by Lacey Heart
“Avery, I’m not getting into another fight with you.” Her voice is tired and when I finally look at her, I can see she looks it too. “Like I said to you this morning. If you want answers then you’re gonna have to lose the stubborn streak. Believe me I know how hard that is because we all have it, It’s built in our DNA, but you’re going to have to bite the bullet and talk to your mom.”
“And why the hell should I do that?”
“Because, the difference between us was safety. As much as your mom hated to admit it, she knew deep down that you were safe with your dad. Your mom also knew me and Jake weren’t safe with our mom.”
I stand up, and my body is coiled in knots as I try my damned hardest to stay calm. “You think that’s the only difference?” I demand and Jessica’s eyes widen in shock at my outburst. “I’ll tell you what the difference is. I’m her daughter, Jessica. Not you. You have your own, so why don’t you get out of here and go and make it up with her.”
I know I’m being childish and totally irrational right now, but I don’t know how else to act. I’ve just found out the woman who abandoned me without so much as a goddamn care in the world was back here playing happy fucking families with Jessica and Jake.
“Avery, wait…”
“Don’t Avery me.” I shout back. “I think I’ve heard enough.” I reach out and grab my phone and air pods from my desk and give Jessica one last glance before I make my way toward the door. I just hope she isn’t still here when I get back.
I’ve decided I kind of like Riverstone at night fall. Everything seems so calm and peaceful. Due to the massive trees and overgrown bushes it feels a lot more secluded too. Isolated. Who knew this miserable town would finally have some uses?
Don’t get me wrong, I miss Los Angeles with all of my being, but there’s just something about being alone with my thoughts without the hustle and bustle of day to day life and it’s quite therapeutic.
I can hear the rain, softly pattering on the ground and animals and birds are rustling around deep in the trees and it slowly starts to ease my anger. It also makes a welcome change from having to hide from my mom.
I continue walking out into the unknown, surrounded by trees and darkness for another ten minutes or so, and with nothing other than my thoughts weighing heavy on my mind when an icy chill runs deep through my body and as the fine hairs on the back of my neck begin to rise, my heart beats faster; and I know I’ve just stepped inside the devil’s lair.
Dressed head to toe in black, Cole Ashford stares back at me and as his eyes lock onto mine a devilish smile of victory plays on his lips.
Brilliant.
He’s just the person I wanted to see… not.
Now, I know I can do one of two things. I can turn the hell around and go right back to where I came from, or I can keep walking, pretending I haven’t seen him in all his brooding glory and refuse to give him the attention he so desperately desires.
It takes me less than a nano-second to decide on the latter. I slowly put one foot in front of the other while trying so hard not to look into his eyes, because I know if I do then I’ll be dragged under and held captive under his spell.
“Hey, Hollywood.” He roars as I move on past him. I should have known he wouldn’t have let me pass without some form of comment.
“Go home, Cole.” I tell him and I really wish I hadn’t. One of these days I’ll learn to keep my mouth shut instead of engaging in conversation with the enemy.
Before I know it, he’s next to me and matching my steps as his crisp, minty smell sets my senses on overdrive. “So, what brings you out onto the wild side?”
“That’s none of your business.” I snap and I know my issues aren’t his fault, but it kind of feels good to take my frustrations out on him. He doesn’t seem all too offended. If anything, his smile tells me it’s only heightened his amusement.
“Oh no? Well, how about I make it mine?” His voice is cold and void of any emotion and nervous energy starts to build in my stomach. Maybe I should have turned the hell around and headed back to the farmhouse when I had the chance. Dealing with my mom and Jessica is nothing compared to being out in the dark, all alone with Cole Ashford.
Cole comes around to face me and I stop dead in my tracks. “This isn’t funny, Cole. Move out of my way and let me past.” I try to tell him sternly but we both know there’s not a single ounce of conviction in my voice.
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.” He whispers and I only just make it out as he steps even closer to me. Our toes are flush, and his body is almost pressing against mine and I can feel the heat coming through his clothes. My heart is beating so damn loud in my chest―I’m sure he can hear it too.
“And why’s that?” I ask and my breath catches in my throat and I want to kick myself for being so affected by him.
Cole licks his lips and his eyes grow hungry. Every single fiber of my being is telling me to turn the hell around and run, but I can’t move. I’m frozen on the spot, unable to pull myself away from him. “Because I don’t want to. Plus, I missed out on a whole double period with you.” His voice is still flat, and it sends a ripple of chills through my body and I shiver. “I’ve wanted to get you alone for some time, yet you always manage to slip through my fingers one way or another. But, as chance would have it… you were the one who walked right into my path.”
