Crashing Hearts (Pine Valley College #2)

26. Bones

CHAPTER 26

BONES

I chew my nails. It’s a bad habit, one I thought I’d broken, but apparently not.

I slept with Skylar more than once.

I knew what it meant when I knocked on his door, but I was so tired of fighting everything in my life—to be strong, to be the perfect son and the perfect student—I just wanted something that was my own.

Something just for me.

Maybe I should regret it, but this is different than a one-night stand. I don’t regret it. Not one bit . . .

I want to do it again.

I rub my face, ignoring the tense looks thrown my way. I can’t concentrate on this lecture. It’s important, but my mind just keeps spinning around and around. Last night was about more than just sex, which was phenomenal, but the way he looked after me and gave me what I wanted, even though I hadn’t won.

Day after day, Skylar Warren fixes me. Every sweet text and reminder to eat. What he doesn’t know is that every time he does something like that, he heals a pain inside me he didn’t cause.

This world has been cruel to me. I was raised amongst lions and forced to find my teeth, but Skylar shows me it’s okay not to bite everyone.

He shows me what life could be if I were happy, if my dad didn’t hate me and my first love didn’t break my heart and disappear.

For the first time since I was young, I feel like someone finally sees my wounds and wants to heal them.

Groaning, I drop my head back.

I’m so fucked.

Today was a total bust. I didn’t even take one note. I was lost in my own thoughts the entire time I was in class. I want to go home and fall into bed and try to fix this mess inside me, but I can’t. I have responsibilities.

Silent Rose started as a place for rich kids to become more powerful, but over this last year, it’s truly started to mean something. When everything with Evan went down, we became a real family, protecting one another, and it’s only grown since then. It’s become an integral part of all our lives.

“Hey, Alice.” I nod as she sits at Evan’s side, chatting. She was inducted after Evan and I put her forward. She’s smart, capable, and exactly what we need. She might not have a family name behind her, but she has us.

I know Alek wasn’t too happy about it, but I promised to keep my eye on her, even though he’s supposed to be keeping his distance and letting her make her own mistakes now. She’s definitely changed. She’s bolder and more confident, but tonight, there’s a shadow in her eyes.

“You okay?” I ask as I sit on her other side. Evan shoots me a searching look, but I focus on her. “You know we’re here if you need anything.”

“Everything is fine. It’s fine.” She shakes her head, forcing a smile. “Just . . . It’s something I can deal with. Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad.”

“What about you?” Evan asks as he looks at me again. “I saw a certain racer boy stealing you away last night.”

“Shut up,” I mutter. Glancing away, I run my gaze over the others gathered here.

“Skylar?” Alice screams, and every eye swings to us. She covers her mouth with a muttered, “Oops,” and when they look away, she smacks me. “I knew it. Tell me everything.”

“No.” I frown at her, but like Evan, she doesn’t seem to be scared of me anymore.

Seriously, why isn’t anyone scared of me any longer? I blame Skylar. He started it.

“He’s so cute and totally obsessed with you. Loads of students saw him race. He’s all everyone’s talking about.”

My frown only grows, and Evan laughs. “I know that look—that’s the look of a jealous lover.”

“Not a chance,” I snap, but my teeth grind together, and I glance at Alice. “Everyone?”

“Everyone.” She nods. “He’s a total hottie, Bones.” She nudges me. “But it’s obvious he’s obsessed with you, even . . . even that night.” Her smile fades, and her expression turns haunted.

It’s a look we all have—us survivors.

I sling an arm around her shoulders as Evan hugs her other side. “Want me to call Lally to take you home after the meeting?”

Evan mimes cutting across his throat, and I frown.

“No, it’s okay,” she replies.

I ignore Evan and continue. “Let me, she can walk you?—”

“She won’t come,” Alice snaps, her eyes on her shoes. “She’s avoiding me. She pulled away after that night, but now it’s all fucked. I don’t know. It’s fine. I don’t need her. I don’t need anyone. I’m fine. I’m totally fine.”

How often did I tell myself that?

How often did I look in the mirror and lie?

Evan and I share a look, but we let it go. We know if we push this, it might push her away. We have to wait until Alice is ready to talk about it, but Lally . . . What’s wrong with her?

Is it Tommy or something else?

It’s still on my mind after the meeting as I see everyone off. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I walk the path from the art building, ignoring everyone and everything.

“Hey, beautiful.” The familiar voice snaps me from my thoughts and my head jerks up. Skylar pushes from his car and heads my way, grinning widely.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, knowing I sound unfriendly right now, but my mind is a mess, and seeing him doesn’t help.

He makes everything clouded.

“Taking you home.” He leans in and kisses my cheek when he reaches me, his smile wide.

“No thanks, I want to walk.” I step past him, but I really should have known better. In the next breath, I’m hanging over his shoulder.

“Alright then, if this is the way you want to do it, beautiful.” He smacks my ass and throws me into his passenger seat before he reaches over and fastens my belt. He ruffles my hair as I stare at him incredulously. “Good boy.” The door shuts, and he runs around the front, getting in and pulling away while I just gawk at him.

“You— That— It’s kidnapping!” I yell.

“It isn’t kidnapping if you want it,” he replies as he rests his hand on my thigh and squeezes. “How was school?”

I blink at him as he waits for me to answer. “Fine,” I say.

“Good. I had an amazing lunch today. I should take you there—” He carries on talking while I just stare at his profile.

Why does he keep fighting for me?

Why doesn’t he give up?

Why does that make my heart pound?

God, I’m so messed up, but he doesn’t seem to care, and honestly, I’m starting not to as well.