Fallen Stars (Stone Bay Series Book 3)

Prologue

Past—Age 16

Every damn day,I fight like hell to not stare at him. Levi West. My best friend. The one person I feel most at ease with. And one of the few people in town who’s transparent and genuine and accepts me exactly as I am.

What I should do is look away.

What I shouldn’t do is ruin our friendship.

But fuck is it hard to focus when he’s in the room.

Hitting pause on the game controller, I toss it on the table and lean back in my gaming chair. An arm’s length away in the second gaming chair, Levi types furiously on his laptop, his eyes hyperfocused on the screen.

When he’s like this—rapt and in the zone—it makes not staring at him more of a challenge.

“Mind if I work on a song?”

His fingers pause and hover over the keyboard as my question registers, then his fingers fly over the keys again. “Not at all.”

I pop open my guitar case and take out the acoustic guitar that’s seen more of the world than I have.

A gift from Grandpa Giuseppe, I tend to play this guitar more in private or around people I trust. In mint condition, I have this irrational, niggling fear of damaging the antique instrument. Not that anyone has messed with my shit before but this guitar is irreplaceable.

Bowing over the guitar, I close my eyes and strum the strings as the fingers of my other hand slide along the neck. A soft, slow, intimate melody floats through the air, but I don’t dare sing the few lyrics I’ve paired with it aloud. Words packed with longing and lust and a hint of desperation.

I keep those words bottled up. Sealed tight and shoved in the furthest recesses of my mind.

Because giving those words a voice would change everything.

I’d rather have Levi as a friend, my best friend, than not have him at all.

Opening my mouth and spilling secrets to him would flip our worlds upside down. Forever alter our friendship, and unlikely for the better.

“Fuck, yes.”

I stop playing, lift my chin, and lock onto Levi’s profile. A devious smile tugs up the corner of his mouth as he stares at the computer screen.

Levi doesn’t smile often. Most mirror the one on his lips now—minimal, dubious, vain. Not because he’s an asshole or thinks he is better than anyone. No, this smile is for those moments when he sticks it to the man.

As for his other smile, I’ve only seen it twice.

The first time was when he hacked into the health teacher’s laptop remotely and fucked with the PowerPoint presentations during sex education week. He’d ducked his chin and pressed a hand to his mouth, but not before I saw that brilliant smile.

And the second time, it was in my garage last month.

A friend from music class suggested we start a band with his girlfriend. All three of us play guitar, but I also have a love for drums. Before our first jam session, we discussed the style of music we wanted to play. It didn’t take long for us to agree on our passion for rock music. Shortly thereafter, I sat behind my drum kit while Trip and Hailey shouldered their guitars.

And then the garage rattled with the thumping bass and wail of our instruments as we played a song from an early Nirvana album. It had been pure bliss.

Or so I thought.

Until I peered up and was captivated by the massive, blinding smile on Levi’s lips. Aimed in my direction.

Fuck… I see that smile every time I close my eyes now. I jerk off to that smile no less than three times a week. I lose myself in fantasies of the future because of that damn smile.

My lungs expand as I silently, slowly suck in a deep breath. Swallowing on the exhale, I set my guitar down. “Wreaking havoc on the town?”

Smile still firmly in place, Levi twists in my direction and cocks a brow. “Nothing that’ll burn it down.” With a shrug, he averts his gaze back to the screen. “Just deactivating security cameras and alarms in town hall.”

Eyes wide and jaw slack, I stare at his profile in pure awe.

A true mastermind, Levi’s ingenuity is unmatched. Not many are aware of his level of talent. Not many comprehend the machine that is his mind. He has the ability to dismantle the most secure computer systems created with a few lines of code.

Hell, I don’t completely understand it. Not that I need to.

I see the real Levi. The complex guy with an endless labyrinth for a mind. The guy always in his head, deciphering what he sees into bits and pieces rather than taking it in as one whole object.

“On a mission to piss off your dad?” I chuckle.

It’s no secret that the West family—one of the Stone Bay founding families referred to as the Seven—has taken on a mayoral role more years than not in Stone Bay. Oftentimes, they rotate through which West will hold the seat. Not that the residents don’t get a say or vote. They do. But it’s rare to have anyone run against the West family for the position.

As of now, Jefferson Thornhill-West is in the running for town mayor. Not that he has much competition.

No surprise to anyone, Mr. West is on a mission to shape Levi into someone he’s not. All in the hopes that Levi will one day step into the role as mayor, keeping the West name high in the town ranks.

Politics and superiority aren’t priorities for Levi, though.

If anything, Levi wants to tear the world apart and put it back together better than it was.

“Pshh.” Levi shakes his head. “Is there anything I do that doesn’t piss him off?”

I’ve known Levi long enough to know his question is rhetorical. So I wait for him to continue.

Levi scoffs. “Did I tell you what he said the other night?”

I jog through my memories over the past week and come up blank. “No. What’d he say?”