“I didn’t walk into anything.” I sigh heavily and I know I’m fighting a losing battle. One with Cole and one with myself. “You were stood around doing only god knows what until you saw me and thought you’d take advantage of a girl walking around town on her own.”
“Ouch… do you really feel so little for me?” Cole claps a hand to his chest. “I have to tell you Hollywood, you sure know how to make a guy feel good.”
“Quit calling me that.” I bite out and I regret it instantly. I’m now one hundred percent certain that now he knows it bothers me he’ll be sure to amp it up and then some.
Cole smirks, but thankfully he doesn’t press it any further, but I’d be a total fool to think this was far from over.
“Where are you headed?”
“Anywhere but here.” I admit and I’m surprised by how freely the words fall from my lips. I kind of feel a little lighter saying those words aloud too.
“That bad, huh?”
I pull my jacket tighter, protecting myself from the cool air as he kicks his black boot into the ground and stones splatter up between us. “You seriously have no idea.” My heart starts to slow a little as his black eyes glisten in the moonlight and I can’t help but notice they have warmed some and look less sinister.
“Hollywood, I bet I could raise you.”
“Oh, yeah?” I highly doubt it. What could possibly be wrong in the king of Riverstone’s life?
“You bet. How about I grab you a drink at Monty’s and we can draw scores?”
My brain is telling me this is totally a bad idea, but my heart and soul is bursting with excitement at spending some alone time with dark and dangerous outside of Chemistry. “If I say yes, will you leave me alone?”
He laughs and it’s a warm, friendly and carefree laugh. “Hollywood, you need to know I never make promises I can’t keep.”
CHAPTER NINE
COLE
When I left the house, I had zero intention of bumping into anyone―least of all fucking Hollywood.
I needed a little fresh air, to try to clear my mind before I worked out my next move. I needed to figure out how I could breathe without feeling like the walls and everything I knew was closing in around me. But that’s exactly what was happening.
My life as I knew it was officially over and there’s no way I’d ever be able to fix it. Not now. Not ever.
And that’s when I saw her.
She was like a golden glow cast down to burn away my darkest hour. She was shining so bright that maybe it was a sign that things could possibly get better. Not right away, but eventually. With time.
I felt her body sense my presence from
my position in the darkness, and her whole body stiffened. If only for a brief moment, but I saw it. Obviously, Hollywood didn’t expect to see me either.
The second I saw her approaching I knew I wasn’t ready to let her go so soon. The pitiful hours we share in chemistry class isn’t long enough for me to even try to get to know her. And, until now, with a brief encounter at my party a few weeks back, I’ve never once seen her outside of school.
I knew instantly that she didn’t want me to make conversation with her, but I could also see the curiosity in her hazel eyes. One thing I do know is that we’re both running from something―and the two of us could be the perfect distraction for each other.
“I’ll have a strawberry shake and a beer.”
I tap my hand down on the bar as I try to keep myself calm. I look around and a small waive of relief floods through me when I see Monty’s is practically empty. It usually is on Monday’s. It’s a night when the guys tend to check in on their girls and show them some attention and try to make up for neglecting them all week.
Except for me.
I look around again and I’m thankful that Mia isn’t here. I know I need to speak to her and soon, and believe me I have every intention of doing so, but I don’t think a stand-off in front of Hollywood wouldn’t go down too well and I’d like to keep that off the agenda for as long as possible.
Actually, now I come to think of it I’d love to keep real life of the agenda for as long as possible too.
“Here you go, kid.” Hugo slides the drinks across the bar and throws me a wink when he spots Avery sat at my booth. “Have fun.”
I manage a small smile in his direction and place some bills on the bar. “You haven’t seen nothing.” I warn him and he nods his understanding. I don’t give a damn what anyone says, money sure as hell talks.
I walk over toward the booth and I feel kind of strange. This isn’t how I usually do things, but I knew right from the off that things would have to be different with Hollywood. I try to give myself a quick pep-talk when I start to feel a little light-headed and slightly on edge. Kind of close to how I feel just before a game. But that can’t be right. There’s no fucking way I’m getting nervous around Hollywood. Today has just well and truly messed with my head, is all.
“One strawberry shake.”
Avery’s hazel eyes land on mine as I lower myself down into the booth and I’m respectful enough to leave some distance between us. Now that has to be a first.
“Is that beer?” I can’t help but laugh when she raises a suspicious brow at me, and I can tell she doesn’t approve of my choice of drink. Fuck, she’s something else. I can feel my dick twitch in agreement.
