Tangled: A New Adult Romance Boxed Set (12 Book Bundle of Billionaires, Bad Boys, and Royalty)

by Lakes, Krista

  “Leah,” I said, offering a hand for a very formal handshake. Tim seemed a little surprised, but he gripped my palm, gave it a firm squeeze. “Oh,” I said, remembering what Vanessa had told me minutes ago, “happy birthday, by the way.”

  She shot me a strange look, one I couldn't quite place. But Tim, he lit up, propping his hands on his hips. “Well, thanks! I'm shocked you knew about that! Here, let me get you a drink.”

  “Yeah, sounds great,” I replied, trying to communicate with Vanessa without actually speaking. I raised my eyebrows at her, but she turned away, talking to one of the other people standing around. Is she mad at me for some reason?

  Tim handed me a beer, then instantly turned to wander off as someone else called out to him. Left to my own devices, I took a deep swig of my drink, sighing. Well, here I am. New life. I should really do the social thing.

  I turned, scanning my eyes over the crowd, trying to spot someone I could strike up a conversation with. I saw Vanessa, who had moved over to talk with Tim again. They were laughing, smiling, so I crossed them both off my list.

  Gotta say, she's sort of leaving me to the sharks here, ugh.

  There were a number of people standing around, but none of them seemed... approachable? I couldn't put my finger on it, tilting my head back for another swig of beer. That was when I heard the shout.

  “Look out!”

  Blinking, I absorbed the words, watching the soccer ball coming my way. It fell slower than I thought it should have, the kind of speed where you want to just step out of the way.

  Unfortunately, I didn't move.

  Solid, it crashed into my head, the only saving grace being that I turned away just enough so it didn't hit my face. I was sure it would have broken my nose. My brain filled with a dizzying rush, like someone had taken me, shook me violently while inverted. The sharp pain, the shock, it drove me down. I fell towards the sand as the blackness seeped into my vision, then took me far away.

  ****

  “Is she okay?”

  “What happened?”

  “Oh god, make sure she isn't bleeding!”

  All the voices floated around me, but none of them were familiar. Who's talking, what's going on? It hurt to think, I winced, reaching for my head in the darkness.

  “Easy,” someone spoke. I recognized that voice, which was impossibly strange, because it was sweet, thick as caramel. It was a southern drawl that I shouldn't have known, how could I?

  Then it sank in.

  That was the voice who had called out to me, tried to warn me. Warn me? Right, I got hit in the head. The blackness swam in my eyes, but I slowly forced them open, wanting to see what was going on around me. Faces were everywhere, each of them wide eyed, concerned. Well, that wasn't entirely true. I spotted a few slurping their beers, the only expression being that of curiosity. Which was fine, really, it wasn't like it was some big deal.

  Something touched my arm as I went to sit up, something warm and firm. “Don't move, the beach medic is coming.”

  I looked up, my eyes falling on the owner of that pleasant, rolling voice. He was bent over me, closer than anyone else. Strong forearms rested on either side of me, lips pursed in a line of concern. Those eyes, I couldn't tell if they were green or gold, they kept shifting in the fire light. All together, it made me think about the movies where the girl is getting CPR, then she'd wake up to find the lifeguard so close, a scene that was always so intense, so...

  Cliché. Oh god, why am I thinking about things like that? How hard did that ball hit me?

  Suddenly self aware of my bikini clad body, the nearness of myself to this far too handsome stranger, I blushed uncomfortably, trying to move. “I'm fine, really—” The pain bloomed, making me hiss as I grabbed at my temple. Shit, that hurts, okay, maybe not fine.

  He gripped my shoulders, helping me sit up carefully. “You got hit pretty hard, just calm down.”

  “I'm really fine,” I mumbled, ignoring his help, forcing myself to my knees. I couldn't do it, lie there while everyone looked at me, worrying and thinking I was some dainty flower. Who gets hit by a soccer ball like this, is my luck that bad? “Where's Vanessa?” I realized I hadn't seen her in the crowd.

  “Oh, she's terrifying some children.”

  I blinked, stunned enough to forget my pain a moment. The young man holding me, making me acutely sure that his fingers did indeed still exist, were in fact still on my bare shoulders, pointed behind me. Carefully, I turned, and what I saw actually made me smile.

