Play With Me: A High School Bully Romance (Diamond In The Rough Book 1)(13)

And as I tossed my leg over my bike, I saw Mrs. Abernathy standing at the front doors of the school.

Really?

I shook my head as I cranked up my bike. I put on a nice show for her, inching my way out of there as slowly as I could. Going the speed limit, and nothing more than that. But once the school was out of view, I cranked it up. I blazed a trail down the main stretch of our little slice of Riverbend, weaving my way through town. I pulled over for a snack, running my ass through my favorite fast food place, then pulled over to eat. I took a long bike ride, trying to clear my thoughts. Trying to prepare myself for the bomb-ass pool party that didn’t start until tonight.

Courtesy of Marina’s parents’ empty house.

After stuffing my face full of greasy food, I cranked up my bike. I sped back to my place, charging through the front doors of my empty house. I snickered as I turned on lights. A massive mansion my father owned, and I was the only one that occupied it on a regular basis. While he and my fake-titted stepmother were jetting off to beautiful places, I was here. Being parented over Skype and only seeing them whenever I really got my ass into trouble.

Not like I give a shit about them, either.

After changing into my swimsuit, I pulled my jeans back over my legs. I grabbed my stuff for the night, including a towel, then made my way back out to my bike. I sped over to Marina’s place, where Roy stood out front to greet me. I parked my bike in the driveway, inching it off to the side. Because I sure as hell wasn’t keeping it on the road after the scrapes and bumps it had taken that morning.

Fucking Michael.

“Figured you could use a drink.”

I smiled at Roy. “Please tell me that’s—”

“Jungle juice? Hell yeah, it is. You know Marina makes the good stuff.”

I hung up my helmet and grabbed my towel. Taking the drink from Roy’s hand, I sloshed it back. I mean, I chugged it down. I felt the alcohol working its way through my veins as girls giggled off in the distance and water splashed around the corners of the house. I clapped Roy’s hand, bringing him in for a shoulder tap before we made our way around the house. I handed my empty glass off to a girl by the jugs of jungle juice, flashing her a devious smile. One well-timed smile and the silent promise of a kiss goodnight and my drink was full as the line continued to grow beside me.

I winked. “Thanks, hot stuff. Love the suit, by the way.”

She giggled. “Thanks, Clint.”

Roy held out his arms. “Welcome to the party. I think it’s the biggest one yet.”

I grinned. “Which means the girls are in their smallest bikinis yet.”

“Hell yeah, they are.”

“Good. Now, where’s that damn hot tub?”

Roy pointed, and I saw a gaggle of beautiful girls in it. Their string bikinis barely clung to their bodies as I made my way over. I tossed my towel off to the side, chugging back my second drink before ridding myself of my clothes. I felt their eyes on me, gazing over my muscles and marveling at my tall form. Ladies love the tall ones, and I was the tallest guy out of all these fuckers at this party.

Which gave me a very unfair advantage.

“Ready to make way, ladies?” I asked.

They all giggled as I stepped into the tub, sinking into the hot water. Bubbles raged around us as I swam between a couple of them, allowing my arms to settle on the outside rim. A beautifully-tanned girl swam over, sitting directly onto my lap. And as she wrapped her arms around my neck, I tried my best not to wince.

“I heard you were in a fight this morning,” she purred. “Are you okay, Clint?”

I grinned. “A few bumps and bruises. But you should see the other guy.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

I smiled. “Why don't you kiss me and make it all better, beautiful?”

And the pain in my neck quickly dissipated as her pillowy soft lips inched closer to mine.





11





Raelynn





“Are you sure you have to cancel? I mean, I’m sure Dad’s work will understand.”

Michael and I sat on the couch, listening as Allison bartered with her parents. We looked at one another with knowing looks. Our weekend was about to be flushed down the toilet.

“I get it. I understand. No, no, no, I’m not disappointed. I just know how much you were looking forward to this. Are you okay?”

I sighed as I pushed myself off the couch. I gathered up the snacks Allison had handed to me earlier and pressed them into my backpack. No use sitting on the couch if we had to get out of here before her parents got back.

