Mascen Wade is crawling his way under my skin and I don’t like it one bit. The last thing I need to do is get involved with a rock star’s son in any capacity. My life is better off simple. Normal. If I wasn’t crushed under his boot by him, the media would do it for him.
“Why are you staring at me, Sleeping Beauty? Are you hoping I’ll kiss you and wake you from whatever walking nightmare you’re living?”
I can’t believe I was blatantly staring at him. Fuck my life.
“Where’d your date go?”
“Don’t know, don’t care. She was annoying anyway. Nice tits, but not worth it. I needed to get out though and A is the first letter in the alphabet, so here we are.” He leans back, flicking his fingers lazily. He’s the picture of ease, totally unbothered by his date walking out on him.
I blink at him, at a loss for words as he picks up his beer, taking a sip. I notice the wine is completely untouched. I’m not a huge drinker, despite my actions at Harvey’s, but it still makes me sad to see a good bottle of wine go to waste.
“If I were her I’d leave your sorry ass too.”
His eyes drift indolently up my body before connecting with my brown ones. “You already did.”
That stupid lump is back in my throat. I try to swallow it down but it goes nowhere. “I was eight years old,” I hiss, leaning down to him, nearly in his face. “I didn’t exactly choose to leave. I had to go, and believe me, every day of my life has been as close to hell as it gets.”
His tongue barely flicks out, moistening that full, pouty mouth. A mouth I definitely don’t find sensual and completely kissable. “Looks like you haven’t gotten burned … yet.”
With that, he stands suddenly, and I rear back before his beefy shoulder can knock me in the face. He pulls out his wallet, slamming down a wad of cash on the table that’s more than enough to cover the bill.
I watch frozen in place as he turns on his heel leaving the last of his food uneaten and heads out the door.
He never looks back.
Chapter Ten
Mascen
The cigarette smoke clogs my throat, nearly choking me. I didn’t intend to suck down three in a row after walking out of Marcelo’s but here we are. Leaning against my car, I know I need to go and stop hanging out in the parking lot like a creep. I wanted to figure out which vehicle belongs to Rory—Aurora—but since they’re all pretty basic it could be any of them. My first instinct said the yellow Volkswagen beetle belonged to her, but the longer I’ve stood here in the dark like a fucking creep the more certain I become that it’s the clunker truck parked in the corner. Pathetically sad and abandoned just like her.
Finishing the last of the cigarette I toss it to the ground with the others.
Reaching for my car door, I get inside, but I still don’t fucking leave. I will myself to put my car in reverse and get the hell out of dodge, but my limbs don’t listen. I sit frozen, watching patrons trickle from the restaurant into the lot.
Alessa was the first female contact in my phone, and I remembered briefly her slipping me her number last year after a game. She was a cheerleader—trim body, okay face, nice tits. I thought she’d be a good distraction, and I’d planned to take her to a hotel—I didn’t bring chicks home, ever—but I hadn’t been prepared for fucking Rory to be working there. Our waitress no less.
It instantly pissed me off seeing her. The whole reason I was there with Alessa in the first place was to get my mind off of her. Then she opened her mouth and started insulting me in amusing little ways. I enjoyed it way too much. I liked her barbs, the way her tongue lashed out at me. God, how I wanted to tame that mouth of hers.
I smack the heel of my hand against the steering wheel in frustration.
I shouldn’t spare Rory another one of my thoughts, but I know it’s a lie if I say I won’t.
She’s creeping under my skin little by little—a nagging itch I can’t and won’t scratch.
My phone starts ringing. Digging into my pocket I pull it out and find my mom calling. I’m not really in the mood or any shape to talk to her, but I answer anyway. She’s my mom after all—besides with her super freaky mom powers she’d know if I was purposely ignoring her.
“Hey,” I answer, my voice a little deeper than normal.
Her voice comes through the car speaker. “How’s my baby boy?”