  Vanessa stood some distance down the beach, a soccer ball in her hands as she waved her arms, admonishing a pair of teenage boys. To their credit, they looked properly ashamed. I couldn't quite tell what Vanessa was saying, but when she finally stopped, the voice of the boys was clear in the fading daylight.

  “We're sorry, the ball got away, we'll be more careful!”

  She frowned, but offered them the sphere reluctantly. The kids scurried away with their toy, no doubt grateful to escape the intimidating lecture from my friend. Vanessa turned, met my eyes, then showed me how fast she could move when she rushed over.

  “Leah, are you okay?” She fell beside me, tossing sand, hugging me roughly. I realized the stranger with his perfectly confusing eyes had let me go. Vanessa was a bundle of arms, wrapping me tight, blinding me. I wanted to see where he had gone, wanted to ask him his name, but there wasn't a moment for it.

  “Yeah, it's not a big deal.” I tried to pry her off, she gave me an inch of room. “Everyone can chill out, it was just a tap to the head.”

  “The medic is coming,” she assured me, pointing to the small vehicle driving up the sand towards us. I felt all the eyes on me, biting my lip in a hot flush of frustration.

  “I don't need a medic, I'm fine.” I didn't want a doctor, I didn't like this kind of stuff, but how could they know that? I was mortified, but I kept my mouth shut as the paramedic arrived to inform them all of what I had already said.

  He was fast, thorough, I hated every second. In the end, after he asked me a few questions, prodded me some, he gave me an ice pack then went on his way.

  The entire group, of which I still only knew Vanessa and Tim, stared at me covertly as I got to my feet. I wanted to say to them all, 'hey, I'm fine, relax guys!' But I didn't. I just turned to Vanessa, frowning.

  “I need another beer.”

  She grabbed me one, doting over me, making me feel smothered. Wordlessly, I tilted back the bottle, draining the entire contents. I knew I shouldn't have, it was stupid, but I just wanted everyone to see I was fine.

  Wiping my mouth dry, I shot a look at the groove in the sand where I had fallen. Vanessa lifted a hand, waving it in front of my dazed eyes. “Leah, are you okay?”

  “Yes, yeah,” I shrugged, holding up the bottle with a weak smile. I gestured with it at the horizon, the smudge of red melting into purple. “I've got a buzz, the sun is setting in California, everything is fine.”

  In the process of trying to assuage my friend's fears, I noticed him again. The guy who had called out to me, he was standing by the roaring bonfire. In the light of the flames, his short hair was redder than the coals. I wanted to talk to him, to thank him better, but Vanessa started hugging me tight, making ridiculous noises.

  “I'm so glad you're fine, how terrible would it have been if you'd gotten badly hurt on your first day here?”

  “Right, but I wasn't.” I disengaged myself, offering her the empty beer bottle. “Where should I put this?”

  My friend hesitated, I wondered if I wasn't reacting how she had expected. Lifting an arm, she motioned at a trash can off to the side. “You can probably throw it out there.”

  “Thanks.” I tried to give her a reassuring grin, but it was shaky. Looking up, I saw the trash can, but I also saw my real target. The guy who had warned me was standing between me and the garbage, hanging out near a few other people, talking casually.

  My steps as I approached were nonchalant, but inside I was panicking. I
didn't know what I was thinking, why I wanted to talk to this stranger so badly, but I was going for it. When I was a few feet away, he looked up, over the heads of his companions, fixing the brightest smile on me. His teeth were perfect, a row of porcelain white.

  Dammit, why does he have to look so good. Dammit, dammit.

  “Hey,” he said, the nearby people glancing around to see who he was talking to. “How are you feeling?”

  “Uh, fine,” I shrugged, not wanting to discuss how I 'felt' anymore. I held up the beer bottle, then asked a question I knew the answer to. “Do you know where I can put this?”

  “Oh, perfect,” he lit up, taking it from me, holding it high. “Another piece to add to my very rare used-beer bottle-collection.”

