Chasing Red Series, Book 1

by Isabelle Ronin

  “Unless you sprouted another vagina, I don’t think you have a second cherry.” Kara didn’t respond, staring at the car as it drove away. “Let’s go. Yoga releases tension, which you really need right now.”

  “Pizza can do that, too, girlfriend. Or getting laid.”

  I smirked, grabbed her hand, and dragged her inside the building.

  When we entered the yoga class, the heat felt like a slap in the face. The hot air encased every part of my body like a bodysuit. We were about ten minutes into the class when I threw a glance at Kara. She looked green. Uh-oh.

  “Kar,” I hissed. “Are you okay?”

  We weren’t allowed to talk, but she looked ready to pass out.

  She shook her head, whimpering, “Can we leave?”

  We weren’t allowed to leave either. The instructor wanted us to lie down and get our breath back if we felt dizzy. Screw it.

  “Let’s go, Kar.”

  Sympathetic eyes darted our way as I helped her up. The instructor came to check on us, but Kara told her she was fine. In the hallway, the rush of air-conditioning greeted us like a taste of ambrosia.

  “Fuck, yes!” Kara said breathlessly, disentangling herself from my arms and dumping her limp, sweaty carcass on the floor, spread-eagle. “It smelled like old vagina in there. Someone farted while doing those exorcist dance moves. I swear, if you pull me back in there, I’m going to slap you to kingdom come, my friend. Right down to purgatory.”

  Kara had never done yoga before, and the expression on her face cracked me up. Loud peals of laughter echoed in the hallway.

  When the instructor opened the classroom door and reprimanded us with a glare, I pulled Kara up and we stumbled to the lockers.

  Pictures of Buddha and Asian gardens hung on the orange walls. Three bathroom stalls were installed on the right half of the room and the lockers on the left.

  “I told you not to drink that milk shake, Kar.”

  She groaned and went straight to a bathroom stall. “Why do I have to be lactose intolerant? Why? Why?” she lamented, slamming the door. “Why the fuck don’t people flush the toilet? Do they think I enjoy looking at their crap? Enjoy smelling it? Fucking flush the toilet already!” she growled.

  I heard a toilet flush.

  “I think you’re right. You need to get laid.”

  “I’m gonna find that god we saw earlier. Just watch me. He is hot enough to compete with that asshole Cameron. He even has a tongue ring. Did you know Cameron has one too? And I don’t know if you’ve figured this out or not, but our names are kinda similar—Cam/Kara/Kar, it’s like karma. Isn’t that sweet as fuck?”

  Here we go again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Caleb

  The last thing I thought I would ever be was a clingy boyfriend.

  I dated girls, I hung out with girls, I slept with girls—but that was about it. There was never anyone I was even close to being serious with, and I was fine with that.

  Ignorance is bliss and all that crap.

  Why did Red make me want more?

  I’d finally convinced her to let me drive her to school. Barely. She didn’t give an inch. If she did, she made me work for it. Some mornings I’d find her gone, so I made sure to wake up earlier than usual.

  I used to hate waking up early, but now I liked it because there was something to look forward to.

  I glanced at her as I drove us to school. I could only see her beautiful profile: the catlike slant of her eye, the slash of her cheekbone, the fullness of her bottom lip, her dark hair whipping in the wind from the open window. And my heart ached a little.

  What is it about this girl?

  Red tore my world apart, brick by brick, and revealed something more. Something inside me I had long forgotten. Something I yearned for.

  “What are you doing after class tonight?” I asked. “And don’t say work because I know it’s your night off.”

  When she didn’t respond, I threw her a glance. She was biting her lip, looking indecisive. Her hand was tightly wrapped around her seat belt. I spotted a small cut on the skin of one of her knuckles. I had noticed her skin was sensitive and easily bruised.

  My chest tightened.

  I wanted to shield this girl.

  More than anything in my life.

  But why? Why her? Why now?

  Was it because she was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen? Was it because she was the first girl to turn me down? Was it because she was a challenge?

  I’d seen her wake up early every day, go to school and work, and even though exhausted after a full day, she’d make sure I had something to eat. The light would be on in her room late at night, and I knew she was studying. Through her door, I could hear the soft background music she played, hear her muffled voice as she memorized her notes, but what I never heard was a complaint. Not even once.

  She worked hard without expecting much in return, and when she received more than she expected, she was distrustful. It was like watching someone at war with the world every day. And maybe she was. Maybe that was why she’d set her defenses so high, never dropping them for even a moment. Maybe she didn’t even know how to let them down anymore.

  She was like a puzzle that was missing a few pieces. Maybe I’d carve my own pieces to complete her.

  I was treading dangerous waters, and I was clueless how a real relationship worked, but I was never one to give up easily when I really wanted something. And I wanted a relationship with this girl.

  She didn’t want to commit to me. She wanted it slow, so we’d take it slow.

  “I’m studying for exams tonight,” she finally answered me.

  “What exams?”

  I could feel her dark eyes boring into me, and I was reminded of her forceful personality. Sometimes I wanted to protect this girl so much that I forgot how strong she really was. “What’s this about?”

