Fumbled Hearts (A Tender Hearts Novel) Read online

  Bet they star in a lot of these guys’ fantasies with their exotic looks. Tan skin, long, sleek dark hair, with eyes to match, but polar opposites in personalities. While Ashley is quiet and reserved, Alyssa is loud and crude. I like Alyssa more.

  “Why are you looking at them like that?” A grating voice questions me from my left.

  I look over to find the leggy blonde from Saturday night sitting on Austin’s lap.

  “Because they’re hot and worth a second look,” I answer. Duh.

  Austin laughs his ass off, Ashley blushes, and Alyssa blows me a kiss.

  “Are you a lesbian or something?” she asks, scrunching up her make-up caked face in disgust. Of course she asks, as if it’s a disease. Rigid bitch.

  “Nope.” I don’t elaborate. Fuck her.

  “You sure about that?” she snaps, clearly trying to get a rise out of me.

  I’m two seconds from ripping into her, but stop short when a hard chest presses against my back. Not sure how, but I know exactly who it belongs to.

  “Oh, trust me,” his deep voice drips with confidence. He waits until I glance over my shoulder and make eye contact with him to continue, “She’s no lesbian.”

  I want to smack that smirk right off his handsome face.

  The bimbo, who’s no longer sitting on Austin’s lap - shocker - purses her lips and crosses her arms over her chest. “And you know this how, Nate?”

  Hmm…there’s a bite in her voice. She’s jealous.

  “Come on, Liv,” Austin teases, reaching out to flip her hair. “You know Nate’s always the first to get acquainted with the women in this town.”

  Liv is fuming, Nate’s still smirking, dick, and Mia is simply waiting for it, a knowing grin on her lips.

  But how to play this? If I don’t argue it, I look like a ho. If I do, the bitch gets satisfaction.

  Good thing I don’t give a shit what other people think about me.

  I turn around, extremely slow, bringing Nate and I chest to chest, giving him my best ‘pretty please with a naked me on top’ face.

  It works.

  I get exactly what I’m waiting for.

  “You’re wasting your time, Gorgeous,” he says, shaking his head. His words say one thing, but those eyes scream another. “I already told you, I don’t double dip.” I hear Liv scoff behind me.

  Perfect. She just told me exactly what I needed to know.

  This guy thinks he slept with me that night when really, he slept with her, just as I assumed. But Little Miss Perfect Legs just confirmed it wasn’t her first time around, and dude doesn’t remember the second. This is gonna be so much fun.

  I have to fight extremely hard not to laugh.

  I smile coyly, placing my hands on the edges of Nate’s letterman jacket. Running my fingers over the buttons, I play the part, biting my lip as I look up at him through my lashes. With a tight grip on the collar, I lift myself onto the tips of my toes, bringing my mouth a few inches shy of his. I turn my head, tilting it up just a bit so I can speak into his ear.

  “Think about it, Handsome,” I tell him, loud enough for everyone to hear, purposely choosing those words so everyone thinks I’m begging him for more.

  Ignoring the gasps, giggles, and whispers around me, I lean in even further, so now we’re flush against each other.

  “Think reeeal hard, asshole.” My voice is a sultry whisper for only him to hear. “Because, I can promise you this… if I fucked you,” I swear I hear him groan, “you can bet your ass you’d remember it.” I let my lips brush his cheek as I lower my feet to the ground.

  Nate’s eyes are wild and lust-filled as he stares at me, searching for a sign of lie.

  He won’t find one, so I decide to throw him a bone by quickly flicking my gaze toward Liv, then wait for confirmation of something I’ve already figured out.

  It’s only a few seconds before his eyes shoot wide in realization.

  Bingo.

  I pat his chest patronizingly. “So much for no double dippin’, huh?”

  His chin drops to his chest with a curse.

  I start to turn around, but he catches me by the wrist before I can, pulling me back in. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Liv stomp off.

  “You realize what this means, don’t you?” he whispers in my ear, his voice oozing sex. “Now you can come home with me after school.”

  I smile wide, and when he grins in triumph, I can’t help but bust out laughing.

