Rival Hearts (Rival Love #2)

by Natalie Decker

  RIVAL HEARTS

  Natalie Decker

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The author makes no claims to, but instead acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.

  Copyright © 2014 by Natalie Decker

  RIVAL HEARTS by Natalie Decker

  All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America by Swoon Romance. Swoon Romance and its related logo are registered trademarks of Georgia McBride Media Group, LLC.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Published by Swoon Romance

  Cover designed by Earthly Charms

  Cover copyright by Swoon Romance

  To all those whoever felt lost.

  Ethan and Leeah without you I wouldn’t be me.

  RIVAL HEARTS

  Natalie Decker

  Chapter 1

  Caleb

  A letter. A stupid letter.

  Almost a week has gone by since Skylar Fletcher left. Looking around, no one would be able to tell a Harris Academy Bulldog was once a student here. And the really shitty part—that girl hasn’t spoken to me since. No texts, calls, how are you’s. Not one flipping word.

  I don’t understand. I thought we had something special. Then again, in eighth grade I thought Alison Winters was something special, and she turned around, ripped my heart right out of my chest, and stomped on it a few times. You’d figure I’d learn, and up until August, I was doing just fine. Not letting others in. Keeping my distance. Now look at me. I’m a mess, all because I had to fall for Skylar-freaking-Fletcher.

  Might as well hand in my man card because I’ve officially turned into a huge sap. Calling her, texting her, asking how she is and whatever else, but she hasn’t responded.

  Lance and Kayla come walking up to the lunch table hand in hand, making my thoughts worse. Kayla glances over at me and drops her smile into a deep frown. “She hasn’t called?”

  I wish they’d both quit asking me this damn question. “Nah.”

  I force my attention to the Pepsi machines. “I’m sorry, man,” I hear Lance say. “Maybe … she’s waiting for winter break. Five more days.”

  I glower at him. “Or maybe she realized I’m no good for her and moved the eff on.” I know I’m being ridiculous. But a part of me really believes that she’s no longer into me. That she sees me as an asshole and wants nothing more to do with me. Can I blame her for thinking that? No. I know I’ve done messed up things to her. To a lot of girls, actually, but Sky made me want to change the hollowness inside me.

  “The pool’s finally reopened. There’s a bunch of security cameras in place.” Kayla shudders. “I feel like we’re in prison.”

  Lance and I glance around and sure enough, there are cameras all over the commons. “Holy crap. When did they do all this and with what money?” Lance asks.

  Our school is low on funds thanks to the last superintendent. He stole a shit-ton of money. A lot of programs are affected by it.

  Derrick comes up to our table and slams his tray down. “I don’t have wrestling practice anymore.”

  “Cool, wanna come over and watch the Colts game with us?” Lance says.

  Derrick narrows his eyes. “No. I mean I’m not wrestling this season. No one is. Coach told us today our shit got cut.” He looks over at Kayla. “Your team is probably next up on the chopping block.”

  Kayla gasps. Lance pulls her in for a hug, but we all know Derrick is probably right. They told Skylar as much. If Sky joined the Delmont High swim team and played softball this year, it was supposed to help save our programs. A number of scouts were scheduling meetings to meet Skylar, and our school needed this in order to get extra funds. Everything was going well—Sky agreed to swim and trained with Kayla, but on the day of their swim meet, the school’s pool was trashed in our rival team’s colors. Harris Academy. The same school Skylar used to attend, making everyone believe it was her who did it and causing her to leave for New York to live with her father.

  Lance sighs. “You’ve got to call her.”

  “I’ve tried calling. She doesn’t want to talk to me.”

  “Call who?” Derrick starts.

  I look down at my lap and mutter, “Don’t worry about it.”

  “I hope you don’t mean the Bulldog.”

