Savage Rose: A High School Bully Romance (Rosehaven Academy Book 1)

by Leila James

  Empty.

  In frustration, I pull everything out of the entire backpack, shaking it upside down, then go through each thing to make sure it’s not caught up somewhere.

  The longer I search, the harder it gets to see through the tears beginning to blur my vision. Hot, wet streaks flow down my cheeks.

  Knock, knock.

  On a gasp, I look over my shoulder. I clear my throat. “Yeah?” The rough quality of that one word betrays just how upset I am.

  “Scarlett, are you almost ready to go? Uncle David made pancakes for you.”

  My gaze shoots to the small clock on my bedside table. Oh, shit. How long have I been wigging out? I squeeze my eyes shut, swiping at my face with my hands.

  “Um. I’ll be down in a few. I-I overslept.”

  “Can I come in? You sound upset, sweetie.”

  “No, I … I mean I’m getting dressed. I’m okay. I promise.”

  Is it possible someone took my bracelet? My face falls. And here I thought I was finally getting somewhere. Would Xander do this to me? I hope not. And he’d just made Aria give back my homework. Why take the bracelet? I guess it could have been anyone. Shit. I scrub my hands over my face and recall that I had left class to use the bathroom after I’d finished my essay. That’s the only time I remember my backpack being out of my sight all day yesterday. Unless maybe I missed the pocket and it ended up on the floor for someone else to find? It’s really my only hope. I can no longer hold in the ragged sob building in my chest. I can’t believe I lost the last gift my mother gave me.

  Chapter 27

  “I’ve got to admit, I’m completely confused.” Max side-eyes me from the driver’s seat of the slick, black BMW X5. He taps his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music flooding his car. Max agreed to come to the party with me tonight. Daphne, true to herself, had said it wasn’t her scene but couldn’t wait to hear about it when we got home.

  “Do you mean you’re confused about why you ever deigned to be seen in my shitty truck last week when we could have ridden in this beauty instead? I think this is the nicest vehicle my ass has ever had the privilege of sitting in. Don’t tell Ruth I said so.”

  He snorts. “Thanks. I think. Anyway, no, I was referring to the unexpected invite to join in on the festivities tonight. How’d we go from the blowing-Xander-in-class rumor earlier this week to an invitation to a party at Beau’s?”

  I chew on my lip as we approach the large, fancy homes closest to the academy. All the nerve endings in my body begin to prickle with anxiety. In an effort to divert attention from my rising panic, I huff out a laugh, “Don’t think I didn’t hear you say we in the same breath as blowing Xander.”

  He chuckles, giving the steering wheel a couple more taps with his fingers. “I can dream, can’t I?”

  I stifle another laugh as best I can. “You’re terrible.” I wet my lips, thinking about his question. “So, the answer to how’d we go from there to here—I’m telling you, Xander’s been apologizing for a couple of days now.”

  I hesitate with how much I should actually tell Max. I mean, how do I tell him that the same guy who has been giving me hell since school started had his hand in my panties last night making me moan in a way I never have before? Knowing Max, he’d probably call me a dumbass and follow up by asking me to tell him every detail.

  “What? Wait. He apologized?”

  “Well, you were there when he tried to talk to me after class. Then he followed me out on the trails during practice on Wednesday to say he was sorry. I only half believed him, though.” That’s because he’d kissed me, made me feel things—then threw it right back in my face. “But then he came into the ice cream shop last night while I was working. I think he feels some kind of remorse for going as far as he has. Micah actually brought up the tripping incident, saying it was an accident, and offered an apology.” I catch his eye. “Then Xander apologized, too.”

  “But what he said to you was no fucking accident, Cupcake.”

  I nod. “I know. I pointed that out to him. Anyway, he’s taken me on one hell of a wild roller-coaster ride. He claims it’s because Aria is jealous, even though they aren’t together.”

  Max rolls his eyes. “I just hope he’s not playing you. I wouldn’t put it past him.”

  I shrink down in my seat. Yeah. I’m totally not telling him about the Xandergasm. No can do.

  “Well, I’m here for you. And obviously I won’t be drinking if I’m driving, so you can have fun if that’s what feels right.”

