.jpg)
by Ashley Jade
I want to be smart about this and get it from someone I trust.
Given Oakley is selling drugs for the time being…he’s the perfect person to ask.
Fidgeting, I get up from my seat and pace around his guesthouse. “Oakley?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“I want to ask you for a favor, but I need you to promise to keep it between us and not judge me.”
Leaning back in his chair, he scratches his chin. “You’re talking to the guy who sells drugs, boned his stepmom, made out with his cousin, and almost…” His voice trails off and he shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. What I’m trying to say is—I’m the last person who should be judging. Your secrets are safe with me, short stack.”
I figured they would be, but it doesn’t hurt to have some extra assurance. “Good.”
He brings his glass of soda to his lips. “So, what’s the favor?”
“I was hoping you could get me drugs.”
Soda shoots out of his mouth and nose.
“What?” he coughs out.
I grab a roll of paper towels off the counter and hand them to him. “Not like drug drugs. Adderall.”
His eyes widen with confusion. “The ADHD medication?”
“Yeah.”
He wipes off the table. “Why?”
“I need it to study.” Before he can suggest I stop tutoring him, I add, “I’m trying to get into Duke’s Heart on a scholarship. But in order to do that, my grades have to be perfect and so does my admissions essay. I just need a little extra boost.”
He nods in understanding. “I’ll ask Loki if he has any in his arsenal. I’ll let you know by the end of the week.”
My face falls. It’s Tuesday.
“Oh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Is there any way it can be sooner than that? I have to turn in my essay by Friday.”
“You really shouldn’t wait until the last minute.”
Oakley lecturing me about time management and turning in assignments on time would be funny if it wasn’t true.
“You’re right.” Remembering he’s low on funds, I add, “I can pay you a little extra to put a rush on it.”
He waves a hand. “Nah. It’s on me. It’s the least I can do with you tutoring me for free and all.”
“Are you sure? Because I did toss your stash down the sewer and—”
“Yeah, I know.” He stands up. “I appreciate you making good on it though. Loki was gonna lose his shit.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Making good on it? What do you mean?”
He looks at me like I’ve just informed him Santa and the tooth fairy are not only real but married with children. “A few days ago, you left an envelope with two grand in it on my doorstep.”
Say what? “Uh. No, I didn’t.”
“Uh. Yes, you did.”
Clearly, he didn’t hear me the first time. “Uh. No, I didn’t.”
“Uh. Yes, you—”
“Do I look like I have two-grand lying around, Oakley?”
“No, but…” The color drains from his face. “Shit.” He wags a finger. “You promised not to tell anyone.”
I hold up my hands. “I didn’t. I swear.” That’s when I realize. “But a certain someone overheard us talking in the parking lot that night, remember? A certain someone who cares about you and wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
I knew Cole was a good person.
He mutters another curse. “Yeah, Cole having two-grand makes a hell of a lot more sense.” He looks at me. “No offense.”
Hell, it’s the truth. Cole’s loaded.
“None taken.”
He scrubs a hand down his jaw. “Fuck.”
“What?”
“Do you think he’ll tell Jace?”
I honestly have no idea. “I don’t see why he would. Not unless you give him a reason to.”
“Yeah, good point. Cole’s not the type to rat anyone out.” He sighs. “I have to pay him back, though.” He stands. “It might require an extra month or two of working for Loki.”
Here we go. “You swore—”
His phone pings and he looks at it. “Hold that thought. Gotta help the ice man out.”
I’m guessing that’s code for something drug-related. “Loki?”
He walks over to his fridge and opens the freezer. “Nope.” He takes out a large bag of ice. “Be right back.”
Quicker than lightning, he runs off.
I freeze when I notice the time on his microwave. “Crap.”
I must have been asleep for a while, because I have to be at work in fifteen minutes.
“Everything okay?” Oakley questions when he comes back inside.
Hurrying, I gather my things and shove them into my bookbag. “I’m gonna be late for work if I don’t leave.”
“Oh.”
I swing my backpack over my shoulder. “Does Friday after school work for you?”
“Yup. Want to meet here again?”
I’m about to say yes, but then I remember I have a student council meeting followed by a shift at work. “Can we meet in the library after my student council meeting? I’ll have an hour free before I have to head to work. It will be easier if you meet me there rather than me driving here.”
He brings a blunt to his lips and lights it. “I got you, shorty.”
With that, I give him a wave and head out the door.
I’m walking down the pathway when something catches my eye and I pause.
The Covingtons have a large, extravagant in-ground pool in their backyard.
However, for reasons beyond me, there’s a six-foot-three football player crammed into what appears to be some type of kiddie pool.
“You know there’s an adult size version next to you, right?” I mention as I pass him.
It’s only then I realize Cole’s kiddie pool is filled with ice water and he’s shivering.
“Holy Cheezits. What’s wrong with you? Are you insane?”
Backing up, I reach for his hand, but he declines.
“I do this after every practice. Helps reduce the swelling,” he says through chattering teeth.
