A Piece of Heaven_A Reverse Harem Contemporary Romance

by Angel Lawson

  I sighed and clutched my backpack. “I don’t know, Amber, but let me know if you figure it out.”

  She touched my arm. “Don’t let those bastards change who you are, got it?”

  I eyed her warily—my trust issues ran deep—but branching out, having the guys in my life taught me I couldn’t be so isolated anymore. “I won’t. Thanks.”

  She crossed her arms and nodded. “Anything for a sister.”

  *

  Coming out of the library, I ran straight into Jackson. Plowed into him was the better term. My stack of books slammed into Jackson’s solid wall of a chest and his hands steadied my elbows.

  Our eyes met and I silently willed him to let me go. He’d opened his mouth to speak when the squeal of the school intercom echoed through the hallway and the principal’s voice bounced off the walls.

  “I need the following students to come to the main office: Oliver Baldwin, Jackson Hall, Anderson Thompson, and Hayden Perkins.”

  Our eyes remained glued and his hands clenched my elbows. I swallowed and said, “I’m so sorry,” before breaking away and going the other direction.

  I didn’t look back and spent the rest of the day with the cold dread knowing the guys were in trouble because of me. I sat on my bed that night, books open, but staring at the ceiling. My mother watched TV downstairs. She begged me to sit with her but I didn’t. I couldn’t.

  Breathing, that was the best I could manage.

  The following day, rumors swirled around school again. That the boys had been arrested. That they started the Fakestagram. That I had a restraining order out on them. That I was pregnant, had no idea who the father of the baby was, and leaving the school for the Sisters of Quiet Mercy over Christmas break.

  I let them bounce off of me, like hail raining down on the rooftop; dinging me and damaging me one tiny hit at a time. I ducked into my new refuge, the seldom-used bathroom next to the library, wanting away from the constant whispering. I was surprised to find Amber at the sink again. This time she wore a shirt with “The Notorious RBG” and a profile of Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

  She coated her eyelashes with mascara and said suddenly, “I feel like it’s my obligation to ask…did you consent to this relationship with them?”

  “Yeah, definitely.” My cheeks flushed. “They’re really great guys.”

  “I believe you. I just wanted to make sure you were in charge.” I never thought of it that way, but I was in charge. They let me take the lead on almost everything in our relationship. It didn’t matter if Amber believed me or not, but it was nice to know someone had my back. “Any idea who’s behind this Fakestagram?”

  I shook my head but that wasn’t entirely the truth. A pattern had started to emerge and a few clues. A few possible suspects but I had no proof. Did it matter anyway? The guys had already taken the fall. If I said something, would it make it worse? The last thing any of us needed was another target on our back.

  “Can you meet me back here after 4th period?” she asked.

  I frowned. “I guess.”

  She gave me a swift nod. “Good. See you then.”

  I watched her leave the room, the heavy brown door swinging shut. By accident, I caught my reflection in the mirror and flinched. Holy shit, I looked bad. Hair messy. Dark circles under my eyes. My clothes sloppy and depressing.

  I looked like I felt. Something to cast away and ignore.

  *

  Even though it was an unspoken punishment, the library did turn into a sort of sanctuary. The assholes that harassed me all day didn’t cross the threshold, probably worried they’d burst into flames if they gained a little knowledge. I’d always been a reader—a coping skill I’d learned while struggling with my dark days—so after I finished my lunch, I combed the aisles looking for something to pass the time.

  I picked through the books, eyeing some of the more popular series that’d come out lately, avoiding the romances that my heart couldn’t bear. Not right now. I didn’t hear the footsteps on the soft carpet or see the shadow until it fell over the white book pages.

  “Heaven, fancy seeing you here.”

  Exhausted and worn out, I didn’t even look up at Mark’s greeting. He leaned against the bookshelf, taking up most of the aisle. I ignored him, hoping he’d leave, but after a few minutes it was obvious he had no intention of going away.

