Fueled Hate: A Dark College Bully Romance

by A. J. Logan

  “Yes. All you little boys only care about your dicks and your cars. So just know, both will receive damage if you break my best friend’s heart.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Little does Willow know, someone should be looking out for her too. And I’m sure Sadie is. Hopefully, they can rely on each other when this all comes to a head, because they’ll both need a friend.

  Once inside Sadie’s room, I head straight to the bathroom to brush my teeth and piss. When I’m done, I watch as she rests peacefully, curled up in a ball with the quilt pulled up to her chin.

  What the hell am I still doing here? I should go. Bryce has been blowing up my phone nonstop all night. And I need to go talk to him about the latest development—the one where I blabbed to Sadie about Noah and go over the plan for Thursday. Instead, I lift the blanket and slide under, Sadie’s back pressing against my chest as my arm drapes over her side. My hand slides under her T-shirt, knuckles rubbing against the soft skin of her stomach as she stirs. I know the moment she’s fully awake, completely aware I’m in the bed with her, because her body tenses before slowly attempting to pull away from mine.

  “Too late to run away now,” I mutter against her neck, keeping my arm wrapped snuggly around her as my palm presses against her stomach.

  “I wasn’t.” She relaxes against me for a moment before removing my hand and sliding off the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

  She slips into the bathroom for five minutes before heading out of the bedroom, returning a few minutes later. And I’m way too thankful that she resumes her position beside me, her body aligned with mine. It’s a good thing I’d kept my jeans on because her ass pressing against my hard-on is making it damn near impossible to think about anything other than finishing what we started last night.

  “Willow knows you’re here.”

  “Yeah. I was instructed to take good care of you for the sake of my dick and my car.” I chuckle as Sadie shakes her head.

  “She’s just trying to protect me. She always has tried.”

  I’ve witnessed on more than one occasion Willow’s distain for Kyle—definitely something I can relate to—so I’m sure she’s tried to steer Sadie away from the bastard many times. Thankfully, she’s finally done with the SOB. It’s clear he’s a self-centered prick, and I have a feeling he was even more selfish in bed. I don’t want to think about them together, but I sure as fuck can’t figure out how any guy, even one as ignorant as Kyle, wouldn’t worship Sadie every moment of every day. The image of her naked body fills my mind as my eyes close and my hips shift, pressing my cock against her ass instinctively. Fuck. I need to get a grip. I just wish the only one I had to worry about was the one with her ass in my hand.

  “How well do you know Parker? Is he a good guy?”

  Her body tenses a little before relaxing. She knows where the questions are leading. Parker had been there that night, running the bets. Money or drugs, one was the cause of Noah’s death. The question is which one and by who’s hand.

  “Parker’s wonderful,” her soft voice trails off before continuing. “He’s kind, caring, generous. I was always envious of their relationship. I’m happy for them, but I wanted it too. They’re perfect for each other. They get along so well and have faith in each other.”

  A pang of jealousy strikes my gut at the way she’s talking about Parker and his relationship with Willow. The complete opposite of me, of us.

  “Hm. Sounds boring to me,” I tease, trying to turn off my frustration.

  “Sometimes boring is a good thing.” She exhales, no humor in her voice.

  Gripping her hip to rotate her back against the bed and shift above her, my elbows dig into the mattress at her sides, pinning her beneath me. Her hands grip my shoulders, hazel eyes studying me intently.

  “I don’t believe for one second that you want a boring, mundane life.” Dropping down, I nip at her gently with my teeth, teasing her lips. When her nails dig into my skin, I embrace the slight bite and pressure of her hands clinging to me. “That you don’t want someone who challenges you, ignites your passion instead of holding it at bay, or worse, smothering it out.”

  A pained look crosses her face as she quickly looks away. Her head turns to the side as she whispers, “Intense passion can fade out too, especially when there’s nothing but lies and secrets underneath.”

  “I told you about Noah. That’s my truth.”

  She looks back to me, her questioning gaze holding me hostage. “Why are you asking about Parker?”

