Devious Kisses: A Bully Enemies -To-Lovers Romance (It's Just High School Book 1)

by Thandiwe Mpofu

  She doesn’t fall in love. Never stays in one place and so the fact that she’s here now—well, she came because my parents are finalizing their divorce soon, not because she wants to actually help me since we can’t afford a live-in nurse anymore—it’s a bit shocking to see her so…emotional.

  “Your Gran used to say that about you,” Aunt Nicky says after clearing her throat. “She’d lay a hand on your mom’s belly and wait for you to perform and you did, Mia.”

  My stomach flips and dips but I don’t cry.

  “Mom never talked about Gran,” I start, figuring this might be the moment to ask. “Why?”

  Aunt Nicky sighs, looking away, but I swear I detected hate in her eyes.

  “Well, sometimes family is a bigger burden that one realizes.”

  Damn. Of all the things I was expecting her to say.

  “I heard she died because of heart break?” I start, ignoring the warning in my gut that says I have to drop it. “Is that true?”

  “Well, I would be surprised if that’s true. That woman didn’t have a heart.” Her voice is harsh and dismissive, my cue to let this one go. I look back to the large mirrors and meet her gaze. Aunt Nicky and I have the exact same eyes. People even say I look more like her than I do my mom. They’re both striking women, with airy voices, and can weave anyone into their web of desire. It worked well for my mom when she was dancing all over the world and it’s working great for my aunt now.

  “So, how long are you staying?” I ask, getting up to stretch. “You never said.”

  “Are you trying to get rid of me, Mia?” She arches a perfectly shaped brow and it’s then that I notice the diamond stud earrings she’s wearing. Whoever she’s with now, he’s got bank.

  “No, Auntie.” I smile, noticing the faux sad look on her face. She could be a world renowned actress if she wanted to be. “I’m just checking, so that I’m not shocked when you do leave. I mean, that’s what you usually do.”

  “Oh yeah?” She folds her arms. “And what do I usually do?”

  Biting my lip, I look away. “You know, you just disappear to the wind like you always do.”

  “I’m not that bad.”

  “Really?” I quirk a brow, as I bend to touch my ankles, keeping my legs straight. “Last time you met that hot-shot banker from Palo Alto and left with him the very next day.”

  “You remember that?” She laughs. “I told you, he wanted to show me the private island he bought that day.”

  I snort, straightening up so I can stand on my toes for three seconds then down again. I glance at my aunt, wondering if my mother had the same wild streak in her when she was younger. I know for sure great fashion sense runs in my family, including my father. Or else I would have demanded to get a family switch to whoever’s in charge of that shit. No way would I be caught dead dressed like an old 60s hussy like the pictures of my Dad’s great aunt.

  “What happened to him? The banker?”

  “It didn’t work out. Besides, I think he worked it out with one of his three ex-wives.”

  “Herald had three ex-wives?” I gasp. “Auntie!”

  I giggle and she throws her head back, laughing. “He was loaded! You think a man like that wouldn’t attract women?”

  “Well, his loaded bank sure as hell attracted you.” I point out and she laughs, a sweet, melodic laugh. Just like Mom’s. I haven’t heard Mom laugh in a while. Maybe a year.

  “Speaking of marriage, we need to talk, Mia.”

  I know it’s coming before she can open her mouth.

  “Auntie, I really need to nail this routine, or I might as well kiss Paris good-bye, throw in the towel right now.” I rush to say before she can say anything. Looking at Mom’s condition today, I know I need to get this right now. I don’t have much time.

  A ball of nerves and anxiety lodges itself in my throat and for a moment I can’t speak. I can hear the ticking of my mother’s clock in the distance. I know she doesn’t have long left with us, but I refuse for that time to come before she sees me fulfilling the dream she had for me.

  “But, Mia—,”

  “Please Auntie.” I straighten my shoulders, my body tense.

  “Okay. We can talk later.” She steps backward toward the door. “I’ll just…leave you to it but we need to talk.”

  I don’t want to talk.

