Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel) Read online

  “Whatever.”

  We hope in her jeep and are pulling into the school parking lot far too soon. It literally only took three minutes to get here.

  My eyes roam, taking in the dozens of teenagers milling around all different types of vehicles, chatting with friends as they arrive.

  I glance down when Mia’s hand clamps on to my knee. “You’ll be fine, Lolli.”

  Ah, right. Of course, she takes my hesitation as nervousness or fear or something, ‘cause that’s what a “normal” girl my age would be thinking if she was in a new town and a new school.

  Probably shouldn’t tell her the only thought going through my head right now is what a waste of time my being here really is. Not to mention completely unnecessary.

  Yeah…that might make her sad or whatever.

  I look over at her. “I’m good, Meems, promise.”

  “I know.” She gives me a sad smile, before shaking her head. “Gah! Okay, this is going to be fun, remember? You said yourself you’re ready for some fun. This is the first step. Now…” She reaches into her purse and hands me a light pink color lipstick. “Put this bad boy on, it’ll last all day,” she says, as she pulls out a hot pink one for herself, and carefully applies it to her lips.

  She’s wearing a pair of white skinny jeans, a pink flowy top with a crop jean jacket, and a pair of her famous wedges. Yes, her toes will freeze but she doesn’t care.

  Her deep, dark red - like, Jean Grey red - hair is pulled back into a high ponytail with man-made curls bouncing all around. The dark color compliments her fair skin well, and with her large green eyes covered in a light golden shimmer, she’s simply stunning.

  She notices me studying her and winks. “Ready?”

  “Let’s do this.”

  As we make our way across the parking lot, at least a dozen people greet Mia in some sort of way. I see the curious glances directed at me, but so far, no one has approached.

  “Okay.” She hooks her finger over her shoulder. “This is where I leave you. If I’m late to first, my teacher will ring my ass, and I still gotta stop at my locker. Text me a pic of your schedule when you get it?”

  “Yep.”

  “You’ll be fine, Lollipop.” She nudges me forward. “Now, go.”

  I purse my lips and stare into the office. Now I’m not nervous, but even I gotta admit this shit’s fucked up.

  I never should have agreed to this.

  I approach the counter, and a cute older woman with frizzy brown hair and round glasses greets me with a smile.

  “I’ve been at this high school for forty-something years. I know every face that passes these halls, and, sweet pea, I don’t recognize yours. I’ll bet you’re my newest addition to Alrick High?” she kindly assumes.

  “That, I am.” I grin. “I was told I needed to pick up my schedule.”

  “And right you are, young lady.” She beams at me and reaches to her right, picking up a manila folder. She opens it and hands me two sheets of paper. “This here top one is a school map, just in case you get lost, and the second paper is your schedule. I noticed, in your transcripts, you’ve already completed your requirements for Physical Education, yet it appears you’ve chosen PE as your elective?” she inquires, tipping her head down to peer at me over the rim of her thick glasses.

  I laugh lightly. “Shocker, I know, but I actually enjoy PE. Thanks for looking out for me, though.”

  She sighs, before smiling. “We’re going to get along just fine, you and me. Now hurry yourself up, the bell already rang. My name is Mrs. Evans. You come to me if you need anything, okay?”

  I nod my agreement, and walk out, looking to my schedule. First up, Chemistry, Room 148.

  After one wrong turn, I’m standing outside of the room.

  Taking a deep breath, I turn the handle and walk into the classroom. Thankfully, the students are still milling around, so I approach the teacher’s desk.

  A middle-aged woman with curly blonde hair turns to me, looking a little annoyed. “Well, hello. You must be my new student. I’m Ms. Nolan. May I see your schedule?” She’s already reaching for it as she asks.

  With a fake smile, I hand it over and force my gaze to stay on hers, since the class went from a loud chatter to crickets in thirty seconds. Probably at the word “new.”

  To high school guys, new is code for fresh meat. For high school girls, it translates into one word: competition. I, for one, don’t want to be either.

  “Let’s get you introduced.” She steps up next to me and places her hand on my shoulder. “Okay everyone, it appears I already have your attention, so let’s get this meet and greet out of the way so we can begin.”

