Vicious Little Snakes: Hillcrest Prep, Book 2 (A Prep Series 3), page 23
“Do Caroline and yourself a favor, and don’t cross the line anymore. Not until you’re ready to stay. You understand what I mean?”
“Yeah, dude. I understand.”
And I do. But sometimes, knowing what’s right and doing what’s right are mutually exclusive and uncontrollable.
Carebear: Heard you and Kai made up. Was there kissing involved because that’s hot.
Me: Just me kissing his ass.
I laugh as soon as I hit send, typing again.
Me: That joke played out differently in my head. But yeah, we’re good.
Carebear: Good. So tell me, is Donovan the next stop on your apology train?
The elevator dings, but I don’t look up, stepping out into Donovan’s penthouse entrance. Her mean-ass butler, Vic, doesn’t smile as I look up and say, “Sorry, just sending a text. But I know where to go.”
Me: I’m on my way to her room now—with cookies.
I wait for a minute, starting my way to Donovan’s room but stop again in the hallway when Caroline doesn’t text back.
Me: Carebear, don’t be like that…I know what your face is doing rn. You’re always my favorite—there, now you can screenshot it for proof.
Carebear: xx
There are my kisses.
Me: oo
Caroline
The sound of lockers closing around me muffles the sound of my own. Everyone that goes to Hillcrest is losing their minds today because it’s the crew race day. The minute St. Simeon buses began pulling up in the parking lot, boys started acting like dogs, barking as a sign of their loyalty, while the girls started primping.
I wasn’t surprised. Crew hoes have no commitment to a team. They’re only loyal to the wood. Speaking of crew hoes, Laura slides up next to me, pulling her backpack higher onto her shoulder. “Jesus, you’d think it was a pro game. People are going crazy.”
“Well, St. Simeon is number one in their division, like us, so I suppose people like a good fight.”
I button my blazer, already feeling a chill coming down the hall as the doors keep opening. Laura looks over her shoulder, waving to some girls I don’t care about, then looks back to me.
“We should go get a place before the hill gets too crowded. I brought a few blankets. I’ll run by my car and grab them.”
My phone buzzes, making me press my lips together before releasing them with a pop. “‘Kay. Bye. I’ll meet you there.”
She smiles, turning around, and heads toward the door as I pull my phone from my blazer. It’s been a week since Liam and I began secretly texting. During school, we give each other nothing but a stolen look, here and there, but late at night, we talk about everything and nothing.
Kai was right when he said I was playing with fire because I think my idea of friends is going up in flames. Oh my God, he has me repeating that dumb saying in my head.
Liam: I don’t see your face. Carebear…
Me: Don’t text that tone with me. I’m still deciding if it’s worth my while.
Liam: It’s not. But come anyway. I always put on a good show.
The smile on my face is too broad. It’s happening a lot lately. I debate what to text back as a raspy voice says, “Hey.”
My eyes lift, blinking at Donovan standing in front of me. Closing my phone screen, I slip it back into my blazer pocket and wrinkle my forehead.
“What?”
She motions with her head, saying casually, “Let’s go,” while pulling the sleeves of her cardigan down halfway over her hands.
My head draws back. “Where?”
Her head does the same, then she laughs.
“The race, Caroline. Be less salty. We’re expected.”
He did not send her to collect me. I narrow my eyes. “Pass. I have other friends to sit with.”
But as I turn, she does the same, and we begin to walk in step. It’s hard not to notice the people’s reaction left milling about in the halls as we walk by them. This is priceless. It’s the moment in a movie when they pan from our heels to our faces playing some badass girl power music in the background.
“Wow,” I say, turning to look at her as we walk. “We could rule the world if only we liked each other.”
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t completely hate you.”
As we walk through the doors, I counter, “Aww, kitten, I don’t completely like you either.”
But she grabs my arm, stopping me at the top of the steps that lead to the grass, shifting to lock eyes.
“However…I trust you, Caroline.”
My breath is held because we aren’t making sarcastic jokes anymore. Donovan picks at her bracelets under her sleeve as she speaks.
“I didn’t know, back when we had our little confessional in the limo that night, that I could trust that you wouldn’t break Liam’s heart. But I do now. And I’m not in your way anymore unless you hurt him. Then I’m in your face.”
What the fuck? Why is she saying this? I wonder if she and Liam spoke about me the other day when they made up.
“Is this your idea or one of his?”
She grins, knowing precisely what I’m asking.
“Mine. And this is our little secret. Liam doesn’t talk to me about you, Caroline. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t thinking about you. It’s obvious that whatever’s going on between you guys isn’t done—because he doesn’t want it to be. Just don’t hurt him—I think you’re the only person that really can.”
There are so many things I want to ask, even more, I want to say, but I opt for the one that’s the most honest.
“Stop being the you I like. It’s unnerving. I prefer your actual personality—trite crew ho with an annoying laugh.”
She smiles, and I roll my eyes before we turn and create more buzz making our way down to the waiting blanket and a shell-shocked Laura.
Me: Nice win. I’m sure Grey did all the work, though.
Liam: So mean. Keep going, see what happens, Carebear.
