Boyfriends Next Door: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance (Boys Next Door, Book 2)

by Mia Belle

  My phone rings, knocking me out of my thoughts. Another scam? What the hell do they want from me?

  “Sweet dreams, Amelia,” I say, blowing her a kiss before ducking out of her house. Because it’s really late, I’m careful to be quiet as I slip into mine. The lights are off, Craig and Julia are probably in bed already. As I climb to my room and pass the guys’ rooms on the way to mine, I hear Aidan watching sports on TV. Caleb’s room is quiet, he’s probably working on another recipe.

  In my room, I drop the bag of books on the bed and head to my window. Lia’s already sitting in hers, book on her lap. “Hey, neighbor.” She smirks.

  I lean out. “Hey, gorgeous. How’s it going?”

  She tilts her head from right to left. “Great. I just spent time with the most amazing guy in the world.”

  “Do I know him?”

  “Nope. He’s way cooler than you.”

  I laugh, bending even closer to touch her, but our windows are too far apart.

  “I should probably get ready for bed,” she says, but the look on her face tells me that’s the last thing she wants to do. “Good night.” She slides into her room, grabs her pajamas, and disappears from view.

  I smile after her, the events of this afternoon running around in my head. This was probably the best day of my life.

  My phone rings with the same number. This person has been calling a lot. Time to shut him up. “What do you want?” I snap.

  “Zane? Hey, little bro.”

  I freeze. Zack. “I blocked your number.”

  “Yeah, that hurt my feelings. I got a new number.”

  I grit my teeth. “I’ll block this one, too. Leave me the hell alone.”

  He’s quiet and for a second I wonder if he hung up. But then he says, “Come on, bro, don’t treat me like a piece of shit. It’s been three years and I miss you.”

  Dropping down on my bed, I run my hand through my hair. “I don’t want to talk to you. You ruined…everything three years ago.”

  He sighs. “I know. But I’m better now. Got a job. Sort of.” He muttered that last part.

  “You still doing drugs?”

  He’s quiet.

  “I’m hanging up,” I say.

  “Wait. I’m working on myself, Zane. You can’t expect me to change that quickly.”

  “Three years,” I say. Then I sigh. “Why are you calling me? You need money?”

  “No, man. I don’t need money. I want to see you.”

  I squeeze my eyes shut, rubbing the spot between my eyebrows. Talking to Zack always brings on a headache. The scars on my wrists tingle, as though reminding me what he caused three years ago. I haven’t forgotten. Don’t think I ever can, no matter how much I want to.

  “I’ve got to go,” I say.

  “Wait. Just let me see you. We’re brothers, man. You’re the only family I got.”

  I lie down, staring at the ceiling. He says he’s working on himself. Should I give him a chance? He caused me so much harm, but he was just as messed up as me—no, more messed up than me. After our parents died, he had to take care of a six year old. He was only fourteen. Both our childhoods were taken away from us, but I was adopted by a loving family while he lived on the streets. It wasn’t easy for him.

  “Zane?” he asks. “Can we meet?”

  I press my lips shut. “Don’t know.”

  “I’m serious, bro. I’m getting better. And I want to prove it to you. Let’s meet in Central Park.”

  “Can’t. I’m not in New York.”

  “What?”

  “I can’t talk about it, Zack. Just…forget about me. Let’s just go our separate ways, like it’s been the past three years.”

  He’s quiet, and I can feel just how much I hurt him. But I don’t know what to do. Do I trust him? Or does his past speak for itself? Could someone change?

  “I don’t want us to go our separate ways,” he says. “I want you in my life, and I know you want me in yours.”

  Sure, I’d love for my brother to be part of my life. But Zack’s got problems, ones I can’t handle. What happened three years ago nearly destroyed me—I have the scars to prove it. I just can’t forgive him that easily.

  “Sorry, Zack.” I hang up.