  Instead of ignoring his snide remarks as usual I shoot him a glare. Then I instantly realize how pointless that is and shake my head. I can’t talk to him about this. He thinks I’m crazy for liking her in the first place. He knows she didn’t mess up the pool but he swears she’s covering for someone. And maybe she is. She’s not talking. Not that she’s the kind of person to tell on anyone anyway.

  One thing is for certain: I miss her like crazy. Winter break can’t come fast enough. Five more days and I’ll be able to go off to New York, see that gorgeous face of hers, and try to convince her to come back home with me.

  Kayla sighs and drops her head to Lance’s shoulder. He ruffles her blondish hair and she laughs, but the interaction makes me miss Sky so much more.

  So I try texting her again.

  Me: Hey you.

  Three minutes pass and no response. I’m heading up to my sixth period class when my phone buzzes. I yank it out and pray it’s a response from her. My smile instantly changes when I read:

  Free 2 liter Coke and Medium Breadsticks with one Lg. one topping pizza.

  Normally, pizza specials excite me, but today, it just makes me pissed.

  Why isn’t she answering me? Has she moved on, or am I just going insane?

  Chapter 2

  Skylar

  Every time my phone vibrates against my skin, I freeze as dread washes over me. The police and new superintendent have been trying to find the underlying cause of the school vandalism. At least that’s the message they’ve been leaving on my phone for the past week.

  On top of that, my heart literally breaks whenever I see Caleb’s name pop up, via text or phone calls. I could easily pick up the phone, sure, but what is there to say? Hey, I miss you. Wish you were here. I can’t stand this separation. All this stuff is true, but it doesn’t change the situation. I’m here and he’s there. That’s what makes this so hard, knowing we aren’t across the hall or even a few minutes away, but hours from each other. And no one wants to have a relationship like this, especially at our age. So I’ve been avoiding him, too. Hoping that maybe he’ll forget about me.

  I walk up to my father’s brownstone. Lidia is already in the living room, entertaining another guy. Third one this week. She props up on his lap and plays with his hair while laughing at nothing that entertaining. I roll my eyes and head up to my room. Her interactions make me miss Caleb even more. I should call him. No, I shouldn’t. Calling him will break me. I’m broken enough.

  “Be right back, Liddy!” random guy calls out, outside my door. He starts to enter my bedroom and chuckles. “Sorry. Thought this was the bathroom. She said it was the second door.”

  I roll my eyes because this is the other thing I’ve been dealing with—Lidia trying to purposely get under my skin. “Well, obviously she sucks at counting. Next door down is the bathroom.”

  “Cool. I’m Malcom. You must be the evil sister.”

  What did he just say? “Is that what she calls me?” ’Cause I’ve got a slew of names I can call her. Bastard. Marriag
e-ruining spawn. Dad-stealing witch. Oh yes, I’ve got loads of them.

  Dark hair guy shrugs his shoulders. “I try not to get into all the family drama. So what’s your name?”

  “Skylar.”

  “Cool.” He eyes me up and down and smiles. “See you later.” He leaves my room, and I hope he doesn’t return. Anything that wants to hang out with Lidia can stay away from me.

  I stare at the photo of Caleb and me on my phone and then put it aside and pick up my guitar. I strum the strings, trying to find the right chord, and then begin singing my newest song. “… We’re like candlelight, so special, so right, the romantic type. Oo-eee-ooo. All secret. So great. But someone blew us out and now it’s dark. Sooo dark … I hate it. I want that flame to flicker back on again. Bring on that heat … can you hear me?

  “… Oh, are you real? Or just a dream? Did my mind find you in a merry-go-round memory? Are we built to last, or do we say goodbye? I love you so much, my candlelight. Oh oh, Candlelight.

  “… We are here, worlds apart. I climb to the edge and scream your name. My heart is aching. And I am aching for my eternal flame. In the crowds, I search for your face. Pictures upon pictures are only making this worse. My fire is dying, can you feel my heat slowly burning out?

  “… I don’t know about you. But I love you. I want you to be forever happy. But I want to be the girl making you … happy. Can I still be that girl?

