of the guys, standing off to the side by themselves. They watch the race but even I can see the tension holding their bodies rigid.

  I soak in their appearance, cataloging every detail even though I know them by heart. It’s only been a day but it feels like I haven’t seen them in forever. Riot turns to say something to Baz and he’s facing me now.

  His face is drawn. Dark circles sit under his eyes. He looks so tired.

  I wish I found satisfaction in his suffering, but I don’t. I hurt, too.

  Meri nudges me. “Go. Talk to them and make them listen.”

  My feet suddenly refuse to move. I can feel my heart clawing its way up my throat. What if they take one look and walk away again? I’m not sure I can handle that.

  “Ever, they care. Trust me.”

  It’s killing me wondering
if they really did pay for my bail, and if so, why they haven’t made any attempt to contact me. They know where I am, they sent Luc to pick me up.

  “You’re right. I can do this.”

  “Damned right you can. Grab ‘em by the balls. You are woman, now go fucking roar.”

  Her pep talk makes me laugh but my feet are moving now. The closer I get, the more my resolve solidifies. She’s right. I deserve to know one way or the other.

  I’m almost next to them before they notice me.

  Riot’s gaze sweeps over and dismisses me instantly, then he freezes and his gaze shoots back to me. His eyes widen and his jaw goes hard. A growl leaves his chest and I realize I might not be ready to hear what they have to say. Especially if they accuse me of everything Peter did. Riot stalks over, not stopping until he towers over me. Baz and X flank him, their gazes raking over me like they’re trying to reconcile it’s me under this hideous disguise.

  “The fuck are you doing here, Peep?”

  My heart pounds against my ribs. His deep, growly voice affects me even now.

  “We need to talk.”

  He grunts and drags his fingers through his hair.

  “This is a huge mistake, coming here. What the hell are you thinking?” he grits out.

  His tone raises my hackles, but the way the three of them crowd close makes my blood heat.

  “You shouldn’t be here, sweetheart,” X says.

  I grit my teeth. “The restraining order only said I had to stay away from Panchard property. He gave the track to the town.”

  All three wince at the venom in my voice.

  “Not here.”

  Riot grips my arm and starts to drag me away from the crowd.

  X comes up behind me, flush against my back, his hand resting on my hip. I try to pry it off but he just huffs out a hot laugh against my ear. I hate the goose bumps that break out over my skin.

  “Settle down.” The low words do nothing to settle me. The opposite in fact.

  The night grows darker as they drive me toward where the trucks are parked. I should be scared but my blood is pumping with anticipation. There’s an energy radiating from them that makes my skin feel too tight.

  When I glance over, Baz is walking a little further apart from us. I wish I could see exactly what is going on behind his eyes, but they’re cast in shadows.

  Just when it feels like they’re leading me off far enough to hide the body, Riot’s grip tightens and he swings me around to face him. All I hear is a growl before his lips crash down over mine.

  I’m caught so off guard that when my lips part in a gasp, his tongue slides in and he devours me. It only takes a second before my arms wind around his neck and I’m kissing him back like he’s the air I need to breathe.

  Riot grabs my hips, anchoring me against his body as I feel fingers tangling in the wig and pulling it off my head. Cool night air washes over my heated scalp and I exhale in relief. Ry swallows the sound with a groan.

  Hot lips press against my neck and a new rush of goosebumps pebble my skin. It’s hard to think about anything except how their lips feel but I have no idea what’s going on.

  I wanted to talk. I need answers. I groan. Damn them and their magic lips.

  “Stop,” I gasp out. Riot tugs my bottom lip between his teeth and heat pools between my legs. God, what the hell is going on? “Wait.”

  It takes all my resolve to wedge my hands against Riot’s chest and push him back. X keeps nibbling just under my ear and I’m afraid my knees are going to buckle if he doesn’t stop.

  “Guys, back up,” Baz says from a few feet way.

  He still stands off to the side, what little light there is reflecting off his eyes.

  X reluctantly pulls his lips away and Riot stands in front of me, his breath coming out in harsh pants. I’m still surrounded by them but they’re not touching me now. I can think a little clearer without them in my immediate space.

  “What the hell was that?” My lips are swollen and my fingertips still tingle from where I had them pressed against Riot’s chest. Tension sits thick between us and my body screams to wrap myself back around them.

  “You can’t be here,” Baz says. I hate the reservation in his voice.

  He was the first one to let me back in. I thought that meant something. I turn to him, hands on my hips. The heat inside me is cooling quickly now that they aren’t touching me.

  “You bailed me out of jail then ignored me. Was I supposed to just sit around until I’m hauled off to prison without knowing if you all hated me or not?”

  That makes him wince. Good.

  “You’re not going to prison, Ever. You really think we’d let that happen?”

