Wild as Her (Beckett Family #2)

Prologue

Indie

Past

S ome people say that I’m young and I haven’t lived enough to know much. But I can tell you one thing I’m sure of, those people can kiss my ass.

Glancing in the mirror, I slick my hands across my hair one last time and tighten the messy bun on top of my head, preparing to leave for the night. My auburn locks have been wild and free all day, so taming them now has been a new mission.

We are all perfectly aware of what got me in this situation this lovely evening—my shit-poor attitude. But ask me if I give a fuck.

“What a bunch of shit,” I mutter to myself in annoyance as I snap the backs onto my favorite pair of silver, dangly earrings.

Letting out a sigh, I stare into the mirror as I run my hands over my jean-clad thighs.

It’s no wonder Dad did what he did. Look at the glorious R.B.F. I’m sporting today, I think to myself as I lean in, taking in my appearance one final time.

This is going to be my senior year of high school, and I’ll be damned if I let it get off on the wrong foot. My last school wasn’t necessarily bad, but friends were few and far between. The principal and I also had a standing appointment every Thursday at 2:40 when the bell rang. My Spanish teacher was a real wench, is all I have to say about that.

After Dad was offered a job not too far from Twin Pines—the new town we live in—he was hesitant to accept. He was afraid that moving me away from the only home I’d ever known would upset me. But I’ve never really gotten attached to things or places.

With some persuasion, I was able to convince him that this move would be good for both of us. Willowfield, Kansas, sits right on the border of the Oklahoma panhandle (A.K.A., the middle of bumfuck nowhere). There’s not a thing around for miles and miles .

Why wouldn’t I want to leave?

The only family we have is my Auntie June—dad’s sister—but she moved to California a few years ago. She has always been someone that I look up to. Dad says I’m a lot like her, and I like to think he’s referring to her laid-back personality, not her smart mouth.

Since she moved, she and I still exchange phone calls a few times a week. I love my dad more than anything in the world, but having someone like my aunt to talk to is good for me.

Growing up without a mom, I’m grateful to have a strong female influence in my life—someone who doesn’t take anyone’s shit and calls people on theirs. She’s taught me to say what’s on my mind and not give two shits what other people think; it’s been both a blessing and a curse thus far.

Last night, our new neighbor girl asked if I wanted to come with her to this get-together down at the river tonight. She said it’s something the whole class does every year the Friday before school starts. I didn’t really want to go, but of course, she asked in front of my dad. He was all too happy to say I could go as soon as he saw the sour look on my face—sensing the bitchy response I was about to give her. When I glared over at him, he shrugged and patted my shoulder, “It’ll be good to make some friends before your first day.”

I knew that was true, so I didn’t put up much of an argument.

Tucking my phone into my pocket as I pull my bedroom door closed, I hear a knock on the front door. I glance at the clock on the wall and notice it’s the exact time she said she’d be here.

Damn . A part of me hoped she’d forget about me.

“Hey, you ready to go?” my neighbor, Julie, asks when I open the door. Her jet-black hair is up in a messy bun as well, making me feel a little better about my decision not to put much effort into my look tonight.

Not that I really care what people think, but it would be nice to have at least one person at school to show me around on Monday. Looking like a bum doesn’t really draw people in.

“Yeah, let me just tell my dad.” I shut the door and walk to the kitchen, where I find my dad hard at work on his model car at the round oak table.

“Julie’s here. I’ll be back in a little while.”

I lean in and kiss the top of his bald head, the smell of his Stetson cologne hitting me. It’s a familiar scent that has always made me feel safe. If anyone else were to wear it, it wouldn’t be right.

“Not too early. Have some fun, Pumpkin,” he says, peering up at me over his reading glasses and going right back to work on the model car.

Turning around before he sees my facial response, my eyes roll as I walk back to the front door. I plan to leave this thing as soon as I possibly can. I don’t give a rat’s ass about making friends, but to make my dad happy, I’ll put on my big girl panties and go mingle with my peers for a few minutes.

As soon as I step out the front door and into the thick, muggy air, I regret wearing these jeans. It’s a hot August night, and the humidity is high after all of the late-evening rain showers we’ve been getting this week. Jeans may be a terrible choice, but I know that I’d regret shorts even more. The last thing I want to do is show up to school on Monday with my legs covered in mosquito bites.

Sitting against the curb in front of my house, I spot Julie in her little white car. I don’t know what kind it is, but I do know that it’s old. And loud.

And I don’t think it should have that much smoke coming from the back of it.

Letting out a sigh, I walk down the front steps and across the small, patchy lawn.

The things I do to make that man happy.

If I didn’t love my dad so much, there is no way I’d be doing this right now. But I know just me going out and putting on a happy face will help him with his guilt for moving us. I know he worries more about me than he should. Being a single parent, he gets to worry enough for two, I guess.

