Broken Love (Blinded Love Series Book 2)

by Stacey Marie Brown

  “You told me you didn’t want to be anywhere near here on graduation.” With his twin brother’s memorial only feet away, I didn’t blame him. Graduation without Colton, standing there without your other half, would have been anything but celebratory. I lived every day with guilt for letting Colton drive that night; I couldn’t imagine Hunter’s. Hunter had never been a fan of high school, being the dark shadow on the edges of the campus, doing just enough to graduate and leave. Colton, on the other hand, had been the sun everyone revolved around. If anyone should have been here, it should have been him.

  I had dated Colton but fell in love with Hunter long before I realized I had. Hunter and I drew close. Our feelings were encouraged by the hardship we’d been through, but we’d been discouraged by anyone with an opinion. The scandal of us being together seemed to disgust the whole town. I heard the gossip, by young and old, and the ruthless censure on my character, my behavior. I was called a “whore” and “brother fucker” by my peers and severely ridiculed by the elders. They no longer saw me as someone who went through a tragedy but as a “harlot.”

  I could say other people’s opinions didn’t matter, but it was bullshit. Even the strongest person would crumble under the weight of so much cruelty, especially when many launched their attacks from the safety of their computer screens.

  “I didn’t want to.” Hunter shoved off the tree, his height looming over my five-foot-four frame. “But…” He tapered off, his fingers reaching out, softly threading through my hair. “Congrats, Jayme,” he whispered hoarsely, dipping his head, his gaze dropping to my mouth, compelling me to lick them nervously. “You look pretty.”

  What was it about him? The minute he came near me I was reduced to a puddle of lust. Nothing in my brain functioned.

  “Hunter…” I nipped my bottom lip, glimpsing over my shoulder. “I haven’t seen you for over two months, barely heard from you, and you just show up here like nothing happened?”

  That day in the rain, when I jumped out in front of his truck, my heart in my hands, was still the talk of the town. Everything in that moment had been perfect. A movie ending. But that wasn’t how life worked; it kept going, throwing more hurdles at you.

  We had two days of bliss, our hands and lips never venturing far from each other, when Hunter got the call he had been anticipating for years. To participate in the Pro AMA Supercross Tour, starting in Las Vegas. A small but respected sponsor wanted him to wear their logo. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I could never begrudge him that. He left the next day with promises we’d talk every day. That lasted for about a week and a half before the calls dwindled. Between working to get my grades back up and his crazy schedule with press junkets and meetings, our communications grew fewer and further between. I ended up talking to Jones more than Hunter. Jones had gotten his GED as well and went on the road with Hunter, taking over as his and Chris’s manager. Chris, called Tarzan by Stevie, was called to be a sub if anything happened to a rider, and their lives became a whirlwind, slowly disappearing from ours.

  Resentment at being left behind grew in me like a nasty mold. I was stuck listening to all the negative talk and taking the daily beatings online from ex-friends, witnessing my parents frowns when I spoke his name, and scrubbing my locker weekly of chalked-on insults.

  My world was reduced to the size of Stevie and my family, and my concentration turned to getting my father to say yes to summer school abroad in Italy. The summer’s focus was on art history. My dream. With reluctance, my father finally agreed, and I was leaving in two weeks.

  “I know.” Hunter inched in closer, the feel of him encasing me. His sexy familiar smell, something deeply manly and clean with hints of his soap lingering through, make me even stupider. “I’m so sorry. My schedule barely let me sleep, but if it makes you feel better, you were in my thoughts a lot… especially in the shower.”

  I glanced to the side, blushing, and tried not to laugh, my head shaking, pretending as though he hadn’t been the star in mine as well. For two people whose clothes seemed to peel away in each other’s presence, we had yet to cross that line, not in real life anyway. Though in my mind we had countless times.

  “Is Chris back with you?” I cleared my throat, trying to erase visions of naked Hunter dancing around in my head.

  “Yeah.” Hunter’s gaze went over my head to Stevie. “But I’m not sure he will get a warm welcome.”

