The Dollmaker (Nightmares on Lull Lane #1)

Chapter 1

Savannah

Homecoming…

Standing on the football field with my squad during halftime is exhilarating.

Having all these people watching us put on a show sends a chill up my spine.

Our boys are winning tonight, which only makes the thought of the after party more thrilling.

The atmosphere is electrifying as I wave my pom-poms, leading the squad into our routine and killing it by the time we finish.

Panting, I take a sip of Gatorade as the boys come back onto the field. Jeremy scoops me up into the air, spinning me around before pressing his lips against mine.

“You look hot out there tonight, Sav,” he purrs, licking my bottom lip. “Strawberry? Damn girl,” he laughs, licking my lip-gloss from his lips.

“Thanks, babe, now get out there and win this,” I cheer as he places me back onto my feet, smacking my ass before throwing his helmet on and going back to the team. Sitting on the sidelines, we cheer for the boys as they make touchdown after touchdown.

“You seem really happy tonight,” Tatum says, hip bumping me, and I shrug.

Tatum is my best friend, and she knows what I found out this morning.

I should be a fucking mess, but this is what I do—act like everything is perfect when my life is literally crumbling.

I put on the mask and smile while I’m literally dying inside.

“You know I put on a good front. Plus, I won’t let my personal life interfere tonight. We’ve been waiting for this since last summer!” I yell as the crowd cheers around us, along with the band playing in the stands, making it super loud out here on the field.

“It will all be okay. I’ll talk to my parents,” she says, trying to reassure me.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m already eighteen. I don’t need a guardian. I'll figure it out. At least they left me the signed papers for my trust fund. It was the least they could do. Fucking assholes,” I say, and she shakes her head.

“I can’t believe they abandoned you. Just left you a note and not even a goodbye.”

“I was blindsided. They were always absentee parents. Lorraine was more of a mother figure to me. I spent more time with her than with my mom. Now she’s gone, and I’m left alone,” I huff.

“I can’t imagine how you feel, but I’ll say Savi, you put on a great front. If I wasn’t your best friend, I’d never know you were going through that,” she says.

“Well, I’m thankful for you and for Tri–” I say, stopping mid-sentence as my eyes go wide from slipping up. Her mouth drops to the floor, and I shake my head.

“Tripp? As in number 24 on the team, Tripp?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“Nope. I don’t know what you are talking about,” I say, and she hip checks me.

“Spill, bitch! I need all the juicy details,” she laughs, and I sigh, knowing if I don’t tell her, she will bug the shit out of me all night about it. She’s relentless.

“He moved in eight months ago. After Dad died, my mom started dating his dad and blah blah blah. I think Gerald is the reason she left with him. Yes. She’s wealthy, but he’s stupid rich. I hope they are happy together wherever they end up,” I tell her as I pick her jaw up from the grass.

“Does Jeremy know about this?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“Nope, I don’t need the extra bullshit. You know how he gets when he’s angry.” I raise a brow, and she nods.

“Yeah, I get it. But–” She grabs my hand, stomping her foot like a child. “Tell me you hooked up.”

“No, girl! This is not a stepbrother romance story. Jeez,” I lie. I am not telling her my stepbrother has fucked me six ways to Sunday. Not happening.

“Ugh, you are no fun!” she pouts.

“You read too many fucked up books,” I laugh, and she follows suit.

“You don’t even know the half,” she adds, and I shake my head, focusing back on the game.

I keep telling myself I need to end things with Jeremy so me and Tripp can be together, but I’m afraid.

He already scares me when he gets mad. He put his hands on me a few times and I’ve tried to walk away, but he always knows how to rope me back in.

That makes me weak, doesn’t it? His excuse is always, “Stress from football. Pressure from football.” It’s always the same shit.

I need to find an out. I wish he would just break up with me, but no, he won’t.

I’m his ‘perfect cheerleader’. Rolling my eyes, I place my mask back on and cheer for my man even if my eyes are on number twenty-four.

“Oh, shit! Oh, shit!” Tatum yells as the clock runs down and our offense does their thing. Come on, come on. Let's win this!

“Wahhhooooooooooooooooo Fuck yes!” she shouts, and the crowd goes wild as Jeremy scores the winning touchdown.

“Time to partyyyyyy!” I shout as the squad runs to the middle of the field to the guys.

Later that night, I’m dancing with Jeremy after being crowned Homecoming King and Queen. The twinkle stars shine bright above us as the DJ plays a slow song. He grips my hips, pulling me closer to him.

“Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight in that dress?” He smiles down at me.

“A few times,” I giggle, looking up at him in his white tux, his grey eyes, twinkling.

“You clean up nicely, might I add,” I tell him, laying my head against his chest as we sway to the music.

