Cruel Summer: A College Bully Romance (Verona Academy Book 1)

by Melinda Terranova

  “Two men in two days. You know what they call those type of women don’t you?” His mocking tone slaps me in the face.

  “Leave me alone,” my voice comes out all mousy.

  His chuckle is dark and dangerous. “Oh, freshman,” he begins, reaching out and lifting my chin with his finger and thumb. The condescending tone of his voice makes my gut wrench, but I can’t look away from him. “You will be begging me not to leave you alone soon enough.”

  I jerk out of his grasp and step around him, making my escape across the courtyard to the café where I’m meeting Amber. I hear their laughter at my expense and feel the sting of tears as my stupid girly feelings bubble up. Don’t let them see you cry.

  I spot Amber relaxing at one of tables outside and I breathe a sigh of relief.

  “Hey.” I huff as I fall into the chair. I place the paperwork and my phone on the table and close my eyes momentarily.

  “Bad day?” Amber’s voice brings me back form my self-pity.

  “Something like that.”

  “I ordered you a large latte and a bowl of sweet potato fries to share. Oh and some tiramisu each.”

  “Thanks, I’m so hungry.” I smooth out my hair and tuck it behind my ears.

  Amber’s posture changes and her eyes become slits as she glares past me to the courtyard. I know they’re heading towards us. I lean forward and drape my hair across the side of my face as a shield.

  “What do you want now, Enzo? You can clearly see I’m here, with a girl.” Amber huffs.

  I swallow the bile rising in my throat. Their presence makes me sick to my stomach.

  “Hello to you too, little cousin.” The cheeriness in his voice does not match the way I picture him.

  “Luca, Dante,” Amber greets them with a little less anger.

  “Let’s leave these ladies to their lunch.” One of the two guys chuckles.

  “Listen to Dante.” Amber nods.

  “Just making sure this non blue blood is worthy of your friendship.” I can feel Enzo’s eyes burning right through me. What the fuck does he mean by non blue blood? I don’t dare look at him. I sit as still as I possibly can, hoping his attention stays on his cousin.

  “Oh my god, just go away now. Uncle Vito is in the back, go hassle him.” Amber cringes.

  My phone buzzes on the table and before I can see who is calling, Enzo’s long fingers pick up my phone. “Hello Ryan. She’s fucking me now so you can fuck right off. Don’t call her again,” he growls into the phone and hangs up.

  I can’t find my voice and I sit there in stunned silence as Luca and Dante laugh at Enzo’s stupid display of asshole-ness.

  Amber scrambles to her feet and swipes the phone from Enzo’s hands. “You’re such a dickhead, Enzo.”

  I feel his warmth against my back and I am too afraid to move. He leans down until his face is near mine, I feel his minty breath brush against my neck as he whispers into my ear, “now it won’t be three in three days.”

  I watch as they walk toward the café entry and disappear into the back.

  Un-fucking believable.

  Chapter Four

  Summer

  The rest of my first week of college is uneventful. I manage to dodge Enzo, Dante and Luca and their vicious comments all week, giving me a false sense of hope that they have moved on to torturing another freshman. Ryan hasn’t answered any of my calls or texts, which in itself is not surprising and I am ahead on all my preparations for classes the coming week. As I pack up my laptop at the end of my last class, my phone buzzes and I search around in my bag for it.

  “Hi mom,” I answer.

  “Honey. How was your day?”

  “Long. I’ve had classes all day. How’s everything back at home?” My heart yearns for home.

  “Do you want to come home for the weekend? I can leave now and come collect you,” she offers.

  As much as I’m wanting to go home, I decide to stick it out and explore the campus. “I think I’ll stay here this weekend, if that’s okay?”

  “Sure honey. Look I have to go but I will call you later tonight. Bye.” She hangs up the phone before I can say anything else.

  By the time I get out of class it’s late and the evening light makes the campus seem magical. I stroll past all the statues and fountains and imagine what it will be like when we visit Rome later this semester. The evening air smells of fresh cut grass and it makes me feel more homesick. I make it back to my dorm room at the same time as Amber.