  I wasn't prepared, I laughed hard; a real, vibrant sound that came from my core. I wasn't used to men making me laugh. He seemed pleased by my reaction, dropping the container into the trash. “So, you're Vanessa's friend, right?”

  “Yeah,” I offered my hand, “Leah Rook.”

  His own palm found mine, his grip warm, firm, I felt my blood quicken. “Deacon Day.”

  “Deacon?” I blinked, pulling back my hand, fidgeting with my sweater sleeves. His eyes were so calm when they rested on me, it was throwing me off. “I've never known anyone named that before.” It sounds nice. I didn't think I should tell him that.

  “Oh, really? They're usually leaders of a church.”

  I wrinkled my brow, cocking my head and laughing uneasily. “Wait, what are?” Oh no, what is he talking about?

  “Deacons.” He shrugged, studying my face as he explained. “It's generally the oldest person in a church. In fact, I think my grandfather might be one in his.”

  Squeezing my arms together, a felt an apprehensive flicker twist in my stomach. Who the heck is this guy? Is my attempted hero really some devout religious follower? “Sorry,” I laughed, “I don't know much about religion or churches and things.”

  “'And things?'” He grinned, quoting me. “Where are you from that you don't know much about religion?”

  “No where important,” I mumbled lamely. I didn't want to talk about where I was from, I was supposed to have escaped all of that. “Where are you from, though? My guess would be the deep south with that accent.”

  “Almost,” Deacon laughed, the sound making me swell with a helpless grin. “Kentucky, and my accent isn't even that noticeable, I thought.”

  “Maybe to a deaf person.”

  “Maybe you're just paying too much attention.” His eyes flashed, I wondered if it was just from the fire.

  We stood there for a moment, me rocking on my heels, Deacon seeming relaxed. What am I doing? Am I making friends, or flirting with potentially the least likely person ever? I couldn't have run into anyone more the opposite of myself. I was also curious, but as the seconds went by, becoming more terrified of accidentally offending him than anything else. What if I swear, will that bother him? Why did my parents never take me to church, even once, so I could have a better idea on how to behave right now?

  “Uh, hey, listen,” I started, digging my toe into the sand. “I really just wanted to say thanks.”

  “For what?”

  I stared at him, not positive he wasn't messing with me. “For helping me back there, you tried to warn me about the soccer ball.”

  “Well, tried is sort of the keyword. I didn't stop you from getting beaned.” His mouth made a slight frown, his hand reaching forward to touch softly on the side of my head. It was sudden, and I felt myself holding my own breath.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No,” I heard myself say, amazed at my own voice. Was he actually worried about me? I remembered the time I had fallen on my apartment's stairs, cutting my knees. Owen had chastised me for being a klutz and complaining about the pain.

  “There will probably be a little bruise,” he said. It made me think about the one on my back, my belly flipping nervously. At least he can't see that one.

  Deacon was still touching me when I heard the sob, the familiar sound of Vanessa's voice. Jerking away, the spell broken, I spotted her where she stood just outside the circle of firelight. She was hunched over, at first I didn't know what was wrong. I caught a glimpse of her hand by her ear, understanding she was on her phone.

  As if she sensed my stare, she turned, catching my eyes with her own wide, wet ones.

  “I'm sorry,” I blurted, already moving as I gave Deacon one last glance. He was nodding, like he understood.

  The sand was cool outside of the fire, my feet sinking in deep. Before I could ask Vanessa what was wrong, she wrapped me in a hug, dropping her phone.

  “It's Greg,” she cried, her tears coming in a rush. “He's going to break up with me!”

  Chapter 5.

  ––––––––

  Surprisingly, Vanessa's boyfriend wasn't actually leaving her.

  I held her shoulders, looking her in the eye, listening to her explanation in disbelief. “Wait,” I cut her off. “You think he's breaking up with you because he can't make it out here tonight?”

  “He's avoiding me,” she explained, her eyes pink, wet like watermelon around the edges. “He got off work an hour ago, and now he doesn't want to come. Do you think he's seeing Talia? That has to be the reason!” Her voice was ragged, it was clear she was upset, but I was having a hard time absorbing her logic.

  “Wait, Talia, who—Vanessa,” I said, “there probably is a reason, sure. But isn't it possible he's just... tired, or anything other than planning a break up or cheating on you or something?”