  “It’s him or Kyle. Those are the only two who had the means to stage the accident and had reason to want my brother gone.”

  “No,”—she shakes her head emphatically—“Parker wouldn’t do something like that. He’d have no reason to.”

  Dropping my forehead against hers, I close my eyes as I breathe her in. Damn it. I wish things were different. That we’d met under different circumstances and that shit wouldn’t keep heading downhill from here. Pushing against the mattress, I move off of her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, my elbows rest on my knees as my head drops to my hands.

  “Money. It brings out the worst in some people.” The bed shifts as Sadie sits on the edge next to me. Looking to the side, I say, “Willow is right about one thing, guys care only about their dicks and their cars. Noah was here for a big payday, which included not only the money but pinks too. He’d already won a Porsche 911. The final race was for a ZR1.”

  “That doesn’t mean they killed him.” Her voice cracks as she stares at me with panic.

  Shoving off the bed, I pace a few steps back and forth before stopping in front of her. Her eyes look up to me. I’d imagined it in a completely different way though, where her eyes were looking to me with need not disbelief. “Then why was there no money found in Noah’s car? Or any of his things? How did Parker get his car back when Noah had won it already?”

  “He wouldn’t do that.”

  “Just like your precious father wouldn’t smuggle pills, right?”

  “Fuck you.” She swiftly stands from the bed, moving to walk past me, but I block her path.

  “Hate me all you want, but you asked for the truth.”

  Her arms tuck against her chest, as she looks to the floor, avoiding my gaze. “Most of all, I’m jealous because Parker has never made Willow cry … not once.”

  The pain in her face guts me, so I don’t make a move to stop her as she walks past me into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. It’s not the first time I’ve brought her to tears, and sadly, it won’t be the last.

  29

  Sadie

  I’ve been sitting on the edge of the tub, going over every accusation Dylan’s made for the last ten minutes. There’s no way Kyle—and certainly not Parker—would be capable of those things. But Dylan’s right, I would have never believed my dad was capable of drug running had I not seen it with my own eyes. Maybe I have everyone wrong.

  Opening the bathroom door, my hope that Dylan left is shot to shit when I see him sprawled out across my bed. His arm is draped across his face, shielding his eyes from the light. My attention is immediately drawn to the V leading to the waistband of his jeans, where black boxer briefs are slightly showing. It summons a smidgen of the desire that I’d felt last night, but even more, it summons the feeling of wanting to throat punch him for twisting me in every direction possible.

  “Ready to go?” he says without removing the arm that covers his face.

  “No. I’m staying here. I don’t have classes or work since I don’t have a fucking car to get me there.”

  “I’ve already told you that I’ll drive you wherever your salty heart desires, but that’s not what I was talking about. Bryce is waiting on us.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Aren’t we supposed to be doing this together?”

  “Yes, but that was before you accused my best friend’s sweet boyfriend of murder.”

  “Then let’s prove me wrong.” He removes
his arm, slides off the bed, and walks over, standing close enough to look down at me. There’s no playfulness or sexy smile, just frustration. “We’ll clear Parker and Kyle, so you’ll be free to idolize them both again.”

  That’s it. “Are you seriously jealous?”

  The tightness in his face answers my question as a chuckle leaves my lips. Cocky and confident Dylan is envious? It’s too funny to not laugh at. He doesn’t share my humor at his expense. I shake my head. “You are. You’re jealous. But is it of Kyle or Parker, or both?” I shouldn’t keep poking at the maniac, but he hammers on my buttons every chance he gets.

  Dylan swiftly moves forward, his hands gripping my ass as he lifts me. My legs hook around his hips, reminding me of exactly how he’d held me last night, my back pressed against the wall again. There’s an angry, wild look in his eye as he leans closer, brushing his lips against mine as he speaks assertively. “Why would I be jealous of someone who didn’t have the sense to bury his dick in you at every opportunity? Of a jackass who you can’t stand the thought, sight, or touch of? I saw the way you’d cringe when he put his hands on you. How you’d wince away from his vile touch—hadn’t you already started craving mine? Why would I envy him when I can make you wet by holding you here, doing nothing more than breathing on you? You want me to fuck your brains out even when you hate my very presence.”