  His smile goes limp as he studies me, eyes narrowed, curious and confused. I do my best to compose myself quickly, but it’s easier said than done.

  “Damn,” I say through a laugh as I dab at my eyes. “You’re making me mess up my makeup.” I point a finger at him playfully. “That’s a serious offense for a girl wearing black eyeliner.”

  His brows are still pulled together, but I see the grin he’s trying to hide.

  We stare at each other for a second before it gets awkward.

  “Aaany waaay... good luck with the clinger,” I say as I motion toward the direction Liv stormed off in.

  I start to walk away, but he stops me. Again.

  This time, he grabs ahold of my elbow. I look from my elbow to his face, raising an eyebrow.

  Nate scratches the back of his neck, his face pinched in confusion. “So, that’s it?”

  Now my brows pull in. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you’re not going to throw shit at me, or scream and yell in my face or something?”

  “Um, no?” Why would I do that?

  “Okay,” he says, his tone skeptical. “And, just so we’re clear, you’re not coming home with me?” The poor guy looks so thrown off.

  “I mean, sure,” I shrug. “I’ll go home with you.” He starts to perk up, but it’s short-lived.“If you want to hang out, watch bad TV, and eat hella junk food, then I’m totally game.” I smirk. “But something tells me that’s not what you had in mind.”

  “No. Definitely not.”

  “I’m guessing you don’t get told no very often?” I raise an eyebrow in question.

  “Never.” His hands find his trim hips.

  I laugh, walking backward so he can’t reach out and grab me. “Later, Nathaniel.”

  “Everyone calls me Nate.”

  I smile. “Everyone calls me Lolli.”

  This time his grin does slip, and he nods slowly. “Later, Kalani.”

  I laugh. “Touché.”

  At the table, I sit down next to Mia, who is openly gaping at me.

  “What?”

  “Don’t ‘what’ me, what the hell was that?” she says, a gossipy fire in her voice. “I know that little show just now wasn’t about the fun from first period, so spill!”

  “Remember the guy I was telling you about at Wicker yesterday?”

  Her eyes widen. “No!”

  “Yes.” I open my Dr. Pepper and take a drink.

  She squeals and grabs onto my arm. “Oh, my God! That’s Nate Monroe.”

  “And that’s supposed to mean something to me because…?”

  She rolls her eyes. “He’s Alrick Falls, baby. Seriously, his ass can do no wrong around here. He’s our star quarterback; been on Varsity since freshman year. He’s actually halfway decent, just a slut.”

  “Cool,” I respond flatly, because I super don’t care.

  “He’s got major scholarship offers rolling in. I’m surprised you, of all people, haven’t heard of him, or came across his name. He and I are just friends, known him since elementary school, but pretty much all the other girls around here fall at his feet.”

  “Figures.” I take a bite of my croissant sandwich. Mmm... so good.

  “Did he just ask you to go home with him?”

  “Yep.”

  “And you turned him down?” Her smile couldn’t possibly get any bigger.

  “Uh-huh.” I look around. Where did my chips go?

  “Ow!” I whine through a mouthful of bread when she pinches me. “What the hell was tha
t for?” I narrow my eyes at her.

  “For giving me one word answers,” she snaps. “That shit gets on my nerves.” I laugh at her and she scowls in return. “You do realize you’re probably the first girl to tell him no, right? And I mean, first ever. As in... EVER!!” She’s looking at me with wide eyes.

  “So what?” I shrug. “He’s a big boy. He’ll be alright.” I don’t think for a second my rejection has any effect on him. “Besides, there are dozens of girls around here who, I’m sure, are willing.”

  “Wow,” she says, a teasing edge to her voice.

  “What?”

  “Are you a lesbian?” The last word doesn’t leave her mouth completely before I’m throwing pieces of bread at her and she’s laughing hysterically at herself.

  Once we catch our breath, we turn back to finish our food. During conversation, I glance behind me to find Nate staring at me from his seat.

  Raising an eyebrow, I hold his gaze, and shake my head back and forth.

  Not a chance, buddy.

