Devious Little Liars: A High School Bully Romance (Saint View High Book 1)

by Elle Thorpe

I immediately relaxed in his presence and let my gaze drift over his handsome features.

  “I missed you,” he whispered. “I’ve barely seen you all week.”

  I nodded. I’d been keeping a pretty low profile. Going straight home after school to work with my tutor who was disappointed with my progress and attention. He was threatening to tattle to Selina. I didn’t want that to happen. She’d been so happy for the last few days, buzzing around, coordinating the restaurant chef and the decorator who was turning this birthday party into something next-level outrageous. I didn’t want to put a downer on her good mood in any way.

  “Rafe said you won’t tell him what you’re wearing to your party.”

  “That happened just two minutes ago. How did you even see him in that time?”

  He held up his phone. “We have this thing called instant messaging? You should try it.” He nudged me playfully. “So, you going to tell me what your costume is?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  “How are we supposed to couple dress if I don’t know what you’re going as?”

  I bit my lip. “Is that what we are? A couple? Where does Rafe fit into that?”

  Banjo shrugged. He picked up a pencil and tapped it absently on the desk in a rhythm that sounded vaguely familiar. “I don’t know. Do we have to label it? All I know is I had a great weekend with you. And I can’t wait to do it again. When? This weekend? I can do that thing you like with my tongue, and —”

  I shushed him as the teacher walked in and cleared her throat, glaring in our direction. Heat flushed my cheeks. If she’d heard that, I’d die. Though I supposed she’d heard, and probably seen worse, after teaching a bunch of horny teenagers day in and day out. Especially with Colt and Gillian in her class. The two of them had no shame. If I turned around, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he had his hand up her skirt.

  Not that I was jealous. I wasn’t. He was hot, but he was an asshole, and he could go suck a bag of dicks.

  Miss Halten spent part of the lesson discussing harmonies, and then thankfully, let us work on our performance pieces. Banjo and I needed the time desperately, and we worked well together, searching for a piece we could both shine in. Admittedly, there was some flirting and a little under-the-desk touching, but I mostly managed to keep us on task until the bell rang. We traipsed out of class, and he pulled me into his arms. Before I could protest, he dropped a kiss on my lips.

  “See you at lunch, okay?”

  I nodded, and kissed him back, my lips lingering on his, then we headed in opposite directions. Me to the English block, him to woodwork.

  The girl’s bathroom was on the way, and I ducked in quickly to make sure my clothes were straight and my makeup wasn’t smudged from Banjo’s kisses.

  I pushed the door open, and a hand on the middle of my back propelled me forward. I spun around and glared at Gillian. She locked the bathroom door behind her.

  “Your moves are getting predictable, Gillian. Just you and me today? No girl posse in tow?”

  Gillian rolled her eyes. “You’re so fucking dramatic.”

  “You probably would be, too, if you’d just been shoved into the bathroom.”

  “Get over it. I just wanted to talk to you.”

  Well, that was rich. “Why?”

  “Honestly?”

  “Do you actually know what that means?” I snarked. “You didn’t when you wrote those bullshit lies about my uncle.”

  She flapped her hand about impatiently, like I was boring her. “Okay, sure, I stuffed them in your locker and spray painted the door.”

  “This isn’t news to me.”

  “Look, I feel a tiny bit bad about that, okay? So I’m trying to do you a favor. How ’bout you shut up for five seconds and let me talk?”

  I narrowed my eyes and went to push past her, makeup be damned. I didn’t want to be in an enclosed space with Gillian. I didn’t trust myself not to swing a punch at her. “I don’t need your favors.”

  She shoved me back. “Actually, princess, I think this time you do. I can’t just sit back and watch this anymore. It’s too pathetic. Honestly, every time I look at you, I just want to weep for the shame of the situation you can’t even see.”

  I threw my hands up in the air. “So enlighten me, then. What is it that the queen bitch of Saint View High knows that I don’t?”

  “Not just me. Everybody who’s anybody can see it. It’s been entertaining, but I’m bored now, and I think the fireworks that are about to go off will be so much more fun. For me. Of course. Not so much for you. So listen up. Whatever you think you have with Banjo and Rafe? You’re wrong.”