  “You’re right. I do hate you,” I whisper against his mouth. Kyle. Kyle was definitely the one that got to him, and it’s clear he is indeed jealous … and also correct. I hate why he’s here, what brought him here. I hate it for everyone’s sake—including his and Noah’s.

  Shifting back, he releases me and my feet hit the floor. Moving away from me, he walks to the door. “Get dressed so we can go. Some of us want to know the truth and will accept it when it’s found.”

  “It’d be a lot easier to accept if any of this made sense,” I mumble. All the people I care about flash through my mind—Dad, Levi, Parker, even Willow because she loves Parker. Dylan has changed my perception of everything in my life. Nothing appears as it was.

  Stepping over to my dresser, I fish out a pair of jean shorts and a tank top, pulling them on before reaching over and grabbing a hair tie. I knot my hair in a messy bun before heading out of my bedroom. Dylan is propped up against the wall near the front door, his eyes on his phone until he notices me standing there, glaring at him. His irritated once-over trails down my body and back up. If I’m dealing with him, I’m going to be comfortable in my clothes at least. I’ve given up on the notion of relaxing because I won’t be able to until I know exactly what’s going on. From tangible proof, not just Dylan’s accusations.

  “Let’s go.” I slide my phone and some cash into my pocket.

  “After you.” Dylan opens the door, motioning me to walk across the threshold. It’s a little late for him to be gentlemanly now. I’ve seen him as his normal brute self for too long.

  Speedily walking to the parking lot, I spot his STI and move to the passenger door. He unlocks the car and drops into the driver’s seat, starts the car up, and we speed out of the parking lot.

  It’s gonna be a long day. Again.

  Approximately five minutes later (mainly thanks to Dylan’s erratic driving), we arrive at what I’m guessing is our destination because he pulls to a stop in a parking spot of the hotel garage. He’d said we were going to see Bryce, but I’m wondering if Dylan is staying here.

  “What are we doing here?”

  “Bryce is staying here instead of at my place.”

  “Oh.” So, Dylan does have a place. Why am I curious to see it? Maybe I’m hoping to find something that will help me figure out the walking contradiction.

  Stepping into the lobby, it’s evident that this hotel is one of the most upscale places in Sunland. “So, y’all are a bunch of spoiled rich boys. Just like Kyle.”

  He glowers at me, his eyes positively fuming. “Bryce is staying here, not me.”

  Yet, something tells me Dylan isn’t hurting for money. Same goes for his friend I assume when Dylan presses the elevator button for the penthouse.

  Bryce’s suite’s view of the town is breathtaking. I step to the window, looking over the streets and buildings I’ve lived in and frequented for the last year, yet it looks so different from here. It’s all about perspective.

  “It’s magnificent, isn’t it?” Dylan mutters from behind me as I jump, lost in my thoughts.

  “It was.” The jerk is even ruining the damn view.

  Bryce strolls into the room, just as chipper and happy as I’ve seen him every other time. He looks shocked to see me, shoots a look back to Dylan, then smiles at me. “Sadie, I didn’t know you were dropping by.”

  “I’m not here by choice,” I say, plopping down on the leather sofa that allows a good view out the floor-to-ceiling windows. Anything is better to look at than the person standing in the room with me.

  “Yeah, me neither,” Bryce says, giving Dylan an irritated look.

  “I told her about Noah,” Dylan says, remaining in his standing position across the room.

  At least Bryce sprung for the biggest room in the hotel, allowing for plenty of space between Dylan and me. Too bad physical space isn’t helping to get him out of my mind; both versions of him, the one I experienced last night and the one I woke up to this morning, are firmly rooted in place.

  “That’s a new turn of events,” Bryce says, giving Dylan a cunning smile. “I told you.”

  “Fuck off,” Dylan mumbles.

  “You’re even sweet to your best friend, I see.”