  My hand reaches out, patting the back of his where it rests on the center console. “I really appreciate your friendship, Max. I’ve been nothing but a pain in your ass since the minute you laid eyes on me.”

  “Not true.”

  “Oh, come on,” I sigh.

  “Did you ever think maybe there’s a reason Daphne and I stick around?”

  I glance out the window at the huge McMansion we’ve just pulled up outside of. Distracted by the obnoxious display of wealth, I murmur, “Why’s that?”

  “Because you’re a cool chick, Scarlett Miller. I think Xander sees it, too. He just hasn’t fully admitted it to himself yet. The question of why he’s behaving like a dick to you half the time? That I can’t answer. Maybe it is Aria. Maybe not. Maybe he didn’t want to want you because of all that. But I think he does.”

  Judging by the raging hard-on Xander had last night, I’d have to agree. If I close my eyes, I can still feel him between my legs. I suppress a delicious shiver. “This reminds me of this kid back in third grade who pushed me down on the playground, only to help me up and try to kiss me right afterward. He said he wanted to be my boyfriend and didn’t know how else to get my attention.”

  Max snorts with laughter. “Come on, then. I’ll make sure Xander doesn’t push you down and try to kiss you. Unless you want him to.” He winks and gets out of the SUV, slamming the door behind him.

  I guess this is it. A party with the Roses. Suddenly, I feel very inadequate. I step out and shut the door, then find Max waiting with a hand outstretched. I reach mine out to take it, and for about the hundredth time today, my heart sinks when I glimpse my bare wrist. I’d asked Mrs. Harden this morning if she’d seen my bracelet, and she hadn’t. I’m guessing it hadn’t grown legs and walked out of my bag—more like someone had gotten in there and snatched it.

  “It’s just a party, Scarlett. Breathe.”

  I nod and do my best to refocus. My eyes are as big as saucers when we approach the front door. This place is so enormous, I bet ten families could live here comfortably. Letting my eyes roam over it, I have to admit, it’s gorgeous. The outside is a pale, cream-colored brick with huge windows and a thick wooden door at the entrance. I can feel the vibration of the music coming from inside the house.

  “Max?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m freaking out a little bit.”

  He squeezes my hand. “You’ll be fine. I get invited to these all the time and hardly ever come. They’ll be so surprised to see me, they won’t notice you sneaking in.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “Ready?”

  Chapter 28

  There’s a whole lot of shouting and laughing just on the other side of the door. Max reaches for the doorknob and looks to me for my answer.

  I nod. “Let’s do this.”

  When I’d gotten into his SUV earlier, Max assured me he was wearing swim trunks underneath his joggers. Gingerly, I finger the strap of my bathing suit, tucking it back under the slouchy black blouse I’d thrown on top. I’d paired it with skinny jeans and ballet flats. I’m hoping to blend right into the crowd. I don’t really care if we actually swim or drink or dance. Survive without humiliating myself or being humiliated—that’s the goal for the night, nothing more. And maybe show them I’m not intimidated by them, the big house, or the fancy neighborhood.

  Somewhere toward the back of the house, a door must have opened because as we enter the foyer, the volume increases and whoops and spl
ashes hit the air, coming from outside. Feminine squeals. Giggles. More splashing.

  “People are seriously in the pool? Isn’t it a little cold for that at night?”

  “Nah. It’s heated. You’ll see.” He swings my hand in his between us. “Come on.”

  It’s a lot to take in. In the big entryway, a ton of people hang around talking, most of them with red Solo cups in hand. I’d assumed there’d be drinking going on, but now I’m curious. “Are Beau’s parents here?”

  Max laughs. “Yep. Somewhere. This place is big enough they just retreat to wherever and lock the door.”

  My gaze follows a couple of girls, both with cups in hand. “They don’t care …?”

  “We’ve been read the riot act before. If things get too out of hand, his parents will forbid more parties. There’ve been a couple of close calls in the last year, I guess. But their theory seems to be that they’d rather we drink under their roof than who knows where. I kind of see their point.”

  “Does Beau always host?”

  “Usually, but sometimes Micah.”