  “No, he won’t,” I scoffed. Stevie and Chris were like the spider and a fly, both thinking they were the spider, only to get more tangled in the web.

  Hunter’s heated gaze fell on me again, his voice dropping so low it was a rumble in his chest. “I’ve missed you.”

  My lids squeezed together, my head dropping. “That’s not fair.”

  “Never liked playing fair.”

  “Don’t I know it.”

  “I’m staying with Doug.” Somehow he got even closer to me, his fingers trailing up my arms. “I assume you’ll be with Stevie tonight. Chris will be at Doug’s too. Please come by.”

  Folding my lips together, I tried to keep back the flood of emotion Hunter could inflict through me, my will caving like dry, thin crackers.

  “Please, Jayme.”

  “Damn you,” I whispered, my shoulders sagging in defeat.

  “Was that a yes?”

  “Yes,” I grunted, rubbing my head.

  “Thank you.” His hand skated over my jaw. “I have to go see Krista and Cody, but I’ll be back at the house around nine. See you then?”

  I swallowed, only able to nod in agreement. Damn him.

  “Happy graduation, again.” He stepped back.

  “This is technically your graduation too.” I signaled to the celebration happening behind us.

  “No.” He shook his head, his eyes going over toward Colton’s monument before they came back to mine, a sadness tinting them. “This is my brother’s day.”

  He slipped back into the shadows, disappearing like only Hunter Harris could.

  Chapter Two

  It was nine thirty when my red jeep rolled up in front of Doug’s tattered house, the worn sofa on the porch and the railing full of people smoking. Music thumped from the tiny home, and cars lined the streets.

  “Party?” Stevie tipped her head. “Good. Less time I have to talk to whatever his name is.”

  I chuckled and turned off the engine. Stevie nicknamed all her hookups after Disney characters, never learning their real names. But I knew Chris was different when he quickly went from Tarzan to his real name. They both were terrified of commitment, so it shocked both Hunter and me when neither of them had run for the door. They had been addicted to each other until he left with Hunter. But true to Stevie, she acted relieved when he was gone, replying with a thankful sigh, saying she was glad he wasn’t there, that she didn’t have to bother ghosting him now, which she was “about to do” anyway.

  Total bullshit.

  Stevie was great at giving advice, but taking it? Not so much. She was the first to run from anything meaningful. Anything that involved feelings, except me. The moment we met in physical therapy, we bonded. I think I was the only person she really let in, and still there were things she kept hidden from me. She liked things fun and present, the kind of person everyone considered their good friend, yet none were. She had a wall built solid around her, only letting a few in.

  “I need to have one last fling before I head back to New York.” She fluffed her long tricolored hair, climbing out of my car. “Feel like an Ariel… some fiery redhead.”

  She could pretend all she wanted, but I knew, better than anyone, that Chris had gotten under her skin, challenged her, and she was as nervous to walk into that house as I was.

  My nerves were a lot harder to hide as I tugged at the black dress I decided to keep on, hoping my chucks dressed it down enough for a house party. I left my long hair loose down my back. With every step I took, the desire to run back to the car grew stronger.

  “Wait.
” I grabbed Stevie’s arm as we came around the front of my car. “I need a moment.”

  Stevie stepped back with so little resistance I wondered if she were also avoiding going in, like she would be okay with getting back into the car as well. Very unlike her. She usually acted like a hurricane, pushing me to my limits to live life.

  “I know of another party.” She thumbed back at the car. “I will gladly go there instead.”

  “We can’t avoid them.”

  “Speak for yourself,” she scoffed. “I can do it very easily. Happily, even. Like I want to deal with him following me around all night while I’m trying to hook up.”

  A smile grew on my mouth, my eyebrow tipping up. “You think he’ll be following you around all night?”

  “Of course. It’s me.” She motioned to herself. “You have sex with me and you’re hooked for life. I’m like heroin!” She straightened her short plaid skirt and sleeveless rocker shirt, winking at me. “Something you’d know if you had a more open mind.”

  “Right.” I laughed, feeling a little weight come off my chest.