Tonight has been utterly perfect. We won the game, and the team is in the running for nationals.

The dance exceeded my expectations for being held in our school’s gymnasium, and then winning homecoming king and queen.

Can the night get any better? I open my eyes as Jeremy leans down, pressing his lips against mine.

“I can’t wait to marry you, Savannah. I want you pregnant after graduation. I’ll give you the life you deserve. Just you and me and our babies. What do you say?” He grins, his eyes lighting up with so much hope, and I know if I reject him—tonight will take a turn for the worse.

Taking a deep breath, I see out of the corner of my eye, Tripp in the distance dancing with Sarah, one of the girls on my squad. Jealousy flows through my veins as I watch him with her. His eyes collide with mine for a second, but then he looks away, excusing himself. What the hell was that about?

Jeremy cups my face, forcing my eyes back up to his, but when I look into them I see hate and malice.

How quickly he flips his switch is exactly why his little dream of marriage and kids will never happen with us.

I really need to cut him loose, especially with the secret I’m keeping.

It won’t be long before others start to notice.

The song ends and Jeremy takes my hand roughly, leading me off the dance floor to the table where the rest of the team is sitting.

“Why don’t you go off with the girls for a bit?

Then we’re going to head out and meet up by the tracks for the after party,” he tells me with a bit of an attitude, but then places a kiss on my cheek.

I nod and walk away to find Tatum, who is standing by the punch bowl talking with the other girls from the squad.

“Hey, having fun yet?” I ask, and she smiles, but the smile isn’t genuine. It doesn’t reach her eyes like it usually does. Hmm, I wonder what is up.

“Meh, it’s okay. The homecoming committee did a great job decorating the place.” She shrugs.

“They did. It looks really pretty in here,” I say as we look around the room.

My eyes fall on Jeremy and the others who seem to be in a whispered argument, but I’m not going to pay any mind to boy things.

It’s none of my business. At least not tonight.

I turn to talk to Marcella, Taylor, and Camille but someone grabs my arm, pulling me away. What the fuck.

Snapping my head at the person pulling me, I see it’s Tripp. Planting my feet down to stop him, he looks at me with fear in his eyes.

“What?” I whisper shout, ripping my arm from his grip.

“Don’t go to the tracks tonight. After you leave here, go home and I’ll meet you there,” he commands.

“What? Why?” I ask, and he huffs.

“For once, just listen to me. Go straight home. Promise me, Savannah,” he growls, his tone harsh but his facial expression is pleading.

“Why are you trying to ruin my night, Tripp? We are having a good time!” I spit but he’s not budging.

“Something is going to happen and I don’t want you there,” he whispers as Jeremy approaches.

“Yo, Deveroux. You good, man?” he asks, patting Tripp on the back. I look up at Jeremy, then back at Tripp, just waiting for something to happen. They both look heated, and that has my anxiety rising.

“Yeah, everything is good. I was just congratulating her on being queen.” He smiles but it's the fakest one I’ve ever seen.

“Thanks man. See you at the tracks,” he dismisses, pulling me away. I look back at Tripp, still standing in the same spot, watching with tight fists as we walk away towards the exit. Jeremy places a kiss on top of my head as we leave the gym and head for the parking lot.

“I don’t like the way he looks at you,” he snarls, digging his fingers into my hip.

“Ouch, Jer. You’re hurting me,” I whine, pulling away, but he grabs me and slams my back into one of the parked cars, making me wince.

“Am I, little princess? You’re mine and I don’t want him talking to you!” he growls in my face. My heart pounds in my chest, knowing the night isn’t going to get any better now that he is pissed off from god only knows what.

“I-I’m sorry,” is all I can muster right now.

“Get in the car. We are going to the tracks,” he commands, pulling me to his car, opening the door and damn near shoving me in, only to slam the door behind me. Jesus Christ. Can I get one fucking night of happiness?

He climbs in, not saying a word, as he digs into his jacket pocket for his keys, taking them out along with a metal capsule.

He puts the key in the ignition, bringing his Mustang to life, then unscrews the top to the capsule, pouring what I assume is coke into the dip of his hand between his thumb and pointer finger.

He brings it up to his nostril and inhales deeply.

He places the capsule back into his pocket, putting the car into gear and takes off.

My heart is in my chest, and I have a bad feeling tonight is about to get a whole lot worse. I should’ve listened to Tripp. I'm not sure why he was so adamant about me not going to the tracks but I guess I’m about to find out.

“I’ve got a little surprise for you, tonight!” He smirks, and chills race up my spine. That smirk isn’t just any smirk. It’s one the devil wears, and now I’m terrified for what’s to come.