  “You don’t know anything about it, Gillian. Mind your own business.”

  “Oh, but this is my business. And I do know about it. Everything about it. You think I haven’t noticed you slutting it up with the two of them? Making out with Rafe one day, doing a walk of shame with Banjo the next? Juiciest gossip I’ve ever had the pleasure of holding on to.”

  “If it’s so juicy, why haven’t you told the entire school, then?” I’d been waiting for it. But she had no proof, so if she wanted to tell everyone I was with two guys at once, let her. I was sure Saint View High had its fair share of bed-hopping.

  She cocked her head to one side. “It’s always good to have an ace up your sleeve. And your dirty little secret is mine. But I do want to warn you. You can’t trust them.”

  I snorted. “Rich, coming from you. You’re so snake-like I can practically see your fangs.”

  Gillian actually looked somewhat pleased with that analogy, even though it hadn’t been meant as a compliment. She raised one shoulder in a shrug. “Don’t believe me. But I know for a fact that Colt forbade them to date you. And nobody goes against Colt.”

  I choked on a snort of laughter. “It’s like you actually believe he’s some sort of god.”

  “He is around here.”

  “Then why was I kissing Rafe before the game on Friday? Why did I spend all of Friday night in Banjo’s bed? Maybe Colt isn’t the one with the God-like power around here. If I can get Banjo and Rafe to go against his ridiculous fucking rules, maybe I’m the one with the power?”

  Gillian’s smile widened, and she burst into laughter. “Power of the pussy, huh? If you truly believe that, then you’re more deluded and under their spell than I realized. If that’s the case, I simply feel sorry for you. I suggest you take your pretty little ass back to where you came from, while you still have your reputation somewhat intact. Because I promise, you hang around here much longer, there’ll be no reputation to salvage. Those boys will rip the meat from your bones and spit you out when you’re done. You’ve no idea what you’ve walked into.”

  Ice flushed through my veins at the barely concealed threat in her voice.

  Gillian smirked and dusted off her palms on her skirt. “My work here is done. See you at your party, princess. It’s going to be a hell of a night.”

  33

  Lacey

  Jagger zipped me up and gasped as I spun in a little circle.

  Meredith, sitting on my bed behind her clapped her hands and bounced on the mattress. “You look amazing!”

  I studied myself in the mirror. The long gold-and-white dress fell right to the floor, the bodice fitted, the skirt billowing out extravagantly. Tiny, shimmering beads were stitched into the fabric, gleaming from every angle. Meredith had curled my hair earlier, and now it fell down my back in soft waves, below an intricate golden crown that sat atop my head.

  “It’s not too much?” I asked, mainly aiming the question at Jagger, because nothing was ever too much for Meredith.

  She shook her head. “No way. It’s perfect. Those boys won’t know what hit them.”

  My smile faltered.

  Jagger shook her head, her hand waving in my face. “No. No, no, no. You stop that right now, Lacey Knight. You should know better than to listen to Gillian. I can’t believe for one second you believed her bullshit.”

  Meredit
h frowned from her spot on the bed. I’d filled them both in about what Gillian had said, and both had been livid. “I swear, she’d better not show her face at the party tonight. Or I will not be held accountable for my actions.”

  I smiled at them. “I know, I know. I’m not going to let it get to me. I swear.”

  Something outside the window caught Jagger’s attention, and she pulled the gauzy curtains aside to peer out. When she turned back, she winked at me. “Good, because Banjo just got here. And he looks mighty fine.”

  I squealed and rushed over. Sure enough, Banjo leaned on the side of his brother’s car, grinning up at me. My mouth dried at the sight of him in a Top Gun flight suit, complete with Aviators. He beckoned me to come downstairs.

  I gave the girls a hug each. “I’ll see you there, okay?”

  They shooed me out the door. They were both being picked up from my place by their dates—Aaron and Owen.

  “We’re going to have the best night,” Meredith squealed.