  “Sure,” I call after her as she goes out, softly closing the door. As soon as she’s gone, I switch on the music and classical notes start crooning in the studio. I stand in the middle of the room for a few seconds.

  Closing my eyes, I see my mother, a sad, empty look in her eyes as I wheeled her into the bathroom to give her a bath.

  I see my father and the bags he rolled behind him last week when he left for Europe.

  I see myself running around the house, trying to make my mother comfortable. Watching cooking channels just to learn how to cook for her.

  I had to get a crash course over the damn phone from the last live-in nurse we had, to learn how to care for my mother when I realized that we were broke. I had to rely on myself to keep this house afloat. And seeing as my father is probably having an affair, and we’re broke, Mom and I will soon be homeless.

  I need to get a job.

  Maybe I need to drop out of school now and find a full-time job where I can afford to pay a part-time nurse to be with her while I work. How much are those?

  A million thoughts race through my head, but when I open my eyes, I’m in the middle of a spin. I’ve been dancing since the music started but I wasn’t even aware that my body was moving.

  But the moment I notice, I trip over my own feet and I fall, failing a foolproof routine.

  “Fuck,” I whisper, quickly getting up to try again.

  I try and fall.

  I get up, try again and trip.

  I try once again but I fail, again.

  I try again and start crying…

  “Mia.”

  I stop crying the moment I hear his low, deep voice from behind me. Quickly wiping my cheeks, I compose myself as his footfalls get closer. “What’s wrong, princess?”

  “Hey, Dad.” I sniffle. “I wasn’t aware that you were coming back today.”

  “I sent you a text last night, you never responded,” he says cautiously, watching me.

  “I switched off the ringer.” After the embarrassment I suffered yesterday, there’s no way I’m going to read anymore texts from anyone.

  “Are you alright?” he questions, a look of genuine concern on his face that almost makes me reel back. He’s concerned about me? I want to laugh.

  “Like you care.”

  “Come on, princess, you know I care.”

  Yeah, that’s why you’ve been away, leaving me alone to care for a wife you can’t wait to divorce.

  “Can I help you with something?” I brush off the pain in my chest, shouldering on like it doesn’t bother me.

  “I just came from your mom’s room. She’s asleep.”

  “I know. Pills helped with that.” I move away from him, walking over to the stereo so I can stop the music.

  “Mia.” He sighs, looking like he’s at a loss for words. I can feel the blow before it comes. I notice the way he looks around the studio, eyes burdened with regret. I sigh.

  “We’re losing the house, aren’t we?”

  “Mia.” He sighs, then looks away.

  “Answer me, Dad.” I grit my teeth. We’ve lost a lot already, and now this? “We’re losing the house, aren’t we?”

  “Princess, I’ve tried... I’ve approached people who I thought would help me, but no one can…”

  “Yes or no, Dad?” I almost scream but I don’t, only because I know this is hurting him just as I’m sure it’ll hurt my mother.

  I was born in this house. My parents fell in love with this house. They raised me, in love, in this house. My father had this studio built for the love of his life and now…we’re about lose it.

  “Yes,” he breathes, looking away. “
I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

  I drop to the wooden floor, my knees so weak they’re unable to keep me upright.

  “But don’t worry, princess. I’m not going to let you, or your mother be homeless. I have a deal on the way right now…”

  He drones on but I tune him out. I knew things were bad. Hell, I had a feeling in my gut that this weekend, something bad was going to happen. And with everything he’s just said, I don’t think losing this house is what hurts the most.

  It’s the fact that not only are my parents splitting, but soon, my mother will be… and I won’t have that one last place in this world that has her essence anymore.

  “Of course, you’re going to keep the car. Luckily your mother made sure that we would take care of your education,” he drones on, his shoulders slump, a weary look in his eyes. “You’re a very intelligent girl and I know you can go to any school you want. Your IQ is high, princess. We can get you the applications to get a scholarship, but I’m sure in a year, I’ll be up on my feet again.”

  “That’s what you said last year,” I interrupt. “And the year before that.”