  I stalk closer and push up into his face. “I have no idea what you think because you guys let me get arrested and didn’t lift a fucking finger to stop it. You guys let me sit in a jail cell for two days. You guys sent Luc to pick me up and drive me home and have said nothing to me,” I spit out. “So forgive me if I have a hard time believing that.”

  “You need to leave, Ever. Just go home. You can’t be seen here.”

  “So that’s it. I’m just supposed to trust that you have my best interests at heart and run along like a good fucking puppy? If you can’t act like an adult and use your words, then fuck you, Baz.”

  I stomp off toward where I left Meri, my wig someplace back there at their feet. I’m just at the edge of where the spotlight hits when I’m grabbed by the arm and spun around. My back hits the side of a truck hard enough to take my breath away for a second. Furious brown eyes burn into me.

  He says nothing, just pins me in place with his stare until I can’t take it anymore. He still won’t fucking talk to me.

  “What, Baz? What do you need to say? I get it, you don’t want me here. Message received.”

  A low growl rumbles from his chest.

  “I’m trying to fucking fix this, Ever. You don’t get it. It’s my fault you sat in a jail cell for two days, it’s my fault Peter’s trying to send you to prison.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” There’s so much conviction in his voice that it scares me. It makes me think he really might have something to do with it and my heart can’t take that kind of betrayal. Not from him.

  He drops his chin to his chest, his breathing ragged in the night air.

  “I’m the best hacker that Panchard has, but I can’t fucking break the encryption on that chip. The answers are there, I know it, but I can’t get through. We could bring Peter to his knees and I’m letting everyone down.”

  God, is that what he thinks?

  My heart cracks open and I wrap my arms around his waist. “Baz, you can’t put that kind of responsibility on yourself. You’re amazing and you will get it, I have no doubt, but some things take time.”

  He lifts his head and his eyes blaze. “We don’t have time. I need to figure this out yesterday so Peter can’t hurt you anymore.”

  His manic gaze meets mine and then his lips crash down. The stud in his tongue clicks against my teeth and he uses his body to crowd me against the truck at my back.

  The wildness of his kiss fuels the fire inside me and I tangle my fingers in the hair at the back of his head and tug. He rips his lips away, panting against my swollen lips.

  “Baz, man, we have to go. We’ve been out of sight too long.”

  My eyebrows dip down. “What’s he talking about?”

  “It’s why you can’t be here. Promise you won’t come back to the track, not until we tell you it’s safe.”

  “You’re scaring me.” I dig my fingers into his hips, into the thick leather, and lean my forehead against his chest.

  “You being here scares the shit out of me. Please go. We’ll explain everything, I promise.”

  His kiss is softer this time.

  Like he’s committing my lips to memory.

  That scares me even more.

  “Okay. But swear to me that you guys will watch each other’s backs.
I don’t know what’s going on, but I need you. Don’t do anything that’s going to get you hurt.”

  They each press one more kiss against my lips, then wander back to the starting line and I watch them go with my heart lodged in my throat. I want to demand that they tell me what’s going on, but I know how stubborn they can be. Especially when they think they’re protecting me.

  “Ever?” Meri whisper-shouts. I see her off to the left and move through the shadows like a clumsy ninja.

  “Here.”

  “Did you find them?”

  “Yeah. It’s good, we can go now.”

  She searches my face but I don’t let the fear show.

  “Are you sure? You look strange.”

  “Yeah. I just didn’t realize being here would make me feel like this.”

  Her eyes soften. “I get that. A bike backfired and I about fainted. Let’s get out of here.”

  She drives me home and we don’t talk, but I tell her to text me tomorrow after school and we’ll do something. The idea of sitting around all day already makes me crazy and I haven’t even done it yet.

  When I walk through the gate, the patio lights are on and I see Luc sitting by the pool, pretending not to be waiting for me. He closes the book he wasn’t reading and looks up. Then blinks. Twice.

  I realize I’m still wearing my disguise, minus the wig.

  “Meri,” I say.

  Understanding lights up his face. “You hungry? I got a pizza earlier.”

  My stomach growls. Loudly.

  “I guess I could eat.”

  Luc laughs as I make my way to the pool house. “Let me just change real quick.”

  “The hobo look really works for you, Ever, you should wear it more often.”

  I flip him off over my shoulder and trek inside to get out of these hideously hot clothes. Once I’m feeling more normal in a pair of sleep pants and a t-shirt, I pad back out to join Luc.

  There are three pizzas on the table and I lift an eyebrow.

  “Didn’t know what you liked. There’s cheese, meat lovers and Hawaiian.”

  I grab a slice of the Hawaiian and bite down. I love pineapple on pizza, and when you add ham, it’s heaven.

  “How did I know you’d be a pineapple on pizza kind of girl?”