I grin at her words. Leave it to my mom to make me feel better with only a few words. “Uh … okay.”
I back out of the parking lot, pulling onto Main Street. “That doesn’t sound very convincing. Is this a bad time?”
“No, no it’s fine.”
“I just wanted to let you know I mailed you a care package today. I made blondies since they’re your favorite. I also packed some tea packets for you—chamomile, chai, and that sleepytime tea you love. Oh, and I figured out how to make my own blends so I sent you one of those as well to try. If you like it I’ll send more.”
Her rambling brings a smile to my face. I love that even though I’m twenty and living away from home most of the year, she still looks out for me. Others might find it annoying, but I like that my mom wants to be an active part of my life.
Am I throwing a little shade at my dad? Hell yeah.
“There are some other surprises in there too,” she adds when I don’t speak.
“Thanks, Mom. It means a lot. I’ll keep an eye out for the package.”
“You don’t sound right—and don’t even think about telling me I’m wrong. I’m your mother. I know you better than you know yourself.”
The light turns red and I slow to a stop. “It’s nothing.”
She clucks her tongue. “Mascen, talk to me.”
I watch the cars driving through the intersection, knowing with each passing second that she’s growing more worried, imagining something far worse than the reality.
“Do you remember Rory?” My voice drops like someone might overhear me.
“Rory?”
“Aurora—Rory Abbott, from next door.” Next door is a stretch since there were several acres of land between our homes.
“Oh, the Abbotts,” she blurts, her voice ringing with clarity. “Yes, I remember them. You two were good buddies. What about it?”
“I saw her.”
“You saw her?” she repeats. “Where? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Positive.”
“Huh…” she trails off, and even though I can’t see her I have no doubt that she’s wearing her thinking face. “It was so sad how all that happened.”
“Mhmm, yeah,” I mumble. The light changes and I drive forward.
“So, what about her? I’m assuming there’s more,” she prompts, like I unfortunately knew she would.
“She goes to my school. She goes here. To Aldridge.”
It’s like I’m trying to remind myself that she’s in this town, at my school, in my space.
“Oh, wow.” Another pause. “That’s surprising.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agree.
“I’m surprised that poor girl hasn’t changed her last name.”
“Maybe she has, I know I would.” Sometimes I wish I could. It’s harder being a Wade than people realize. Pulling into the driveway I push the button for the garage and roll inside. “I’m home, so I’m going to go. Coach wants us up for conditioning early.”
“All right, I’ll let you go then. I love you.”
“Love you too, Momma.”
When I lay my head on the pillow that night, dreams of a little girl invade my mind, her brown pigtails swinging, pink glasses sitting crooked on her nose.
Chapter Eleven
Rory
“Ugh, I can’t study here,” Kenna groans, sitting up and letting the heavy textbook she was reading fall onto the floor with a clatter.
I glance over from my spot in the chair, typing on my laptop. I have a paper due in my English class and I’ve been putting it off. It’s not like me to not get my homework done immediately but the topic, discussing cla
ssic poems and how the history of their time overlaps into their meaning and how it can be interpreted differently today, doesn’t excite me.
Li peeks over top of her computer, a sour gummy worm hanging out of her mouth. “Why not?”
Kenna stands up, grabbing a bottle of root beer from the fridge. “I need a change of scenery. If I have to keep staring at these beige walls I’ll lose my mind.”
“We could go to the library.” They both glance at me when I voice my suggestion.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Kenna concedes. “Li, you in?”
The three of us agreed early in the week to spend Saturday studying and catching up on homework before going out. I’ve spent several nights this week working and while I would have preferred to work tonight too since it’s Saturday, I knew I needed to get this essay done and spend time with the girls. Besides, if all I do is school and work I’ll burn out fast and I can’t afford that with all the years I have ahead of me. Everyone deserves a night off now and then.
Li chews and swallows her sour gummy worm. “Library means no snacks though.”