  “… Oh are you real? Or just a dream? Did my mind find you in a merry-go-round memory? Are we built to last, or do we say goodbye? I love you so much, my candlelight. Oh oh, Candlelight. Don’t flicker out to-oo-night.”

  The door to my room opens, causing me to quit playing. Malcom strides back in. “You’re pretty good.” He looks about my room. “You know, Lidia said we’d have a lot in common.”

  I stiffen and glare at him as he makes his way to my other guitar. “Uh, get out of here.”

  “Why? I figured we can jam together.” He starts to reach for my guitar.

  “Touch it and I will break you!”

  “Whoa, babycakes. Chill. I just wanted to make some conversation and maybe rock out a little.” He winks at me. “You’re feisty; I like that.”

  He flicks his eyes to my nightstand. There are two photos there; first is one of Caleb and me. It was an unseasonably warm day in December, and we were fighting over the sponge we were using to wash our cars. He dumped suds in my hair and I sprayed him with the hose. I was the one washing my car first, then he just magically needed to clean his too. My swimming friend Kayla took it the picture and framed it for me before I left. The second photo is of Caleb, his uncle Brian, my mom, and me. Caleb is looking over at me with a smirk, and I’m glaring at him. Brian and my mom are smiling at the camera. My mom was so mad I put this photo in a frame, but it was a memory for me. The moment I started realizing my feelings for Caleb.

  “Brother?”

  I cringe. “No! That’s definitely not my brother. The only sibling I have was in your lap about, I don’t know, five minutes ago.”

  “Ah. Gotcha. So, wanna have lunch with me tomorrow?”

  I shake my head. “No thanks.” I’ve been eating lunch in odd places like the library or stairway, because it’s easier. I’m not here to make friends. I’m here because I had nowhere else to go. Right now, I’d give anything to be back home with my mom, but that’s not going to happen.

  He keeps inspecting my room and says, “Well, looks like I’m going to have to find another way to fit into your schedule.”

  “Uh … I don’t have any slots for you. Sorry.” I fold my arms but it makes me wonder. If a girl suggested the same thing to Caleb, would he take them out? Does he think we’re still a couple? Would he move on? Could I move on? No. I’m pretty certain I’ll never get over Caleb. I’m not sure this whole long-distance relationship thing is a great idea but maybe I should try. I need to call him. He’s probably so pissed at me for ignoring him. I know I’d be pissed.

  Malcom moves to the door. “Until next time, babycakes.” He winks, and walks out of my room.

  I sneer at his nickname. “Uck.” I walk over to my door and close it, then flip the lock. I wish Caleb were here. And my depression starts up all over again.

  Chapter 3

  Caleb

  Inside Trix Music Center, I take my seat near the corner and wait for Jenna, my guitar instructor. I signed up for lessons the day after Sky left me and her favorite guitar behind while she went to go live with her dad. This is going to sound lame, but every time I swipe the pick across the strings I feel closer to her.

  A couple days ago, I bought a notebook and jotted down some words in it hoping to make a song. This is the plan: have a song for Sky when I see her in New York and play it for her. Everything I write down, though, sounds stupid, girly, or just wrong on all levels. To put it mildly, I suck at writing music.

  A girl with a small frame and short blond hair walks into the room. She looks over at me and collapses into a seat. “Hi,” she says.

  “Hi. Um … are you in the right room?”

  “I think so. I’m Penny; I’m here for lessons.”

  “Oh. I thought these were private.” Because I don’t want other people to hear how bad I am. My instructor is one thing, but this person I’ve never seen before? Absolutely not.

  She shrugs her shoulders. “Not today, it seems.”

  I nod. She eyes me up and blushes slightly. The old me would have hit on her right then, but I belong to Skylar. Even if the girl never returns my calls or texts, I’m hers until she tells me otherwise. And as if by magic my instructor walks into the room.