  I chew on my lip, not wanting to ask, but Max reads my expression perfectly. “Xander, hardly ever.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well, his stepdad is out of town on business a lot, but his mom is usually home with his little sister. Isabella wouldn’t put up with this bullshit at all. Not with a five-year-old in the house.”

  Our eyes follow a very drunk guy as he climbs the stairs, awkwardly works himself to a sitting position on the bannister and slides halfway down before jumping off.

  “I see what you mean.”

  “Yeah, sometimes things get pretty crazy. Come on, lemme show you around.” Max tugs my hand, and I follow him through the house. I think the entire senior class must be here—minus Daphne, of course—and probably part of the junior class, too. I seem to remember hearing Beau has a brother a year younger than he is, who is also a football player. Go figure.

  When we get to the kitchen, I have to blink as I take it all in because it’s a lot. There’s a veritable sea of liquor, bottles of soda, and other mixers spread across the marble countertop of a massive island that spans the entire width of the kitchen. At one end, there are a bunch of coolers with bottled beer, wine coolers, and hard seltzers.

  “What, no keg?”

  Max snickers. “It’s usually out back.”

  I’ve just started to laugh when I get the feeling someone is looming over my shoulder. Jerking my head to the side, my eyes meet solid bare chest, and I realize I’m going to have to look up to see who it is.

  “What’re you doing here, Scarlett?” Micah’s low rumbling is enough to make me question my sanity in deciding to come at all.

  “Oh. Hi. Um …” My forehead creases. “Xander invited me.”

  Micah’s brows lift slowly. “Really? He didn’t tell us.”

  There’s a commotion to our left as Beau strides through the crowd, bottle of beer in hand. He stops, frowning. “What’s she doing here?” He juts his chin toward me, but directs his question to Micah, as if he should know the answer.

  Max draws me into his side, putting a protective arm around my shoulders. “She was invited. Go ask your buddy. Even if he hadn’t invited her, she’s here with me, so it doesn’t fucking matter, now does it?” He shoots Beau a challenging stare.

  Beau quirks one eyebrow up and makes a face like he doesn’t believe Max, but then his gaze lands on me. “I guess not. And you’re here, so”—his expression does a one-eighty into a smile—“how about a drink?”

  I glance at all the bottles of colorful liquor. Truth be told, I’m not a huge drinker, so I have no idea what to even ask for. “Sure. Whatever is fine.” I shrug my shoulder like it’s no big deal.

  It really is like a flip switched, because he’s all party-mode now. “You got it, pretty girl.” Beau rubs his hands together.

  Micah rolls his eyes to the ceiling. “You never should have said that to him.” He cups his hands around his mouth and shouts, “Look out, mad bartender at work!”

  “Shut up, man. You like all the pansy-ass, fruity drinks I make. She’d probably like something similar.” Beau flips him off as he puts ice in a shaker cup, followed by some fruit juice and several shots of liquor.

  My eyes get really big. I have practice at nine tomorrow.

  Micah just shakes his head, saying, “Whatever, man.” Then he proceeds to smack Beau upside the back of the head.

  I giggle a little, imagining our school’s huge tight end sipping on a refreshing, girly cocktail. Max leans in to whisper next to my ear, “They’re certainly putting on a little show for you.”

  My shoulders lift to my ears, and I whisper back, “Let them, I guess.”

  Micah nudges Beau as he’s putting more shots into the shaker. “You’re making enough for me, too, right?”

  Beau snorts. “Yeah.” He picks up the shaker, slaps the other cup on top, and agitates it with a flourish. Using an expert touch, he taps the side of the shaker against the counter and the cups pop apart. He pours the cocktail for two and hands one to me and the other to Micah.

  Micah holds his cup up to me and, as I tap it, he says, “Welcome to Beau’s house.”

  “Thank you.” I take a quick sip of my drink. It’s surprisingly good. “And thank you for mixing my drink, Beau.”

  “Anytime. You like it?”

  I nod. “It’s good.” And it is. I can taste pineapple, rum, and grenadine, who knows what else is in here.

