Glass Heart Broken: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Glass Heart Academy Book 2)

by Lindsey Iler

  “Marek,” she whispers.

  “Just a second, baby.” I continue the descent to her thigh and trace a small pattern, thrilled by the pink line appearing on her soft alabaster skin.

  Her body jolts when I drop the knife on the marble countertop.

  Unable to control myself, I place my mouth on the inside of her thighs and follow the path in reverse to her lips. Delaying the inevitable is too easy. Watching her hands strain against my belt, knowing she’s desperate to touch me, makes this that much more fun.

  I slide my pants off my hips and free myself, stroking from base to tip while Palmer squirms, waiting for my next move. A yank draws her forward, stretching her arms until they can’t go any further. A swipe of my finger proves she’s ready and eager for me to plunge into her tight pussy. When I decide to put her out of her lustful misery, she wiggles her hips, positioning me where she wants me. A low whimper escapes her, only for a louder one to follow when I ease my finger out of her.

  To feel her wrapped around my cock again is the incentive I need to line myself up and plunge deep. Her back arches and twists from the wanted intrusion. She takes me as she always does. Happily.

  “Holy shit,” she murmurs under her breath, rocking her hips in rhythm with me. “Touch me.”

  The sleek material of her dress is another skin, perfectly formed, leaving nothing to the imagination. I pinch her nipples through the fabric, knowing damn well she’s not wearing a bra.

  “More,” she pleads.

  There’s not a single second in this lifetime where I wouldn’t give this girl what she desperately needs. I bend forward, biting gently on one nipple, breathing hot air to keep it hard and tight. Not one to neglect the other, I switch, and her moans take me to the edge.

  “Look at you.” I reach up, unclasping the belt restraint, relishing in the faint pink marks the leather has made on her skin. Her arms wrap around my shoulders, and I lift her body flush to mine.

  Her walls clench around my dick, bringing me closer to losing it.

  “I’m about to come!” she screams, jerking the blindfold off her face, exposing her eyes that drip with desire and satisfaction.

  Reaching between us, I rub a quick circle against her clit, watching me pumping in and out of her.

  “Did you have to play with a knife?” She grabs it off the countertop and waves it between us.

  “You didn’t seem to hate it.” I take it from her and press her against the countertop and run the blade down her chest before sliding it to the marble. “Here or in the woods.”

  “Quit talking and fuck me,” Palmer demands.

  I do just that until we explode.

  Twenty minutes later, Palmer peels the tattered black fabric from her body as I lie in bed watching her like she’s my favorite movie. She yanks open my dresser drawer, grabbing one of my t-shirts, and tugs it over her head to cover my favorite parts.

  She turns the lights off and crawls next to me, resting her head on my chest. I’ve never loved sharing a bed with someone, preferring my own space, but with her, I wonder how I’ve ever slept any other way. She brings comfort and a security I don’t quite understand yet.

  “What’re we going to do?” she asks, running smooth circles over my bare chest.

  “Dixon will find something in that notebook, and Delaney is safe here with us for the time being,” I answer.

  “We can’t stay locked up here forever.”

  “Of course not, but it’s a good thought, right?” I kiss the top of her head.

  “We still have a lot that needs to be talked about.”

  “Tomorrow, okay?” I say.

  Palmer slides her arms around my waist, and with my hands wrapped around her, I listen to her breaths even to a dull song. I enjoy the sound and feel of her beside me and wonder if I’ll finally be able to keep her.

  “Marek?” she says in a sluggish voice.

  “Yes, baby?” I run my fingers over her spine, hoping to lull her to sleep.

  “I can feel you thinking, and whatever it is that haunts you, I’m here.” As the last word leaves her mouth, she drifts off to sleep.

  With my eyes closed, I allow myself to see happy memories, a trick my therapist taught me after Penelope’s death. If you only think happy thoughts, then happiness will have no choice but to invade your dreams.

  Penelope laughing as she swings on the playset in the backyard of my childhood home.

  Christmas morning at a time when my family is happy.

  The girl beside me, smiling at me.