  I hadn’t been at all excited about this party, but now as I descended the stairs to meet Banjo, excitement started swirling around my belly. Selina stood at the bottom of the staircase, snapping photos on her phone, tears misting in her eyes. She caught me by the shoulders when I reached the door.

  “I can’t believe you’re eighteen,” she breathed. “I swear it was just the other day we opened this door and found you on the step with your social worker. You looked up at me with those big eyes, and my heart broke into a million pieces. I fell in love with you right then and there, you know? And I’ve never stopped. Not for a moment. And now you’re all grown-up.”

  A lump rose in my throat. “Thanks, Mom.”

  Selina pulled away, blinking at me in surprise. “You’ve never called me that.”

  “Is it okay? It’s just you’re the only mom I really remember. You’re the one who has always been there for me. And I don’t want to regret not telling you that, the way I do with Uncle Lawson. I wished I’d called him Dad. Because that’s how I think of him.”

  Selina’s eyes went glassy. “He would have loved that. But he already knew. He was your dad, even if you never actually said it. He knew.”

  A sob burst from my throat, and Selina and I launched ourselves at each other, holding tight until my sobs became hiccups.

  I pulled back, wiping my fingers beneath my eyes. “I’m ruining my makeup. And Banjo is waiting for me.”

  Selina shooed me out the door on her way upstairs, no doubt headed to her own makeup mirror to fix the mess we’d made of her eyeliner. I let the fresh night air wash away the last of my sorrow over my uncle. Tonight wasn’t the time for that. Tonight was about celebrating. It wasn’t just me turning eighteen.

  I rounded the path that led to our driveway, and the moment I saw Banjo, it was like my feet had a mind of their own. I ran the last few steps and threw myself into his arms. He caught me effortlessly and lowered his lips to mine, soft and sweet.

  “You look smoking,” he whispered, fingers tightening around my lower back. “Happy birthday, baby. Here.” He placed a thin rectangular present in my hands, wrapped impeccably, with a silver bow.

  I didn’t have to ask to know he’d wrapped it himself. The perfect wrapping job was somehow reminiscent of the tidy way he kept his house. It was all very Banjo, and all at complete odds with the laid-back surfer vibe he showed off to the world. I knew him. The real him. The one he hid from the rest of the world.

  I pulled off the ribbon and peeled back the edges of the paper. I gasped.

  Banjo knew me, too. So well.

  A beautiful pile of personalized sheet music lay beneath the wrapping. My name was in a gold foil font across the top, and the lines were blank, just waiting for me to fill in with my songs. It was beautiful and personal and had me on the verge of choking up again.

  “I know I’ve made our music study sessions more about making out than writing songs.”

  I snorted. “Understatement of the century.”

  “But I know how talented you are. And I promise, as part of this present, I’m going to stop distracting you and start supporting you to get your songs down. And eventually out into the world.”

  “Some distraction might be okay. I’m not a nun.”

  Banjo wriggled his eyebrows at me suggestively.

  I slapped his chest but then leaned in to kiss the sting. “Thank you. It’s beautiful. I love it. And also, happy birthday!” I grinned back at him. “Ready for your present?”

  His eyes raked over my curves, heating my blood. “The only present I want is to fuck you while you’re wearing that dress.”

  I laughed. “Okay, maybe that can be a present for later. But here.” I thrust a bag into his hand, waiting eagerly as he opened it.

  He pulled out a frame and studied the print inside. “This is our beach!” he hollered. “I surf right there.” He pointed to a spot on the print just before the ocean met the sand.

  “I found a local photographer.”

  Banjo grinned. “I love it.”

  An overwhelming rush of feelings came over me, as I realized there was nothing that made me happier than the pure joy on his face. That look, and knowing I put it there, was everything. He had so little. No parents to celebrate this day. A brother who didn’t seem to care. Banjo had been my rock from the minute I’d laid eyes on him. Always there to put a smile on my face when everything else felt dark. From that first moment, at my uncle’s wake. To him finding me after I fled from Colt at the football party. To him taking my virginity. Gillian was wrong. She didn’t know Banjo like I did. He wouldn’t hurt me.