  I snapped a book shut and shoved it back into place. “What do you want?”

  He smiled, slow and toothy. “I heard you were single again. Thought maybe you’d be up for that date we kept trying to plan.”

  “Yeah, no thanks.” I rolled my eyes and moved in the direction of the tables, away from the isolated stacks. My exhaustion overruled all other emotions until another shadow blocked my exit and familiar beady eyes held mine. Spencer stood with his hands on both shelves.

  “Or maybe a double date,” Mark added, nodding to his friend. “Since you’re into more than one guy at a time.”

  Every piece of hair on my neck rose, spreading straight down my spine. “Fuck both of you,” I said.

  Mark’s eyes lit up and he grabbed his crotch. “That’s what I’m talking about. Name a time and place.”

  At the same time, both boys moved toward me, trapping me in the middle of the stacks. I saw the intent in their eyes—both furious I’d rejected them.

  I tried one last thing. “You know whoever is stalking me records everything. My every move. When I go to the police, I’ll have proof.”

  The two boys looked at one another, I assumed processing my threat, but instead of backing down, Mark smirked and Spencer actually laughed.

  “The police?” Mark’s voice was smug. “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble with them.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  He nodded at his friend, who had moved so close I could feel his breath on my neck. “It’s a small world, Heaven. Did you know my step-father and your mom work together?” His hand grazed my lower back. I fought the bile rising in my throat. “Well, it’s more like she works for him. Chief O’Neal?”

  “That’s your step-dad?”

  “Yep. He and my mom got married last summer. You didn’t know?”

  No. I didn’t.

  “Who do you think he’s going to believe? You or the son of the woman he’s fucking? And even if he does, do you want to risk your mother’s job? What would it look like for a representative of the police station to have such a whore for a daughter?”

  All my bravado vanished, instead swallowed by sheer panic and fear. I felt their breath, their bodies, and knew that it would only take a moment for them to violate me. They didn’t want a moment, though. I saw the dark intent in their eyes. The entitlement they felt over my body. They wanted so much more.

  Spencer pulled out his phone and said, “Cheese,” snapping my photo.

  Everything clicked.

  I opened my mouth to shout, to call out for the librarian or any kind of help when another shadow appeared at the end of the row.

  Please be one of my boys. Please be one of my boys, I prayed.

  I looked up and their eyes followed and no, it wasn’t one of my boys, but it was an ally. Amber stood with her jaw set and her arms crossed. “Get your filthy hands away from her.”

  “This is none of your business, Wasserman.”

  Thankfully Amber had balls made of brass and she barged toward us, grabbing my arm. I glanced back and saw the two assholes, still smirking, still knowing they had the upper hand as Amber dragged me away.

  Chapter 22

  Anger, violent and rage-fueled, replaced my fear. By the time we hit the hallway, Amber was dragging me away from them.

  “Calm down,” she said, pushing me through the bathroom door. I heard the distinct click of the lock falling in place.

  “Are you kidding me? Did you even hear what they said? They’re the ones behind this. They threatened to—”

  “To what?” A steel-cold voice said behind me. I spun and saw Hayden, fists clenched. “Who threat
ened to do what to you?”

  It wasn’t just Hayden. Standing in a row in the small girl’s restroom was all of my boys; the Allendale Four. I choked back a sob when I saw them and before I could take a step they descended, wrapping their arms around me. They were like a group of hyper, lovable puppies; peppering my face, neck, and hands with kisses.

  The feeling of security rushed over me like a warm blanket. The past few days had been unbearable.

  “Wow,” Amber said, breaking our reunion. “That was intense.”

  They released me—sort of. Each one still touched my body in some way, recharging me. Oliver spoke first. “So what’s this about someone threatening you?”

  I knew I was opening a box of trouble but I told them anyway, “It was Mark and Spencer.”

  “Mother fuckers!” Anderson slammed his fist into the metal bathroom door. It swung and hit the cement wall with a bang. “Did they hurt you?”

