RUIN (Kenshaw Legacy Book 1)

by Piper Frost

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  Cover art by Inked Imprints

  Copyright © 2019 Piper Frost

  I should have graduated by now but missing four months from a broken back and leg had me repeating the seventh grade. It's not a big deal, but what sucks is switching schools my senior year. I didn’t want to. I wanted to stay on the farm and keep helping out my dad, but he had other ideas, I guess. We can’t see eye to eye and I know better than to argue with him. Sometimes I can’t help it, but for the most part, I try to keep my mouth shut. It doesn’t take much to set him off these days, so maybe moving an hour away and living in my aunt’s tiny house will be for the best. She’s rarely home so it’ll be like having my own place. Only problem is I don’t really want my own place. I kind of just want a real family that cares about each other, helps take care of each other. I try my hardest for my younger brother’s sake, but my dad doesn’t like it if he feels like I’m stepping on his parental toes. That’s never my intention, but when my brother doesn’t eat lunch for a couple days in a row, sometimes I have to step in. My dad used to pay me to help out on the farm. Nothing much, but an allowance of sorts. That all stopped about two years ago. And when my mom left last year, having access to food or lunch money completely stopped. So sometimes I’d take a side job here or there just so me and my brother didn’t go hungry. Now that I’m not there I worry about him.

  “You ready for the big day, kiddo?” My aunt’s smile is warm and inviting, nothing like my dad’s.

  They’re siblings, but I think even she has a hard time dealing with him. That’s why she sold him her part of the family farm and moved about an hour away. She has a good job in the city but would rather travel an hour and a half than be close to my dad. My brother and I don’t know her well, but she is family, so when my dad called her to arrange me living with her, she probably felt more obligated than excited to say yes.

  “Yeah.” I nod through my lie.

  Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to leave my old school. As we get older, my peers are becoming more superficial and I don't have much in common with them anymore. But changing schools and trying to get a job when I feel completely out of my element is what I’m dreading. Yeah I live in the south, but not in an area as country as this. The city is a fifteen minute drive away from my farm. Muddin’, horseback ridin’, and four wheelin’ are some of my favorite things to do. But so is driving down the road to a McDonalds. There’s no fast food out here, and your neighbor is no closer than a mile away. The farm has a lot of land, but even so we had a neighbor directly across the street. It’s like when they made this town, they didn’t want neighbors to be able to look each other in the eye.

  The school isn’t much smaller than mine, but that’s not surprising. They need a big building to accommodate all the kids that don’t live local. ‘Cause my old high school thinks they’re so prestigious, they won’t take you if you’re in a different county. That being said, getting lost in a big school on your first day is expected, but I’ve gotten lost three times already and I want to give up.

  I lean against a locker and try to make sense of the map drawn at the bottom of my schedule. I turn it and look down the hall, making sure I’m looking at it right.

  “Man.” I took a wrong turn and I’m going to be late to fifth hour. Thank god the day’s almost over.

  “Need some help?” A guy steps into my view with a smile on his face. Most everyone here wears that courteous smile. Whereas the kids at my old school judge you, and if you don’t fit into their clique you’re not worth a glance.

  “Uh.” Nervously chuckling, I rub the back of my neck, feeling how hot my skin is because I’ve done that at least a dozen times today. Nervous habit. Turning the paper in my hand, I’m still trying to make sense of it, but it’s no use. I point to the poorly drawn picture my first hour teacher made up for me. “Can you tell me where I am?”

  “Hell. Mrs. Smith draw this for ya?” He laughs and folds the paper then pulls a pen from his pocket. In much more precise lines, he maps out the halls in a manner that actually, kind of, makes sense. “Even doors on the right, odds on the left if you’re heading that way.” He points down the hall. “Door numbers match the level they’re on. One hundreds first floor, two hundreds second floor and so on.” He unfolds the paper and looks at my schedule. “We’re both heading for biology so I can walk ya there.”

