Page 1 of Break

Prologue

You would think being the coach’s daughter would have some perks or at least keep you protected from bullies. Sadly, that’s never been the case. Not at high school, nor at college. Somehow, I have something that lures bullies closer, something that says, ‘Hey, you, tough guy, come be mean to me for no reason.’

I used to wonder why, but with growing up comes some wisdom. So, here’s what I’ve learned about bullies and why they do whatthey do.

There’s no reason.

I couldn’t find it. Tried, though.

They just do whatever they want because they can. There’s no one to stop them, no one daring enough to step up to them.

There’s one thing I do know, and that’s not to ask for help. Don’t be a snitch, because it will only get worse.Way worse.

“Dad, please, do they have to come here for dinner again?” I ask as I slump on the couch, my chest tightening at the reminder of my father choosing his precious football player above his own daughter.

It’s not even one player…

Iwishit were just one player.

“Don’t be like that. You know how his home situation is. He needs to have some better food in his system to up his game.”

Right,hishome situation… but what about mine? No one ever hears me complaining about my dad’s… habits.

“I just thought…” I sigh as he wanders off into the kitchen, not even aware I was still talking to him.

The doorbell rings and a chill runs up my spine. The thought of being in the same confined space asthemmakes my heart pound heavily. If only I could run and hide.

“Get the door,” my dad bellows from the kitchen, and I hurry. Hearing the annoyed nag at the end, I don’t dare to bring it up again that I don’t want his star player—star players—at our house for dinner.

I swing the front door open and there they are.

“What are you doing here?” Dimitri snaps, his eyes piercing mine as he steps inside.

With their intimidating gazes, those cocky smirks plastered on their annoying faces, I have to remind myself how to breathe, gathering up all the strength and courage that I have to face them with a defiant glare.

“I live here, idiot,” I hurl back and move aside as Jaxon stomps ahead, his body grazing across mine with a sharp look on his face warning me to fuck off.

I meet his narrowed gaze with a glare of my own, doing my best to stand my ground until he follows Dimitri and walks away.

But they aren’t the dangerous ones. No, it’s the one at the back, staring at me with a smug smile on his face. His head dips low as he peeks up though his dark lashes. His teeth rub over his lip and he glides closer.

“Such a daring little thing,” he whispers as he hovers by my side, the warmth of his body seeping into mine as his leather jacket clings to his body. “Always smelling so sweet.”

I stand frozen to the spot, my hand wrapped tightly around the doorknob, waiting for him to take one more step so I can close it. But he already knows what he’s doing.

“Hope, close the fucking door!” my dad bellows, and I take a sharp breath, my hip still bruised from my last… lesson.

Knox chuckles and moves slowly,too slow. Every second that passes by grows more and more intense, and it doesn’t help that he’s so close to me. So close that the hairs on my arm rise.

“For fuck’s sake,” my dad curses and stomps our way, his footsteps closing in and only a simple kitchen door standing in his way.

“Knox, move,” I seethe as my gaze flickers to the kitchen door and back to Knox’s smug grin.

“Maybe I like to see you get hurt,” he muses as he glowers at me. I swallow as tension presses on my chest, realizing he knows what will happen next, but he doesn’t know everything, even if he acts like he does.

I close my eyes. The kitchen door flings open and Knox steps ahead, leaving me alone with an open door and a fuming dad.

“Are you fucking deaf?” My dad yanks the door from my grip, slamming it shut, and then his raged breath fans over my skin.