  It doesn’t take long for me to fall into a helpless slumber. Sometimes my nightmares and dreams melt together like paint on a canvas, dripping colors of darkness into the light. It’s hard to imagine where one begins and the other ends.

  Tonight, the dream is the same. The pool in the backyard of my family home. Beautiful flowers rim the fence. Penelope thinks daisies are the smiling flower, bringing happiness to the world. I’m sitting on the deck, looking down at my hands when I hear the first splash. A muffled scream for help follows. Filled with desperation, I race to the edge and dive in where I see the sinking body. As I breach the surface of the water, I’m no longer a young boy, and the girl in my arms isn’t Penelope.

  I lay Palmer down on the cement floor and push on her chest with my closed fist, attempting to force life into her body. There’s no hope, but I don’t stop. My screams for help aren’t heard. No one ever comes.

  “Marek, it’s okay. Let me go.” I hear Palmer’s voice in the distance.

  No, this can’t be happening. I can’t lose her, too.

  “Let me go!” Palmer shouts again. Except this time, it isn’t with acceptance, but her own desperation.

  I’m torn from Palmer’s body. My eyes open from the blur and confusion. I’m on my bedroom floor, panting with a burn in my chest. I rub the pain away.

  “What the fuck?” Breaker shouts, hovering over Palmer on the edge of my bed.

  Her eyes meet mine across the room, and I know I’ve fucked up.

  “Marek, it’s okay.” She holds her hands up like I’m a child.

  “What did I do?” I ask.

  “When I came in, you had her pinned to the mattress.”

  I shoot off the floor to reach out to her. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “I’m okay, Marek. It’s okay. You were having another dream,” she whispers, running her hand over her chest. “Come here.”

  I fall into her, resting my head on her legs as she runs her hand over my hair in calming strokes.

  “You two . . .” Breaker starts, shaking his head as if it’s just dawned on him. “You get him in a way I’ve never seen or believed could exist.”

  Palmer doesn’t respond, but I feel her body move, agreeing with Breaker. “Can you give us a little room for a bit? We’ll be down for breakfast.”

  “Yeah, no problem. You good, bro?” He bends to lock eyes with me and smirks.

  “Yeah, I’ll be okay.” I cut my stare away, afraid if he looks long enough, he’ll see me unraveling.

  “How’s Delaney?” Palmer asks as Breaker walks to the door.

  “She’s in the shower. Her head’s a little foggy, and she’s kind of in shock. Whatever they gave her, it nearly wiped her memory.” Breaker’s broken words are like a pained man speaking of something from his past. His shoulders appear heavy, and dark circles take up residency under his eyes. Exhaustion isn’t a good look for him.

  Once the door clicks shut, Palmer resumes playing with my hair. While her friend is struggling, she still finds a way to care for me. How she does it, I’m not sure.

  “Penelope again?” she whispers, knowing I don’t want to talk about it, but that I should.

  “No.” I roll over in her lap and gaze up at her. “It was you this time.”

  “Which explains why you were pressing on my chest.”

  I sit up. “I keep fucking up.”

  “No, you’ve just spent a lot of time avoiding reality because reality is whe
re our feelings live, Marek. Maybe you need to acknowledge and process what happened to your sister.” She shrugs. “Maybe we both do.”

  “Do you think about her often?” I ask, morbidly curious.

  “Every day, especially when I’m here.” Her eyes dart around a room that was once occupied by her sister.

  “Does it bother you?”

  “Knowing you were in love with my sister?” she asks, sheepishly, trying her hardest not to show her whole hand.

  “We need to talk about that, Palmer. I need you to know some things.”

  “There’s some things I need you to know as well.”

  “You guys may want to come down here!” Breaker shouts up the stairs. “Get down here now.” His desperation has Palmer jumping from the bed and racing towards the kitchen.

  “Delaney,” Palmer whispers as I catch up to her, grabbing her hand.

  We push through the doorway and freeze. My front is pressed against Palmer’s back, and I catch a familiar brown mess of hair. I reach up to rub my eyes, trying to clear my vision. There’s no way I’m seeing what I think I’m seeing.