  “No.”

  “They tried,” Amber said. “They had her cornered.”

  Jackson stormed the door. Amber blocked it and I ran after him, catching his arm. “No. Do not go after them. Not now.”

  He tugged at his floppy blonde hair. “Why not?”

  I swallowed. “I found out some other stuff, okay? They’ve got leverage over me, you, and my family. I can’t risk losing anything else. Not until we have proof.”

  Amber’s phone beeped, alerting her to a notification. She checked the screen and sighed. “He posted.”

  “Who posted?” Hayden asked, walking over and grabbing the phone out of Amber’s hand. I had no doubt what it depicted. Me in the library with Mark.

  “Spencer is taking the photos and running the Fakestagram account.”

  “Why?” Anderson asked. “What’s the point.”

  I couldn’t tell them the truth and the expression on Amber’s face said she knew it too. These boys would murder them if they found out what they wanted from me. How they planned to take it.

  “They’re dicks,” Amber said. “Bullies that like to take advantage of a situation. But there are a few complications, like Heaven said, they’ve got leverage and as stupid as they look, they’re not dumb. We need to be smart about this.”

  I raised my eyebrow, feeling brave with the Allendale Four standing behind me. “We?”

  “I told you, I’m sick of the sexist bullshit in this community.” I saw the fire in her eye. “You turned this whole school upside down for a few months, Heaven. You fought back and we still have one more round to go.”

  “I like this girl,” Oliver whispered. “She’s feisty as hell.”

  “What can we do? He has all the leverage,” I said.

  Jackson walked around me and leaned against the sink. “I told you guys I was working on a plan. With Amber’s help and knowing exactly who’s stalking Heaven, maybe we can pull it off.”

  “I’m in,” Amber said.

  I looked at my guys, all of them ready to fight for our relationship. They were waiting for me to make the final decision. I crossed my arms over my chest and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  *

  When Amber handed me a T-shirt after school with “Smash the Patriarchy” on the front, I couldn’t help but smile.

  “I got two at a rally I went to last month. It’s the perfect size for you. Extra small.”

  That made me laugh. It felt really, really good. It’d been too long.

  The positive mood lingered through the rest of the day until I got a call from my mom.

  “Hey sweetie, I’ve to go into work this afternoon.”

  “Night shift?”

  “Yeah, Debbie has the flu and I just can’t say no after taking off so much time lately. I hate to do it but do you think you’ll be okay alone?”

  Guilt. She took that time off for me because of me being in the hospital and all the drama. I tried to sound confident when I said, “Sure.”

  “I know you’re still angry with Justin, but…”

  I didn’t know what to do. Justin was out of the question but so was staying home alone. The guys would lose their mind if they found out and then we’d all risk getting in more trouble and the plan. If Spencer got his intel about my whereabouts from his dad and the police station, he would easily know I was home alone. The tickle of fear built in my chest.

  “Heaven?”

  “Look, Mom, can I go to a friend’s instead? I just…I don’t want to be alone.”

  She paused. “What friend?”

  I held my phone up to Amber and she flashed me a peace sign. I took the picture and sent it to my mom. “Amber Wasserman, we’re in Chem together now. She said I can come over. I really don’t want to be alone.”

  “Amber? I think I remember her. You’ll stay in the whole night?”

  “Of course. We have a final coming up anyway.”

  Another hesitation.

  “Mom, you were the one that wanted me to make new friends.” Yeah, I learned how to guilt from the best.

  “Okay.” There was really no other choice. “Be safe.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  I disconnected, unable to keep the smile off my face. Amber crossed her arms over her chest. “Let me guess, we’re having a sleep over?”

  “Well…”

  “Okay, you’re telling your mom we’re having a sleepover but you’re really going to hang with the guys.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Is that okay?”

  “Fine by me. I have plans with Benjamin tonight, but I do think we need to be smart about it just in case your stalkers are watching.”

  I nodded, wondering when my life turned into a complicated episode of Mission: Impossible.

