If it were another girl, I’d call her a bitch then forget about the entire episode. There were plenty of fish in the sea and I could snag my line elsewhere. But that’s not how I felt. I wanted to know why she acted that way. It was like she was afraid of me. But why would she be?
“There you are.” Keira came to me then grabbed the book. “Thanks so much. I need it for class.”
“Yeah…” Even though the girl was gone, I kept staring at the last place I saw her.
Keira shoved the book into her backpack. “What’s up?”
“I…I just had a weird conversation.”
“With whom?”
“Um, a girl.”
“What was weird about it?”
“I tried to talk to her and she blew me off like…I was a serial killer or something.”
She smirked. “Maybe she just doesn’t like you, Scotty. I know you think you’re charming, but your cheesy lines and honest demands for sex aren’t attractive to all girls, especially not ones you meet in a library.”
“I didn’t ask her for that,” I snapped. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, the girls you usually go for aren’t exactly full of quality. Smart, independent, and confident girls come to the library and read. They don’t need a man’s compliments to feel good about themselves.”
All the girls I hooked up with were from the bars or parties. Actually, it was the first time I’d ever walked into the library. “I guess you’re right.”
She raised an eyebrow. “You’ve never said that before…”
My mind was elsewhere. “I’ll see you later.”
“Scotty?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I walked out of the library, thinking about the cold rejection the mysterious girl gave me. Why was it that the first time I’m rejected by a girl, it happens to be the most beautiful one of all? The diamond in the ruff?
CHAPTER THREE
Livia
“Why are you in such a bad mood?” Ash asked when he walked into the living room.
I’d been quiet all day. An annoying jerk wouldn’t leave me alone at the library. He looked at me like I was a piece of meat. His eyes moved to my breasts, which he studied for far too long, and then his eyes took the rest of me in like I was a naked girl on a poster.
I was disgusted and ticked off.
Then he came in my personal space, cornering me when I was minding my own damn business. If I wanted to be hit on, I would have made eye contact or made some sort of invitation. I felt like prey, small and unable to fight an animal five times my size.
When he sat next to me, I grabbed my stuff and tried to get away. My obvious disdain for him wasn’t clear enough. He kept talking to me, trying to get something out of me.
I just wanted to be left alone. How much clearer could I make that?
“Livia?” My brother studied my face.
I was snapped out of my trance. “Sorry.” I placed my brush on the easel then covered the remaining paint.
Ash came closer to me, eyeing my work of art. He studied it then raised an eyebrow. “It’s dark…”
My palette usually consisted of pastels. I loved painting ocean sides, fields and meadows, and flowers in a garden. Lately, my work had taken a different turn. Now black, gray, and charcoal were my colors of choice. My pieces were abstracts, just a blur of emotions. It wasn’t my usual style. “I guess I’d gone in a different direction.”
“Do you worship Satan too?”
I sighed. “Shut up, Ash.”
“Hurry up and get ready,” he demanded. “We’re going to be late.”
I tossed aside my stained apron then walked into my bedroom. I pulled on a pink cardigan and a set of pearls. We were having dinner with my parents and I didn’t want to go. I hated seeing them. They always made me uncomfortable, making me feel stupid for pursuing art and art history. They claimed it was a hobby, not a real job prospect.
I came back into the living room then grabbed my purse.
Ash eyed me. “You can wrap yourself in a package but they are still going to rip you apart.”
“Thanks,” I said sarcastically.
“I’m just letting you know.” Ash was wearing dark jeans and a green t-shirt. He never dressed up but my parents didn’t mind. He was still the golden boy of the family no matter what he did. I loved my brother but sometimes I resented him for his higher place in my parents’ hearts.
“Let’s go,” I said with a sigh. “And get this over with.”
We left in his truck then drove to the coast. My parents had a house on the beach. My father was one of the most respected surgeons in California, and wisely spent a lot of his money in international bonds. As a result, my family was wealthy and respected in the community.
Which just made me feel more like a failure.
My brother killed the engine then gave me a sad look. “Did you bring your bullet proof vest?”
“Darn, I forgot it.”
He smirked. “Just ignore them.”
“Easy for you to say, golden boy.”
“I’m not a golden boy,” he argued.
“Oh, shut up. Yes, you are.”
He shrugged. “I guess I am. But I think they’re just happy I’m following in dad’s footsteps.”
“Well, nothing could be worse than being an artist, so you’re safe there.”
He patted my hand. “Come on. It’ll be fine.”
I sighed. I really didn’t want to do this. “Okay.”
We headed to the door and knocked.
My mom opened the door with lightning speed. We saw each other pretty often, but she always acted like it’d been years. “My baby!”
Shouldn’t that be plural?
She stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You look so handsome, Ash.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He patted her back.
She leaned back and rubbed his shoulder. “You get bigger every time I see you.”
He flexed his muscles. “I can’t study all day. I get my fix at the gym.”
“Well, you’re looking very fit. I’m sure you have your choice of the crop for a wife.”