I wince. “Are you really in that much pain?”
His eyebrows dance. “If I say yes, will you kiss it better?”
Nope, not going there. “Enjoy the rest of your bath.”
“It’s gonna look weird if I don’t flirt with my girlfriend, so I suggest you find a way to deal with it, Bible Thumper.”
Jesus take the wheel.
“I’m sorry, did all that ice freeze your brain? When did I agree to be your girlfriend?”
He shrugs. “You didn’t say no.”
“I don’t recall saying yes either.”
His jaw tics. “You—”
The sound of my phone ringing cuts him off.
I curse when I see my boss’s name flash across the screen.
Holding up a finger, I shush him. “Hey, Mr. Gonzales. What’s up?”
“I need you to come in early today.”
I blink. “My shift starts in fifteen minutes.”
“I know, but I figured if I called you in early, you might make it on time for once.”
As much as I hate to admit it, he has a point. My recent track record isn’t too hot. Last week alone I was late for work twice.
“I’m leaving now. Be there soon.”
I hear him clap his hands. “Ándale, muchacha.”
Then he hangs up.
Rude much?
I brush past Cole. “That was my boss. Gotta go.”
Chapter 21
Cole
Four days.
Four days to make a decision that would take any other girl on the planet less than four seconds to agree to.
I tried to be patient with her.
I tried not to lose my shit when she dodged me at school and ignored my text messages.
But when I saw Cortland walk up to her at lunch today and a
sk if she was seeing anyone, and she told him no…her time was up.
Sawyer Church is my girlfriend…whether she likes it or not.
The ball is no longer in her court.
It’s in my motherfucking hands.
Which is exactly why I’m pulling up to her house.
Where she can’t snub me.
Grunting, I grab the bouquet of pink peonies from my passenger seat.
According to Bianca, every woman loves flowers, and these are a solid choice.
All I know is they better work.
I’m nervous as I amble up the walkway, which is unlike me.
The red brick house is almost pitifully small and in desperate need of a power wash and professional landscaping, but if you overlook all that, it’s not so bad.
I look for a bell when I reach the front door, but there isn’t one.
“Who the fuck doesn’t have a doorbe—”
The front door swings open and I’m greeted by a tall, stout man with salt and pepper hair and a beard.
He looks less than thrilled to see me.
“Can I help you?”
His twang is thicker than Sawyer’s. And nowhere near as sexy.
I clear my throat, unsure of how to answer.
Something tells me he wouldn’t appreciate me informing him that I have every intention of fucking his daughter so good she’s going to start calling me daddy soon.
Instead, I hold out my hand. “Nice to meet you. Is your daughter home?”
It’s a dumb question. Sawyer’s van is in the driveway.
He shakes my hand so hard I’m thankful practice is over for the day.
“Which one?”
He says it like it’s some kind of test.
Truth be told, I had no idea Sawyer had a sister. Interesting.
“Sawye—”
“Dan, who’s at the doo—oh.”
The woman’s eyebrows shoot up when she spots me.
She, too, has a twang. “Well, hello there. How do you do?”
Her mom is a slender, attractive brunette who looks a little younger than she probably is, but not nearly as young as she thinks she looks.
The only physical features Sawyer shares with her mother are her perfectly straight white teeth and long dark hair.
“He’s here to see Sawyer,” he enlightens her.
Confusion etches her features. “Sawyer?” She spots the flowers in my hand. “Oh. Are you selling flow—”
“Who’s here to see me—shit.”
The girl of the hour looks like she’s seen a ghost.
“Sawyer Grace, you mind your tongue in front of company,” her mother scolds.
I grin. “Sawyer Grace, huh? That’s a nice name.”
The glare she gives me could resurrect the dead and kill them all over again. “What are you doing here, Covington?”
“You told me I had to meet your parents.”
She blinks. “Like hell I did—”
“Sawyer,” her mother scolds for a second time.
“Sorry, Mama.” I can tell she wants to punch me, but she can’t because her parents would frown on it.
Well, her mom would. Her dad looks like he’d most definitely approve.
“Goodness me, don’t keep us all in suspense,” her mother proclaims. “Who is this young man?”
Her throat bobs on a swallow. “He’s—”
“I’m her boyfriend.”
Chapter 22
That motherfucker.
He has a lot of balls for not only coming to my home unannounced but telling my parents he’s my boyfriend.
Understandably, the parental units are flabbergasted.
“Boyfriend?” my father barks. “You never said anything about having a boyfriend.”
That’s because I don’t.
Then again, if I say he is, my dad might get his shotgun.
That would definitely be one way to get rid of Cole.
“Relax, Dan.” My mother chuckles like it’s the most ludicrous thing she’s ever heard. “I’m sure he isn’t dating Sawyer.”
The fact she doesn’t believe someone as good-looking as Cole could be my boyfriend stings, but it doesn’t surprise me.
I have no idea what to make of the look Cole gives her. “Actually, ma’am. I am.”