I stare down at my phone, heat creeping up my neck. What does that mean? Whatever it is probably isn’t any one of the things running through my imagination, but a girl can wish.
The guys are inside the boathouse while everyone waits for them to emerge. It’s a tradition to have a rally after a win, so I sit here because I’m all for a ceremony and another opportunity to indulge my addiction.
“There they are.” Donovan points as the people scattered on the hill start cheering and clapping.
The boys are walking up the dock, donning their Hillcrest hoodies over their long uni’s. I like when the water gets this cold because Liam in spandex pants is clit bait.
As they walk, he reaches behind him, tugging the sweatshirt off and holding it in one hand as he pulls a strap of his uni off his shoulder, switching hands to do the other side.
The top of the unitard hangs around his waist, putting his bare tan chest on display as he rubs a hand over his head, laughing and pushing an arm against Kai’s shoulder as they walk before putting his sweatshirt back on.
I swallow, chancing a quick glance at Donovan to make sure she didn’t see my drooling, but she’s too busy eye-fucking Grey. Liam holds up his phone and wiggles it.
My head shifts around to make sure neither Laura nor Donovan is looking before I discreetly swipe my phone open.
Liam: Did you like that little show?
Me: Huh? I didn’t notice anything special. If you want my attention, you’ll have to try harder.
Liam: Noted.
My gaze shoots back to his again. With a grin on his face, Liam snakes his hand up the inside of his hoodie. It lifts just a bit over his abs, making me bite my lip. His hand moves up, his chest peeking out of the top as he winds it around the side of his neck and drags his tongue over his lips.
Oh. Fuck.
The rally keeps going, but I’m not present. I’m in a game called try not to look at Liam because each time I do, he smiles as if he was expecting it. The goddamn arrogance makes him even that much more attractive, and he knows it.
“When is this ridiculous spectacle over?” I snark, adding, “How long do we have to sit here adoring them? Jesus.”
I feel hot. My hands open my wool coat and unbutton my blazer, hoping the cold will cool me off.
Donovan laughs, looking to Laura. “Is she always like this?”
Laura giggles but stops the minute I glare at her. I push off the blanket to sit on my knees, brushing my hands together. “I just mean, I’m over it. I’m leaving. I’m supportive, but I can’t groupie—” I wink at Donovan. “That’s all you, kitten.”
Donovan rolls her eyes. “Well, you’re in luck…” She motions with her head to the guys.
They’re making their way back to the boathouse as people begin to gather their stuff. Thank God.
“Guess I’m lucky,” I answer, as a deep voice comes from beside me.
“Caroline, right?”
I look at the guy standing next to me, feeling Laura and Donovan do the same. My hand lifts to shade my eyes.
“Yes.”
“Wow,” the handsome stranger says. “You’re even more beautiful than I remember.”
Remember? Who the fuck are you?
“Glad I can live up to the memory.”
He laughs before squatting down, making him too close, which forces me to lean back to sitting.
“You don’t remember me, do you?”
My brows rise in surprise. “No. Are you going to start giving me clues, or am I to assume I’m the only one of us that’s unforgettable.”
He extends his hand for me to shake, but I look at it and then back to him.
“I know we lost today, but you’re really the only reason I wanted to race here anyway. I couldn’t wait until I saw you again this summer.”
Oh. My. God. My head shifts to Laura, who’s staring at me with big eyes because it went right over my head.
“Hunter,” I reply, turning back to him and smiling sweetly. “Am I right? Hamptons, last year. You followed me around like a puppy.”
He smiles a toothy grin. “Yeah. That was me. I’m all grown up now, though.”
“Hunter. If you have to tell a girl, is it really true?”
His face drops, trying to make out if I actually just insulted him or if I’m kidding, so I make it clearer.
“How’s the baby mama, Hunter? Shame she’s not here to watch you compete. But I hear crabs can be extremely debilitating. What with all the scratching. Interestingly, I thought you boys shaved your junk. I guess you missed that memo because it would’ve saved you both some trouble.”
Laura clamps a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh as Hunter frowns before standing.
Donovan giggles behind me, saying, “Bye, Hunter,” as he shoves his hands in his pockets and walks away but not before turning around and calling me a bitch as he flips me off.
Laura stares at me. “Oh my God. That did not just happen.”
I push my hair over my shoulder, leaning back on my one hand, grinning. “Hunter may be a gutter whore, but he isn’t a liar, Laura. I am a bitch.”
The three of us laugh as I turn my head back towards Donovan, catching some commotion out of the side of my eye.
What the fuck?
Liam’s stalking forward angrily up the dock. A sneer spread across his face.
Whoa. What did I miss? One of his crewmates tries to pull him back with a hand on his stomach, but Liam has too much momentum. Calls for Grey and Kai begin echoing as more crew members jump the pony wall by the boathouse. Everyone’s running toward a pissed-off Liam.
“What the hell is happening?” I breathe out, not taking my eyes off the scene.
Everything speeds up, and the energy ramps up like there are live wires tapped into the ground. I jerk my head to Grey, running head-on into Liam, lifting him off the ground and walking him back a few feet.
