Surviving Amber Springs: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance

by Siobhan Davis

  I lift my head. “So, she wants to date you, and she thinks I’m standing in the way of that?” I surmise.

  His nose scrunches up. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  He tucks my hair behind my ears when a fresh gust of wind blows strands all over my face. “My dad runs a very successful engineering company, and her dad is at the helm of a massive multi-million-dollar advertising empire. They’re working on some new project together, and our families are getting even closer. Last year, my parents really started putting pressure on me to date Cassie. It’s not anything new. They’ve been hinting for years, but now that our dads are partnering professionally, all parties like the idea of cementing the bond between our families.” A muscle ticks in his jaw as a thunderous look washes over his face. “Except for me.”

  “Meaning Cassie’s on board with the idea too?”

  He nods, and the strain is evident on his face. “My parents are good to me, and they’ve always supported my NFL dreams. They don’t ask much of me, so I eventually agreed but only to get them off my case. I thought we’d date for a while, it wouldn’t work out, and then we’d go our separate ways, and neither of our parents could say we didn’t try.”

  “You actually dated her?” I’m shocked. I thought Heath had better judgment and more sense.

  “Yeah, and it was a fucking nightmare because it was immediately obvious she was totally into it, and then I didn’t know how the hell to get myself out of it.”

  I sit up straighter, facing him head-on. “I’ve got to admit, I’m shocked. You’re a nice person, and she’s really not. I’ve met her type before, and I can instantly tell she’s manipulative and self-centered. I can’t believe you thought it would ever work in your favor.”

  “She hasn’t always been a bitch, and we were good friends in middle school, but I never thought of her as anything other than that. I know lots of the guys are into her, and she’s pretty, but she was almost like my sister growing up. I was stupid crazy to think I could even pull it off on a fake level. When we were together, there was no chemistry between us, like zero chemistry, but I honestly don’t think she cared whether I was into her or not.”

  “Let me guess,” I cut in. “She likes the idea of having a hot NFL player for a husband.”

  Heath nods. “Got it in one.”

  “How long were you dating her for?”

  “Forty-nine days, eight hours, and thirty-two minutes; although, it felt like years.”

  I burst out laughing. “Oh my God. I can’t believe you just said that.”

  “Honestly, Blaire, it was like a life sentence. I’m surprised I didn’t chalk the days on my wall like a prison inmate.”

  We both howl with laughter at that, and his whole face lights up when he smiles. At this proximity, his blue eyes ensnare me, and the strong line of his jaw begs to be caressed, so much that my fingers start twitching with the craving to touch him. Suddenly, I’m acutely aware of how intimate our embrace is and how easy it would be to kiss him. “If you’re no longer with her, how come you have leverage?” I blurt. Anything to deflect the growing electricity in the air.

  “Ugh.” Air whooshes out of his mouth. “This is the complicated part.” He absently starts running his thumb back and forth across my cheek. “She went ballistic when I broke it off with her, screaming and shouting abuse at me before she drove off. She went to some college party later that night and called me at two a.m. sobbing. She was completely shit-faced, and she’d driven her car into a ditch. She wasn’t injured, but the car was badly damaged. Her dad would’ve freaked and grounded her for eternity, so I took care of it. Axel knew a guy, and we made it disappear, pretended she’d spent the night with me at his house and that someone had stolen her car from outside.”

  “See, you are a nice guy. Most guys would’ve just washed their hands of her.”

  He shrugs. “I felt partly responsible for the state she got herself into, and she agreed that we’d continue to pretend we were a couple in front of our parents, which means my parents are off my back, so it was kind of a win-win.”

  “Ah, now I get it.”

  “I thought it gave me the upper hand with her, but I underestimated how conniving she really is.”

  Alarm bells start blaring in my head. “Why? What’s she done now?”

  “I cornered her tonight to tell her to lay off you, and she only agreed if I promised I’d take her to senior prom.” His cheeks pucker as if he’s just swallowed something sour.