  He calls many times throughout the night, leaves a few voicemails and texts, but I ignore them all. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, but I thought it’d be due to Lia, not to my brother. The events from three years ago crash down on me, and sleep never comes.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Lia

  When I enter the cafeteria for lunch, I notice Sophie sitting alone at a table. Alexis and her friends are all giggling together, their heads bent toward one another. Sophie doesn’t seem one bit bothered that they’ve shut her out.

  Her eyes snap to mine and something flickers in them. I can’t read her face—it’s expressionless—but I feel hatred emanating from her. Hatred that’s not directed at me.

  “Lia!” a voice calls in the distance. Turning around, I find the Armstrong boys sitting at our usual table, Aidan waving me over.

  I give my ex-best friend one more look before heading over to my boyfriends. I can feel her eyes watching me as I go.

  Caleb takes in my tray of food that looks anything but edible. He shoves the tray aside, pulling a container out of his knapsack. “Made it this morning.”

  I open the lid and a smell of cheese, spinach, and tomato sauce fills my nostrils. “Lasagna?” I eye my discarded tray, which also has lasagna. I think.

  “Try it,” Caleb urges. “I also brought some cupcakes.” He laughs lightly. “Was up all night baking because of…” His voice lowers. “The stuff with my dad. I’m feeling a little better about it, but I still feel responsible.” His gaze shoots to Zane. “And don’t start trying to convince me I’m not. We can argue all we want, but I know how I feel.”

  Zane crosses his arms over his chest. “Was just trying to help.”

  “I know and I appreciate it.”

  “Can we talk about something else?” Aidan asks. “Like the football game this Friday? You know we’re playing against the academy.”

  My eyes widen. “You’re right. I completely forgot.” Josh and his friends have pretty much left us alone, but I’m not stupid enough to let my guard down. “Do we go?” I ask. “Or do we hide in our houses like scared mice?”

  Aidan holds up his hands. “Up to you. Josh can’t come near you with that restraining order, right?”

  I shrug. “I think it’s allowed because of all the people who will be there. And as long as he keeps his distance, I’m sure he can get away with it.”

  Aidan frowns.

  “We should go and boo their team,” Zane says.

  I shake my head. “There’s no point. We’ll just egg them on. We should go support our team and screw those jerks. They don’t exist.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Zane says, continuing to eat.

  I take a bite of my lasagna and can’t stop praising Caleb on how delicious it is. I can never get enough of his food. Or his magic. What he showed me two days ago was spectacular.

  “Did you hear?” a girl says to her friend as they pass our table. “Principal Kelly was questioned by the cops. And I think he was asked to leave.”

  My hand freezes midair. All three guys’ eyes spring to mine.

  “Where did you hear that?” I call after the girl.

  She shrugs. “Everyone’s talking about it.”

  I leap to my feet and rush to the office. Dad isn’t there. VP Pollard is instead, sitting on my dad’s chair like he thinks he belongs there. I don’t know what’s going on, but that’s my dad’s.

  “Lia,” he says when he sees me standing there. “I’m sorry, but your dad isn’t here.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He was asked to take a leave of absence until further notice.”

  I gape at him. “What’s going on?”

  “There will be an assembly after lunch and all your questions wi
ll be answered.”

  Screw that. I barge out of the office and head to the doors.

  “Lia.” Zane closes his hand around my wrist, gently yanking me back. “What’s going on?”

  “My dad’s been asked to leave. I’m not waiting for an assembly to find out what happened. I’m going home.”

  Aidan hugs me. “Keep us updated.”

  I nod, get my things from my locker, and leave the building.

  ***

  Dad’s at the kitchen table, his fingers wrapped around a coffee mug, his gaze on the spot before him. I step into the room, dropping my book bag on the floor. “Dad?”

  His head lifts and eyes widen when he takes me in. “Sweetie.” He sets his mug on the table. “What are you doing here?”

  “Everyone’s saying you were asked to leave. What’s going on? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He shakes his head. “I didn’t want you to cut class.”

  I lower myself on the chair beside him. “Please tell me what’s going on.”