Closing the lid on his laptop, he sets it aside and reaches for a game controller. “‘You’re a dead weight bringing this family down. That changes after graduation,’” he says in a mocking tone. He holds his hand high and flips his middle finger up at the bedroom door. “Fucking asshole. As if he’s God or some shit.”

Living under the roof and thumb of generations of town founders is something I will never fully grasp. His frustrations, I get. His anger at his family for trying to mold him into someone he’s not, I comprehend. But bearing the burden of an invisible crown, carrying the weight of generations’ egos on your shoulders, is far beyond my reach.

All I can do is be here for my friend. In whatever way he needs.

Even if it isn’t in the way I want or need.

Levi resumes playing the game and I pick up my guitar and play the song from the beginning. Humming to myself, I recite the lyrics in my head.

You’re a brand on my heart, a tattoo on my soul.

You hoard all the game pieces, tight fists of control.

The darkest of shadows, please let me be your light.

I’ll take the long road, forever on your right.

“That new?”

I startle in my seat as my eyes shoot to Levi. “What?”

Eyes focused on the screen as he plays the game, he tips his head in my direction. “The song. Is it new?”

Shit.Did I sing it out loud?

“Kind of…” I say with zero confidence.

I study his face for any indication I did more than hum the lyrics. Had Levi heard the lines of the song, I’d be answering a different set of questions. An endless inquisition over who the song is about.

But his expression is passive, his frame relaxed as he taps various buttons on the controller.

“Just something I’ve been toying with in my spare time,” I clarify.

He widens his legs and leans back into the chair farther. With that simple move, my gaze drops to his legs, slowly traveling up his thighs until I reach his crotch. Saliva pools in my mouth and I swallow as my dick twitches against my leg.

Don’t fuck up your friendship to appease your dick.

“It’s slower than what you usually play.” His frame stiffens as he jerks the controller right and smashes a combination of buttons. A beat passes before his whole body relaxes again. “Like a ballad.”

At this, I tense.

Essentially, a ballad is a love song, no matter the genre of music. And that’s exactly what that song is… a love song. Written for him. That I’ll never sing in the company of others.

Needing to shift the direction of the conversation, I do what I do best. Mask my feelings with humor. Or at least what I consider humor.

I set the guitar back in the case, twist in my seat, and arch a brow. “Are you saying I’m the next rock ballad legend? That I’ll be on the wall next to Queen, Poison, and Led Zeppelin?” I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Now that I’m rock ‘n’ roll royalty, you should cater to my every whim.”

Levi snorts. “Didn’t take long for that to go to your head.”

“You said it, not?—”

A voice in the hall cuts me off. Thick with false authority, Levi’s dad argues with whoever else is in the hall. The other person talks softly enough to not be heard, and I assume it’s Levi’s mom.

“He will not sit in this house all day and play video games. It’s time he grows up, Felicity. Not fuck around with his queer friend.”

“Jefferson,” his mom scolds loud enough for us to hear. “Oliver is not the problem. And Levi deserves time for himself before he leaves for college.”

The muscles in Levi’s jaw flex as he tosses the controller down and curls his fingers into fists in his lap.

Unfortunately, this is nothing new with his parents. His dad spends every minute they’re together shoving his ideologies down Levi’s throat. Then his mom swoops in, telling Levi he can be whoever he wants and not to worry, that she’ll deal with his dad.

It’s this vicious cycle filled with stress and agony, followed by alleviation and temporary bandages.

“College.” His dad scoffs. “Are you aware of how many times I’ve called the dean of admissions?” A pause of silence. “Five, Felicity. Five goddamn times.”

“Lower your voice and don’t speak to me like that.”

A mumble filters through the door and I assume his dad is apologizing. “Political science should be his major. He should be focusing on what’s best for this family.” His voice rises again. “Instead, he’s switched his major to computer information technology. Every time I have it changed, he has it switched back.” He huffs loud enough to be heard through the wall. “I’m done with his juvenile behavior, Felicity.”

Every cell in my body rushes to my arms and hands and begs me to reach out and comfort Levi. To tell him he can do whatever the hell he wants with his life. That he has the right to choose his own future.

But I clasp my hands in my lap. Focus on the stretch and sting of my knuckles as I resist.

“Your word is not law, Jefferson,” his mom declares. “The hyphenated addition to your surname does not make you above the law.” Seconds tick by in silence, and I hold my breath. “You bear my name, Jefferson. Do not abuse it with your ego.”

Oh shit.

A mumble floats through the air a moment before Levi’s door swings open and his dad enters the room. Cheeks flushed with anger, Jefferson straightens his spine and looks down at Levi, whose eyes are on the television.

“Say goodbye to Oliver,” he states with practiced control. “The Calhouns and Kemps will be joining us for dinner soon.” His eyes flick to the screen. “The time for games is over.” He swings his gaze back to Levi. “You’re an adult now. Start behaving as such. Clean yourself up and be downstairs in thirty minutes.”