  She sounded distrustful. It wasn’t like I planned on eating her tonight.

  Well, not yet.

  “We have a basketball game tonight. Wanna watch me play?” She hadn’t seen me play before, and I wanted to show off. “They’re also setting up a drive-in theater in the campus parking lot. Come with me,” I said, my eyes shifting from the road to her.

  “I don’t know, Caleb…”

  She was already giving in. I could hear it in her voice. I gave her a goofy grin. Her mouth twitched. My girl rarely smiled, but when she did, I felt like Superman.

  “Don’t you want to show off your boyfriend to the world? Everyone wants my attention, but you get all of it, Red.”

  She snorted.

  “What a prize you are,” she said sarcastically. “And you’re not my boyfriend.”

  People tended to misinterpret me. Just because I was a guy who smiled a lot, that didn’t mean I took everything in stride. I get hurt easily. I’m just really good at hiding my feelings with flippancy.

  What she’d just said… That hurt. I didn’t know if she meant it or if she was joking. She must have noticed my change of mood because she turned toward me and studied my face.

  “I’m sorry. I was just joking,” she said quietly, her voice apologetic, her eyes beseeching.

  How could I be mad at her when she was so sweet? I wasn’t mad anymore, but I wanted her to work for my forgiveness. I always worked harder when it came to her, and I wanted her to do the same for me. I wanted to feel like I was worth it to her.

  “Caleb?”

  I gave her a small nod, my expression neutral. I couldn’t wait to see what she would do next.

  She gently touched my arm, and I felt a jolt when her skin touched mine. She must have felt it too because she pulled her hand away.

  “All right, I’m going to your practice, but only if Kara goes with me.”

  “Kara?” I raised my brows. Cameron’s Ka
ra?

  Red explained how she had met Kara at work, and how they’d bonded and were close friends now. I felt pathetic because I was a little jealous.

  I knew Kara through Cameron. When they broke up, Cameron refused to talk about her. Even now, he couldn’t say her name.

  “So you’re coming?” I sent her a goofy grin. Her mouth twitched into a smile. I did a fist pump and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Go, Caleb. Go, Caleb, go! Go, Caleb. Go, Caleb, go! Aaaaah! CALEB!”

  I would have danced if I wasn’t driving. I had her laughing after my cheer.

  I felt like I was flying.

  After I parked the car, I climbed out quickly to open her door, but she beat me to it. She started walking away from me like I had leprosy.

  “I’ll see you later,” she said over her shoulder. “If Kar agrees, okay?”

  She didn’t wait for my answer and opened the entrance to the classroom building. It nearly hit my face as it started to swing closed.

  “Wait.” I jogged to catch up to her. I noticed her looking around warily. Was she hiding from someone?

  A few students were lounging in the corridors, some in front of their lockers, grabbing and storing books, checking their phones, and others in groups chatting. No one was paying attention to us. What was she worried about?

  “I’d like to walk you to your class,” I said.

  “No!”

  I frowned. “Why not?” Even to my ears I sounded like a petulant child.

  “Caleb, I’ll see you later, okay?” Her voice was firm as she waved goodbye and walked away as fast as she could.

  Why did I feel like she didn’t want to be seen with me? Was she ashamed of me?

  Me—Caleb Lockhart, MVP and most prized catch on campus—shot down by an antagonistic girl.

  I knew girls loved to talk about their feelings. Red was the only girl I knew who didn’t. Something must have happened to her to make her wary. Maybe an ex-boyfriend? Just the thought of her having an ex-boyfriend made me want to kill someone.

  I’d never been possessive of anyone or anything. I wasn’t a possessive person. Was I?

  If not, why did I want to punch that guy’s face when I saw him checking her out as she passed him? I gave him a hard glare so he’d get the message.

  Shit, I was definitely possessive of her. First time that’s happened.

  It wasn’t like she encouraged me. Far from it. But here I was chasing after her, feeling like a desperate, jealous, insane person. This was getting so messed up.

  “Red!” I yelled down the hallway.

  She turned to look at me, horrified, and then she started half jogging and half walking away from me. I caught up to her easily.

  “Why don’t you want to be seen with me? Are you ashamed of me?” I asked incredulously. I couldn’t, for the life of me, understand her.

  And I must have been screwed up in the head, but I loved that. I loved that I couldn’t figure her out, that she was giving me a hard time.

  “Everyone is looking!” She gritted her teeth.

  “So?”

  “So!”

  I snatched her backpack from her, wrapped my hand around her arm to keep her from walking away, and scooped her off her feet.

  “Everyone!” I yelled in the hallway. “She’s mine. If you touch even a hair on her head, I will hunt you down. Now spread the word far and wide.”

  I heard people laugh and cheer. Someone yelled, “You’re the man, Lockhart!”

  Red’s eyes were as big as saucers, and her mouth was open in horror.

  “What did you do?” she moaned, covering her face with her hands.

  “I’m protecting you.”

  “Bullshit. You were staking your territory, and I told you how I feel about that.”

  I loved it when her eyes blazed.

  “You’re mine. Face it.” I put her down.

  She eyed me for a moment, still looking like she wanted to kill me, before blowing out a breath and turning away.