  Amber looked across the parking lot, her eyes meeting with Ben’s. A slow smile formed on her lips. I was really starting to like this girl.

  Chapter 23

  Never underestimate an eighteen-year-old girl determined to see her boyfriends.

  Benjamin happily agreed to divert Spencer and Mark’s attention off of me and Amber after school. I had no idea what he told them, but I for once I felt secure knowing no one was watching me.

  Amber drove the long way to Oliver’s fancy neighborhood and dropped me around back. I didn’t knock on the Oliver’s apartment door. I knew he wasn’t home. All of the guys had sports practice in the afternoon but I was perfectly content waiting for them.

  I found the spare key under the zombie gnome at the top of the stairs just like Oliver told me it would be. The door opened easily and I exhaled when it was securely relocked.

  The apartment smelled like the boys. A mixture of their heady musk, cologne, and soap. A wave of happiness rolled over me just to be back in this place—their place.

  Empty bags of chips sat on the coffee table. The video game controllers were left on the floor. A full set of weights sat on a rack near the back wall. No surprise that they worked out in here. Their bodies were beyond fit. I noticed a half-full bottle of water by the rack. They were adorable but messy as hell.

  One difference was the open door to Oliver’s bedroom. Every time I’d been here it had been closed and I hadn’t been invited inside—not yet. Curious, I walked over and stood in the doorway. This room was neat, a sharp contrast to the living area. His bed was big—king-sized to fit his large frame. A few books sat in a stack on the bedside table, including the one we’re assigned for English. His favorite hoodie was flung over his desk chair. On the desk sat his school laptop. Oliver was notorious for leaving it at home. I ran a finger over the screen, wiping away the thin layer of dust. I had a feeling he used that computer mostly for late night chats and YouTube marathons. I turned around and saw my reflection in the large mirror hung over his dresser and I approached, noting the tidy line of bottles on the top. I picked up a bottle of aftershave and inhaled. Damn. It made my knees weak.

  Pictures, ticket stubs, and notes were tucked into the edges of the mirror. Most were of him and the boys at various events over the years, showing Oliver and Jackson in dusty baseball
pants or Anderson smiling at a swim meet. There was a fantastic shot of Hayden flying through the air catching a soccer ball before it hit the net.

  A different photo caught my eye, not a photo but a drawing, so real and life-like that I couldn’t help but pull it from the mirror. Bright eyes look back at me filled with the sparkle of laughter. Full lips, wavy hair. Hayden’s name is scribbled in the corner next to the title, “Number 5.”

  “Impressive, right?” A voice shattered the silence.

  I didn’t just jump at the sound of the voice, I screamed. I grabbed a bottle off the dresser and threw it at the door. Anderson’s eyes widened and he jumped out of the way. The bottle slammed against the door and hit the carpet.

  “Anderson!” I shouted, my heart racing a million miles an hour. “What. The. Hell.”

  It was a testimony of the panic I felt that I didn’t notice what he was wearing. Or rather, not wearing.

  The scent of soap wafted my way, coming off of his freshly scrubbed skin. His hair was damp, with tiny droplets of water easing down his neck and shoulders. He was shirtless with nothing but a pair of red flannel pajama pants with his team logo, slung low on his hips. His swimmer’s body was a sight; broad shoulders, magnificent wing-span, lean, tapered torso. I swallowed thickly, trying to regain my senses.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked. “Does your mom know?”

  I shook my head. “She thinks I’m with Amber. She had to go to work tonight and I was scared to stay home alone.” He opened his arms and I stepped into them, feeling the warmth radiating off his skin. “Why are you here?” I asked. “Thought you had swim?”

  “The pump broke at the pool,” he replied. “I used Oliver’s weights for a quick workout and showered.”

  I sunk into his chest, deliriously happy for the twist of fate that led us to be here at the same time. His arms wrapped tight around my back and I heard the rhythmic thrum of his heart.