  He runs his hand through his hair. I notice it’s graying a bit at the sides. We’ve had a rough year. What else will be thrown our way?

  “I’ve been asked to take a leave of absence because some…concerns were brought up.”

  “Concerns?”

  He nods, lips pressed into a tight line. “I’ve been accused of embezzling school funds and some girls have claimed I behaved inappropriately toward them.”

  “What? Who?”

  He shrugs like he has no idea. “Everything is a bit confusing right now. There will be an investigation into the matter. Until then, Vice Principal Pollard will take over as principal for the time being.”

  I just gape at him, my thoughts one huge jumbled mess. “Where did all this even come from?”

  He holds up his hands helplessly. “I’m not worried,” he says, though from the look on his face, he’s completely worried. “I’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.” He reaches across the table for my hand. “I just need to wait this out.”

  I shake my head in disbelief. This is crazy. My dad is the best principal in the world, one of the most respected people in our small town. Now his good name and reputation will be tainted. How could this be happening?

  “Sweetie, please return to school,” Dad says.

  “I’m not leaving you alone.” He looks so lost and forlorn, and I wish there was something I could do to help him. “Let’s play a board game,” I say, trying to make him feel better and lift his mind off this. “It’s been years since we played.”

  His smile is strained. “Your mom insisted we have game night at least once a week.”

  Yeah, until I grew up and decided hanging out with my best friend was cooler than spending time with my parents. If I were able to, I’d take it back, return to the past and do whatever I could to savor my time with my mom.

  I smile encouragingly. “Yep, so let’s go.”

  I stand, but he continues to sit there, deep in thought. I drop back down on my chair. “Please, Dad. I’m sure it’ll be okay. Let’s do something fun.” I can’t stand watching him fall apart right before my eyes. “Or we can watch TV,” I suggest. “One of those olden-time movies you love.”

  He continues sitting there.

  “Please, Dad. It’s not over yet. You’ll be found innocent and you’ll be principal again.”

  His empty eyes meet mine. “You’re right. I’ve already jumped to conclusions.” He gives me a small smile. “Thanks. Fetch whatever game you’d like.”

  We settle at the dining room table with the board game. Dad has always been super competitive, but it’s no surprise that he’s distracted. The game lasts for only an hour before I drag him to the TV, where we watch one of his favorite movies.

  I get a text when we’re half an hour in.

  Aidan: Everything okay?

  Me: My dad’s fine, but a little sad. I’m trying to help him feel better. What’s happening at school?

  Aidan: Confusion, but can’t text bec class is about to start. Talk after school.

  “Was that from Aidan?” Dad casually asks.

  My eyes snap up from my phone. “What?”

  He nods at my phone. “Were you texting Aidan? You’ve been spending quite some time with him and I heard the students talking.”

  “About…?”

  “About the two of you going out. Is he your boyfriend?”

  I press my lips shut, my eyebrows furrowed, completely at a loss. I knew I’d have to eventually tell my dad about me and Aidan, but I didn’t think it’d be so soon. “Um…yeah. He’s my boyfriend.”

  Dad leans back on the sofa, eyes holding mine. I prepare myself for “the talk” or for him to go all Protective Dad on me, but he doesn’t do any of that. He just smiles. “He’s a good boy.” Then he focuses back on the movie.

  A breath I didn’t know I was holding escapes my lips. I thought Dad would give me a bit of a hard time, but he actually supports me and Aidan dating.

  I wonder what he’d say if he found out I actually have three boyfriends. But I’m not really thinking about that right now.

  Dad and I watch a few more movies and then the doorbell rings. I invite the Armstrong boys in. They talk to Dad, also trying to cheer him up. Dad just gives them empty smiles.

  He leaves a little while later to his shrink, and I hope he’ll feel better. He usually does after a session.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Aidan

  Lia and I are lying on my bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. We haven’t said much since we came to my room a few minutes ago. Her dad left and she didn’t want to be alone. After spending some time with the guys, Lia and I escaped to my room.

