Forever Changed Part One: A College Bully RH Romance (Forever Changed Duet Book 1)

by Amber Nicole

  I climb the stairs, reaching the top. I spot Lay and Jase on a couch in one of the rooms. Jase looks stoned out of his mind. His hair is greasy and he looks like hell. I enter the room and Lay jumps from the couch pulling me into a tight hug and a hot kiss. I go to deepen it, but he backs away. “Hi,” I whisper and he smiles. “Hi, Carson,” he says, taking my hand and pulling me to the couch between him and Jase. I turn to talk to him, but he quickly stands, moving towards the bathroom. “I feel sick,” he mumbles before slamming the door behind him. Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away. “I should go,” I say, then stand and rush out the door. I know Lay is calling my name, but I can’t take this right now.

  Since losing my virginity to Jase, he seems more distant. Everyone warned me, but I just ignored them. I really thought he was the one, otherwise I never would have given him something I always thought Memphis would have. I should have just waited.

  Jase

  I can’t do this anymore. The guilt is eating me alive. Plus I’m lying to Lay. I can’t keep holding her and kissing her after everything I did.

  “Babe, you okay?” Lay asks, knocking on the door. I sit on the side of the tub, and let the tears roll down my cheeks. I wipe them away and clear my throat. “I just need some space. I think I ate something bad, go enjoy the party, Lay,” I softly shout so he can hear me clearly. “If you’re sure? I love you, J,” he says, before walking away. The bedroom door shuts and I let the sobs escape my throat.

  I went home the past few weeks and tried to tell my parents about Penny and the blackmail, but the words never came out. I thought maybe my father could help us. Maybe we could pay Penny off and make all this go away. I should have known, nothing could stop the inevitable. Penny has had us by the balls since freshman year. The night I finally got the balls to go have a conversation with my father, Penny texted with a video of Cara and East together, threatening to show the whole college unless I manned up and came back. So I did, because I’m weak. East bitched about leaving the maid and chef, but sucked it up when our mother suggested we hire a chef. I immediately thought of Cara and her amazing meals, but that would just make things even more complicated. Since being back, I can hardly keep anything down, and thankfully Lay is buying the whole thing about having a stomach flu, because I don’t know how to tell him that I have been hiding things from him. He made me promise to find another way to get the tape back and leave Cara out of it. I wish we could have, but Penny is relentless and I don’t know why.

  Someone knocks on the door. I wait for them to leave but it opens instead. East stands there with a bottle of tequila and a bag of chips. “Mind if I crash?” he asks, before taking a seat in front of the sink.

  “Why are you miserable?” I ask, and he laughs, but it’s hollow. “Because I’ve fallen for a girl that only sees me as a friend and I’ve destroyed her life, but she doesn’t know it yet,” he says cringing after taking a deep pull of the liquor. “I can’t believe you went through with it,” I say quietly. He huffs and takes another swig. “I barely made it through, J. After she fell asleep I threw everything up I’d eaten that day, before crawling into my bed and crying like a little bitch. I don’t know what was worse. Having her fall asleep in my arms, or listening to her cry the next morning.” My head jerks at that, “Why was she crying? Did you hurt her?” I stand up ready to kick his ass and he gives me a sad smile, shaking his head. “I couldn’t risk her knowing it was me, so she woke up alone, but I left her a note,” he says with a shrug.

  Heels click on the hardwood and I glance up to a devil, no literally, Penny is dressed as the devil. “Why so blue, we should be celebrating, won’t be long now till the little trollop is gone,” she says with a big grin on her made up face. I shiver in disgust and East grunts. “You got what you wanted Penny, now give us back the tape.”

  She throws her head back laughing, then turns and walks out. “This was only step one boys.” she calls over her shoulder, before slamming the door behind her.

  I glance at East as he places his head in his hands, “It’s never going to end is it?” he asks me but I don’t reply because we both know until one of us dies or kills the bitch, Penny will always control us.

  Thirty-Four

  Carson

  “Girl. You need to get out of this room. Let's go to the beach,” Sassy says, tripping over some dirty laundry to rip open my curtains. I wince from the bright light.