  Jenna straps on her guitar and says, “Hey, everyone. Did we do intros?”

  “I told him my name; I didn’t catch his,” Penny says with fluttery eyelashes.

  Jenna turns to me and smiles. “Caleb, Penny. Penny, Caleb. Okay, we’re all introduced; let’s jam.” Jenna went through a few minor chords we were going to work on.

  About an hour later, when I’m heading to my car, I check my cell. No missed calls, but a text from Sky appears.

  Hey, sry 4 avoidin u. I think we need 2 talk soon.

  “Talk soon” is never a good sign. Shit. She’s going to break up with me. Four more days. I need to postpone this breakup call for four more days. I shake my head. Man, I’m sounding completely warped. Like a half-crazed chick.

  I’m about to slide into my car when I hear, “Hey! Hey, um, Caleb!”

  “Yeah?” I say to Penny.

  “Hey, I know we don’t know each other.” She tucks some hair behind her ear and rocks back on her heels. “But I was wondering if you could give me a lift.”

  I raise my hands. “Uh … I have to be home early. Sorry.” It’s a lie, but I can’t have her in the car with me. Not with her eyes staring at me like she’s ripping off all my clothes right this second. I know what her plans really are. She has a ride either on its way or about to be here, but she wants to hook up. But again, I don’t want her. The girl I need is miles away, and probably ready to break up with me.

  I’ve got to get the hell outta here. I turn my attention back to my car door, ready to open it, when the girl clings to my arm. “Please! I’ll do anything.”

  Normally, I’d cave. But I’m not this time. I simply shake my head and continue to open up my driver’s side door. “Sorry. I gotta go.” I slide into my seat.

  Penny lowers herself to my door, showing off a massive amount of cleavage. I notice myself staring and turn away. “All right. Maybe next time.”

  There won’t be a next time. In a few more days, I’m going to be with Skylar, and I’ll convince her to come home with me. Hopefully she will, and then people like Penny will get the picture. I have a girl and no one compares to her.

  Before I start my car, I skim the contacts in my phone but then stop myself. No, I will not call Sky. No matter how much I want to. Not yet.

  Dropping my phone on the passenger seat, I crank the car’s engine and head home.


  ***

  School has turned crazy. Students have been boycotting class in order to get some of the cut programs back. Like wrestling. Since they’ve missed about four scheduled meets so far, they’re quite ticked. Especially Derrick. He’s acting as if he’s got roid rage, slamming shit down on the table at lunch and snapping at anyone even reading the sports section of the paper. And I don’t blame him. I’d be so pissed off if the school cut any of my teams.

  Girls’ basketball has been cut too. They got clever, and stole all the basketballs in retaliation for eliminating their program. So now the boys haven’t been able to practice. And their season is totally going down the tubes because of it. It’s kind of funny, because someone brings a ball to school every day in order to have practice, but I swear, it magically disappears the middle of the day.

  You’d figure those new cameras would catch them, but it turns out the cameras are only in the lunchroom and all four entrances to the school.

  Kayla sits down beside me in English. “Wanna be partners?”

  “What?”

  “Partners? Sky isn’t here and you’re always sitting back here so I figured I’d ask.”

  I nod. “Yeah. Sure.”

  “Cool. We’ve got to create a poetic story.”

  Oh, this is real awesome. Kayla will probably regret being partners real quick. I can’t even write a song for Skylar, how the hell am I supposed to come up with a poetic story? I frown as soon as I see the dumb project is worth half our end-of-the-year exam grade.

  “So what kind of theme do you want to do? Romantic? Tragic? Ooo, we can do a comedy.”

  I shrug. “Comedy is fine. Maybe tragic isn’t so bad either. I mean, the whole school is going to shit and the person who can easily fix it is a thousand miles away.” I don’t mention that that same person has also made me completely insane, too. I swear I heard her whispering my name in my ear this morning. As soon as I opened my eyes, though, reality stepped in, ’cause the only person in my room was me.