  He holds steady for a few more seconds, but as soon as his lips twitch, he turns his attention to the dark-haired girl so desperate to gain it. She’s perched at the end of his table, leaning toward him, her arm slightly touching his.

  Curious about his ‘vagina voodoo’, I prop my arm on the back of my seat and watch the Nathaniel Monroe Rope-A-Ho Show. Picture this:

  First, he gazes at her. She, of course, responds with fake shyness. He knows it’s an act, but she doesn’t know he knows it, and dips her chin down just a bit, peeking at him through her lashes. I watch one side of his mouth turn up as he runs the pad of his finger down her left arm. This draws her in a little more.

  Nate leans into her now, whispering something – no doubt, something dirty sexy - in her ear, causing her to giggle. He pulls back a little, enough to look her in the eyes, giving her no choice but to notice when he drops his gaze to her lips.

  As soon as she licks them in response, he pulls back more and goes in for the kill, giving her his game-winning smile. Let’s hear the applause because there it is, ladies and gentlemen... the infamous blush. And just like that, she’s ready to strip down and do the dirty-dirty.

  It would almost be impressive if it wasn’t so damn typical. With a smile and a shake of my head, I turn around and rejoin the debate of matte versus gloss.

  I walk to my next class, ready to rock this shit out and get the day moving. That is, until I enter English and see Liv perched on a desk near the front of the class, legs crossed, palms face down on the desk.

  The second she notices me, her face shifts from flirty to ‘fuck you’ quicker than the D-line at the recognition of a trick play.

  Then, the funniest shit I’ve ever seen happens.

  She stands, juts her jean skirt-clad hip out, and crosses her arms over her chest, as two other blondes flank her, mocking her position. It’s quite comical, to be honest.

  They’re cute, not nearly as attractive as Liv is, but that’s usually how it goes. The Countess never wants her followers to stand out over her.

  When I grin, she stands taller, her eyes narrowing.

  She gets all up in my personal space. “You’re new here.”

  I’m not sure if she wanted a response or not, but when I don’t give her one, she opens her mouth again. “Mia may be your cousin, but don’t think that brings you to my level.” Her eyes narrow even further, her body shifting to a more aggressive stature. “Stay away from him.”

  I laugh. Loudly. This girl’s hilarious.

  As I catch my bearings, I look up at her and I freeze, mid-fun.

  She’s not…surely, she not serious?

  “Wait.” I put my hand out in front of me, my head drawing back a notch. “Are you for real right now?”

  “Do I look like I’m joking to you?” she sneers.

  Oh, hell to the no…

  I take a step forward, forcing her to step back. “What’s the matter, Liv?” I goad her, knowing damn well who the him is she’s referring to. “Afraid you won’t get round three?” Her eyes widen just the slightest, but I was waiting, so I caught it.

  Yeah, Bitch. I know you’ve only had him twice.

  “You little-” She’s cut off as the teacher enters. She looks back at me briefly, before taking her seat at the front.

  Once everyone is seated, I go through the whole new student ordeal for the fifth time today and walk to the back of the class, where there are several open desks, and take a seat.

  Just as the teacher is about to start, she stops, a frown forming on her round face. Crossing her arms, she leans back against the white board, and waits.

  Nothing happens for a good three minutes. She just continues to stand there, and I’m starting to wonder if she’s all there. Right when I’m about to pull her crazy card, the classroom door opens and the room shifts.

  The pheromone levels rise as a handful of Alrick High’s finest walk – no, stalk - through the door.

  The guys in the class look away, as the females maneuver themselves into position, pushing their tits out and twirling their hair.

  Idiots.

  The first through the door is the manwhore himself.

  Nate commands attention when he walks. All tall and broad, and far too alluring for his own good. It’s hard to explain, but you can’t really take your eyes off him. His robust shoulders in that tight gray t-shirt and dark jeans don’t exactly hurt, either. If he wasn’t such a self-proclaimed sleaze, I may or may not let him play a part in my dirty fantasies.