  “Sassafras, you know I adore you, but I’m not going to the beach. You know they will be there.” I whine, pulling the covers over my head. Today is the annual Kippa/Hawthorne Beach Day. I was actually looking forward to it, well before everything happened. She rips the blanket off me and I squeak. I’m only wearing a pair of panties and a hoodie. She scoffs and rolls her eyes, then looks up at the ceiling muttering under her breath.

  “Cara, you’re beautiful, amazing, fantastic. You don’t need a scumbag like Jase Hawthorne.”

  I slowly sit up when she tugs on my hand. A tear escapes and I rush to wipe it away. He’s stolen too many tears of mine.

  “I just don't understand. That's what hurts the most. He never ended things with me. Are we still together? If we are then why is he ghosting me?” I mean I did finally sleep with him, maybe that’s all he ever wanted. I should have just given it to Connor, at least I know he would have treated me better and called the next day.

  “I know babe. Guys are jerks, that's why I stick with the ladies.” She does this obnoxious eye wiggle that has me cracking a smile. “Come on girl, let's doll you up and go to the beach. Make him regret treating you the way he has. Plus you still have three other guys that miss you.” I look down at the hoodie I have been in the past few days and take a whiff of myself. Oh god that's bad. She’s right, Connor and Lay have been blowing up my phone and I still need to find out what Xavier wanted. I’m nervous about what this means for my relationship with Lay though. Jase and him are soulmates, so I assume he’s just calling to tell me we can’t hang out anymore. I don’t think I could take that right now as well. I’m not sure when it happened, but I care about all the guys. One heartbreak is enough for the moment.

  “Yeah okay, but let me shower first. Actually, will you come with me? I don't want people seeing me like this.” That's just what I need, more ammo for the girls to treat me like I'm the dog shit they stepped their expensive shoes into. She nods and offers me her hand. I take it as she pulls me from the bed. She grabs my shower things and I let her guide me to the bathroom in our dorm room. “Okay, babes, you go do your thing. Brush your hair and wash your face in the sink, take off the godawful sweatshirt and change into some cute PJ’s, then we will go shower. Fake it till you make it.”

  I pull her into a tight hug and she cringes, going stiff. “Cara I love you, but one you smell and two you're not wearing pants. I think this is worse than the towel hugs.”

  I step back and rush inside, quickly shutting the door, and lean my back against the wood. I can do this.

  e

  “Girl you are rocking that bikini. Are you sure you're completely straight? I could love and cherish you the way you deserve,” Sassy says with a wink after I take my sundress off, and toss it on the beach chair. I know she is joking, but it's nice to hear. “I wish I could be into girls like you are, but, sadly no, I kinda like the guys,” I say, letting her pull me towards the water. It’s cold, but feels great against my heated skin.

  Penny has been blowing my phone up too demanding things, but I told her I was sick. I didn’t plan to come, but Sassy dragged me out of my cave. I would rather be there, but she’s right, I need to move on and show him he didn’t break me. I’m made of stronger stuff.

  Jase

  She came. I haven't seen Cara in a few weeks now. I've been purposely avoiding her. I watch as East makes his way over to her and her friend Sassy. She hesitates and winces, but relaxes when she sees it's not me. I wish it were me. I wish I could go up to her and tell her what she means to me. Kiss her within an inch of her life. Tell her
how sorry I am. But I can’t.

  East rushes her and throws her over his shoulder, before running into the waves. I can hear her squeals and giggles from here. A hand hits my shoulder and Lay gives it a squeeze before following them into the water. He still doesn’t know what happened to make me pull away from her, and I know when the truth is revealed not only will it destroy her, I may lose him. I don’t know how much more I can take.

  Easton

  Resilient. She’s so resilient. I move towards her watching as she freezes and looks on the verge of tears. She is too beautiful to cry. Too sweet to have her heart destroyed by my idiot brother. He needs to stop being a mopey dick and make things better between them or he’s going to fuck everything up. He wasn’t the one that took her V-card that night. I did. Yes the guilt is eating me alive as well, but I can’t let it show. He needs to pull together or he’s going to ruin everything. I’m working on a plan to save us all. I just hope I’m not too late.

