Read The First Chapter

One

“The Bobcats are gonna eat shit Friday night,” Dean argued. He leaned back and extended his legs, not a care in the world.

“Evidence, D. Show me some evidence,” Landon challenged.

“Their quarterback broke his collarbone back in July.” Dean ticked off each point, finger by finger. “They lost to the Windsor Eagles last year, by over sixteen points. And then there’s me.” He smirked. “There’s no way we can lose. We’re going undefeated this year, baby.”

“Shit, there goes our chance at winning,” Pey laughed. “A cocky quarterback that’s hopelessly in love with himself. We’ll be lucky if you don’t stop every two seconds to check yourself out.”

“Hey, I can’t help that I’m that irresistible.” He shot me a flirty smile.

I glanced at Pey. She tilted her head, arching an eyebrow, and mouthed, “For real?” Dean wasn’t just in love with himself, he was stalker-obsessed.

“You’re a man-whore, Dean. Man. Whore,” Pey drawled.

Oh no, not this conversation again.

“I’ve got plenty of love, and I don’t object to sharing.” Dean shrugged and threw fries at Pey.

“The only things you share are horizontal surfaces. And cooties,” Pey sneered.

“Hypocrite,” Dean fake-coughed into his hand.

Pey smiled, teeth showing, and flipped him off. The situation was spiraling out of control. I looked to Landon for help and he shrugged, laughing.

Landon and Peyton had been dating since we started high school. That same year, Dean had dumped me for his newfound fame as a ninth grade, varsity quarterback, and the groupies that came with it. We’d been best friends before that. Now, I wasn’t sure what we were.

“Just because you can’t call dibs on this yummy, white-choc—” Dean started.

“Hey, who got the cheesecake?” I interrupted, taking a bite. I closed my eyes, savoring the smooth texture.

“Dean,” Landon answered, smirking.

I stopped mid-chew, mentally cursing the gods that had invented such a succulent dessert. The last thing I wanted was to owe Dean, especially since I knew he’d use it as ammunition against me.

The bell above the door chimed. I looked up as a group of teenagers in long black trench-coats entered the café, bringing the warm, early-September air with them. They settled into a seat diagonal from us, and I could hear their slight accents. The one closest to me looked over his shoulder and winked. I quickly averted my gaze, heat rushing through my cheeks. He must have felt me staring.

My favorite song started playing in the background as I looked toward the entrance again. The bell chimed, matching perfectly with the song, as the door opened and he walked in.

There was something so familiar about him, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

Pey murmured something in my ear and giggled. I waved her off and continued to gawk shamelessly.

His brown hair fell partway over his forehead, casting shadows on his electrifying blue eyes. Black clothes and dark, heavy boots complimented his tall, lean frame.

He glanced toward our table as he slid into the booth next to his friends and his penetrating gaze locked with mine. A delicious smile appeared on his full lips.

I sucked in a deep breath, feeling something coil deep in the core of my existence.

Ah hell, this was bad. Double-chocolate-chips-to-my-hips kinda bad.

“Hey, Pernell, I’ve been meaning to tell you: you should ask for a reimbursement,” Dean said.

I arched my brow, bringing my attention back to our table. He had his signature smirk in place.

“Looks like that cosmetic procedure didn’t work after all,” he finished.

Argh! He was like splinters under my nails. I had the sudden urge to touch his cheek with groundbreaking force.

“I could make a few changes to your body without any procedure . . . wanna see?” I challenged.

“Buuuurn.” Landon covered his O-shaped mouth with one hand, pointing at Dean with the other.

“Oh!” Dean’s eyes lit up in surprise, his smirk dissolving into an infuriating smile. “I can think of other things you could do with your body and mine.” He winked.

My jaw dropped. Dean flirted with anything that moved, but he’d never directed a suggestive comment at me before. Not since the day he’d stolen my first kiss from me.

“Don’t make me gag. I’d rather jump off a hundred-story building straight onto a knife.”

“You know, Pernell . . .” He leaned in, gazing into my eyes.

A strange sensation stirred inside me. Attraction. Hate. Annoyance. Attraction.

Damn him.

“You look super cute when you get all worked up. If it weren’t for that razor-sharp tongue of yours, I’d suck that cuteness right out of you.” His gaze dropped to my trembling lips as he inched closer, licking his own.

Then he gave me his most arrogant smile and pulled back slowly, like he was trying to make a point. He took a bite of my—his—half-eaten cheesecake, looking smug. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I wanted to smack him. Heck, I wanted to punch him in the face and say, “Ha! In your dreams, buddy.” I considered it for a moment. But instead of following through, I paid for my portion of the meal, including the cheesecake, and walked out, giving one last glance to the brown-haired, blue-eyed stranger laughing with his friends.

“Shit. You’re such an ass, Dean,” I heard Pey say.

My phone buzzed.

Pey: Let me drive you home.

Me: I’m okay. Headed to see my parents.

Pey: K. Call if you need anything. G’nite, lovely.