  “Do you have plans tonight?” She asks as she unlocks the door.

  “I was planning on putting a mask in my hair, but if you have a better offer.” I shrug.

  “Do I ever.” She winks at me.

  We both dump our bags at the door and flop onto our beds.

  “So what’s the plan?” I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling.

  “A party.”

  “Again?”

  “Last weekend was fun and Stephen said he’d be there tonight,” she adds.

  “I’m not drinking this time though. Make sure you keep the damn drinks away from me, and it’s a deal,” I say sternly.

  “Yes mum.” Amber nods, her face serious for a split second before she bursts into laughter. “I’m ninety-nine percent sure Jake will be there too.”

  I smile at her and know where she’s going with this little comment. “Better start getting ready I suppose. I’m going for a shower.” I jump up and head into the bathroom before she can continue on the Jake subject.

  I apply my makeup and curl my blonde locks before I choose my outfit. I wear a black long sleeve bandeaux dress that sits at my knees, it’s tight but I feel covered up, only my cleavage showing. I don’t need a repeat of being called a whore tonight. I do up my black strappy heels and wait for Amber to emerge from the bathroom.

  “Far out Summer, you look like a hot school teacher.” Amber approves of my outfit.

  “Thanks, not quite the look I was going for but it will do.” I grin.

  Amber had already called a cab while I was in the shower and I hear it beep downstairs. I wait impatiently while she puts on her bright pink lippy. “I’m so jealous of your tanned skin.” My eyes gleam at her.

  “It’s my Italian roots. I can’t be pasty even if I want to,” she laughs.

  “We better go or our cab will leave without us.” I open the door and wait for her to follow me out.

  We pull up at a spectacular mansion with a circular drive and a giant fountain in the middle, this place is big even amongst the other mansion here in Newport. My mouth gapes at the site before me. I hand the cab driver my card to pay for our fare before I step out and marvel at the grandness of this property.

  “Who’s party is this?” I can’t take my eyes of the place.

  “Umm, I probably should have told you earlier. It’s my uncle and auntie’s house. My cousin throws a party at the beginning of every semester.” She looks worried.

  “Your cousin?” My mouth goes dry.

  “No, not Enzo. I have many cousins. We are a big Italian family.”

  “I was about to get back in the cab.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

  “I won’t let him come near you, if he shows up. He won’t show up though, he’s away on,” she hesitates before stumbling on her words, “he’s away for business, family business.” She grabs me by the arm and pulls me up the stairs to the entrance.

  “What about his two friends?” I worry.

  “They’re with him. You don’t need to worry about bumping in to them either.” She grins.

  The relief I feel knowing they won’t be here perks me up.

  The doorman greets Amber and opens the large mahogany door, the loud music engulfs us as we make our way through the crowds. The inside of this place is stunning, the wide staircase to the second level is carpeted in royal blue. Who are these people? I think to myself as I watch every second person greet Amber as we walk through to the back of the house. Entering the kitchen and dining area, the whole b
ack half of the house is glass, opening onto a large grassed area with a pool house and a lake beyond the tennis court.

  “Who are you?” I ask Amber and nudge her in the arm.

  “Let’s get drinks.” She ignores me and I follow her to the bar area where a barman in a white shirt and bow tie, is mixing drinks.

  “I’ll have an aperol spritz and this non-drinker tonight will have.” Amber looks at me.

  “I’ll have a lemonade thanks.”

  “Is your house like this too?” I’m still stunned at the expanse of this place.

  “Something like this.” She smiles shyly.

  “Wow,” I mouth.

  “Let me introduce you to my cousin.” Amber grabs my free hand in hers and leads me to the patio area which is covered in fairy lights.

  “Concetta this is Summer, my roommate. This is my favourite cousin, Concetta.”

  “Hi, nice to meet you.” I smile.

  Concetta is the spitting image of Amber, only slightly older. “Hi, it’s nice to finally meet you. Amber hasn’t stopped talking about you.” She winks.