  I plant my hands on his shoulders. “Please tell me you didn’t agree to that.”

  He has the decency to look sheepish. “I didn’t have much of a choice.”

  “Yes, you did! You can always tell her dad what really happened that night.”

  “That’s what I’ve always thought, but she’s completely turned it around on me. She says if I tell her parents she’ll tell them I was the one driving and I was behind the idea to ditch the car and claim it was stolen.”

  “She has no proof to substantiate her claims.”

  “And I’ve none to substantiate mine.”

  “Yes, you do. You said Axel and his friend helped? They’re your witnesses.”

  He clears his throat, looking awkward. “My father won’t believe a word out of Axel’s mouth, and his friend is not the type I could introduce him to either.”

  “Why on earth not?”

  “It’s complicated, and it’s not my story to tell,” he cryptically replies.

  “Heath!” Cassie roars his name from somewhere behind us, and Heath groans.

  “Fuck. She’s not going to leave me alone now.” He lifts me off his lap and stands, helping me to my feet.

  “Tell her to go to hell. Let her do her worst. I can handle it.”

  He clasps both sides of my face. “I’ve made the deal now, and it’s the best way of protecting you. She thinks she has the upper hand because I’m going to senior prom with her instead of you.”

  “Wait, what?” Why would she think I’d be going with Heath?

  He moves one hand to the back of my neck. “She can’t control anything else I do, and her victory is short-lived, because once we graduate, I’m joining the Gators in UF, and there’ll be hundreds of miles between us.”

  He pulls me in flush to his body, and my heart starts thumping wildly in my chest. “And she sure as shit can’t stop me from doing this.” His eyes probe mine as he angles his head, lowering his mouth to mine. “If you don’t want me to kiss you, now’s the time to tell me,” he whispers, his lips gently brushing mine.

  All logical thought vanishes from my mind as my body takes charge. I cling to his waist, wetting my lips as I stare hungrily at his mouth. Cassie’s shouts are drowned out by the thrumming of blood in my ears and the surge of butterflies swarming my chest. “Don’t stop,” I whisper, staring into his eyes as I close the small gap between us, pressing my lips to his.

  Chapter Ten

  Heath’s mouth eagerly meets mine, and he takes charge of the kiss, angling my head even farther so he can deepen our lip-lock. When his tongue sneaks out, teasing my closed lips, I open for him, moaning into his mouth as his tongue tangles with mine. The hand on my lower back pushes me into him even farther while he winds his other hand through my hair, keeping a firm hold on my head and directing our kiss.

  His lips are equally soft and insistent as he kisses me like I’m the air he needs to breathe. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so thoroughly kissed, and I’m loving it. This feels different from any other kiss I’ve experienced. Maybe because Heath is all man and I’m cocooned around his large, strong body, feeling the contours of his muscled torso pressing against me, and it’s a heady sensation. I snake my hands up his chest, wrapping them around his neck and running my fingers through the shorn velvety-soft hair at his nape. He groans into m
y mouth, rocking his hips against me so I’m in no doubt of his obvious arousal.

  There’s no denying the scorching-hot chemistry we share.

  I’m so caught up in Heath that I don’t hear her approaching until she’s on top of us.

  “We still have shit to discuss,” Cassie snaps in a pissed-off tone.

  Her unwanted intrusion halts our impromptu make-out session, and we both break apart at the same time, going rigidly still in each other’s arms. Heath keeps his arms locked around me, holding me close to his body as he turns us to face her. “We have nothing else to discuss.”

  “You can’t go to prom with me if you’ve been messing around with her.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Because it won’t look real.” She pouts, thrusting her chest out and planting her hands on her hips.

  “It isn’t real. You’re blackmailing me into it.” Heath sends her a deadly glare.

  She cocks her head to the side. “And you’re blackmailing me. See how alike we are? You should just stop fighting this. You know we’re meant to be together.”