I rolled my eyes. My brother was the biggest dog I knew. He had meaningless flings then kicked them to the side. I couldn’t count the number of hearts he’d broken because there were too many. He wasn’t as perfect as my parents claimed.
My mom was as thin as a teenager. She didn’t work and occupied her time with yoga and event planning with her neighbors. Her life wasn’t exactly stressful. Her make up was done perfectly and her hair looked like she stepped out of a salon. “Hello, dear.” Her tone was noticeably less enthused.
Why did I even bother trying to look nice for this? I should have just wore my jeans and baseball cap. I was going to be hated anyway, so I may as well be comfortable. “Hi, Mom.”
She hugged me quickly then pulled away.
I felt like a nuisance. The love she showed didn’t light up her face. It was like she didn’t even want me there. But if I didn’t show up, she would complain to Ash, who would then tell me. I just couldn’t win.
My dad came next, standing over six feet tall. Ash looked just like our father, and unfortunately, I looked like our mother. “Hey, Kid.” He grabbed my shoulder then hugged me. I didn’t feel like he hated me as much as my mom did, but I still didn’t feel accepted.
“Let’s start dinner,” my mom said. “I’m starving.”
But you won’t eat more than three bites.
We sat down, and I took the seat next to Ash, the only person in this family I actually liked.
“How’s school?” Mom was looking at Ash.
Figures.
“We haven’t start clinical yet but the theory is interesting. It’s a lot of information to take at once.” He grabbed a roll then buttered it.
“I was overwhelmed my first year of medical school too,” my dad said. “But you’ll get the hang of
it. And I’m always here to help.” He gave a weak smile then cut into his chicken.
“Have you decided what kind of medicine you want to go into?” my mom asked excitedly. Only a salad was in front of her, nothing else. And she wasn’t even earing it.
“No,” he said. “But I’m sure I’ll figure it out.”
We spent the next thirty minutes talking about his classes and the vigorous schedule he was on. I picked at my food and thought about my painting sitting at home. I’d been working on it for a while and I was having a hard time finishing it. I wasn’t sure what the problem was.
When my family exhausted Ash’s success, the attention was diverted to me.
Great.
“Still painting?” my mom asked in a bored voice.
“Yes.” I wasn’t ashamed of it. It was my passion. I didn’t give a damn if they didn’t like it.
“Still majoring in it?” The disapproval was heavy in her voice.
“Yep,” I said proudly. Nothing has changed.
My mom exchanged a look with my dad before turning back to me.
Ugh, not this again.
“If you majored in something more applicable, like math or science you would have job security. With the economy the way it is, it’s already tough enough. And men are looking for talented and accomplished women, not artists.” My mom gave me a pointed stare.
“She is talented and accomplished.” Ash sipped his wine and returned it to the table. He was the only person in this family who stuck up for me. Sometimes I felt like he was the only one who cared.
“I wasn’t implying she wasn’t,” my mother said quickly. “It’s just that her talents would be better noticed with a more respectable degree.”
Respectable? “I love what I do and I’m never going to change my mind.” End of discussion.
Ash looked at me, and I knew what he was trying to tell me. My parents thought I was a starving artist with no talent. They had no idea that I regularly sold my paintings for a considerable profit. But I refused to tell them. I didn’t want their approval just because I was already successful.
My mom exchanged another look with my father. “Well, if that’s the case, we can no longer fund your tuition. You’ll have to swing it on your own from now on.”
I cocked an eyebrow and the wind left my lungs. They were going to just change their mind about my education? Just like that? I had to do what they said or that was it? I felt like a child. “That’s fine.” I kept my cool and didn’t explode. I could afford tuition on my own. I didn’t need them.
Both of my parents seemed surprised.
“Including this semester,” my mom said. “You won’t be getting any money from us.”
“Unless you change your major,” my dad added.
They expected to get a rise out of me. It wasn’t going to happen. “I’m not going to change my major and I don’t need your money.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
My mom seemed annoyed. “If you think we’re joking, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“I don’t think you’re joking,” I said simply.
“Seriously?” Ash asked. “What’s the big deal? Just let her do what she wants.”
“No,” my mom said firmly. “Every time I get together with the girls, I have to tell them my youngest daughter, my baby, is an aspiring artist. You should see the eye rolls they give me…”
My mom was the lamest person in the world. “I’m sorry I’m such an embarrassment to you.”
“That’s not what your mother meant,” my dad cut in. “She just wants the best for you.”
This couldn’t be happening. They’ve always disapproved of my passion but they’ve never blackmailed me before. My parents weren’t my favorite people in the world, but I was starting to really dislike them.
“The Stanson family has a wonderful son. He’s your age and goes to UCSD. I’ve arranged a meeting for you two, and it would go over much better if you were doing something respectable.” My mom finished off her wine.
“What? You’re setting me up on a blind date?” Yeah…not gonna happen.
“Yes,” my mom said firmly. “You’ve never brought a man around the house and you’re getting older. We need to start thinking about your future.”