I drop my gaze to Levi’s hands in his lap and watch as his nails dig into his palms. Obvious to anyone paying attention, rage oozes from his pours.

Under normal circumstances, Levi is chill. He’s the quiet observer in the room. The one person you think is bored or uninterested. In reality, he picks up on every minor detail and only gives his attention to what he feels matters.

More often than not, people take advantage of him. They take all he has to offer for granted.

As much as I want to defend him in this moment, as much as I want to rise up and tell his dad to go to hell, I sit in silence and wait for Mr. West to leave the room. Because if I get up now, it will only provoke a yelling match between them.

“Not in the mood to schmooze the townsfolk,” Levi mutters.

His dad steps farther into the room, closes the distance between him and Levi, and bends down to hover just above Levi’s head.

“I really don’t give a damn what you’re in the mood for. You’re a West and you’ll behave as you’re told.” He straightens his spine and aims his attention my way. “Goodbye, Oliver.”

“No, Ollie. Stay. The dick-swinging contest is always a good laugh.” Levi tips his head back and sneers at his dad. “Plus, we aren’t done hanging out.”

Perspiration dampens my skin as my heart pounds in my chest.

It’s not the first time I’ve been figuratively trapped between Levi and his dad. I doubt it will be the last. Regardless, it makes me want to shrivel in the corner.

Levi’s dad stares down at him with nothing but fury. “Thirty minutes,” he grits out. “Be downstairs. Preferably with a better attitude.” The hint of a devious smile tips up the corners of his mouth. “Jasmine, Sara, and Abigail will be joining us as well.” His gaze flits to me for the briefest of seconds before returning to Levi. “Fine young ladies.” He spins on his heel and starts for the door. “Who knows. One of them may be your future wife.”

A spasm ripples through my body at his words.

The hasty glance my way, his comment in the hall minutes ago, the bite in his voice as he said future wife… it was all intentional. Mr. West brandished a sword in the form of words and ran it straight through me. He did it to hurt me and piss off Levi.

“I should go,” I mumble after Mr. West walks out the door.

A groan echoes through the room. “Ignore him, Ollie.”

I pull my phone from my pocket and type a text to my mom, asking her to pick me up. Seconds later, she responds that she’s on her way.

Sifting through my backpack, I double-check I have everything I brought over. Then I secure it on my shoulder, bend down to grab my guitar case, and pause a few feet from Levi.

“Sorry you’re dad’s an asshole.”

I lift my gaze from the floor to meet his and my mouth goes dry. Luminous blue eyes with that small hint of green around the pupil lock onto my darker greens and hold me captive.

My limbs are lead weights; my feet rooted to the rug. With one look, with that look, every rational thought vanishes from my mind. My tongue is heavy in my mouth.

I should leave before I say or do something stupid and irreversible. I should walk away before I ruin our friendship.

But the way he’s looking at me… it’s like he’s reached inside my chest and wrapped his fist around my heart with the promise to never let go.

I need to go. Now.

A half-hearted smile tugs up one corner of my lips. “Text me later?”

He inches forward and rises from the chair. I suck in a sharp breath and step back to add more space between his hand and mine.

“Yeah.” He audibly exhales. “When the circus ends.”

I start for the door but don’t make it far. His hand lands on my shoulder and I stop breathing.

“Seriously, Ollie. Ignore him.”

My back to him, I nod.

“He’s a prick. Don’t let him get under your skin. That’s what he wants.”

I peer over my shoulder. “I know.” I want to add that I hate how his dad treats him. That he shouldn’t put up with his bullshit either.

But I remain tight-lipped.

“Want me to walk you out?” His hand falls away from my shoulder.

Much as I do, I shake my head. “Nah, I’m good. Mom should be here any minute.”

I start for the door again. This time, Levi doesn’t stop me.

Just as I pass the threshold, a whispered “Later” hits my ears.

June 28th

Today was shit. Well, it wasn’t total shit. It started off great. Like many days, it was just me L hanging out. Games and hacking and music. What we do most of the time. Also, I saw him smile again. Damn I love his smiles. Sounds immature or silly of me, but his smiles make my heart skip and skin sweaty. Ridiculous, I know. But it’s true.

Then his asshole of a dad trashed it. He stole his smiles. He stole his peace. And it just pisses me right the hell off. L is one the best people I know and his dad treats him like property. Like he doesn’t matter.

He does fucking matter!

And what was that look he gave me before I left? That wasn’t friendship. That wasn’t sympathy. It was something else. Something more. Or maybe it was my imagination. Maybe it was me seeing something on his face I’ve wanted to see for months but haven’t.

Other friends have said I’m too young to know what love is. That my feelings for him are just a phase. But they’re wrong. In my own way, I love him. Even if all he sees me as is a friend. His best friend.

L may never be mine, but my heart doesn’t care. I love him. And I will love him in secret and as a best friend if that’s all he’ll ever be.