  “Thanks.” Folding my schedule, I tuck it into my pocket and let him show me the way, wishing I had his help earlier. “Westwind Eagles Team Captain?” I ask, noticing the embroidery on his jacket. “That football?”

  “Yeah.” His proud tone beams before he sticks his hand out. “Gray.”

  “Fenton.” We shake and I hike my bag higher on my shoulder. “I suck at being a new guy. I’ve been at the same school since kindergarten.”

  “Moved your senior year? That’s rough.” He turns a corner. “What’d you like to do at your old school? You into sports?”

  “I was captain of my team.” I smirk. “QB.”

  “No shit? That's awesome, maybe we can get you on the team here. I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Really?” That would be awesome because I already miss playing. “That’d be great, man. Thanks.” We walk into class and I stop because I don’t have a seat yet.

  “Come on, man,” Gray says, nodding to the seat next to him. “Got you a spot.” A shorter kid that was about to sit down shuffles toward the back and I almost feel guilty. “Mr. Ramirez is late every day, so you’re good.”

  “Uh, thanks.” I glance back to the short kid, almost telling him I’ll sit back there, but he’s already occupied with someone else, so I take a seat and look over at Gray who gives me a smile.

  I’m grateful Gray was around to help, but I wish I would have met him first hour. Not that the kids I’ve met so far are all that bad, but none as helpful as Gray. I got three phone numbers today and at lunch two different groups wanted to hang out with me. It’s cool and all, making friends and having the girls want my attention; I don’t usually have a hard time with that. But in the five minutes I’ve known Gray these halls make much more sense, and he’s already talking about me joining the football team.

  My pen rolls to the floor and I lean down, pausing when a pair of shoes stop right next to my hand. Turning my head, I’m faced with a pair of tan, smooth legs waiting for me to get out of the way. I look up past the short shorts then quickly move out of the way for the cute blonde who’s grinning down at me.

  “Sorry,” I blurt trying not to look too stupid, but I shouldn’t have checked her out like that with her staring at me. There are a few good looking girls in this school, but not like this one. I don’t want to look away.

  Gray exchanges a few words with her and she giggles before moving to the back of the class. I close my eyes a minute, hoping she’s not his girlfriend because I’m pretty sure everyone just saw me check her out. Would make sense the hottest girl in this school is dating the football captain. That’s kind of how it happened at my old school. Except my ex has nothing on this girl. When my ex smiles, the whole room doesn’t light up like it just did for this girl
. When my ex smiles, people take cover.

  I drop my head and wait for the teacher, ready for this day to be over. It wasn’t horrible, but being the new kid really does suck.

  Pretty soon someone on my left taps me. “Will you hand this to Gray?” a girl asks, holding out a condom.

  My eyes go wide and I turn my head to look at him. He’s talking to someone else so I bump his arm and point to the girl trying to pass a condom across me. Gray looks over at her and winks then slides the condom in his back pocket before turning and continuing his conversation.

  “Sorry I’m late!” An old guy with glasses falling off his face practically runs into the room. “Open your books!”

  “Mr. R, you got a new student today.” Gray speaks up and I want to walk out of school and never come back. I’m over the introductions and telling a little about myself.

  The teacher’s eyes scan the room with his eyebrows pushed together. “Oh.” He shuffles through the papers that were in his hands. “Yes, okay. What’s your name, son?”

  “Fenton...Sterling." I'm trying to talk loud enough so he can hear me, but this class is a rodeo.

  “What?” The teacher brings the paper closer to his face to read my name on the list. As he tries to silence the room I feel like I’m about an inch tall. “Come on up...uh...Fenton.” The teacher waves me forward and everyone around me starts to get quiet. When I don’t budge, he tells me again in an annoyed tone, “Let’s get this over with. Come tell all the ladies about yourself. Handsome guy like you, I’m sure they’re dying to hear.” It's like this guy is going out of his way to try and embarrass me, and it’s working.