“I’m twenty-two….” She acted like I was thirty. Her greatest dream was for me to major in something to her preference and marry early, becoming a housewife so we could get lunch together every day along with our manis and pedis.
I’d rather die.
I wasn’t dating right now, and honestly, I probably never would. I preferred to be alone in my house, painting my emotions so they would escape my body. I hated all men and wanted nothing to do with them. My brother was the only man I could be around without wanting to run.
My mom became flustered. “You will meet him. He’s getting his Ph.D. in biological engineering. His family owns a biotechnology company. And he’s a good-looking boy. I gave him your phone number and address.”
Okay, now I was pissed. “Excuse me? You handed out my private information like it was public knowledge?” It took a lot to anger me, but my privacy was what I valued most.
“I had to. I knew you wouldn’t date him because I asked you to.” My mom seemed annoyed with me.
“And that’s my choice,” I snapped. “I’m an adult and you can’t tell me what to do. I pay my own bills and take care of myself. If I want to date, I will. If I don’t, that’s my decision.” I stood up and didn’t bother to push the chair in. I just had to get away from them.
“You chased her away again…” My dad’s voice was quiet.
I grabbed my purse and marched to the door. I didn’t have a car so I’d have to walk, but whatever. Anything was better than being in this house.
I walked out and slammed the door.
My brother followed me. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“No. You can stay here and have the ground kissed below your feet.” I shouldn’t snap at my brother. He always had my back every single time. It wasn’t his fault my parents were so despicable.
He took it in stride and didn’t snap. “Come on.” He opened the door to his truck and let me hop in.
The drive was spent in silence. I had nothing to say and neither did he. The radio was off so all I heard was the sound of my own breathing. I looked out the window, watching the lights from the houses.
When he pulled into my driveway, I jumped out without saying goodbye. I just wanted to get inside and be alone. When I pulled out my keys and got them in the lock, he put his hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t let them get to you,” he said gently.
“I’m not.” I turned to him. “I’m just sick of them.”
‘That makes two of us.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “If this guy shows up on your doorstep and bothers you, call me. I’ll take care of it.”
“No, I can handle it myself.” I unlocked the door and stepped inside. “Night, Ash.”
“Livia?”
“What?” I just wanted to shut the door so I could be alone.
“I love you no matter how poorly you run your life.” He gave me a sad look then walked away.
I felt like my parents didn’t even care about me. I was just a pawn in their social game. But I felt real love from my brother. He was usually rude to me, but I knew he cared about me. He was the only person I could depend on.
And that’s how it would always be.
CHAPTER FOUR
Scotty
I kept thinking about that girl from the library. Her dark brown hair and her blue eyes were hypnotic and alluring. Her skin was as flawless as a porcelain doll. She made all the other girls I hooked up with look like trash.
But she wasn’t affected by me at all. She glared at me like I was a nuisance. Most of the time, girls checked me out with lust in their eyes. Sometimes they wanted more than just a night of hot sex. But in either case, they never scowled at me like that.
What was her problem?
Why did
I care?
The way she tensed around me reminded me of Keira before she met Liam. She was constantly timid, distrusting of everyone around her. She never went anywhere alone and she was afraid of the world.
This mysterious girl was similar. She was on edge all the time, a concrete wall projected around her. But there was a blaze in her eyes, a warning that she’d fight with tooth and nail. It didn’t seem like she was afraid I would hurt her, but she definitely wanted me to stay away.
Why?
I kept thinking about it, unable to shake the hurt I felt. I was a good guy just looking for a conversation. Obviously, I thought she was hot and I wanted to fuck her, but I wouldn’t have jumped the gun.
Why did I keep thinking about her? It was driving me crazy.
The night before I had to work on I-5 to fix a patch in the road. Even something small took hours to fix. The concrete needed to be brought in, along with the tractors. I really hated my job in construction. I contemplated quitting and living off my savings. I could start training and bulking up. It was a great way for me to release my frustration and anger, and with every passing day, I was more motivated to do it.
But while I was working hard on the road, the mysterious girl came to my mind, distracting me constantly.
My schedule of classes for the next day consisted of music appreciation, psychology, and math.
All of which were boring.
After my music class, I walked into my psychology course. The rows were filled with students so I sat in the back row. I took out my notebook then leaned back, wanting to get the class over with. When I scanned the crowd, I noticed someone special.
The mysterious girl was sitting in the middle row on the side aisle. Her hair was loose and it was pulled over one shoulder, leaving the opposite bare. I could see her slender neck. Her skin was pale but slightly tan.
Her dark strands shined under the florescent lights. The healthy shine caught my eye. I wondered how soft it would feel in my fingertips. I wonder how she sounded if I rubbed the back of her neck, giving her pleasure while I moved inside her. Her long legs would wrap around my waist, exciting me. I wondered how she tasted, how her nipples felt in my mouth. She had pink nails, and I wondered how they would feel scratching against my back.
Unstoppable (Forehead Kisses #4) Page 2