“An hour out? Gotcha. Want me to order a pizza or something? I know that always makes you feel better.”

Michael grumbled. “Better get a move on.”

The two of us began packing ourselves up as Allison hung up the call. She came back into the room with a sorrowful look on her face. I held up my hand. I didn’t want her feeling bad for this. It wasn’t her fault. I mean, her mother was a stay-at-home mom, sure. But her father owned his own business. A few of them, in fact. And that always made for a very volatile schedule. This wasn’t the first weekend extravaganza his work had impeded, and it wouldn't be the last.

Allison sighed. “Well, I guess this is as good a time as any to tell you guys.”

I paused. “What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “I was hoping to celebrate this weekend. But since my parents are on their way back from the airport…”

Michael paused. “You got in somewhere, didn’t you?”

Allison smiled softly. “I got into UCLA. My first pick. I just got the acceptance letter a couple days ago. I’m officially in their architecture program.”

“Oh. My. Gosh!”

I squealed with delight as I rushed toward my best friend. I picked her up, swinging her around as laughter fell from her lips. Michael pulled her away from me and hugged her close. The two of them shared a long embrace as I watched, smiling from ear to ear. I walked up behind Allison and rubbed her back. Michael tucked her head underneath his chin while he held her close.

And for a split second, I was jealous of the relationship blooming between them.

Michael murmured. “I’m so proud of you.”

I smiled. “So am I, Allison. Really.”

She sighed. “That really takes a load off my shoulders, you know?”

“So what does that mean for your senior year? Can you coast it now?”

He chuckled. “She’ll have to submit her final report cards at the end of every semester. Just to make sure she keeps her grades up.”

“Well, that’s bullshit.”

Allison giggled. “I’m just so glad I got in, you know? I didn't want to leave California in order to study, and now I don’t have to.”

“Which means we can see each other all we want.”

She turned around, facing me. “Exactly.”

I embraced her again, hugging her close and swinging her from side to side. Michael wrapped his arms around both of us, trying to get back in on the action. I looked up at him, giving him a knowing wink. And after he was done blushing furiously, we all stepped away from one another.

“Ice cream. Sunday afternoon. That’s what we’ll do to celebrate,” I said.

Michael nodded. “And it’s on me.”

Allison rolled her eyes. “Not everything has to be on you.”

Michael scoffed. “Why don’t you two let me spoil you every now and again? I don’t get it.”

I laughed. “Because you’re always doing it.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine. But I’m picking you up. Be ready by three? That sound good?”

And after Allison and I nodded, the three of us headed upstairs.

It was almost painful, walking away from our planned weekend. But I understood why we had to do it. I walked myself home, watching the sun set over the horizon as the smell of garbage and darkness filled my nostrils. I thought back on the conversation I’d had with my mother this morning. Maybe this would be a good time for our girls’ night in. I mean, with it being so last-minute and all that, she wouldn't have enough time to invite her bullshit boyfriend over.

Or so I thought.

“Hey, Mom. You here?”

She poked her head down the stairs. “Rae? I thought you were at Allison’s for the weekend.”

I set my bag down. “Her parents’ spa retreat or whatever had to be canceled because of her father’s work. So I’m home.”

“Oh, that’s nice.”

“Want to do our girls’ night tonight? I’ve even got some snacks in my bag. Some chips, some cookies. There’s a sandwich or two, too.”

Instead of seeing my mother smile, I saw her wince.

“What?” I asked.

She sighed. “I didn't think you were going to be home until Sunday. So I invited D.J. over for the night.”

“Ah.”

“I’m sorry, honey. It’s just that—”

I waved it off. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. It was a last-minute thing anyway.”

“You can have dinner with us. He’s picking up something nice from that Italian place up the road. I could give him a call really quickly. You want some lasagna?”

I shook my head. “No, it’s fine. I’ve got plenty of food in my bag.”

“We could throw a movie in after dinner?”

“Mom, it’s fine. I promise. I have some homework I need to get done anyway if I have any chance of actually enjoying my weekend. You two have fun, okay?”