  She glances back down at my schedule quickly, “Class, this is-”

  She’s cut off by a squeal I’m all too familiar with. “Shut up! You’re in this class?!”

  Ms. Nolan responds before I can. “Nice of you to join us, Ms. Edwards. Now please, have a seat.” I swear she rolls her eyes.

  Mia ignores her, and throws her arm over my shoulder. “Everyone, this is my cousin-”

  “Sit. Down. Emiliana.” the teacher tells her sternly.

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m going,” she mumbles as she walks away, and I follow her with my eyes. The second she plants her ass in her seat, I see the large figure sitting a few rows behind her.

  Drunk Guy. No fucking way.

  His arrogant smirk is already on his lips as his gaze sweeps over my body.

  This dick seriously thinks he had a piece?

  “Okay, so why don’t you take a minute to introduce yourself,” I hear from my left, but I’m too busy scowling at the asshole in the back of the class.

  I watch as he leans over and whispers something into another super-hot guy’s ear, whose head jerks to look at me, as a sly grin crosses his lips. He then fist-bumps drunk guy.

  I think I hear the teacher grunt in frustration, but my attention is pulled to Mia when she giggle. She wiggles her eyebrows at me, before nudging her head toward the teacher.

  I turn to Ms. Nolan. “What?”

  She sighs heavily. “Class, this is our new student. Please make her feel welcome.”

  “What if she’s already been welcomed properly?” Drunk Guy’s smug voice calls out from the back of the room.

  Mia’s eyes widen, and she jumps up to keep me from getting suspended on my first day. “Watch your shit, Nate!” she snaps. “She is not the one.”

  “Nathaniel! That will be enough, and Emiliana, watch your mouth in my classroom.”

  Damn. Nathaniel. That’s a good name.

  Mia ignores her and hurries through the introduction. “Everyone, this is Lolli. Lolli, this is everyone. There. We’re done.”

  Ms. Nelson looks down at my schedule she still holds in her wrinkled hands. “Your schedule doesn’t say Lolli; therefore, that’s not the name you will go by in my class.”

  Man, she is a bitch.

  “Why don’t you introduce yourself?” She smiles, but doesn’t even try to make it look genuine.

  I turn back to the class; all the students are staring at me. I catch Mia’s eye and she winks.

  Just for kicks, I make eye contact with the guy I now know as Nathaniel, or Nate. “I’m Kalani Embers.” His dickhead smirk never leaves his face, but his eyes tell me he’s curious.

  My gaze turns playful, and I purposely look from him to an attractive guy with kind, familiar eyes sitting a seat up and to the left of his. There’s something soft and welcoming about him. “But most people call me Lolli.” The guy smiles at me, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice Nate sit taller.

  “Right, Kalani, why don’t you grab a seat,” Ms. Nolan grits out.

  “I don’t know about you Ms. N., but I wanna know one thing,” Nate’s super-hot friend begins as he gives me his best smirk, his voice shooting for sexy. “How’d you get the nickname, ‘Lolli’?”

  “Enough, Austin,” Ms. Nolan demands, at the same time Nate smacks the back of his head.

>   “Kalani, please have a seat so we can get started.”

  With a quick glance around the room, I find three open chairs. One toward the front - a smart person would grab that one - one to the right of Austin, and the last, right in front of Nate and conveniently next to the guy with friendly eyes.

  I lock my stare with Nate’s as I make my way toward him and his buddy, choosing the seat right in front of him.

  “Hi,” I whisper to the cute guy next to me as Ms. Nolan begins her lecture.

  “Hey. I’m Parker.” He extends his hand to me, an easy smile on his lips.

  “Hi, Parker.” I hear an irritated sigh come from behind me, but refuse to turn around.

  His smile grows larger, and he starts to say something, but Ms. Nolan demands all our attention.

  “Okay, everyone. The semester is closing in on us, and since a new student has joined us, today is the perfect day for a review.” For the next forty-five minutes, we get lost in the world of protons and neutrons. Before I know it, the bell rings, and students jump out of their seats, hurrying to the door.