  I stroke her cheek with my index finger. “Got a lot on your mind, huh?” I ask.

  She blinks, focusing those green eyes on me. “Sorry, I don’t mean to tune you out.”

  I sit up, dragging her up with me. We face one another, and I see the uncertainty in her eyes. She’s worried about her dad. Hell, I’m worried, too.

  “What happened at the assembly?” she asks.

  “Not much. VP Pollard told us your dad was taking some time off and he’d act as principal.”

  “Did he say why my dad was leaving?”

  I shake my head. The others and I already know the reason, since Lia told us after Mr. Kelly left to see his therapist. The whole thing is so damn ridiculous.

  Lia rests her head on my shoulder, her chest rising and falling softly as she stares at the walls, clearly thinking.

  I kiss her cheek. “He’ll get through this,” I reassure her.

  She nods. “I want to be positive, too, but it’s hard. There are so many people who are wrongfully accused and then they end up…” Her voice trails off.

  “Hey,” I say softly. “Don’t go there.”

  Her eyes roam around my room, focusing on my shelf. She unwraps her arms from around me and bends down to the floor of my closet, digging inside.

  “What are you doing?” I ask as I join her.

  “There’s something missing in your room.” She heaves the box with my trophies out of the closet, lifting her gaze to me. “I think it’s time we decorate that shelf.”

  I stare at her. “You want to do this right now?”

  She gets to her feet. “I need to do something or I’ll go insane. Besides, these trophies need to be where they belong—out in the open for everyone to see. And there’s no better time than the present.” Her eyes search mine. “Or is it too painful?”

  I brush my lips against hers. “I thought it’d be painful, but now that I think about it, I do want them out in the open. Just because I lost football, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the hard work and dedication I put into it.”

  We fish the trophies out of the box and I tell Lia the story that goes along with each one. Like the one I got when I was really small, just for showing up. I played horribly but was so excited to receive my trophy. From that day on, I decided to train hard an
d be the best football player in the world.

  As we continue placing them on my shelf, I don’t feel as lost as I used to. Sure there will always be a part of me that yearns to play, but it’s not consuming me. I still have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I have time to decide. What’s important is my family, Lia, the people I care about. My health, too. I can’t believe I was risking my life playing with Josh and those jerks. Josh was ruthless as he tackled me. I should have known back then what a terrible person he was. But it’s in the past and I need to focus on the present. On the sweet, amazing girl staring at the last trophy I got. It’s the largest one, and my favorite.

  “I think this should be front and center,” she tells me, placing it on the shelf. We step back to admire our work. I have to admit, my room looks complete now. Like it’s my own. When we first moved here, nothing felt right. Now everything does.

  I stretch my arm over Lia’s shoulder, pulling her close. My life has changed for the better, and that’s all because of her.

  “You know,” she says after a few seconds of us ogling my accomplishments. “My dad knows we’re dating. He overheard kids talking in the halls and asked me about it earlier.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “That you’re my boyfriend. He was oddly okay with it and said you’re a nice boy.” Smiling, she runs her fingers through my hair. “A nice and wonderful boy.”

  My face feels hotter than usual. “I’m a little nervous, to be honest. Will your dad look at me differently now?”

  She shakes her head, bending her head toward mine. “Of course not. My dad loves you. Honestly, he’s probably relieved I’m going out with you and not someone else. He trusts you. And so do I.” Her lips connect with mine, slowly moving over mine like she’s trying to savor every moment. And I kiss her back, also trying to savor this feeling.

  “Your dad’s a great person,” I tell her, resting my forehead against hers. “There’s no way he’ll be found guilty.”

  She shuts her eyes. “Can we not talk about it, please? I want to pretend that it doesn’t exist, at least for a little while.”

  “Sure,” I whisper, giving her a soft kiss. “Whatever you want.” I draw back. “I think my parents also suspect we’re together. I saw them exchanging a strange look when we were downstairs.”