Kenna’s face falls. Brightening she argues, “True, but that’ll make us work faster so we can eat.”
Li shrugs, her lips flattening. “All right. I’m in.”
The three of us gather what we need in our backpacks and head across campus to the massive building.
I’ve been a few times in the month I’ve been at school. It’s my favorite place on campus. Large and imposing, there are three stories of aisle after aisle of bookshelves. Long wooden tables line the middle for students to work at, with a few smaller tables and chairs tucked into corners.
Trudging up the stone steps into the library, a wistful smile touches my lips. Almost daily I find myself having a moment where I’m overcome with joy because I’m here. I did it. I made it. All on my own.
Often times my mom wanted to make me think I couldn’t do anything or be anything without her. It was a lie to try to trap me.
Inside, I follow behind the girls, gawking around in awe at the rich wood shelves, glittering chandeliers, and the magic every library has to transport us to another world.
You’d think since I’ve been here multiple times I’d be over the beauty of it, but I’m not.
“Here’s one.” Kenna slams her bag down on one of the long tables. There are two people at the other end with plenty of empty chairs between them and us.
Li slides in across from Kenna and I pull out the chair beside her.
Placing my laptop onto the table the three of us get to work, silence stretching between us. Perhaps it’s the magical powers of the library, but I’m able to get in the zone and within two hours my paper is done and the girls are finishing up.
I stretch my arms above my head, stifling a yawn.
Closing her laptop Kenna groans. “That’s it. I’m finished. I can’t even think about homework for at least another twenty-four hours.”
“Agreed.” Li begins packing her things away in her bag.
“Harvey’s for dinner and drinks?”
I have to stifle my cringe at Kenna’s suggestion. We haven’t been back since our first night out and I really don’t want to have a repeat. The solution is simple though. No drinking.
“I could use a drink.” Li stands, shrugging her bag around her shoulders. “But I need to shower and change first.”
“Me too.” I sniff discreetly at myself.
“I’m going to third wheel that.” Kenna cackles, flipping her hair over her shoulder.
Outside, we walk side by side back to our dorm. The sun hasn’t set yet, but it will shortly. For now, I soak in what’s left of the sun’s rays, knowing it’ll be gone by the time we go to the bar.
“How’s the job going?” Li’s voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
“Pretty good. I like it.” Izzy has mellowed out some, she was able to hire two more waiters so that things aren’t stretched so thin. I get along well with everyone and the tips aren’t bad. I feel like things have worked out better than I could’ve hoped for.
“Maybe I should get a job,” Kenna muses, tilting her head to the side.
“Why?” Li blurts, stifling a giggle. “You’re rich.”
“My dad’s rich,” she corrects. “Besides, I think a job could be fun.”
Only someone with money could think working and going to school could be fun. I don’t tell her that. I don’t want to start a squabble over a trivial comment. She’s a nice girl and I know she didn’t mean to come off rude.
I reach the dorm first and swipe my keycard, letting us inside the building. We grab the elevator up to our floor.
“Rock, paper, scissors for the shower?” I arch a brow, waiting for their response. Both nod and we stand in a circle. “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.” I do paper and they both do rock. “I go first,” I sing-song, adding in a little shimmy.
Stepping back, they go again, Kenna doing scissors and Li paper. Li’s shoulders fall dejectedly. “You guys suck. Third it is.”
“Hey, it’s the fairest way.” I flick the end of her braid playfully as I pass her to my room so I can grab my shower stuff. I learned quick to keep it in my room. Kenna likes to ‘try’ everyone else’s stuff.
With my shower caddy in hand I lock myself in the bathroom. I let the water heat up, fogging the mirror, and turn on my music to play.
Stripping out of the sweatpants and t-shirt I wore today I leave them in a pile on the floor. I’ll add them to the hamper in my room. I need to make a trip down to the laundry room on the first-floor tomorrow.