  Her expression shifted, she watched me in a fashion that made the hairs on my neck prickle. I knew that look, I knew the energy of someone directing their anger at me. It's funny, I hadn't expected to feel that particular rush of fear ever again. No, I ran away from this, how can this be happening here. In my core, I shivered, and I hated myself for that.

  “You think I'm overreacting, don't you?” Her voice was so cold.

  “I mean,” oh shit what do I do, “I'm only saying it might not be as bad as you think!”

  “It is as bad as I think, I'm not paranoid!”

  “I didn't say...”

  Vanessa suddenly seemed bigger. Intimidating, hunched, like a tight spring that would explode on me if I moved at all.

  So I didn't.

  I just stood there, waited for what I was sure was going to be some sort of attack. The moment was broken when she bent down in the sand, digging around, looking for her fallen phone.

  “Hey,” I whispered, clearing my throat. “Hey, sorry, I'm just trying to help. You know Greg better than I do. I'm really sorry. Okay?” Apologizing, for something I didn't think I needed to, it was all so familiar. I nearly jumped when she stood, my body pumping with anxious energy, the kind that would let me turn, sprint down the beach never looking back.

  “It's fine,” she said. It was clear she was still angry, but it had shifted from something boiling, to just a brooding heat. “It's not a big deal. Can we go home, though?” Like that, she started to deflate, so I quickly agreed. Anything to make that situation change.

  “Yeah, of course. I haven't even seen where I'm staying yet.” I gave a nervous laugh, she offered a fragile smile. Together, we walked back to the circle of light. I reached out, rubbing her back, trying to keep a calm expression on my face. Inside, though, I was in turmoil.

  How could that have frightened me so much? She just... she only raised her voice, right? My feet slid into my sandals, I gathered up my clothes from the ground. No, it was more than that. It had to be. Mumbling friendly farewells to everyone, my arm made quick goodbye waves. Some people made jokes about the soccer ball, I didn't even know what they said, but I made myself laugh for them.

  What happened back there, it made me relive that feeling. Everything I ran from, it all came back when I saw that anger in her eyes. That was how Owen would look when he...

  Deacon was standing in front of me, I found my insides tw
isting as I understood, at that moment, just how broken I was. What I had sworn to Vanessa earlier that day, everything about staying away from relationships, I had been more right than I'd known. If I let anyone in, if I even tried, I'd only drag them down with me into my emotional mess, my hang ups, my past. And now, I knew that. If I freaked out when Vanessa raised her voice, that had to mean it'd happen if anyone else did it, right?

  His teeth were so white, his tone melting. “See you soon?” He asked.

  I offered my hand, gave a quick squeeze. I could see it in his eyes, he was watching me in a way that should have filled me with delight and excitement.

  “Yeah,” I said, feeling Vanessa tugging my wrist. I let her lead me away. “See you sometime.”

  His green eyes watched me go, but he had no idea how gone I already was.

  ****

  I was exhausted when we finally got back to Vanessa's, caring very little about what her place looked like by that point. It was dark, but I could tell it was a small apartment, the door almost hidden down a long path between another building and a small fence hanging with flowers from the little trees on the other side.

  She hadn't said much to me since the drive, but as we entered, she turned on the light, gesturing. “Welcome to your temporary home.”

  Setting my two bags down on the floor, I walked around the living room, noticing I could see the kitchen and bathroom at the same time. “Where am I sleeping?” I followed her nod, seeing the couch, the blankets. I didn't argue, I had slept on worse things than that. “And where do you sleep?”

  “My room is over there,” she pointed, indicating a door by the bathroom I hadn't noticed yet. I flopped onto the couch, still in my bikini under my sweater. This day felt like it had gone on forever, pretending I was anything but drained was useless.

  “Hey,” I began, pulling the blanket over me, snuggling inside of it. Vanessa seemed hesitant to meet my eyes, but I pressed on. “Listen. Everything is fine, alright?”

  “It doesn't feel like it.”

  I actually agreed, but I knew I couldn't tell her that. “It will in the morning. Get some sleep, I promise, tomorrow will be better.”