  “It’s better this way.” Stevie batted her hand in my direction. “Nice to have at least one person I can just hang with who doesn’t want to get into my pants.”

  “I’m glad I could restrain myself enough to provide that for you.” I grinned, already feeling better. Stevie had a way of easing my anxiety.

  She chuckled, tossing her arm over my shoulder. “I love you, Whiskey.”

  “Ditto, girl.” I squeezed her back. Stevie might have been my only friend, but I knew how lucky I was to have her. She came into my world at the moment when my life had shattered into tiny pieces, when the box I had been living in no longer fit me. She helped me discover who I really was, not the girl I had played for so long, but the real Jaymerson. The girl who got a tattoo, who wanted to travel the world and go to art school, who fell in love with her dead boyfriend’s twin brother.

  “We ready?” I exhaled, staring at the front of the house, people walking in and out of the door. It was a star-filled, muggy Friday night and school was officially out. I wouldn’t find anyone here from my graduating class. They’d all be at Jason’s. A perk to being here.

  “Yeah.” Stevie lifted one shoulder, her voice flippant, stepping toward the house. “Tarzan’s long forgotten, and inside is alcohol and a possible Ariel.”

  With a bracing inhale I strode forward, following Stevie up onto the porch. Pushing through the door, another round of nerves attacked my stomach. Hunter and I had left things so uncertain that after two months I had grown shy and tentative about where we stood. As if we didn’t have enough obstacles in our way, there was now my trip to Italy, which he didn’t know about, and his sudden career launch, which pulled us in different directions.

  The party bustled around us, the already sticky heat drenching the living room, sending most people out back, where twinkle lights draped around the backyard. I didn’t see any sign of Hunter in the mixed crowd of ages and fashions. Stevie moved us out the back door, my awareness on high alert.

  I spotted Doug’s tall frame sitting in a lawn chair, beer in hand, his feet in a kiddy pool. Doug and Stevie went to school at the same time, but she was two years behind him. He had dropped out his junior year and was now working as a mechanic down at the auto repair garage. “Dropout Dougie” was what Colton used to call him, but I only saw the simple, sweet guy who loved and welcomed all types. Not everyone was meant for college, and Doug was truly happy with his life. He wore ripped jean shorts and a T-shirt, hat on backward, his brown hair touching his shoulders.

  Jones, in his standard black flat-brimmed hat, sat next to him, passing a joint to Megan. Chris sat on the other side of Doug. His gaze snapped to Stevie beside me before he glanced away, like her presence didn’t affect him at all.

  Hunter’s friends were all here, but he was nowhere in sight.

  I doubted Megan and I would ever be close, but I had gotten to know Jones and ended up really liking him. Nice guy, easy to be around. He always made me feel welcome and safe, which I would have never thought possible ten months ago. The hard-edged misfits of the school had scared the crap out of me. Just as they had done to me, I had completely stereotyped them and didn’t bother looking at more than surface.

  “Hey! It’s Hunter’s girl!” Doug called out, holding up his beer in greeting, turning everyone my way. A deep blush spread up my neck. The difference between Stevie and Doug was Stevie didn’t bother to learn your name, where Doug point-blank didn’t remember. Brought on by years of pot abuse, most likely. I was simply glad he stopped calling me “Colton’s girl.”

  “Jayme.” Jones waved me over, blowing a mushroom cloud of smoke out of his mouth.

  “I’m getting a drink,” Stevie muttered in my ear, a flickering scowl swished her gaze from Chris down to Megan. Tonight was my night to play designated driver so she could drink. We took turns. Drinking and driving was a hard line for me. “Look for the hottest girl here and you will find me.” She turned away from the group. Away from Chris.

  He turned to talk to someone next to him, but I saw him subtly track her across the yard to the table full of booze.

  Those two. I shook my head, strolling over to the group. Megan’s contemplation moved over me, with only a tiny downward tug of her lips. She was first and foremost Krista’s friend, and Krista’s reasons for hating me only seemed to grow. At least Megan was somewhat cordial.

  “Hey.” I felt the intensity of the group’s eyes on me.