My mother opens and closes her mouth a few times before she speaks. “Oh.” Catching herself, she forces a smile. “I had no idea. But please, come in.”
Crap. I have to get rid of him before they start asking questions.
“He can’t,” I sputter. “He was just coming here to drop off—”
“Flowers.” Cole motions to the peonies as he moseys on in like he owns the place. “Here.”
I want to wipe the shit-eating grin off his face when I hold out my hand to accept the stupid peonies and he gives them to my mother.
“Sawyer told me how much you like flowers. I hope these are okay.”
What. The. Actual. Fuck.
Truth be told, my mom happens to love flowers, but he doesn’t know that.
I pinch myself because I must have been sucked into an alternate universe.
A universe where Cole Covington shows up at my house uninvited with flowers for my mother and declares I’m his girlfriend.
It’s only then I realize this whole thing is my own doing.
When I told Cole he had to meet my parents in order to date me, I was screwing with his head because I wanted to see him freak out.
I never expected him to take me seriously.
Mama fluffs her hair. “Oh, my. These are beautiful. How thoughtful of you.”
“Yup. So thoughtful.” I place my hand on his chest—ignoring how firm it is—and start pushing. “Now take your thoughtful self back to your car and go.”
“Sawyer Grace,” Mama cries out. “You better stop behaving like we didn’t raise you to have manners, young lady.”
Fuck my life. That’s the second time she’s middle-named me in front of him.
“We were just about to sit down for supper,” she tells Cole. “You’re welcome to join us if you want.”
Like hell he is. “No—”
“I’d love to,” Cole interjects.
Of course he would.
Because the stubborn jerk is determined to get his way.
I can tell my father is sizing him up as he trudges to the kitchen table.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out he’s not a fan—especially when Cole makes the mistake of taking his seat at the head of the table.
Dumbass.
My father clears his throat. Loudly. “You planning on being my seat warmer during the meal?”
Fortunately, Cole gets the hint and quickly moves to the seat directly across from me.
The three of us sit in awkward silence while my mom brings the food to the table.
Normally I’d help, but I don’t want her to start poking and prying.
Plus, I need to keep a close eye on Cole, who’s looking mighty pleased with himself.
Smug bastard.
I’m relieved when Mama joins us. It will be hard to talk when everyone’s stuffing their faces.
Nerves rattle my belly as I watch Cole pile food on his plate. I’m not ashamed of where I come from, but it’s unnerving to be eating dinner with someone who has maids and private chefs at his disposal.
My mother’s a great cook, but he’s not going to be impressed with her pot roast and mashed potatoes when he can have filet mignon served to him on a gold platter every night.
Same can be said for me. Everyone’s going to wonder why he picked me when he can have any girl he wants.
Clearly Colton didn’t think his plan through very well.
All the more reason for me to decline the offer to be his fake girlfriend.
I grab a roll from the basket. They just came from the oven so they’re warm and extra delicious.
Mama clears her throat. “Are you sure you want to eat that?”
My cheeks heat with emba
rrassment. It’s bad enough that she criticizes me when we’re alone, but to do it in front of Cole of all people.
I silently pray for a sinkhole to open up and swallow me, but alas, it doesn’t.
The big man upstairs must have more important stuff to deal with.
I drop the roll back into the basket. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Not to be rude, but why shouldn’t she eat that?” Cole questions.
Oh, no.
Surprise illuminates Mama’s features, but she quickly laughs it off. “Because carbs are the devil.” Crinkling her nose, she adds, “It’s a girl thing, you wouldn’t understand.”
“Actually,” Cole counters. “As a football player, I know a lot about nutrition, and carbs are necessary for energy. I’m sure you’re well aware of how hectic Sawyer’s schedule is. If she stops eating carbs, she’ll be tired and less productive. As her mom, I know you wouldn’t want that to happen because you want the best for her.” Glowering, he takes a huge bite of his own roll. “Right?”
I practically choke on my pot roast.
The only person who’s ever told her to lay off me is my father, and the last time he did it practically caused a civil war.
Mama kept screaming that I was going to have health problems and eat myself into an early grave, and Daddy kept yelling that I was just big-boned, and my baby fat would go away soon.
It was utterly humiliating.
I was so depressed I scarfed down three chocolate bars I’d hidden in my bedroom.
Mama looks down at the tablecloth. I can’t tell if she’s ashamed or fighting the urge to kick him out. “Of course I want what’s best for my daughter.”
The harsh look my father has been giving Cole since he walked through the door eases up a bit. “I played some football back in the day.”
I breathe easier. Football is a safe subject.
Cole’s eyes light up like the Fourth of July. “Oh yeah? That’s awesome. What position did you play?”
He beams a little. “Left guard.”
Cole reaches across the table to give him a fist bump. “Respect. You guys take a lot of punishment on the field.”
Daddy nods. “Damn straight.” Judgment swirls in his big brown eyes. “If I had to take a gander, I’d say you’re the quarterback.”
An arrogant smile unfurls. “That obvious, huh?”