  He stops, but he can’t look at me, let alone hold my gaze.

  “Yeah, well, I’m so sorry, princess. This time, it’s going to be different. We just need to have some faith.”

  Faith… Faith hasn’t worked for me so far, has it?

  “What about Mom?” I question.

  “You’re not going down the drain with my sister.”

  We both look to the door where Aunt Nicky stands there, her palms balled into tight fists at her sides.

  “Come on, Nicky. I’m not in the mood to fight with you,” Dad grumbles.

  “I don’t give a damn about your moods, Nathan. You’ve destroyed my sister’s life enough, but this…” She takes a few steps into the studio. “You’re a disgrace to her.”

  “I don’t give a damn what you think! What’s going on between me and my wife is none of your business.”

  “Oh, give me a fucking break, Nathan. You haven’t been there for Nancy! Not since you found out that she’s got ALS…”

  “You have no idea what you’re talking about…”

  They start shouting at each other from the top of their voices. I feel faint, sick to my stomach, and my heart is pounding so hard in my chest.

  This can’t be happening.

  Oh God.

  I need to get the hell out of here.

  Without looking at either of them, I sneak out of the ballet studio, on the brink of tears, my heart shattered. My life upended on its axis. Everything’s getting distorted and dark.

  I need to get drunk tonight.

  So, I run to my room and hop into the shower. Twenty minutes later, m y hair’s in a sleek ponytail, with perfect make-up hiding the circles under my eyes.

  As I run down the stairs, I can still hear the echoes of vicious shouting. I grab the keys to Dad’s beloved Merc and run out of the house like my ass is on fire, dressed like a fucking expensive call girl in black six-inch Gucci boots, a pastel pink leather mini-skirt and a black suede-silk crop top.

  I dial Kristine’s number as I drive out.

  “Where’s everyone meeting?” I ask the moment she answers.

  “Ahh, her royal highness, the Ice Queen is coming out tonight!”

  “Kristine,” I grit out, “Just don’t.”

  “Well damn.” She laughs. “We’re all meeting at Shane Matthews’ house. You know where it is right?”

  “Yeah.” Everyone knows where Shane’s house is. Nobody knows where the Fitzgerald’s actual house is though. Apparently, they have two. I didn’t want to find out about that. “Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “No silly, I’m already there.” She burps really loud at the last word. “Sorry.”

  “Wait, you are?”

  “Yeah. Hurry the fuck up and get here. Tonight’s about to be wild!”

  I wasn’t even aware of just how accurate she was.

  10

  The plan for tonight is simple enough.

  All we have to do is wait in our cars, as the boys run into St. Jude’s school grounds, wreak all kinds of havoc in there, then we leave. In and out in ten minutes.

  I saw buckets of paint, spray-paint cans and rocks. I have no idea what the rocks are for or what they’re going to do with them, but I couldn’t help but be fascinated with the ripe taste of danger in the air, all while acting like my life isn’t crumbling and that I’m not living a lie.

  The festivities are already underway. The guys have masks covering their faces, all of them wearing the exact same black outfit that almost makes them hard to tell apart. We are all at Shane’s house, about to load up into various cars. The girls are get-away drivers, and all that nail-biting frenzy.

  “This is going to be awesome!” Kristine shrieks for the third time in my ear.

  “Yeah, because we like trashing stuff?”

  “Totally, like what happened to your car.” She giggles, just as Shane and his older brother, Sean come out of their house, pissed off looks on their faces.

  “Change of plans, yo!” Sean shouts, getting everyone’s attention. The music is lowered and people draw in closer. Sean is handsome, but in a conventional way. Rumor has it that he was also a victim of Roxy’s unrelenting, steam-rolling heartbreak. And I think he didn’t take it well.

  He’s a mean sonofabitch who bullies kids and girls. He seriously gets on my nerves and just seeing his face sort of ruins my day—and everyone else’s for that matter.

  To top it all off, he’s the outgoing captain of both the basketball and football teams, with a perfect loser score to match his shitty personality.

  He’s a pompous jerk with noodle arms and a large head. Thank God his brother is nothing like him.