  She takes a step forward, reaching out with her hand, but Heath catches her wrist, stalling her before she can touch him. “Do not touch me.”

  She extracts her hand, shooting me an evil grin. “Let’s not rewrite history, Heath. You loved me touching you.”

  Ew. Is she kidding? I thought he said he despised every second with her, so why the hell would he do stuff with her?

  “You pounced on me when I was smashed and not thinking clearly. And you know it was only one time.”

  “One seriously hot time.” She pretends to fan herself, narrowing her eyes seductively at him.

  “I wouldn’t know. I completely blocked the whole traumatic experience out. Have no recollection of it. At all.”

  A snort breaks free of my mouth before I can stop it. If looks could kill, I’d be stone-cold dead right now with the venomous look she sends my way.

  “Shut your stupid, ugly mouth, skank. And I don’t know why you’re laughing. It’ll be your turn next, or do you actually think he cares about you?” Her eyes flash maliciously as she flings her next insult. “You’re just an experiment. They’ve been looking for someone like you for years. Isn’t that right, Skeet?” She yells that last part over her shoulder, and I glance up, spotting Skeet and Axel hanging back in the shadows.

  Shit. How long have they been there? Long enough to see me kissing Heath? Skeet’s made little secret of the fact he’s into me, and Axel was on the verge of kissing me this morning, so this looks bad.

  “Shut your mouth, Cassandra, or the deal’s off,” Heath snarls, letting me go so he can step right up into her face. “And if you even think of spouting that shit around school, I won’t stop until I end you. Trust me, you don’t want to make an enemy of me, and you know the lengths I go to to protect my own.”

  “Why her!?” The look of disgust as she rakes her gaze over me is obvious.

  “Because she doesn’t want anything from me except my company.”

  “Oh, puh-lease.” She harrumphs. “Open your fucking eyes, you imbecile. Of course, she wants something from you. Everyone does. Stop being so naïve.”

  “Maybe in that twisted little world in your head,” I interject. “Where I come from, it’s a lot simpler. I like hanging with Heath, and there’s no ulterior motive. Perhaps if you’d entered into your relationship with the same perspective, things might’ve worked out differently.”

  “Don’t act like you know me! You think you’re superior to me?” She casts a derogatory glance over me again, and I’m really starting to get sick of this shit. Her lips twist into an ugly snarl that is not attractive. “I know your type. He may be thinking with his dick right now, but the time will come when he’ll see I’m right, when he’ll accept the truth that the only one for him is me.”

  She is seriously delusional, but if she wants to deceive herself, who am I to stop her.

  Heath shrugs casually as if her words are floating over his head. “Believe what you like. I couldn’t care less. Blaire is everything you will never be, and that’s why she’s worth a million of you.”

  “You don’t mean that,” she huffs.

  “Eh, yeah, I do.”

  “That’s so … harsh.” She actually looks upset, but it’s hard to tell if it’s genuine or not.

  “And I give two fucks, why?” Heath is taking none of her shit, and it’s good to see him standing up to her.

  A layer of determination creeps over her face, and her features hardens. “Fine, keep your slut. See if I care. But the warning works both ways. If you think you can agree to this now and then turn around and show up at prom with her, you are sorely mistaken. I won’t hesitate to end you either. And that includes the bitch.”

  Wow, she really hates me. Not that the sentiment is anything new for me, but usually, people don’t hate me without good cause. It’s like Cassie took one look at me and decided instantly I was her enemy.

  “Then we have an agreement,” Heath says, reaching back for my hand. “And there’s nothing else to discuss, so we’re getting the fuck out of here.” He slings his arm around my shoulders, maneuvering us around a fuming Cassie.

  She reaches out, grabbing hold of my arm. “I’ll stick to my side of the bargain, but don’t cross me, or you’ll be sorry.”

  “Remove your hand, or you’ll be sorry.”

  She barks out a laugh, and I yank my arm free from her grip. “It’s pathetic that you think I’m threatened by you. You’re nothing. And it won’t take long for everyone to realize that.”