  Byron’s arms are wrapped around a tiny waist, sending the girl swirling through the air. His boyish laughter catches me off guard.

  “Seems you aren’t so crazy after all,” Breaker says to Palmer. He nods his chin at Byron and the girl.

  I lean around Palmer, stunned when her expression turns from confused to understanding.

  “Oh my god,” Palmer mouths.

  What the hell is Breaker talking about?

  A familiar squeal sends lightning up my spine. Byron’s movement slows, and the girl lifts her head, a sly, mysterious smile greeting me. The breath is stolen from my lungs as Reed’s feet touch the floor, and Byron’s hands find their home in her hair. Their lips embrace like he’s just returned from war.

  Perhaps they have. Maybe we all have.

  “How can this be?” I mutter under my breath, suddenly lightheaded.

  Reed’s gaze shifts along a path up her sister’s body to mine contently behind hers. Instinctively, I link my fingers with Palmer’s, reminding her she isn’t alone. Reed follows the movement from our hands to my eyes.

  Why isn’t Palmer running to her sister? Reed’s right in front of us. Alive.

  “Is that any way to greet your big sis?” Reed says, holding her hands out.

  It’s been so long since I’ve heard her voice, I catch myself holding my breath. This isn’t a day I’ve ever expected to see. Her being alive wasn’t an option. When the case ran cold, so did my hope for her return.

  Twelve months ago, this would have been what I wanted. Am I a complete monster for not feeling that today? Reed being back complicates things. I’m well aware of what her reappearance means for me.

  What does it mean for Palmer? If what we think is true, and the men attacked Palmer because of Reed, then how much bigger is the target on Palmer’s back if they know her sister’s alive? I can’t risk any part of Palmer being hurt.

  Palmer and I stare at each other, and the world no longer exists outside of our bodies. Her eyes beg me, and I wonder if she sees the same things in mine. A sense of dread mixed with tainted relief.

  Instead of going to Reed, she moves to my side. Shoulder to shoulder, we look exactly like what we are. A team.

  Except, are we a team? Breaker insinuated she knew something about Reed being alive. Did Palmer think her sister was alive, and didn’t tell me? How could she keep such a secret, after everything we’ve done to her to gain answers to her sister’s disappearance?

  I release my hold on Palmer, and her hand falls to her side. Disappointment seeps into her features. Even if Palmer did know, who am I to demand she tell me everything? I haven’t proven to be trustworthy. A large part of me wishes she had felt safe enough to tell me, instead of telling Breaker.

  “Get over here, little sis!” Reed twiddles her fingers in the air. When Palmer doesn’t obey, Reed comes to her. “Seems Marek’s jumped from one sister to the other.” Reed runs her hands over Palmer’s shoulder, bunching the fabric of my t-shirt.

  Palmer inches forward, her feet slow and resistant.

  I lift my foot to go to Palmer, and Reed hits me with a glare. I freeze, leaving Palmer alone to live this moment by herself. Old habits die hard.

  “I think you have something that belongs to me,” Reed says, wiggling her fingers like a greedy beggar asking for change.

  No one misses the hidden meaning behind her words.

  “She’s talking about Marek, right?” Breaker whispers.

  “Oh, fuck yes.” Dixon snickers. “This is going to be good.”

  There’s no reason to be bothered by their bullshit when my past is colliding with my present. Seeing Reed in this house again, it’s like spotting a ghost. My head pounds.

  Palmer reaches behind her neck and unlatches the necklace. Without seeing it, I know it’s the one with the R inscribed in it.

  Once Reed clips it around her neck and toys with it until it’s in place, she reaches for her sister. Palmer falls into her arms, hugging her tight. It’s a reunion of two hearts and entwined souls.

  They look so much alike, yet somehow so different. Where Palmer is soft and tender, Reed has invisible barbwire wrapped around every feature, making her harsh in ways I used to find endearing but now only feel indifference.

  After several minutes, Palmer loosens Reed’s hold. Her smile slips, and the familiar rage I once loved to bring out of her, fills those beautiful blue eyes I’ve learned to find comfort in.