  “So, where you headed next?” Parker asks.

  “Umm…” I pull out my schedule and groan. “Ugh, shoot me.” I look up at him, pouting. “Statistics.”

  He laughs lightly. “I take it you’re not a fan?”

  “Hell no, I’m not a fan. Numbers hate me.”

  “What room? I’ll walk you,” he offers, just as Mia bounces up to me.

  “Hey,” she acknowledges Parker before turning to me. “Ms. Nolan’s a real sweetheart, right?” Her voice drips with sarcasm.

  “I think she just needs to get laid or something.” Mia nods in agreement, while Parker chokes on his gum at my response.

  “I suggest,” Ms. Nolan’s voice booms over us, “you all get your belongings and get a move on.”

  Mia snatches my schedule out of my hands and looks it over as we walk out of the classroom. “Looks like you’re on your own the rest of the day as far as classes go.”

  Parker’s head peeks over Mia’s. “I got her in Phys Ed.” He turns to me then, his brows shooting up. “Why you taking PE?”

  Mia rolls her eyes and slams my schedule into his chest. “Because she’s a freak like that. Even purposely takes the stairs and shit.” She actually shudders at the thought. “I’ll see you at lunch. Meet me by the doors and we’ll walk in together.” Not waiting for a response, she struts down the hall.

  Parker walks me to my next class, then heads off to his own.

  So far, each period has dragged, becoming more and more boring than the last, and government is proving to be even worse. Sure, I’m in a ‘read my dirty thoughts’ staring contest with the good-looking guy across the room, but even Mister Hazel Eyes isn’t enough to drown out the nonsense coming from the cutesy girl next to me.

  Every. Time. This guy smirks or shifts in his seat – his attempt to spark my fire, I’m guessing - she giggles and sighs, then proceeds to tell me his life story, as if I care. I should probably be grateful that she’s being friendly instead of catty, but damn.

  How long is this class?

  Unable to listen to any more of her babbling and unwilling to suffer through the whispered conversation of the classmates surrounding me, I excuse myself and head for the restrooms.

  I swear to God, if I hear one more person talk about the great and glorious Nathaniel Monroe and his performance, be it by mouth or other appendages, I may rage out like an athlete weaning off ’roids. Oh, look! Speak of the douche and he shall appear…

  I smirk and lean against the locker, watching him and a pretty brunette adjust themselves as they shuffle out of the girls’ bathroom.

  As soon as they look up, they spot me, both freezing. It only takes a second for them to realize they aren’t necessarily busted, and I watch as their panicked expressions transform.

  Nate, still a bit tense, meets my gaze and holds it, one brow raised a fraction of an inch, almost daring me to care. The girl holds her head up high, looking all too proud of herself for their little bathroom hoorah.

  When she looks to Nate, finding him looking at me, she frowns, then reaches up to pet –yeah, pet – his chest with her hand.

  She opens her mouth to speak, but without looking her way, he jerks his head just a teeeeny bit and her hand halts, then drops. Realizing she’s being dismissed, she takes it in stride, a saucy grin forming on her lips. “See you later.”

  He doesn’t acknowledge her and she acts like she doesn’t care, sashaying down the hall.

  Good for her.

  I watch her for a moment, grinning, then turn back to Nate, who has yet to move an inch. “Fun times?”

  He takes a single step toward me and keeps his voice low. “You’re the one out here listening. Tell me,” he tilts his head slightly, taking another step, a vapid smirk on his lips, “did she sound like she was having fun?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing at his failed attempt at seduction.

  I mean, come on. He just walked out of a nasty ass bathroom with some chick, and I’m supposed to... what? Bat my lashes, giggle, full on girly sigh?

  Seriously?

  My face must depict my thoughts, as usual, because his smirks falters slightly. I’d even go as far as to say he looks a bit ashamed, embarrassed maybe, but he catches himself and quickly reverts to the ‘cool kid’ persona. His posture is strong and tall, his shoulders wide, and his feet planted a fair space apart. He’s the picture of confidence and carelessness, but those eyes tell me he’s not sure. About what, I don’t know.

  “Sorry to break it to you, but I was a bit too late to the show to catch the credits.”