  It’s funny how things can change. I used to love Penelope, but now I could wring her neck with my guitar string. And I thought this would be an easy assignment, but now I’m in just as much shit as the other guys. There is something about Cara that pulls you in and won’t let you go.

  Cara glances down at my body and visibly relaxes once she sees the nipple piercings. I give her a mischievous grin then rush her tight, toned body. Bending low, I scoop her over my shoulder before running into the warm waves. The sounds she makes brings blood to my cock and a smile to my face. A smack lands on my ass cheek hard and a chuckle escapes my lips. Carson Matthews is strong, she’ll overcome what's about to occur. I wish I could call off everything right now. Grab my brothers and run away, but wishing doesn’t work, it’s actions that count.

  Carson

  Sassy was right. I needed the beach. I lie on the sand enjoying the sun on my skin. After a few weeks inside I know I need the vitamin D. Connor and Xavier plop beside me on the sand and I laugh. That's not the vitamin D I was talking about. “What’s so funny, beautiful?” Connor asks before pulling me to his lap, and taking my towel. I give him a smile and bite my lip. “Nothing, just a dirty thought,” I say, his eyes heat and I can feel him hardening beneath my ass. I glance over my shoulder at Xav and wink. Yeah, maybe some vitamin D wouldn’t be so bad.

  e

  “Good morning, baby.” Connor says, running his hand up my back to my hair.

  “Ummm,” I reply, then roll over and lay my head on his chest, wrapping my arm around his waist and my thigh over his leg. He groans and takes a giant breath in. “I could get used to this.” I laugh, and snuggle closer. We must have fallen back asleep because someone knocks on the door, waking us up.

  “Come on man. I need to get in there,” Xavier shouts from outside. I giggle and look at the door. I forgot Connor put a chair under the knob so he couldn’t walk in on us like last time. I think he’s been doing it on purpose. I lean up and place a soft kiss on his lips, he smiles and deepens it, groaning then pulls away. I gently roll off him and he gets up, grabbing his discarded boxers from the floor, slipping them over his hips, but not before giving me a yummy view. Gosh football has really done his body good.

  “Baby, keep looking at me like that and I won’t be opening this door.”

  I bite my lip and give him a wink. We haven’t slept together again, but I think I may be ready to. After giving Jase my everything and him ghosting me, I've been hesitant to do it again. But Connor has always been super sweet to me and never pressures me for things I’m not ready for. Same with Lay, but it’s hard to still have a relationship with him when I know that Jase is with him.

  He walks over and moves the chair, then turns the knob. Xavier bursts in and pauses.

  “Seriously, I thought you were jacking off in here. It’s not like I haven’t seen our girl naked before, man.”

  My cheeks heat and I bite my lip, looking down. Someone groans, but I don’t look up to see who it was. Wait, did he say our?

  “Just kidding, I saw her shoes by the door. I was hoping to catch you, Cara. I really need to talk to you,” Xavier says, coming closer to me.

  I pull the blanket tighter to my chest and sit up giving him my attention. “Okay, can I get dressed first?” I ask and he bites his lip, giving me eyes full of lust. “I’d rather you didn’t,” he says, before bending down and kissing me hard. I freeze, then melt into his lips, wrapping my arms around his neck, and letting the blanket fall. He moves his mouth from mine, then kisses down my jaw, to my collarbone, then lower. My eyes pop open as he nibbles on my nipple. A cough from the door reminds me we’re not alone, and this is Xavier. What the hell is happening right now? He stops and moves away, adjusting his hard dick in his shorts. I know my cheeks are bright red and my lips are swollen. I grab the blanket once more and clear my throat then glance between the guys and blurt out, “What the hell was that?”

  Thirty-Five

  Jase

  I watch as Xavier and Connor have lunch with Cara. She sits in the middle and laughs as they take turns feeding her. I know Connor loves her. I knew it the moment I saw them together for the first time, but Xavier is confusing me. I heard all about his night with Ella and that he’s a huge playboy. Bigger than East used to be. So why is he acting like Cara is his whole world?

  I can’t take this any more. Not knowing is killing me and not being with her is killing Lay. His nightmares are back in full force, and I’m worried he might spiral again.