  We hang out for several minutes while other people come up to get drinks, and we watch Beau’s bartending shenanigans all over again. I’ve got to say, I’m amused and kind of glad I came because I’m getting to see a different side of both Beau and Micah. And there’s no better way to understand someone than to get to know their friends.

  Do I want to know Xander? My body says, Hell yes—more please! but my head says, You’re one crazy bitch.

  Beau sidles up to me once his bartending duties are complete again. “How about we give you a little tour?” As my eyes dart to Max’s, Beau’s gaze follows. “You don’t care if we steal her for a bit, right?”

  Micah grunts and holds up a fist to Max. “We’ve got her, Maxman, if you want to see who else is around. You haven’t been to one of these in a while.”

  Max presses his lips together and returns the bump before he tucks his head next to my ear. “I can hang with you, if you want me to—if you’re uncomfortable.”

  I shake my head. “I’m okay, I think. I’ll come find you if I want to go. And just text me if you do.” I yank my phone out and check to make sure it’s on with the ringer volume up to its max, then, satisfied, I tuck it into my back pocket. “I’m down with staying however long you want.”

  “Sounds good.” He winks and backs away before turning around and hurrying toward the double doors leading to the backyard.

  Chapter 29

  Beau clears his throat and nods toward the front hallway. “So, lots of people yapping at each other over that way.”

  I wrinkle my nose at him. “Very important conversations being had while drunk, I’m sure.”

  As we walk, he points to a set of steps going downstairs. “Pool, darts, and Ping-Pong downstairs. A big theater room, too, but no one really goes in there during big parties unless they’re looking for a place to hook up with someone. Same with upstairs.” He points back toward the front of the house. “There are a bunch of bedrooms up there. If you find one locked, it’s either off-limits or it’s already occupied.”

  This drink is making my head fuzzy, and fast. “Occupied?”

  Micah chuckles. “Drunk people in there fucking, most likely.”

  My eyes widen. “Oh.” I rub my fingers over my lips absentmindedly. They’re a little numb. “Got it.”

  Beau laughs and taps me on the nose. “You may want to slow down on that drink.”

  Frowning, I peer into my cup and notice it’s halfway gone. “Oops.”

  “Yeah, oops.�
� He shakes his head with a laugh and continues down a hall. “Are you a fucking lightweight, Scarlett?”

  “Maybe.” I slap playfully at his arm with a giggle.

  He rolls his eyes, and I’m not tipsy enough that I don’t see the Oh, shit look that he exchanges with Micah.

  Micah points at an open bathroom as we walk past it. “Lots of bathrooms. If you wait more than five minutes, find another—”

  I burst out laughing, unable to stop myself. “Because it’s occupied. People fucking. Got it.”

  “Quick learner, right here, folks.” Beau shakes his head again.

  We move into a large living area where people are sitting around talking on the couches that have been pushed against the walls. A whole pack of people are dancing—if you can call it that—in the center of the big room. It’s about as close to sex as you can get with clothes on. I can’t even help myself when my hips begin to wiggle to the beat.

  “Oh man. Time to find Xander, dude.”

  “He’s out back, I think.”

  “Let’s go out there, then.” My lips are way loose. “I think I might like him.”

  Beau and Micah exchange a look and cover their mouths, leading me to the back door.

  When we walk out onto the patio, I stop for a few seconds, scanning the area. Max is across the yard talking to some guy I’ve never seen before. He shoots me a thumbs up, and I return it. So far, so good.

  There are a bunch of people standing around the keg getting beer, including Justin, who waves at me. My gaze drifts over the other guys he’s with, but I have no idea who any of them are.

  The pool is absolutely jam-packed with people playing water volleyball. As I watch, one of the girls jumps up to spike the ball and loses her bikini top. She shrieks and slaps her forearm across her chest. One of her friends comes to her rescue, helping her secure things again.

  Over at the far end of the pool, my gaze lingers a little too long on a couple sucking each other’s faces off. I can’t even help myself—it’s like a train wreck. Can’t look away. From what I can tell, there’s a lot of groping happening, hands disappearing underwater to places better left unsaid. When she starts moaning, I’m surprised no one shouts at them to find a room.