  Tears soak Reed’s face, and she frantically wipes them away. Showing emotions is rare for her. Are they happy tears? I can’t be sure. During the years I had a relationship with her, she never allowed her demeanor to slip, even a little. It makes for a harsh exterior. I watch her, suspicious of her and curious about my nonexistent trust in her. I don’t have to wait long. The tears disappear almost instantaneously. No, they aren’t real. They’re a part of her plan.

  Palmer jabs her fingers at her sister’s nose. The slap comes out of nowhere, and I jump in surprise. Reed cups her cheek, rubbing the sting away.

  “That’s for disappearing without a fucking trace. That’s for leaving me behind. That’s for you thinking you could waltz in here like nothing’s happened since the day I found your dorm room splattered with your blood.” Palmer holds her hands up, ready to strangle Reed. “Jesus, where the hell have you been, Reed?”

  “Around,” Reed answers.

  “Now isn’t the time to be flippant,” Palmer barks.

  “I’ve been safe, and that’s the only thing that matters.”

  “Really, because you have four boys here who would kill for you.” Palmer turns her eyes to Byron, then scans them to Dixon and Breaker, and comes to me last. “Four boys who almost killed for you, and all you can give them is around? You have to be actually fucking kidding me.”

  “Someone’s found her voice.” Reed’s stance is cockier than ever. “And don’t think for a second, these four aren’t going to pay for their sins against you.”

  I resent Reed for thinking she can walk through our front door and behave as if nothing should have changed. She’s the one who’s been hiding. She’s the one who’s been keeping secrets. We’ve been losing sleep, fighting unnecessary battles for a not-so-dead girl.

  “Yeah, I had to find my voice since my sister who promised to always protect me went into hiding without a single fucking word.” Palmer glances at us. “And I don’t need you to do anything to them on my behalf.”

  “Trust me, I may have been in hiding, but I am more than well aware of what’s been going on here.” Reed circles her finger around the room. “Did you have fun playing with my toys while I was away?”

  I’m a sick bastard for loving this showdown. It’s typical Reed Weston, treating everyone around her like they’re just enough below her to make her powerful.

  “What’s for breakfast?” Delaney stumbles into the kitchen, yawning and stretching. S
he raises her head to take in the situation, and her bloodshot eyes pinch tight. Her response is valid. “As if the last twenty-four hours couldn’t get any weirder.” She exaggerates lifting her heavy limbs. “At least now you know you were right, Palmer.”

  “So, it’s true? You thought she was alive?” I round on Palmer, blocking her from Reed. “And you never told me?”

  “Looks like both Weston sisters love to keep secrets,” Reed jabs.

  When I glare at her over my shoulder, a triumphant grin takes up her face.

  “Shut the fuck up, Reed!” I shout.

  Palmer shakes her head and stands toe-to-toe with me.

  “I think that’s the least of our worries right now.” She pushes through me and slams her shoulder into Reed’s as she passes into the hallway. “And you’re a stupid cunt.”

  Delaney races after her best friend. I’m sure they’ll be playing emotional tennis, volleying back and forth on who needs whom the most. The room feels smaller without Palmer in it.

  Dixon and Breaker wrap Reed in a hug. On the outskirts of the welcome wagon, I watch the boys dote on the girl who was once the glue of us.

  “At least we now know you aren’t guilty of two murders.” Dixon chuckles.

  “Oh, shit, that’s right.” Breaker smacks him on the shoulder. “You’re almost in the clear,” he jokes.

  “We already know I’m innocent, assholes,” I deadpan.

  Byron starts the kettle and takes Reed’s favorite tea bags out of the cabinet. Some things never change. He bends for her, always, no questions asked.

  “Hey, you!” Reed says when Dixon and Breaker release her. They gauge me for my reaction, but I don’t know what to do. “Miss me?”

  Somewhere in this house is a girl who has stolen pieces of me I didn’t know existed, while my heart’s muscle memory is reaching for her sister. It’s hard to forget our past, what we’ve shared. On the other side of the beautiful coin, Palmer and I have something that is unexplainable. I shouldn’t be standing here, entertaining a girl who has, to this point, disregarded my feelings.