Finishing my shower, Kenna hurries inside the steamy room while I lock myself in my room to get ready, putting in extra effort to look somewhat put together.
I blow dry and curl my hair, even taking the time to put on some makeup. I figure if I’m going out I might as well look the part.
Two hours later the three of us are ready and pile into Kenna’s car once again.
No drinking tonight, Rory. None whatsoever.
The parking lot of Harvey’s is full and as soon as my heeled booties touch down in the gravel parking lot I can feel the thump of the music.
Kenna lets out a little squeal, pointing ahead of her. “Five-dollar margarita night! Yes!” I don’t tell her, but back home there were dollar margarita nights. “I’m going to get shit-faced. What about you?” she addresses me.
I hold my hands up in surrender. “Not tonight.”
“Excellent. You’re the DD then.” She passes me the keys to her luxury SUV and I swear even the key fob feels expensive.
Li pats my shoulder, grinning at me. “Thanks for taking one for the team.”
“It’s not a problem.”
Alcohol and I are currently not on speaking terms.
I’ve spotted Cole a few times on campus and he always smiles when he sees me, but we’ve never spoken again. I’ve heard murmurings on campus about him. Apparently, he’s a scholarship student here because he’s incredible at basketball. The way people talk it’s like they expect him to become a legend or something. Like Mascen he’s a pretty big deal.
“Time to relax, ladies.” Kenna does a little shimmy before opening the door into the bar.
The two of us have very different ideas of relaxing. For me, it’s lounging in my PJs, sans makeup, binge-watching a TV show. A loud, chaotic, bar filled with drunk college students does not fall into the relaxing category for me.
Kenna breezes in, pushing her way through the crowd. It seems a lot of people here don’t bother with a table, instead opting to stand around and drink while they socialize. The dance floor is empty for the moment, but it’s still early in the evening. I have a feeling in the next hour it’ll be packed with sweaty dancing bodies.
We find a high-top table with three chairs and snag it. It’s near the bar and Kenna raises her fingers in signal. Within seconds a frazzled waitress appears at our table.
“What can I get y’all?”
“Margaritas for us and…�
� Kenna pauses eyeing me.
“Dr. Pepper for me. And chicken tenders.”
The waitress is gone, her hair flipping around her shoulders as she goes.
“Chicken tenders?” Li tries not to smile.
I shrug. “Chicken tenders are my weakness.”
And luckily, if memory serves me correct, the food was true greasy bar food, not the gourmet version I was expecting.
The waitress drops off their margaritas and both girls sip happily at them. When half of Kenna’s is gone she stands, wiggling her hips. “I’m going to go pick a song from the juke box. Any requests ladies?”
“One Direction,” I mutter, totally kidding, but she grins from ear to ear.
“I love them! Li, what about you?”
“Anything that makes me dance is fine by me.”
Kenna claps her hands excitedly. “I’ll be right back.”
I watch her push through the crowd to the opposite side of the restaurant. Kenna is always so full of energy and almost constantly happy. I wish I had a little bit of her pep instead of being so cynical.
Li sips at her drink, tucking a piece of long straight black hair behind her ear. “How are you doing handling school and working?”
“Pretty good, I guess. I have to do it, so I’m learning how to balance my time so I study and get homework done on time.”
“I don’t think I could do it.” She bites her bottom lip lightly. “I kind of envy you for that.”
I wrinkle my nose. “For working?”
A light laugh leaves her. “I know I sound like a spoiled brat. I’m lucky that my parents are paying my way and I don’t have to worry, but you’re so … composed. You have your shit together. It seems like you can handle anything. That’s what I envy.” Her eyes sparkle with humor. “I certainly don’t have my ducks in a row. Those losers are always getting lost and waddling away.”
Kenna pops up back at the table, sliding onto her stool. “All right, ladies, I put a song on rotation for each of us. We’re going to tear up the dance floor.”
Bad Boys Break Hearts Page 7