I throw on my uniform and grab my gear, before heading downstairs, but stop at the top of the steps when I see the backside of a blonde--Knox’s girlfriend. Her hair is curled, meeting at the middle of her back and a black and purple skirt sits just below her ass. She must be a cheerleader. Of course, this loser would get himself a hot little number.
“Jasper, come join us. Val is just taking some pictures.” Dad says. Who is this man and what has he done with my father?
The blonde turns around and it’s none other than Queen B, looking sexy as hell in her uniform. If I had known she was dating Knox, I would have given her hell for it. Oh well, there’s always next time.
“I’ll just sit this one out.” I flop down onto the couch and kick my feet up on the marble coffee table in front of me.
“Get up.” Dad knocks my feet off the table.
I stand up with my hands draped at my side. “Ok, take a picture.”
“Don’t start your shit,” Dad whispers in my ear, as he walks around me and to the side of his future fiancée. Dad told me last night that he wants to propose to Val. He realized exactly how I felt real quick when my fist met the door of my old bedroom.
“Whatever, let’s get this over with.” I walk over to B and Knox, positioning myself in between them, plastering the biggest, fakest grin on my face. I swing my arms over their shoulders. It’s all for show, but it pleases Dad and Val.
“Ok, that’s enough.”
“One more of just you and Knox,” Val insists.
I inhale deeply and stand next to the boy who is about two inches shorter than I am. He’s not a string bean, I’ll give him that. He’s got some muscle on him, but I know that I could take him down if it ever came to it.
I force a half smile and they snap a couple pics. “Ok, can we go already?”
“Yes, thank you all for putting up with my need to take pictures of every occasion.” Val chuckles.
“Ahh, one more,” Queen B chimes in. “But I want mine outside.”
“Nope, I’m done,” I say, as I head for the door.
“Good, because I didn’t want one of you,” she snickers and turns her attention back to Knox, her tone shifting from callous to chipper, “Just one of you.”
I didn’t want the damn picture anyway. I grab my bag of gear off the floor and slam the door shut behind me, just as they make their way toward it.
If I hadn’t agreed to riding with Dad then I'd be well on my way at this point. These people sicken me with all their cheerfulness.
“Who rained on your parade?” Blakely muses.
I lean against Dad’s work truck and cross my arms at my chest, hiding the shame of the Redwood Ravens smeared all over my body.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t rain on your parade because that fake shit all over your face might end up in a puddle on your pretty little uniform.”
“What’s with you?” She prances toward me, “You think that you can just stroll into my town and spit your negativity all over the damn place?”
“You’re something else,” I say, followed by half-suppressed laughter. “I’ve been nothing but kind to you, yet you seem to have made me your target. Well, bring it on, baby.” I curl my fingers and direct them at myself.
“I don’t look for targets, they find me and I shoot them down,” she snaps. “Oh, and if I hear that you have been anything but kind to Knox, I won’t miss the bullseye.” She turns to walk away, slapping me with her golden locks, but swings back for one more jab. “By the way, that jersey looks good on you.” Her eyes shoot over my shoulder.
I turn around and see a guy walking toward us.
“Hey sis, can I catch a ride to the parade? I don’t wanna drive tonight.” He looks from B to me. I can see the resemblance, the same blue eyes. Only, he has darker hair. The scowl he’s giving me tells me that they have more similarities than just their physical appearance.
“Sure, let’s go, Talon.” She grabs his arm and pulls him away. I watch as she struts her cute little ass over to the perfectly landscaped lawn where Knox is waiting.
Always needing to get in the last word, I shout, “Good luck tonight, hope you get the crown. Afterall, you are the Queen B.”
I’m not sure what I did, but I managed to get under her skin. Knox must be filling her head with nonsense because that chick doesn’t know a thing about me. It’s kind of cute seeing her all fired up. I’m not sure whether I should be angry or turned on; either way, I’m a little bit of both. I can already tell that this girl is going to be trouble. Something, I’ve always liked. I think I just found a reason to stay in this town.
Chapter Five
Blakely
Riding in the convertible during the parade is more exhausting than it should be. There’s an unusual chill in the air and uniform doesn’t offer me any warmth.
Levi and I are riding directly behind Petra and Kip. Her smile and queen-like hand movements are about as artificial as her breasts. I couldn’t have been the only one to notice. She vomits kindness to your face and then spears you when you’re not looking. Not to me—to everyone else. It’s no secret that she hates me as much as I hate her.
It wasn’t always this way, though.
Petra was once a close friend. But her lack of trust in said friendship is what ended that mess.
Fortunately, I’m not intimated easily, so when I’m pushed, I push harder. And here we are—competing against each other for a crown, a crown that is basically shaped for my head. It’s a given and I’m not the least bit worried. She’ll take the loss with that same fake smile on her face and then as soon as we are away from the public eye, she’ll ridicule me. Too bad I’ll be the bigger bitch and polish it right in front of her with a smile bigger than the Golden Gate Bridge.
Levi places a hand on my bare leg that sends warmth to all of my body parts. The only good thing coming out of this parade is him being next to me. I see Petra ahead of us and watch as Kip takes off his suit jacket, wrapping it around Petra. I look to Levi, expecting the same gentleman motion.
“What?” His eyes widen as he tugs his jacket tighter around him. “It’s not that cold, Blakely, really?” The sound of escaping air in his words tells me that he has no intention of giving it up.
I turn my head and pretend that it didn’t sting. Levi is sexy as hell and easily one of the most sought after guys in school. That’s probably why I’m so drawn to him. His personality is about as dull as last week’s razor, but for some reason, I find myself pining for him. Levi and I aren’t a couple by any means. I just like to keep him at arm's reach.
I look ahead at Petra who’s basking in the glory of warmth.
“Give me your jacket, Levi.”
“We’ve only got a couple more blocks. Just suck it up, sweetheart.” His eyes remain on the crowd of hooting and hollering passerbys.
“Give me the damn jacket.” I begin pulling on the sleeve of his arm. “If you don’t give it to me right now then I’ll tell the whole school that your dick is no bigger than my index finger.”
“You’re fucking crazy,” He says, as he pulls his jacket off and tosses it on my lap.