“Oh my God.”
Laura’s tapping my arm as I scramble to a stand, along with everyone else watching and gasping, eyes glued on the guys.
Kai starts speaking animatedly to Liam as the guys surround them, making it impossible for me to see.
“Can you see what’s happening?” Laura questions as she joins me, lifting her chin to try to get a better look.
“No.” I point to the drama and look at Donovan. “What happened while I was abusing Hunter?”
She doesn’t answer as her eyes grow wide, and she covers her mouth, laughing.
My eyes dart back to the guys to see Liam hoisted into the air by the group, laughter erupting as he curses loud enough for the world to hear. The crew ignores him, walking toward the end of the dock.
They aren’t.
One. Two. Three is chanted before Liam is launched into the air. The word fuck echoes long and drawn out until he lands in the cold water, making a huge splash.
I gasp, looking back as Donovan continues cackling like the witch she is.
“Good. Maybe that’ll cool off that hot head of his. It’s funny. Liam’s always been the sweet and rational one.”
“Except when…” I press, annoyed at her ambiguous statement.
She doesn’t look at me as she answers.
“Except when you fuck with what he loves. Then you get a much different version.”
“Who got fucked with?” I push again, narrowing my eyes at her.
Donovan turns her blue eyes to meet mine.
“You did, Caroline.”
The pieces slowly fall into place, and my head shifts toward the direction Hunter just walked and back to a satisfied smirk on Donovan’s face. No.
“He’s out,” Laura squeals, tapping my arm and calling my immediate attention.
Liam pulls himself out of the water, wet, still mad, and staring straight fucking at me.
Liam: You left.
Me: You seemed busy being a moron.
Liam: I’m only stupid when it comes to you, Carebear. OO
Me: XX
Liam—December
My lips tip up into a smirk. I’m standing in the expansive marbled foyer of Grey’s house. The noise grows louder from the outside of the glass double doors as shadowed forms near the entry, kicking the energy up a notch.
Tonight’s going down in the books as fucking epic.
I watch through the glass, hands behind my back, as our rowdy crew team make their way up the outside steps.
The heavy doors are pushed open in greeting by two stoic butlers, and the guys playfully shove at each other as they enter, laughing and celebrating, dressed to the nines, complete with top hats, tails, and white gloves. It’s the attire of the night.
We may look like proper gentlemen, but we’re far from it.
Me, Grey, and Kai wait, amused, for the twenty or so of them to pay attention as they walk inside. Their mood is already revelrous, hinting at the fucking debauchery they anticipate.
Still, as they gather in the foyer, eyes land on the three of us, standing side by side, formidable, and a hush falls over the group.
It’s appropriate. That’s the kind of respect we command and deserve.
Tonight’s a night that’s been in the making since the beginning of the year. It’s the last official night as a crew—as a brotherhood.
We’ve rowed with some of these guys all through high school. So this night is important because if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the guy who stands beside you now will be the same man who stands by your side later.
Grey and Kai are proof of that.
The last two months of my life have been bumpy, but Grey never wavered, even after losing my shit on Caroline and when I disappeared for two weeks. He stuck by me, forcing me to stop hiding. And Kai—he took me to task, justifiably so, then forgave me.
These guys are my brothers. They had my back when I spun out, and even now, while I find my footing. I’m starting to realize that the things I hate about this world of traditions, responsibility, and name, are also why I have a family of brothers like this. My life is a double-edged sword.
There has to be a balance I can find between feeling suffocated and respecting legacy.
“Fellas.” Kai’s voice booms from my left. “Welcome to the circle. The last night you get to act like complete fucking idiots, and it doesn’t matter…”
Quiet laughter filters out amongst the guys, but I don’t crack a smile as Kai continues, “Because next year, you will be responsible for carrying out what those before you accomplished. And we will hold you to that standard. It’s the privilege that was given to us, the men before us, and so on.”
Grey steps forward and holds up his phone, waving it at them. “But before the party begins, each of you will turn in your phone.” My eyes sweep over a few frowns as he continues, “There could be a future president amongst us, after all. The last thing he’ll need is a photo to surface from tonight.”
Howls and yells erupt from the group as I chuckle and glance over my shoulder, saying, “Beauties,” calling out to three scantily dressed girls with velvet sacks.
I don’t give a shit about these girls. It’s the one standing, out of sight at the top of the staircase, looking back at me with those violet-blue eyes that I give a wink to before raising my voice over the ruckus.
“Put ‘em in the bag, boys, and get ready for the fucking time of your life.”
Wet feet slap against the indoor deck as we run around the Olympic-size pool to our designated table and take shots of whiskey.
Shouts and clapping fill the space as I sloppily gulp mine back, glancing at the opposing side as they run toward their own table. Grey throws back the amber liquid, and I shove his shoulder, already turning, gaining two steps ahead of him to dive back into the pool.
There’s a splash a second behind me as I swim to our boat that’s idly floating where we left it.
“Get in the fucking boat,” I call out, laughing as I try to pull myself up and fail miserably.
“Fuck you. I’m trying,” Grey yells back, laughing as hard as I am.