  A few girls whistle and cat-call while Gray and another guy hoop and roll their fist. All day I’ve been introducing myself, but it hasn’t been this embarrassing. My cheeks are on fire but I stand, keeping close to my desk.

  Even though I want to walk out the doors, I lift my head and project my voice. “I’m Fenton Sterling. I moved here from Okama.” I’m not necessarily shy, but I just don’t like putting myself out there. Giving people reasons to judge me, or even really getting to know me. My family life has a lot going on and I don’t want to share it.

  “What do you like to do, Fenton Sterling?” the condom girl asks and I glance at her grinning over at me.

  “Check out Paige,” someone yells and I look back in confusion but the class starts to laugh and they’re all looking at the cute blonde who’s got a nice set of legs that I did blatantly check out.

  “Uh, no. I mean, you’re...no. I like football.” I quickly sit and glance over at Gray who chuckles.

  With a head shake I drop down in my seat.

  “Alright, can we please get on with class?” Mr. Ramirez starts his lecture and I bury myself in trying to focus on the work and not on the fact that I feel condom girl’s eyes on me the whole hour.

  The last hour of the day went by quickly and without a hitch after the awkward introduction. Gray got pulled out early so I was kind of bummed we weren’t able to talk about football. I need to figure out when sign-ups are, but I just want to get home today.

  Keeping my head down, I head for the road. My dad said I can’t have my car back until I show him I’m a man, so until then, I’ll be making the few mile hike to and from my aunt’s house. Doesn’t bother me. Except a day like today when it’s all sun and eighty-seven degrees.

  A horn honks and I jump, thinking I’m about to get hit, but the condom girl giggles as she slowly pulls up next to me.

  “Hey, want a ride?”

  “Uh.” Turning my view down the road, I think about the boring walk. “I could.” I look behind me when someone calls my name and I see Gray jogging our way.

  “Hold up.” He grins and nods at condom girl. “I’ve got him, babe.” Giving her a wink, he looks at me and asks, “You ready?”

  “Yeah. Sure.” Feeling bad I don’t remember condom girl’s name after she told me twice while in class, I tap her car and tell her, “Thanks for the offer,” then turn to Gray, “Ready for what? I probably should have asked that.” I really don’t need to be getting in any trouble around here.

  “Football. First game’s Friday. You missed summer sign up but I took care of it. Gotta show us what you’re all about so coach starts you, city boy.”

  I chuckle. “I’m not a city boy. I lived on a farm...by the city.” He laughs at me and I smile. I am a city boy compared to these kids. “You sure it’s cool if I tag along?”

  We walk past the school and I step to the side when a couple of cheerleaders jog past us. Not able to help it, I stare until one looks back and grins at me. Dropping my head I rub the back of my neck. My girlfriend of two years was a cheerleader. She didn’t care when I told her I was moving and that kind of tore me up. Haven’t talked to her since. I need to stay away from the cheerleaders.

  “It’s cool, coach loves me. He’ll let you practice. Just don’t screw it up and you’ll be on the team. We’re down a guy anyway.” He heads into the locker rooms. “You have gym clothes?”

  “Yeah. I’m good.” I grin in excitement. If I make the team, being forced to live here might not be so bad. I’d rather still be living at home but joining the team might help this experience not seem so bad.

  Gray leads the way to the coach and I almost tell him to forget it when I see a muscular guy covered in tattoos. My coach was short with a beer belly, but the guy had a voice you could hear across two football fields. This guy looks like he’d run two football fields just to spike me into the dirt. My steps slow and I fall back.

  “Your sister out there?” he asks Gray. “I need a sitter this weekend.”

  I rub at my neck, waiting for him to notice me.

  “Somewhere, yeah. I think she’s free. Hey listen, this is Fenton. He's new and needs on the team. QB at his old school.”