“You bet.” I tell her truthfully before pulling the bottle toward my mouth and taking a long pull. Savoring the crisp, cold taste as it soothes my throat and slowly eases some of my worries, but I know it’s only a temporary fix. “It’s been a hell of day and lord knows I fucking need this.”
“Oh yeah? Maybe you should have grabbed one for me too.” A playful smile lights up her face and it suddenly feels like something has shifted in the air between us.
“Is that strawberry shake not cutting it for you?” I laugh and she scowls at me and it’s the most perfect sight I think I’ve ever seen. “All right… I’ll quit. But on one condition.”
She rolls her eyes at me like she kind of knew this was coming. “And what would that condition be, exactly?”
“Tell me your story.”
I watch her some more, full of apprehension as she quickly tears her eyes away from mine and she reaches out for her shake. “Why do you want to know?”
“Call me curious.” I shrug. “And if I’m honest I could really do with hearing about someone else’s life for a while.”
Silence descends around us, but it’s not awkward, and it’s starting to drive me crazy. I’m not used to this bullshit. Chicks dig me. They always have. Every chick in Riverstone would love nothing more than to be seen on my arm and they’d shout loud and proud about it too. But not Hollywood. Right now, she looks like she’d rather be as far away from me as possible.
“Trust me,” she side-eyes me from her seat next to me while twirling her straw in her glass. “My life isn’t all that interesting.” A raw sadness fills her voice and I know because it reflects mine. Maybe the two of us are more similar than either one of us would like to believe. This only leaves me desperate to know more about her. I want―no, I need to find out as much about her while I still can.
“My father’s the most well-known man in town.” I finally say.
“Good for you.” She bites back and she looks far from impressed. “Is that what you tell all the girls?” Her tongue is sharp and my dick twitches some more. Damn, she’s a feisty one and she’s definitely not afraid to stand her own.
I like that―a lot.
I can’t help but snicker when she narrows her eyes at me as she waits for my reply. “No, as a matter of fact I don’t.” I nod my head in her direction. “But then that’s because nine times out of ten they already know who he is. I wasn’t trying to be smart. I just thought maybe if I shared something about me, maybe you’d be kind enough to enlighten me about you.”
“Okay, well if this is what you want to play, how about… my mom is a low-life who doesn’t give a damn about her kid?” Avery deadpans and for a second, I’m left speechless.
“Damn.” I wasn’t expecting things to turn so grim so fast. “I don’t see my dad much anymore.” I have no idea why I’m telling her this, but it kind of feels good to tell someone.
“My dad’s dead.” My eyes go wide as she lifts her drink and takes a sip and shrugs her shoulders.
“Wow. You really weren’t lying about drawing scores, huh?”
I need to change the subject and fast because this is going downhill faster than a fat kid in the snow. “So, Jake, he’s your cousin, right?”
“Uh-huh. But I’m guessing you already knew that.” A small smile curves at her lips again and she looks incredible when she smiles. So incredible that my fucking heart starts to flutter.
What the actual fuck!
“You got me…” nerves start to get the better of me as I finish off my beer. “I’ve known Jake since as long as I can remember, yet I’ve never seen you around since before…”
“What, before you bust my nose open?” Hollywood and her smart mouth are quick to finish my sentence only it wasn’t the one I was going for, and her eyes grow wide accusingly.
“Hey, I didn’t bust shit. If I remember rightly you were the one who walked into me. But, it’s a sure fine way to get a guy to notice you.” Who the hell am I kidding? I’d fucking notice Avery Parker if she was walking around with a goddamn bag on her head.
“That’s not how I remember it…”
“No?” I don’t know what comes over me but before I can stop myself, my head leans in closer and my lips press against her warm, soft velvety ones, and I don’t mistake the startled gasp that falls from her mouth. And she also doesn’t pull away.
“Now isn’t this something.” Mia’s voice pierces my ears and I pull back from Avery so fast I almost cause myself and injury. “There’s me thinking you wanted to talk, and you’re busy making out with the new girl.”
“Mia, now isn’t the time.” I warn her.
“Oh, no? I think now is the perfect time.” Mia turns her attention to Avery and says, “I’m guessing he didn’t tell you our news? I’m pregnant.”
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ABOUT THE AUT
HOR
Lacey Heart is a book and latte lover.
Both reading and writing are her passions, latte’s are her life source.
Offer her either of the above and you'll be friends for life.
Lacey was born and raised in Manchester, U.K and she still resides there today with her amazing friends and beautiful family.
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