  I stared up into his green eyes and whispered words I hadn’t planned to say. “I love you, Banjo.”

  For the longest moment, he didn’t say anything. Then his mouth crashed down on mine, stealing my breath. Our tongues danced, while our fingers grabbed at each other, pulling closer, needing, wanting.

  A car engine and a shout from behind broke us apart.

  “Get a room already!” Aaron yelled from the driver’s seat of his car that now idled behind Banjo’s.

  Owen pulled in moments later, and Meredith and Jagger joined us on the driveway.

  Meredith did a twirl in her ballerina costume. “Let’s get this party started!”

  We all piled into our respective cars, and we followed the convoy into Saint View, in a cloud of happy chatter and building excitement.

  It would be hours later before I realized Banjo had never said I love you back.

  Rafe was waiting at the front of the restaurant when Banjo and I arrived, a small present bag clutched in his fingers.

  Banjo kissed my temple. “I’ll wait for you in the lobby, okay?” He strode away, tucking his keys into the pocket of his flight suit.

  I smiled at Rafe, then ran a finger up his bare arm. “Aren’t you cold?” I asked. He’d picked a Roman gladiator’s costume, which showed off a lot more skin than Banjo’s flight suit. Rafe’s left his muscled calves bare, and the top half was sleeveless. Not that I minded the view. Rafe’s biceps popped. I was glad he didn’t seem to feel the cold.

  He leaned in, kissing my cheek, making me shiver. “Happy birthday, Lacey.”

  “Thank you.”

  He handed me the little bag, and from inside, I produced a tiny velvet box. I glanced up at him curiously and then popped it open.

  “Oh wow,” I murmured. Gently, I touched a finger to the delicate gold chain with a music note hanging from the center. “It’s beautiful.”

  “As are you. Here, let me put it on for you.”

  He pulled the chain from the box, and I lifted my hair, turning around so he could fasten the clasp at the back. The music note sat just above my cleavage, inches from my heart. I loved it.

  “You Saint View boys are good at presents.”

  “We’re good at partying, too. You ready to do this?”

  Other kids from school were streaming in, as well as some from Edgely and Providence. There were calls of happy birthd
ay from some of them, but it was clear to me others didn’t even know who I was, and they were solely here to party.

  “Ready.”

  “I’ll see you inside then. I’ll let you and Banjo have your moment of glory.” He was gone before I could protest.

  Banjo was waiting just inside the lobby, gazing around at the gathering crowd. I slipped my hand inside his.

  “This place is fancy for Saint View.”

  “Wait ’til you see inside these doors. I hope you’re prepared for next-level, over-the-top ridiculousness. Because I’m sure Selina, Meredith, and Jagger went all out.”

  “You haven’t seen it?”

  I shook my head. “They wouldn’t let me. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

  He put his hand on the heavy wooden door. “Let’s get surprised then.”

  I lifted my skirt slightly so I wouldn’t trip, and entered the room, Banjo close behind me.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, the birthday boy and girl have arrived!” someone yelled.

  The entire room turned in our direction, a huge cheer going up that took me by surprise.

  “Holy shit.” Banjo laughed, waving one hand at the people milling below.

  We’d entered on a dais of sorts, with stairs leading down to the main part of the room. I could see everything from our higher vantage point. It was grander than I’d expected. Fairy lights twinkled everywhere, fresh flowers sat on tables, and the dance floor already heaved with bodies. Smoke machines gave a romantic, fantasy vibe. The football team rushed us, and Banjo was swept up, then dragged down onto the dance floor. I backed out of the fray and cast my eye over the beautiful room. Everyone lost interest and went back to dancing.

  Everybody but one.

  Colt stared at me from the very center of the dance floor. Bodies writhed around him, the lights dim, the music thumping, but in my head, it was like there was a spotlight shining down on him. His gorgeous eyes drifted over my body, and it somehow felt like he was right there in front of me, touching me, mapping my curves with his hands instead of his gaze. Each touch, each caress, lit up a fire in my body.