  “I’m sure your memory can help you out.”

  “And I’m sure yours will bite you in the ass when the drunken fog you’re clearly in wears off, and you remember what garage you parked your car in this weekend, if you catch my drift.” I kick off the locker and step past him, before spinning around. Sticking my hands in my back pockets, I lock my eyes on his, and push through the door with my elbows. “Girls only.” I grin, as the door swings shut, erasing him from my view.

  Once lunch rolls around, Mia meets me outside the cafeteria doors as planned. She throws her hands up in a praising motion. “You survived.”

  “Hardly.” I check my back pocket to make sure I remembered my cash. “My teachers are assholes, the females are bitches, and the guys all look like they stepped out of Sports Illustrated magazine. Like, a ‘Sexiest Men of the Year’ edition.” I shake my head, not at all understanding. “This shit ain’t normal.”

  She giggles and links her arm through mine, dragging me into the lunch common area.

  “I almost came on the spot when this sexy blond-haired gem of a guy squeezed by me in Government. Rubbed me in all the right places, if you know what I mean.” She busts out laughing, and I hear a familiar choke behind me. I turn to find Parker standing there, staring at me with raised eyebrows.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey,” he says, clearly not sure if he should laugh or run.

  “Let’s get this out of the way, okay?” His eyebrows pull together slightly, as he waits for me to continue. “I’m hella loud and tend to blurt out whatever I’m thinking, overly sexual or not, and I can be completely inappropriate. Basically, I’m like a guy.”

  “With a tight body,” Mia adds, shaking her head in agreement.

  I continue, “So, what do you think about that?”

  He smiles wide and throws his arms around Mia and me. “I think you’re my new best friend, Lolli.”

  “I can handle that,” I reply with a smile.

  He laughs and pulls us further through the doors.

  The cafeteria is large. To my right is a smaller corner, with about twelve circular tables scattered around and long tables lining the walls. Those are filled with students working away on their laptops, while the circular tables seem to occupy several different study groups.

  The left side is a wide-open space f
illed with dozens of long tables and chairs. These tables are filled with students eating, chatting, and all the other shenanigans you’d expect to see during a high school lunch hour.

  The concessions run along the entire back wall. “Damn.” There are at least a dozen different options.

  Mia rolls her eyes next to me. “Right? It’s way too much, but the town loves its athletes. Gotta keep ‘em fed good.”

  “Yes, they do. We wouldn’t be two-time champs without good meals,” Parker teases.

  “I should have known you played,” I tell him, looking at him closer. “Your shoulders are massive, and I’m bettin’ your thighs are rock solid.”

  Parker’s cute. Okay, he’s crazy fine. The top of his dirty blond hair is wavy and sticking up in no particular direction, while the sides are shaved a little shorter. His eyes are a light, icy blue and go well with his summer tan that’s just starting to fade. The gray Henley he’s wearing fits him like a glove, drawing attention to the aforementioned shoulders, and conforms slightly to the tops of his ribs, giving away a torrid physique. He’s kind of got a Paul Walker thing going on.

  “Earth to Lolli.” Mia snaps her fingers in my face, effectively pulling me out of my daze.

  “What? He knows he’s fine. How could he not?” Parker laughs, a huge smile on his lips. I look him over again. “I was right about the thighs, wasn’t I?”

  “I’m starting to think you’re the one who needs to get laid,” Mia mutters as she walks off to her line of choice.

  I look at Parker expectantly, making him chuckle. “Man,” he says, shaking his head, “you’re something else.” He leans in and whispers in my ear playfully, “They’re gigantic.”

  When I wiggle my eyebrows in response, he laughs loudly. “Go eat,” he says, shaking his head as he walks off.

  Once we get our food, Mia leads us to her usual spot in the cafeteria. She and her friends take up the three tables in the farthest back corner, next to the doors that lead outside to the picnic area.

  “Whuddup?” she says, as she sets her tray down.

  “Hey, Mia. Hey, Lolli,” her friends Ashley and Alyssa greet us. These girls have been Mia’s best friends all through junior high and high school, so I’ve met them several times over the years.