  Tattoo guy looks me over. “He’s new,” he says in annoyance. “And needs on the team.” Sizing me up a couple times, his brows raise and he looks at Gray with his hands on his hips. “Seriously? What the hell do you think this is? I’m not running a shit show.” He turns to me and says, “We play to win. If you’re not going to win, get the fuck out of here.”

  “Uh.” I glance at Gray who starts to laugh.

  “Did you see his face?” The coach asks, laughing it up with Gray. “Yeah, if you can play, you’re welcome. But seriously, I like when we win, so you better be good." Taking a step toward me, he puts his hand out for a shake I react quickly to. “I’m Coach Matthews. I’ll try not to steal your little girlfriends but chicks flock to me.”

  This guy can’t be serious, but that’s all he says before he walks away. My eyes find Gray’s and I’m trying not to ask what the fuck just happened.

  “Don’t mind him. He's harmless...I think.” Gray laughs. “Dude’s like an uncle to me so he can’t tell me no. Welcome to the team.”

  That was too easy. Luckily I take the game seriously so hopefully I won’t be kicked off. Things are much easier around here than they are at my house. I don’t answer to anyone because my aunt’s rarely around. These people at this school don’t seem like they want to drag anyone down to get themselves to the top. And I just made the football team without even showing what I can do. This won’t be so bad.

  Getting into practice, I go hard. I’ve only been at my aunt’s for three weeks, but she doesn’t have much in the way of physical labor to do around her house, so I was starting to feel weak. But football will help maintain what I’ve worked hard for as far as my body goes. And hopefully I’ll be a ranch hand soon. Not that I’m looking forward to that, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

  As I hit the sled someone yells a name I’ve been hearing about for years.

  Kenshaw.

  Looking up, I try to figure out who said it and who Kenshaw is. That’s a name I’m looking out for. The Kenshaws.

  “Sterling.” When I'm tripped, the guy starts to laugh. “Pay attention.” Grabbing my hand, he pulls me up. “Fuck you doin’?”

 
“Uh, sorry.” I glance around but can’t find who yelled or who Kenshaw is.

  “I’m Kirby.” He bumps fists with me. “Now get your ass runnin’.”

  “Fenton, someone holding your balls?” coach yells. “Then run, motherfucker!”

  I take off in a sprint before I’m either kicked off the team, or my ass is kicked by this guy.

  Gray offers me a ride and I take it ‘cause I don’t know these roads that well and I don’t want to be walking around past dark trying to get back to my aunt’s.

  “Thanks, man.” Getting in, I close the door and glance at him ‘cause he’s not taking off. I follow his line of sight and see three cheerleaders headed for his truck. “You giving them a ride?” I ask and open my door, jumping out in case one of these girls is his girlfriend.

  And hopefully it’s not the one I checked out in class earlier. But she’s headed our way and it’s hard as hell not to stare at her. I’ve never seen legs like that in person. She’s got perfect lips too, and any time I’ve seen her today, she’s been smiling. It’s the best smile I’ve ever seen. Warm, inviting, and sexy. Girls at my old school don’t smile like this. My guess is ‘cause they’re not actually happy like this girl seems to be. But she gives off this vibe. Not the ‘fuck me’ vibe the girls at my old school gave off either. It’s like she’s confident, calm, and isn’t looking for a fuckboy. Which makes me glance at Gray. No offense to him but a girl passed him a condom in sixth hour today.

  When the cheerleaders get to the front of Gray’s truck, two of the three wiggle their fingers at him while giggling then wander away. The blonde doesn’t even spare him a glance as she heads toward my side.

  “Hey,” she says, locking eyes with me. “Thanks.” She slides in the cab and tosses her bag to the floor.

  “It’s gonna be crammed man, sorry. I thought she was riding home with her friend.” He rolls his eyes and starts the truck. “Let’s move, we’ve got homework still!”

  “No problem,” I mumble sliding in. “I appreciate the ride anyway.” I lean against the door, trying to give the girl some space because she’s turned away from him like they might be fighting. “I’m Fenton,” I tell her as Gray takes off.