  “You have no idea, Sadie,” Bryce says, exasperated, as he plops down on the sofa next to me. “He’s a handful all right, but I’m sure you know that.”

  His shit-eating grin makes his underlying meaning more than evident. “Are you speaking from experience?”

  “Oh, no. Not in the literal sense for me. He’s not my type … too intense and broody for me.”

  “Same,” I concur, earning a chuckle from Bryce.

  “Are y’all done yet?” Dylan asks, annoyance plain on his face as he stares between the two of us.

  “Nope,” Bryce responds to Dylan before focusing back on me. “So, what is your type, Sadie? I’m single, ya know.” Bryce winks.

  “Cut the shit. Now,” Dylan interrupts before I can respond.

  “He’s not usually the jealous type. It’s refreshing,” Bryce whisper-yells, making it clear that he wants Dylan to hear him.

  “I’m glad I stopped by.” I genuinely laugh as Dylan shakes his head, knowing he’s defeated. I doubt anyone stands much of a chance against Bryce. He’s definitely the fun one of the best friend duo.

  Dylan, on the other hand, looks more irritated than normal. “Need a new moneybag to get that tuition paid, right?”

  “Dude, that’s a low blow even for you,” Bryce scolds.

  Leave it to Dylan to suck out the small bit of amusement that made this situation tolerable. But that also tells me that Bryce is clued into everything that’s going on in my life. That makes one of us.

  “It’s fine. I don’t expect anything different from him.” And I shouldn’t. He’s hot and cold at every turn. I’d have better luck getting consistency from him if a coin flip decided the outcome.

  “I do,” Bryce states, standing from the couch as he walks to Dylan. “Everything checked out. Oliver Boone used his company account to pay the balance of the tuition directly to Haine.”

  “Kyle’s dad paid it?” It made sense. It’s not like Kyle has his own fortune, he just lives off of his father’s luxury lifestyle provided by the many auto dealerships he owns in the state. But that means Oliver thinks I’m okay with him paying for my school. We haven’t exactly spent a lot of time together, but that might explain why he’d been so standoffish when we were in the same room together. He most likely assumes I’m milking his son for every dime I can get, the same insinuation Dylan just flung at me.

  “Yep. Papa Boone paid the tab an
d used it as a tax write-off,” Bryce replies before turning to Dylan.

  Charity. My dad let Oliver pay it, turning me into a charity case who’s dating the donor’s son instead of just telling me so we could figure something out. And we could’ve—anything would’ve been better than letting my boyfriend’s dad pay my way. And if Oliver wants to donate scholarship funds, there’s plenty of other students in need who are more deserving of the money. They would have actually earned the assistance for something other than screwing his son.

  “How much?” My voice is low so they don’t hear me. I ask louder, “How much?”

  They stop talking, both looking to me.

  “It wasn’t much,” Bryce lies, or maybe he isn’t, it might not seem like much to him. But in my eyes, whether it’s one dollar or a thousand, it’s too much to be indebted to Kyle or Oliver for.

  “Give me the amount, the total amount he paid to the school.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Dylan mumbles, looking back to Bryce as he attempts to resume their discussion.

  A snicker escapes my mouth as I shake my head. Typical Dylan. It mattered a few minutes ago when he’d used it to deflate me. “Yes it does, or you wouldn’t have made your offhand comment two minutes ago.”

  “She has a valid point.” Bryce shakes his head and opens his mouth to say something but Dylan cuts him off.

  “You’d agree with anything she says.”

  “Yep. Probably so,” Bryce says.

  “Great.” Dylan exhales then motions for me to stand. “We’re done here.”

  Bryce full-on laughs as Dylan’s face turns into a deeper scowl as he walks to the door.

  Taking my time, I stand from the couch and make my way across the room, watching the two best friends who couldn’t be any more different. I’d find it comical if my life hadn’t been part of the topic.

  Waving across the room, Bryce hollers, “He’s only salty because you’ve cracked that indestructible shell, and he’s scared shitless. Keep chipping away, Sadie.”