  They had a sister once, but she passed away under tragic unrevealed circumstances of her illness that no one actually knew. She used to go to St. Jude High School, so I never knew her, but I think she was Shane’s twin sister or something.

  Well, rumor has it.

  “God, I’m not going to miss him.” Kristine leans in to whisper in my ear, obviously scared of being overheard.

  There’s another rumor around school that Sean doesn’t take kindly to negative gossip about him, comments or anything that he thought put him in a bad light. But the gag is, it was all true. Like I said, he’s an asshole without a definite place in the world. Other than terrorizing unsuspecting idiots who come in on their first day thinking that he’s something like a wanna-be Fitzgerald brother clone.

  “That’s not a nice thing to say about your captain,” I say sarcastically. She grunts, then burps. I glance at her, noticing the alcohol she’s drinking. Well then. “Brave, aren’t we?”

  “I’m old enough,” she says with a shrug, a hard glint in her eyes. I can smell the recklessness on her, but to be fair, it’s always been there with Kristine.

  “Old enough to make irresponsible decisions.” I raise my eyebrow, watching her.

  “Give me a break, Ice Queen.” She rolls her eyes. “No one’s as perfect as you. Besides, I’m not driving.”

  If only she knew how perfect my life is right now.

  “Yup, you just made me your designated driver.” I eye her, from the way her hair seems so messy and her clothes wrinkled. She’s fucking someone. “How long have you been here?”

  “Uh, since this afternoon, why?”

  “You look seriously wasted.”

  “I’m good. We ran into town to get paint and shit. Then Shane bought beer and whiskey. I hated it but drank it anyway, you know?”

  Yeah, I know. Do anything to clout.

  “Shane was with you?”

  “A lot of people came.”

  “Who did you go with?”

  “Oh, just a couple of jocks from the football team. Brantley was there, Dante left just before you came though, but we’ll meet him at St. Jude.”

  She’s stalling.

  “You said Shane bought beer and whisk
ey. You were with him?”

  Her eyes widen for a second, and panic sets in. I narrow my gaze at her.

  “Oh yeah!” She forces out a laugh. “Shane and I got to talking about you and how he wants to talk to you tonight.”

  I look up at the culprit, who’s looking directly at me as he talks to his brother about something. Then both of them are staring at me with unreadable gazes. Unease cripples into my veins, a sinking feeling of doom settles in my gut.

  “You and Shane were talking about me?” I question.

  She hums, then burps but I look at her closer. She doesn’t look that drunk to me. She knows exactly what she’s doing.

  “Look at the way he’s looking at you,” Kristine whispers hotly. “I think he’s really going to kiss you tonight.”

  Well, then.

  “It looks like those fucking St. Jude jerks found out about what we wanted to do to their crap school tonight,” Sean shouts. “So, they fucking messed with our house first.”

  Disgruntled murmurs rise up around us, but I’m not shocked. These fools should’ve known better than to plan for this the entire week. St. Jude just acts, on the spur of the moment. I like that about them.

  “I think we have a rat here!” Sean shouts, and everyone starts looking at each other. “Whoever you are we’re going to find you.”

  “I won’t miss that son of a bitch,” Kristine says.

  “You said that already.” I point out.

  “I don’t care. He wasn’t a very good captain, and we all know it. Hell, his own brother has said it countless times, that his brother’s a prick, with a shitty arm.” Kristine juts out her hip, frowning at Sean. “If he was any good, he would’ve been drafted too, like the older Fitz brother, Julian.”

  My heart starts pounding all over again. My palms grow sweaty, but I stand up taller in my boots, flip my hair over my shoulder and force out a light chuckle.

  “That’s hoping for a million dollars out of a penny, isn’t it?” I laugh, trying to act like I don’t know who Julian Fitzgerald is.

  “But back to business!” Sean goes on. “The night is still young! We’ll still be victorious, because tonight, we’re going to The Devil’s Track!”

  Hoots and hollers rise around the driveway as the sky darkens and evening falls over the earth.