“What—that I’m expected to never experience life, just watch it from inside this glass bubble?” My voice is scratchy and the tears are falling freely now. Swiping angrily at my cheeks, I stare at them. I gesture to the security keypad on the wall above a video screen showing a grid of the house’s entry points. “What are you going to do when I have to go to college, move off campus to watch me to make sure I behave?”
“Paris was your one wild trip,” Mom says with finality. “So you definitely don’t need to take the road trip you wanted. You will behave as I expect you to while you live under our roof. If you don’t agree, you will be escorted by a bodyguard to and from the house, and all the security codes will be changed so you can’t sneak out.”
Holden’s brows shoot up as air wheezes from my lungs. A bodyguard? That’s crazy. This is the most excessive, overprotective, controlling decree my parents have ever set.
Pissed off beyond belief and at my limit, I spit out an agreement and push past them, running upstairs to my room. If they’re so eager to treat me like I’m their prisoner, that’s what I’ll be. For now, while I make a plan for getting exactly what I want—my freedom from their insane expectations.
In the last week before graduation, Colorado is blooming with life. Bees and butterflies float on the fresh mountain air, kissing the wildflowers in the field around me. I stretch out on the blanket and turn a smile to the sun.
Since I’ve been home, I’ve been a good little prisoner. I stick to my schedule, not a toe out of line. I wear the good girl shell that appeases my parents, acing my final exams and filling my time with studying, feeling like I’ve given myself a lobotomy to shut off the adventurous side of me longing to go, go, go. It’s boring as hell, sucking my soul out to smother everything that makes me who I really am. The time I spend at the yoga studio is my only outlet for all the frustration building up.
I don’t look for Fox, even though every part of me is dying to get to him before he can shut me out again. It’s been too long. I’m worried I’m losing my chance with him all over again and it pricks at my emotions. I won’t lose him again, not when I’m so close to getting him back. He belongs in my life, and I belong in his.
Today is usually my volunteer shift at the library, but I got someone to cover for me. Once Dad dropped me off in front of the building, I hugged and kissed him goodbye, then ducked out the back doors where my friends were waiting in an SUV to pick me up. When I confided in Thea about what happened after I got home from Paris, she made it her mission to jailbreak me, offering to let me couch surf at her apartment with Connor. I’m not about to be a third wheel to the newlyweds, though. As much as I love and appreciate her support, I want to win this battle on my own.
My parents would be livid if they found out we’re having a picnic near Peak Point in the mountains in a field that overlooks town. I’m probably chancing that permanent babysitter they threatened me with, but I needed to get out in nature to recharge myself.
Thea and Blair are stretched out on either side of me on the blanket, watching Connor and Devlin kick a soccer ball nearby while Gemma and Lucas share another one, snuggled together and murmuring to each other in a snarky tone. Those two love fighting each other, and I recognize it.
I think it’s how my connection to Fox has evolved. Something in my blood sings when he comes at me and I don’t shy away. Instead, I take him on and ride the thrill of surprising him.
We watch the guys pass the ball to each other. When they were at Silver Lake High, they were known as a wicked duo on and off the field, and those sharp skills are still evident as Devlin pulls a move with his foot that sweeps the ball from the ground to bounce on his knee while he smirks at Connor before returning it with a midair kick.
“You showy asshole,” Connor taunts with a wide grin as he goes for the ball.
“Losing your touch? That one was easy to get,” Devlin snipes back with a deep laugh.
“Never.”
Blair shifts around and I laugh under my breath at the look on her face. It’s one that matches Thea’s as Connor dribbles the ball with some fancy footwork. These two are totally into their soccer player partners while I’m just admiring the athleticism and fluidity in their movements.
My blood only races when I think about calloused hands, scarred knuckles, and the faint scent of motor oil mixed with leather.
Tracing my lip with my tongue while my cheeks heat, I roll over onto my back and flip my crop top higher to feel the warmth of the sun on my stomach, careful not to let the bottom of my tits out. If I was alone, hell yeah I’d take advantage and go for full nip freedom, but for now I’m content like this.
A playful growl sounds to my left and when I peek from the corner of my eye, Gemma is straddling Lucas, wrestling with him. The corners of his mouth kick up before he switches their position and pins her arms overhead.
“Caught you, sweetheart,” he croons, kissing a path up her neck. He nips her skin. “I’ll always catch you.”
“Love you, caveman.” She laughs, bright and happy. It’s easy to see how much they love each other.
The guys come over to the blanket. Devlin reaches us first, tucking Blair’s hair back before he kisses her. Connor flops next to Thea and tugs her half on top of him, cupping her face and drawing her down to press their lips together. Watching both couples, longing hits me and I pluck at the leather bracelet I always wear. I wish I could have what they’ve all found, but my heart is destined to weather the storm that is Fox Wilder.
I don’t care what’s happened between us in the last year. We can move past it all after I fight for him.
Maybe if I can find out who would follow him and nearly run an orphaned nineteen year old off the road, I’ll be able to help him. I purse my lips to the side in consideration, glancing at Connor and Thea. There used to be a rumor about his reputation as a king of blackmail around school. It’s how he got Thea involved with him in the first place, because he was blackmailing her when she accidentally sent nude photos to him thinking he was a lifeguard she flirted with at the summer wellness retreat we went to.
“Hey.” I sit up. “Can I ask you something?”
Connor leans up on his elbows, relaxed in his sprawl beside Thea. “‘Sup?”
“Do you know anything about Fox?”
His brow lifts and he ruffles his floppy hair. “Maybe.” His gaze slides to Thea, and whatever silent thing she tells him, he nods, scratching at his nose with his thumbnail. “I’ve got a file on him. I keep tabs on everyone in town. If they’ve got skeletons, I find them.”
“Cool. Well, can I, like…have it?” My friends all stare at me. They’ve seen how he used to glare at me while they were in school with me, but I haven’t told them much about what’s been going on since then. “You know we used to be friends, when he lived here as a kid. The Wilders were our neighbors and close friends. I’ve been trying to find out what happened to him after he left Ridgeview.” I swallow. “After his parents died in an accident.”
“That’s so sad,” Gemma murmurs.