“I told you that you’d be third wheeling it,” Zack said as the beats of the country song slowed. “Yes, thank you for coming.”
It took me all of five seconds to realize that my nana did not need any help from me. I was ninety percent sure that Pam and Nana no longer were aware that we were here. They danced together near the front, and every time I snuck a peek at them, they were smiling. The music started up again, and Zack and Lucas got back in line. I was just going to tell them that I’d be right back when Braiden stepped up beside me.
“Hey, can I join you?”
“You can take my place,” I huffed. Of course, I was the only one huffing and puffing of the group. I was just going to head off for some lemonade.
Braiden’s smile wavered a bit, and I realized the question wasn’t if he could join us but rather if he could join me. A little twinge of guilt hit my belly, and even though it terrified the crap out of me, I knew what I had to do. Pausing for a second, I nodded to the doors and said, “Hey Braiden, mind walking with me to get lemonade?”
His face lit up, which made me feel guilty too. He was just so sweet. We headed out of the hall and into the garden, and as the music hushed with distance, I turned to the good-looking flirt. I hated moments like these, but it was the only decent thing to do, so I told him, “I’m in a relationship with someone.”
His lips made an oh, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Oh damn, January. I’m sorry I’ve been hitting on you for the past couple of days.”
“Trust me, there are worse things in this world,” I said with a smile before grabbing up a glass pitcher of complimentary lemonade. I poured myself a cupful, drained it, and said in a rush, “It’s Justin Roberts.”
Braiden’s head reeled back a little, and his eyelids narrowed. “Justin Roberts?”
“Since yesterday.” I winced. “All the times I said we weren’t together, I was telling the truth. There have been a lot of twists and turns.”
He gave me a mirthless smile and shook his head. “You don’t owe me an explanation. I just hope he treats you right, and don’t hesitate to tell me if he doesn’t.”
I nodded, not because I was agreeing, but because I was thankful that he was sweet about this. Justin mistreated him. He did it for a good reason, but Braiden would never know that. We headed into the crowd, and I hung back as Braiden joined the Baldwin brothers in line. I’d been gone only a couple minutes, and already there was a small crowd of girls wiggling their way between the brothers. When Braiden joined them, the four beauties surrounding the Baldwin brothers looked like Christmas just came early. I turned and headed back outside when a tall man stepped into my path.
Ice-blue eyes cut into mine, and I immediately recognized Dante Mortus from that alone. My heart lodged up in my throat, and I couldn’t seem to scream. The music slowed and warped to my ears as panic gripped me in its merciless fist. My father looked so much more human under the bulb lights.
Just as I opened my mouth to scream, he lifted a finger to his lips, dropped a piece of paper at my feet, and turned away. He stalked out of the garden space and disappeared into the parking lot. I knew that I should run to tell my friends. Somebody should be alerted. Blackburn? The Hawthorn Group? I didn’t know. But I found myself pressing my back to the outside of the barn, standing there and peering at the note at my feet.
I reached down and picked up the thick cardstock off the packed dirt. The backside felt smooth, like a glossy photo. My heart beat against my ribcage, and part of me knew that I should just drop the picture in the trash without looking.
Taking one steadying breath, I flipped over the photo.
It was an instant photo with white bands on all sides. In the center was my mother, smiling and leaning her head into a blank space. She looked perhaps twenty-two, with a bright smile and a beer clutched in one hand. A small child floated midair beside her. It had to be me. Blond ringlets circled my smiling face, and I kicked up one foot in a onesie with a red bow pattern all over it. It seemed as if I was nestled in someone’s arms, and my mother leaned against that same person, but there was no one there.
Below, was a carefully scrawled message:
You chose the wrong side, and I’m not powerful enough to protect you from what’s coming.
Thank you for reading!
The Blackburn Academy Series
A Bite at the Cherry
First Bite
No Bark, All Bite
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Acknowledgments
First of all, I want to thank my amazing editor Denise. Thank you for being so patient with me. I know that I can be a pain (especially when it comes to deadlines).
I also want to say a huge thank you to Rebecca Hamilton for your mentorship program, courses, and for all of the invaluable knowledge and expertise you bestow.
Thank you so much to Krystal. You kick my butt with your read-throughs, and I love it. I feel like every time I work with you, I become a better writer. Thank you, Melinda, for going above and beyond! Margo, you are one badass blurb-er. Thank you!
Lena, your support and friendship has meant so much to me over the past couple years. This can be such a lonely profession. Thank you for being a true friend.
Thank you to Claire and Les for the series’ beautiful covers. Thank you to Siobhan. I’m excited to work with you more! Thank you to Rebekah for doing such an amazing job on the audiobook.
Sending out gratitude to Anne, Derek, Elle, Anna, Melody, Giselle, and everyone who read and reviewed ARC copies of this book!
Oops, I almost forgot my mom. She helped me come up with the titles while we embarked on a week-long road trip. Thanks, lady!
A Bite at the Cherry: A High School Vampire Bully Romance (Blackburn Academy Book 1) Page 24