  “Do you study at Verona too?” I ask.

  “Oh no, Amber is the only girl in our old fashioned family to be allowed to study.” Concetta sips her drink, a look of amusement behind her eyes.

  Amber shoots her a look that has Concetta giggling. “Let’s go mingle, Summer.”

  “It was nice to meet you.” I wave as I’m pulled in the other direction.

  “You too.” She turns and heads toward the pool house where a group of well-dressed guests are seated.

  “What did she mean by the only girl allowed to study?” I ask confused.

  Amber huffs and stops to face me. “My family is Italian and old fashioned. According to my dad, girls should remain in the kitchen to cook and stay at home to make babies. I somehow managed to convince him to allow me to go to college but he chose my degree.” She drinks her aperol spritz in one go.

  “Well I’m glad he let you study because college life would be shit without you.” I put my arm around her shoulders and steer her back towards one of the bars. I can’t get my head around that in this day and age, men can still order women around like that.

  “Thank you.” She smiles at me.

  “Anytime. Now I think we might need one of those Shirley temples again.” I lick my lips.

  We wander around the party, Amber never leaving my side as I don’t know a single soul here, until we bump into Stephen and Jake.

  “Hi ladies.” Stephan drapes his arm around Amber’s shoulders.

  “You made it,” she squeals.

  “Hey.” Jake looks at me, his green eyes glowing.

  “Hey. How are you? You missed class this morning.”

  “I know. Hopefully it doesn’t affect my grade.” He grimaces.

  “Just between you and me, I marked your name on the roll.” I wink.

  “You did?” He asks surprised.

  I nod. “I used my left hand so it didn’t look like my handwriting.”

  His laugh is so infectious I am unable but to grin like an idiot in response. “You’re the best. Thank you. I owe you.”

  “I’ll remember that.”

  “Shall we leave these two love birds and go grab a drink outside?” He suggests.

  “Yes please. I can’t stand to look at their PDA anymore.” I make a gagging face.

  Jake and I find a set of lounge chairs near the pool house, away from the main crowd and noise and set up camp for the night. I’m glad to finally be off my feet. The well -dressed group, I notice, all speak in another language. They sound Italian and I figure they must be some of Amber’s family members. After a while the alcohol makes me warm and my brain fuzzy and I curse myself for drinking again.

  “I’m needing the little girls room. Save my seat.” I manage to get myself up off the lounge chair without stumbling.

  “Are you okay to walk?” Jake asks.

  “I should be,” I laugh, “I’m so embarrassed that you’re seeing me like this again.”

  “I haven’t even noticed.” His eyes linger on the neckline of my dress.

  “I’ll be back,” I say in my best Terminator impersonation.

  As I head towards the house I hear Jake’s chuckle. I make my way through the crowd in the kitchen and dining area and spot a hall which I hope leads to the bathroom. It doesn’t, all I find is an elevator. A fucking elevator, in a house. I press the button, the doors open, and without thinking clearly I step inside. I press the button to go up and the silence in the small space is welcoming. The doors open to a hallway, I pause before stepping out, hoping I’m not trespassing. I glide down the hall and come to the only door on this level. I knock but there’s no answer, I turn the handle and open the door slightly to discover it leads to the rooftop. I can’t help myself, my curiosity getting the better of me and I step out onto the observation deck. The city skyline twinkles in the distance, the view is breathtaking.

  Without thinking, I find myself heading to the far corner to take in the view. I close my eyes for a moment, allowing the quiet to seep deep within when a loud clank echoes off the far wall. I turn my gaze toward the only door up here to see the silhouette of a tall guy storm toward the concrete barrier and grip the metal railing like he is holding on for dear life. I don’t dare take my eyes off of him, even from this distance I can see his anguish in the way his shoulders are set, afraid he may take the leap over the edge. I watch as he looks down at his feet and lets out a low strangled growl, there is something animalistic in the noise he made, full of pain and suffering. I sense the moment he realises he is not alone up here and watch as his head turns toward me. His eyes regard me for a moment before he speaks.