  “Your claws are showing,” Axel says, joining the conversation as he steps down onto the deck. “And jealousy isn’t an attractive trait. Neither is chasing after someone who clearly wants nothing to do with you.” He crosses his arms, slanting her a dark look that’d make Voldemort proud. “Do us all a favor and fuck the hell off.”

  Her nostrils flare, and she shoves at Axel before stomping off, emitting a choice string of expletives as she goes.

  “Well, that was fun.” Skeet waggles his brows, grinning at me, not at all pissed like I expected he might be. Maybe he didn’t see the kiss after all. “But as much as I’m enjoying it, I think it’s time we bail.”

  “Agreed,” Heath starts walking, taking me with him, his meaty hand wrapped protectively in mine. “Grab Shaz, and let’s go.”

  Shaznay pulls me back when we leave the house a few minutes later, and we trail behind the guys as we head toward the car. She talks a mile a minute, chattering away as if we’ve known each other five years not five minutes. But her bubbly enthusiasm is infectious, and I can’t help warming to her. I drift off a little as I watch the guys locked in some sort of intense discussion up ahead. They are talking in low tones, so I can’t make out what they’re saying, but their tense body language gives them away.

  “So, you’ll come?”

  I snap out of it as she poses the question. “Where?”

  “To our place. Tomorrow. To hang with me.” Her eyes shimmer with excitement.

  “Sure. Once Skeet doesn’t mind.”

  She giggles. “Mind? Are you kidding? My brother will be so hyped he’ll be up all night.”

  “If you say so.”

  She stops me. “Do you really not see it?”

  “See what?”

  “How he looks at you?” She glances briefly ahead before lowering her voice. “How they all look at you?”

  “Are you suggesting—”

  “Yep!” She cuts me off, tugging me forward as Skeet calls out for us to hurry up.

  “But that’s—”

  She shoots me a funny look. “My brother hasn’t told you yet, has he?”

  “Told me what? I’m not sure I’m following.” I scratch the back of my head as we approach the car.

  “Don’t
sweat it. It’ll all make sense tomorrow.”

  Shaznay’s comments are still playing on my mind the following afternoon as I drive over to the Taylor house. Mom and Dad had no plans for today, so they let me borrow the car, but I’m on strict instructions to be home by seven at the latest.

  As I drive through the salubrious gated community, I can’t stop myself from gawking. Every house I pass is a large family home, all with their own unique styles. Following Skeet’s directions, I turn into the wide driveway fronting his home and park, staring at the impressive house before me. While it’s no mansion, like Lance’s house, it’s a decent-sized modern family home that looks well-cared for. From the outside, it reminds me a little of the house my parents were building by the lake. A house that had always been their dream. One they won’t get to achieve now.

  A rap on the window startles me, and I jump in my seat. Adrenaline floods my body, and I have to coax myself to calm down as I smile at Skeet, his face smushed into the window. He says something, but the words are muffled. Opening my door with a big smile, he leans in. “Hey, beautiful.” His green eyes radiate warmth, and I immediately relax. “You coming in, or were you planning on spending the afternoon in your car?”

  “Sorry, I was just daydreaming.” I take his hand, allowing him to help me out of the car. As expected, he threads his fingers through mine and leads me into his house. “Nice place,” I remark, surveying the light wood floors and cream-colored walls. Family photos adorn every wall as he leads me through the hallway and into the kitchen. Shaznay is sitting on a stool at the island unit, bent over and scribbling furiously into a pad, books littering the surface around her.

  “Look who I found outside,” Skeet says, letting go of my hand and making a beeline toward the refrigerator.

  “Blaire!” Shaznay jumps up, enfolding me into a bear hug. “I’m so glad you came.” Her smile is sincere. “But would you mind hanging with Skeet for a bit until I finish my assignment? My mom insisted I catch up on all my homework, and I only just discovered this essay is due tomorrow.”