  Once he’s completely through the door, I zone in on the treat right behind him. It’s the guy from my government class I was telling Mia about earlier. He has that silky blond hair you want to pull on, with green eyes, and a perma-smirk on his lips. His hair is spiked slightly, but free of products. He’s about five-eleven; solid, but not massive. I’m guessing his contribution to the team is speed.

  The cornerback, maybe?

  He’s delicious.

  “Kalani?”

  My attention snaps to the front of the classroom and giggles erupt around me.

  “Honey,” the teacher gestures with her head. “Would you mind moving a seat back so the boys can sit?”

  I look to my left then, and see Austin, Nate, and two monstrous guys – definitely linemen - smirking at me.

  Wait, where’s…

  I look to my right.

  There he is. Sexy government guy is sitting directly next to me.

  When I smile, he winks.

  “Is there assigned seating in this class, Ms. Arella?” I ask, not taking my eyes off government boy.

  “Well,” she pauses. “Technically, no, there’s not, bu-”

  “Then I’m good,” I say, before turning back to her.

  “Oh.” She seems like she’s not sure what to say. “Oh, well, yes, of course.”

  She then faces the guys, as do I. Nate is the only one still standing. He’s scowling at me, so I give him my biggest, brightest, sweetest smile. Teeth and everything.

  He keeps his scowl in place, but can’t hide the small smile creases at the corners of his eyes. I think I hear him take the open seat directly behind me, but I don’t look to confirm.

  “Ms. Arella!” Liv shrieks from the front of the room. “You can’t just let her take his seat like that!”

  “Olivia, please,” she says on a sigh. “Let’s get class started, shall we?”

  Liv or ‘Olivia’ whips around in her seat and tries to burn me with her gaze. I, being the sweet girl I am, blow her a kiss, making sure the smooch sound is nice and audible. She narrows her eyes a little more before swiveling back around, huffing and puffing. I do my best to cover the laugh that makes its way up my throat.

  As expected, the class is boring and uneventful, and forty something minutes later, we’re dismissed.

  Right as I stuff my notebook into my bag, the guy from my government class kneels next to my desk.

  I clasp my hands under my chin and lean on my elbows. “H
i there.”

  He smiles. “I’m Jarrod.”

  “What can I do for you, Angel Face?”

  Lick you? Bite you? Both?

  “Come by Wicker tonight,” he says, looking at me like he wants to eat me.

  If he plays his cards right, I just might let him.

  Just as I’m about to say ‘abso-fucking-lutely’, Nate pipes in.

  “Sorry man, she’s busy.”

  My head snaps toward him. “No. No, I’m not.” I stand, crossing my arms over my chest, glaring at this delusional dumbass.

  “Yes. You are,” he says in a stony voice, his eyes hard and focused on me, as if I’m supposed to care.

  Jarrod chuckles from beside me. “I’ll talk to you later, Lolli,” he tells me as he walks out of the classroom.

  I turn back to scowl at Nate just in time to watch Liv slither her way next to him.

  His jaw ticks in annoyance, but his eyes are still trained on me, so I give him a ‘karma’s a bitch’ smirk.

  “What, Olivia?” he snaps, reluctantly turning toward her.

  I take the opportunity to make a clean getaway and head to my final class of the day, PE.

  Mr. Prescott greets me with a frown, thrusting a lock and locker number into my hands, and waves me off to get changed, telling me to meet him on the field.

  I make it a point to rush my ass and am exiting the locker room in less than three minutes.

  As I step around the corner of the gymnasium to get to the track field, I see nothing but a shit-ton of muscles. The big, buff, sweaty, sexy kind. And for some godforsaken reason, my eyes find Nate.

  His shirt, much like everyone else’s, is sleeveless and ripped from the armpit to the waist, and his black track pants lie perfectly against his trim hips.

  They fit him real good.

  All the guys seem to be following his lead as they begin to stretch. He’s definitely the Alpha of this group. That thought reminds me of the stunt he pulled in English. Not that I wanted to jump on and ride the Jarrod train the first chance I got, but from what the curly-haired girl in government - okay, apparently, I did listen to a bit of her rambling - said, he actually dates, unlike the other players on the team. Ha! Players.

  Speaking of Jarrod...