  I watched her walk away from me.

  Would she turn around and look at me?

  Was I just kidding myself that there was something more here? Maybe it was all one-sided. Maybe she didn’t feel the same way I did. Maybe I was fooling myself.

  I waited. Waited. I wasn’t asking for a whole bucket of water. Just a drop. Just a drop was more than enough. Just one look.

  Turn around and look at me.

  But she didn’t.

  I was about to turn away, feeling a heaviness in my chest, when I saw her stop. She just stood there a second, two, three.

  And then she turned, just a little so that I saw her glance at me. There was a small smile playing on her lips before she disappeared down the corridor.

  I think my grin almost broke my face.

  God, I wanted her. I wanted her like I’d never wanted anything before in my life.

  I yearned to be a part of her world. I wanted to be hers.

  And after that glance, after that small smile from her, it looked like there would be more. Definitely more. Man, I’m in trouble. It wouldn’t be easy, and I knew the ride would be rough, but that was okay.

  She was worth it. I just knew it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Veronica

  “Five bucks says someone will change that boring-ass movie we’re supposed to watch to porn.” Kara took a sip from her milk shake.

  I choked on my drink, shaking my head. I really hoped she was wrong.

  The school grounds were illuminated by three tower spotlights, blinding anyone who looked directly at them. More than half of the parking lot was already filled with parked cars. Alcohol wasn’t allowed, but I’d seen empty beer bottles scattered on the ground.

  “I’m sorry I made you postpone your visit to the nursing home, Kar.”

  Her grandma had lived in a nursing home for years and had passed away, but Kara continued to visit there. She acted rough and tough, but inside she was a soft teddy bear.

  She shrugged. “I’ll bring them some damn whiskey next week, and they’ll love me again,” she replied.

  “I’ll throw in some gin. I owe you.”

  “You owe me your firstborn.”

  “Thanks, really,” I said, then looked at her more closely. “Why is your face shiny?”

  Her brows drew together. “Are you for real? This is what you would call a highlighter. I’m a princess. I glitter. I sparkle. I rule over the land.”

  “The land of glitter.”

  “Exactly. Now you’re learning. Where are you going?”

  I stopped in my tracks. “Don’t they practice at the North Gym?”

  She shook her head and steered me in the other direction. “Unless it changed, it’s always been at the South Gym. Trust me.” Her voice turned cold. “I know.”

  I felt guilty. I knew it would be hard for her to see Cameron again.

  “Kar—”

  “I’m absolutely fine. I’m made of steel,” she said with confidence. She paused at the entrance and took a deep breath. “Steel, baby.”

  As Kara opened the gym doors, I heard the sharp sound of a whistle, shoes squeaking against the floor, and a lot of yelling. Only a few people were watching—mostly girls, which was not surprising since the sun was setting and most of the students were probably at the drive-in theater. We sat in the middle row of the bleachers near the exit.

  I heard Kara take another deep breath as her eyes darted to the court. A look of pain flitted over her face, but she masked it quickly. I followed her line of sight and spotted Cameron passing the ball to…Caleb.

  I felt a huge smile on my face. Caleb was wearing a red jersey, with LOCKHART and a number 7 printed on the back. He caught the ball in his big hands, raised his arms, and expertly threw it into the basket. The girls on the sidelines cheered.
>
  Caleb raised his head to look at the wall clock and then glanced toward the front entrance. Someone yelled at him to get his attention back to the game. He was distracted. I felt a pinch in my heart.

  Was he waiting for me?

  Oh, Caleb, what am I going to do with you?

  The squeeze in my heart was getting uncomfortable. I took a deep breath.

  No one had ever paid attention to me like Caleb did, and no one had affected me this much, no one I really wanted. It flattered me and made me feel very special because he could have gotten any girl he wanted, but he chose me.

  I liked him. A lot. I was so very, very close to giving in. Could I do it? Could I trust him?

  My fear of getting hurt was stronger than my like for him. I barely knew him. What if he only liked me because I was a challenge, and once I gave in, he would spit me out faster than I could blink? How much of myself was I willing to lose?

  Nothing, I thought. I had no plans of giving up any part of myself. I didn’t want to be like my mother. This boy would break my heart.

  * * *

  My mother and father were married for three years before they adopted me. They couldn’t have kids and my father really wanted children, so they got me. We were happy until I turned five, when my father lost his job and started gambling and drinking and whoring.

  I remembered waking up in the middle of the night as he stumbled into our small studio apartment drunk as a skunk, throwing things around, blaming me for losing his job, for not having kids, for starting the bad luck that he couldn’t shake since they adopted me.

  I was five. I didn’t understand back then. All I knew was that this man—who I’d thought was my father, who had loved me like his daughter and bounced me on his lap and carried me on his shoulders—terrified me now.

  He burst in my room, mad as a bull, banging the door against the wall. I thought he was going to kill me. Petrified, I huddled in my blanket in the corner of my room. He was about to smack me in the head when my mother yelled for him to stop.

  He turned on her instead and started slapping her.

  I hated him with a passion. This man, the only man I loved, broke my heart into pieces. My heart had never been whole after that night.