  East has a plan and it may just work. I need to get my girl back. I need to tell her the truth, but not until the plan is done. I can’t risk her blowing everything up. I stand and walk to class, waiting by the elevator for her, but she doesn’t come. I’ve noticed she takes the stairs these days, which I think is dumb, since one of the Kippa girls tripped her the other week.

  I slide into the seat beside her in psych and I’m not surprised when she won’t look at me and her body language is reserved. I pull out the letter I wrote her and drop it on her lap, then stand and leave. I don’t glance back. I can’t let her see the tears in my eyes. I’ve never been one to cry, at least not since the night I walked in on my best friend dying on his kitchen floor. I close my eyes and push those memories away. Lay is okay. He’s here with me, and I’ll do anything to keep him by my side. Anything. Watch out Penny. We’re coming for you.

  Carson

  I hold the envelope, but don’t open it. I don’t think my heart can handle what’s inside. Jen stops by and sits next to me. I glance around and realize everyone left. “Wanna talk about it?” she asks and I sigh. “Not really. Just stupid boy drama,” I say with a shrug. She laughs and kicks her feet up over the seats in front of us. “That’s one of my specialties. Hit me with it,” she says, so I do. I tell her everything that’s been going on, including my mixed feelings about Memphis. When I’m done I take a deep breath and shrug. She gives me a bright smile and claps her hands together, before pointing at me. “I knew I liked you. I’m not supposed to have favorites, but you are definitely on the top of my list. Not to mention I am so jealous right now.”

  I scoff and she holds up her hand, “Girl you have a harem, a reverse harem. Do you know how many books like that I’ve read? I would kill to have a bunch of men wanting me. Yeah, I know you’re dealing with a lot of drama, and you probably always will. One man is hard enough to handle most times, and you have five. I can’t imagine all the testosterone.” She trails off, lost in thought. A bright smile hits her lips and I groan. “Yeah, I mean the bedroom activities are amazing, but the emotional aspect is a challenge,” I say and she snorts, removing her feet and standing. “Cara, you can say sex, have you been paying attention to my class, trust me hon, this is far from PG-13.”

  I laugh and stand myself. “Thank you for listening,” I say, tossing the card in my bag. She brings me in for a hug and pats my back. “Anytime. Now that will be one hundred and fifty dollars,” she says, releasing me and shooting me a wink. I laugh and shake my head. “You and my roommate would
get along amazingly,” I tell her.

  “Oh I know all about Sassy. She’s one of my best customers,” she says, before walking down the steps to her desk. I watch her for a moment, then walk to the door. Why doesn’t that surprise me?

  I meet Connor and Xavier at the cafeteria for a cheeseburger and onion rings. I’ve had a huge craving, and I don’t care about weight gain anymore. I think I deserve some calories after all the shit I have been through lately.

  “Hey baby,” Xavier says and I gently shove him. “I don’t think I will ever get used to you calling me that,” I say, after he kisses me. Connor pulls me away from him and kisses me harder.

  “Slut.” someone coughs, pulling me out of my lust filled haze. I sigh and pull back, moving to a booth. I sit down, and Xavier sits on the other side of me, pulling me to his lap, he maneuvers me until I’m in the middle of a Connor-Xavier sandwich.

  “You guys are ridiculous. I still need food,” I say and Connor jumps up, “On it,” he says, before walking away. I scooch over a little more and face Xavier. “So,” I say, waiting for him to start the conversation. Why do I feel so awkward with him now?

  “So,” he says back, giving me a grin. I cover my face with my hands. “Does this feel as strange to you as it does to me?” I ask in a mumble. He gently removes my hands and presses a kiss to my lips. “Nope,” he says, before moving closer to the wall, and tugging me along. He throws his arm over my shoulder, his hand dangerously close to my right breast. Connor walks up bringing a tray overflowing with food. My eyes bulge at the insane amount. “Um, I can’t eat all that,” I say and they laugh. “Babe, I’ve seen you polish off a whole pizza and twenty-four wings, so who are you kidding? Besides, this is for all of us,” Connor says, taking his seat beside me. Oh, okay. I nod, that makes more sense.