  “How are you doing?” Jones smiled, his eyes glazed. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a few months.” My throat went tight. They probably thought I had shown up because I heard Hunter would be here. Like a stalker.

  “Hey, Holloway.” Chris stood and gave me a quick hug, his Australian accent more prominent tonight. Besides Jones, I felt the most comfortable with Chris. Always warm and sweet, nothing seemed to ever bother him… except possibly Stevie. “It was your graduation today, right? Congrats.”

  “Hey, Chris.” I hugged him back. “Thanks.”

  “Was that today?” Jones snorted, more smoke coming out of his nose as he chuckled. “Shit. My mom and sisters are gonna be pissed I missed it.”

  “Yeah, idiot. Did you forget?” Megan took the joint from him. “We are now officially out of that hellhole. Good riddance.” She sucked in on the joint, staring at the night sky. Megan was pretty—with a dark creamy chocolate complexion and dark eyes—but her hard exterior made me feel hesitant, as though the ground around her was unsteady. Her curly black hair was tied up in a messy bun. She wore a white tank, cutoff guy shorts with combat boots. Being the only girl, and the only black girl at that, in the threesome with Jones and Hunter, Megan had received a lot of shit at school. For the color of her skin, because she dressed like the guys, didn’t fit into society’s norm, and the fact she hung out with white stoner boys, she became a target by several groups. Though I never participated, her distrust of me came from the fact I had once been part of one of those groups who used to look down on her. She probably thought it was sweet justice I was now the target of their animosity.

  “Well, glad to have you back. Grab a drink and a seat.” Doug motioned to the open chair near me. “Have no idea where your man is.”

  “He’s not my man.” My voice came out softer than I intended, chagrin exploding through me like a bomb. I perched on the seat, in case I needed to bolt at any second.

  “Please, the longest he stays with any girl is for a night or two… Maybe two if they’re amazing in bed… Months later and you’re still here.” Doug waved at me. “That’s says you’re his girl to me.”

  “Fuck, Dougie.” Jones half groaned and half sniggered, dropping his head in his hands. “Filter that shit.”

  “What? What’d I say that wasn’t true?” Doug jerked his head to Jones. “Hunter’s been sniffing around this one even before Colton died.”

  “Oh. My. God.” Meg
an snorted, giggles bursting out through her clenched lips as she tipped forward.

  Jones bent over his legs, laughing so hard he went silent, only his body shaking. A loud inhale drew him back, his red eyes blinking up at the sky. “Holy shit, Doug.” He fought the chuckles still erupting out of him. “You have no tact. None.”

  “What?” He shrugged, looking so bewildered I couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone. Chris snickered as he downed the rest of his beer.

  “What’s funny over here?” Stevie walked up behind me, handing me a soda, her other hand holding a red cup.

  “Doug being Doug.” Jones continued to giggle, he and Megan clearly high as hell. He pounded on Doug’s shoulder. “Always entertaining, man.”

  “I’m gonna get another beer. Anyone want anything?” Chris stood up, pointing around the group, not changing his expression as he looked at Stevie, as though she was just anyone else at the party.

  “I’m good.” I held up my soda.

  “I’ll take another.” Doug raised his hand.

  “Me too,” Megan added.

  Stevie snorted beside me at Megan’s response, making me glance at her. I saw Megan shift in her seat, her teeth grinding. I knew they didn’t care for each other, a friend-protecting-her-friend kind of thing, but this seemed strange. I sent Stevie an inquisitive look, but she shrugged and glanced away.

  Chris took off, not looking at Stevie. Watching her, I saw her mouth part slightly, her neck craning around to watch him walk away, her shoulders tightening. She didn’t even try to hide that she was staring at him.

  Oh. Well played, Chris, I thought. Knowing Stevie like I did, if he had shown her a sliver of emotion or interest, she would have backed away, running for the hills and acting like he was being too clingy. His disinterest only reeled her in like a fish.

  “I think I actually need a refill.” Stevie still stared after him, her lids narrowed. “There’s a hot girl over there anyway. You okay, Whiskey?”