Page 10 of Brutal Days

Dad said nothing. He just continued to watch me as I got into the SUV and backed out of the driveway, turning toward school. I blasted music to get him out of my head so I could face the first real day of school without the past taking up too much of my mind.

I stood outside the academy’s front doors, leaning against the wrought iron railing, keeping an eye on the parking lot for when Skylar arrived. Her Instagram notification had popped up last night, and I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since.

When her friend had dropped to her knees and tried to rub the wetness from her drink off my jeans, all I’d been able to picture was Sky there, her black hair fisted in my hand as I fed my cock past those fuck-me lips of hers.

Phoenix and Shane jogged over from the lot, slowing as they caught sight of me. Tracey latched onto Shane’s arm then wound her arms around Shane’s neck. They kissed, oblivious to where they were.

It gave Phoenix the opening he seemed to be waiting for. “How pissed are you?”

“Sky’s article?” Fucking furious. “She and I’ll have words later.” I kept my voice even, not wanting to draw attention.

“Miller got it removed.”

The athletic director. I figured. He dealt with all sports program issues, football especially, with an unhealthy intolerance for everything else. Not that I minded, but he could be a little zealous in his hovering. “The article doesn’t matter. No one gives a shit.”

Phoenix shrugged. “No. It doesn’t.”

He dropped it as Tracey and Shane came up for air, and I continued to watch for Sky’s arrival.

Then Phoenix knocked my shoulder with his. “Come on. We can’t be late for class on our first full day.” Yesterday’s half day didn’t count in any of our minds. “And Coach wants to meet with the three of us this week. We need time to set that up before the bell.”

Having only the three of us at the academy felt strange, and I missed the hell out of my brother, Cole. But he was already making a name on the football field at Thane. My cousins and I would go there, too, when we graduated.

And since Cole was gone, Phoenix kept Shane and me in line with workouts and practice-related stuff. Cole and Phoenix were the most driven about making it into the NFL. I was down for it but would consider it no big deal if I didn’t get picked up. I had other tentative plans for a career. I just wasn’t sure about my major yet. But I had time.

I paused at Phoenix’s locker in the main hallway, needing to see Sky like my next fix. Something about that girl tempted me irrationally. Then she walked in with those incredible lips, dark hair flowing behind her shoulders and a face that had starred in my dreams last night. Her body was slender and would fit perfectly under my arm. I wanted her more than I could comfortably admit.

I eased away from my cousins and Tracey to intercept Sky with a hand on her arm. I pulled her aside, and all the wicked thoughts I’d had last night roared to the surface. “Did you ditch your friend to be alone with me? Because I’m down for that. I have my brother’s key to the school basement.” I had no doubt that she knew we sparred down there after school hours, when the basement would be locked, and most importantly, where we were away from my dad’s prying eyes. “We can get hot and sweaty without anyone knowing.”

She yawned, and I clenched my teeth, annoyed by her bored reaction. It wasn’t something I got from chicks. Ever. I studied her for signs that she was full of shit. When I spotted the pulse in her throat, not just beating but pounding, a rush of satisfaction flooded me and eased the ache forming at my jaw. I knew she was into me. Her reaction had been a hundred percent in response to how close we were and the things I’d said to her.

“Where are your miscreant friends?” Her pretty blue eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have used such a big word. It means good-for-nothing, very bad, even evil.”

And the ache was back as a muscle jumped along the side of my jaw. I hated being called stupid. I was third in our fucking class. I was about to tell her that when her friend walked into the school with pumpkin-orange hair.

Sky followed my line of sight and sucked in a breath. Then she took off, grabbing her friend’s arm and dragging her into the nearest girl’s bathroom. The sight was shocking, but I didn’t laugh. Her friend had fucked up, whatever. It wasn’t anything I cared about or needed to belittle.

But the others in the hall didn’t seem to think that with all their laughter. I seriously doubted Sky would be out anytime soon, so I turned back to my cousins. Jessica, one of the cheerleaders and my sometimes go-to girl to mess around with, latched onto my arm, her smile wide with laughter.

“Did you get a load of pumpkin head?” Jessica asked.

Tracey was the only one who cared. The two girls gossiped while Phoenix caught my eye then rolled his.

“She was a band-geek freak of no notice before.” Tracey smirked.

I caught Phoenix’s glare—his absolute hatred for his brother’s girlfriend.

“And it looks like she’s aiming her sights higher”—Tracey and Jessica looked pointedly at me—“where she doesn’t belong.”

From the corner of my eye, a flash of orange caught my notice. Sky and her friend came out of the bathroom. Jessica and Tracey still snickered, saying some bullshit none of us cared about. Sky paused and shot my group a glare, then walked out with her friend.

Excitement coursed through me at her fiery strength. The year had just gotten a hell of a lot more interesting.

CHAPTER EIGHT

SKYLAR

#CounterOffer

---