  “You shouldn’t be up here.” His voice is deep, confident and it reverberates right to the pit of my stomach. That voice and the damned molten eyes that belong to it.

  My heart flips in my chest and the need to escape overwhelms me. I don’t say a word as I turn my gaze to the only fucking door up here.

  “Did you hear me?” He growls.

  I scrunch my eyes shut, hoping he disappears, I open them and turn towards him. He stands hunched over, elbows braced against the concrete ledge holding his head in his large hands. Is he crying? I feel a pang of sympathy toward this vicious man as his back rises and falls with every deep breath he takes. I take a few uncertain steps in his direction, unsure if approaching this monster is a good idea.

  “Just don’t. I’m fine.” He stands up straight, his back rigid. He runs his hand through his hair and turns to face me. His gaze is narrow, cold and cruel. He is wearing black dress pants and a black dress shirt with rolled up sleeves, he looks dishevelled, as though he’s been in a wrestling match.

  My eyes don’t leave his and I don’t speak as I fold my arms across my stomach, unsure of what to do. I want to run out the door but it means running past him and I doubt he’ll let me leave unscathed.

  His icy gaze rakes over me, taking in every inch of me before he prowls toward me with predatory grace. I swallow the lump that has formed in my throat, not taking my eyes off him as he closes the distance.

  “Why are you up here, freshman?”

  “I’m sorry.” My voice barely a whisper.

  “I didn’t hear you, freshman.” He takes another step toward me.

  “I got lost.” I clear my throat.

  “Lost.” His mouth twists into a grin, the humour not touching his eyes.

  I stare at him in the dim light of the moon. At his dark hair that sticks up in all directions and at his dark, almost black eyes. Eyes that regard me with curiosity. I can’t help but notice how dangerously hot he is.

  No. Hot isn’t the right word.

  This vicious man standing before me is sexy as hell. He exudes a warning that I seem to not completely grasp in my drunken state.

  “You really shouldn’t be up here.” He cocks an eyebrow.

  I take a few steps backwards to distance myself and his eyes track my eve
ry move like a predator waiting to pounce.

  “Tell me your name.” He closes the distance between us.

  I can feel his eyes penetrate my being. When I don’t answer him, he takes another step toward me. I take a step back in response and my back hits the railing. I’m trapped and my stomach drops. I stand there like a deer in headlights, unable to move.

  I finally answer him. “Summer.” I hate my sunshiny name.

  His eyes eventually meet mine and he stares. I’ve never seen eyes as dark as his, eyes that feel as though they see into my soul and will make me reveal all my secrets.

  “Summer.” My name purrs off his lips.

  A sick part of me loves the way my name sounds on his lips and I want him to say it again. I find myself examining his lips, his plump, red lips, when he clears his throat. My eyes snap back to his.

  “It’s not safe up here, alone in the dark.”

  I swallow my nerves. “Because an asshole may come up here and interrupt my only few minutes of peace.” I glare at him. My bravery coming in waves as the alcohol affects my brain capacity to keep my mouth shut.

  He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Penny for your thoughts.” He steps closer and places one hand on the railing a few inches from me.

  I huff in annoyance. “I’m fine. You don’t want to know what my thoughts are.”

  “Oh, but I’m sure I do.” His voice turns deep and dangerous.

  “No, you don’t.” I look up at him, hoping he leaves it at that.

  He smirks. “Okay, ask me.”

  “What?” I’m confused.

  “A penny for my thoughts.”

  “No.” I look at him confused as to where this exchange is going.

  “Please?” His breath comes out sharp.

  I roll my eyes and can’t believe I’m giving in. It must be the stupid amount of alcohol I’ve consumed. “Fine.”

  “You have to say it.”

  “I’m not saying it.” I shake my head.

  He leans in toward me, close enough that I can smell his cologne. He smells really good.

  Really.

  Fucking.

  Good.

  “Please?” He purrs.

  I blink to clear my head and find myself looking at his kissable lips. “Penny for your thoughts.”