I reluctantly open the car door and climb inside. The smell of stale cigarettes and old food causes me to scrunch up my nose.

“Sorry, I know it stinks. This is my mom’s car, and her boyfriend smokes like a chimney,” Julie says as I pull the seatbelt across my lap.

“It’s not that bad,” I lie.

I may be a bitch, but I do have some manners.

“How far is this place?” I ask, looking over to Julie as she pulls away from the curb.

I wish more than anything I had a car. I got my license last year but haven’t saved up enough to buy anything yet. Dad offered to pay half on whatever I wanted to get; I just haven’t found anything I could even afford half of yet. I really need to find a new after-school job so I can get back to saving up.

“Not far,” she shrugs. “Just on the other side of town.”

To most people, that would seem like the opposite of ‘not far.’ But Twin Pines, Oklahoma is a very small town. To get from one side to the other only takes about ten minutes by car. Well, the main part of town anyway. There are outskirts, but there are only houses out there, and not many of them, from what my dad told me.

“Are you excited to go to a new school?” Julie asks as she puts on her blinker at the only stop light in town.

“No,” I reply honestly.

She nods her head, seeming to sense my aversion to small talk.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” she asks with a raised brow and a smile.

“No,” I shake my head.

Feeling like I’m being a bitch to this girl for no reason, I decide to give this chit-chat shit a go. I turn to face her.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Her eyes light up. “Well, technically , no. But, it’s complicated.” She starts to ramble on about the details of her ‘complicated’ relationship.

Not giving a shit about her love life, I watch back out the window just as we pull up to a dirt lot full of cars against a row of tall trees.

We park next to a black Bronco, and I admire its pristine condition. My dad has always loved these and recently made a model of one that he has on the top of his display cabinet.

When I open my door, the sounds of rushing water and people laughing fills my ears.

“Come on,” Julie says as she comes to stand next to me at the front of the car, looping her arm in mine. “I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

“Great,” I sigh.

She softly laughs and pulls me in tighter. “Don’t worry, we won’t stay long. When you’re ready to leave, just let me know.”

My skin itches from the desire to pull away from her, but I remind myself that I need to have at least one friend when I go to school on Monday.

We walk through the clearing of trees and come to a beach area next to the river. Smoke hits my nose, and I look over to spot the small bonfire burning near the large group of people. They all dance to the loud music coming from the speaker, a few of the girls laughing and sipping from their red plastic cups.

“Oh! There’s my friend Whitney. Come on.”

She pulls at my arm, and I have no choice but to follow her over to the group of girls. From the looks of them, they aren’t the type I’d typically hang around with, but beggars can’t be choosers, and I guess that’s the category I fall into right now.

“Hey guys, this is my new neighbor, Indiana.” Julie motions to me.

“Indie,” I correct her.

“Right, sorry,” she smiles and looks back to her friends. “She’s a senior this year, too,” she adds.

The girls look me up and down, sizing me up with their snobby gazes.

“These are my friends. Whitney,” she points to the tall blonde in the middle of the group wearing the short denim skirt, “Desiree and Lizzie,” she motions to the girls at Barbie’s sides who also got the memo to go with the short skirts tonight.

“Hey,” the two brunettes nod their heads in greeting while their queen bee stands motionless, eyes fixed on me.

“Hey,” I nod back to them.

Whitney still says nothing as she continues to throw daggers my way.

If this girl thinks I’m going to bow down to her, she can get fucking bent.

Choosing violence today— as I do every day —I stare back at her, refusing to be the one to break eye contact. Because what the fuck did I do to her?

I might not have any friends on Monday— or maybe even a few enemies —but I’m not backing down. I’d rather be a loner than a coward.

“Watch out!” I hear someone yell from beside me.

All the air leaves my lungs a split second later as I’m knocked to the ground like a sack of potatoes. But the sudden hit to the dirt isn’t the only reason I’m finding it hard to breathe. There’s now a large male body on top of me. I close my eyes and sharply inhale, trying to get my breath back.

Breathing in and out heavily, I open my eyes a few seconds later and see a boy with shaggy blonde hair and hazel-green eyes staring down at me. A smile ghosts across his lips as I stare up at him, speechless for probably the first time in my life.

Usually, I’d be yelling at someone for shit like this. But for some unknown reason, I have no words.

“Hi,” he says, continuing to look into my eyes with a playful expression.

“H-hi.” The word barely makes it out as the butterflies sweep through my stomach and up to my heart, causing the beat inside to go haywire.

What in the actual hell is wrong with me?

His gaze travels down to my parted lips before trailing back up, the smile on his face growing and showing off a deep dimple on his left cheek.

He stands and then grabs my hand to pull me up with him.

“Ugh! You made me spill my drink all over my new shoes!” Whitney cries out, trying to shake the liquid from her feet.

Neither of us pays her squawking any attention as her minions begin to crowd around her, doing their best to dry her shoes, one with a napkin, the other with the bottom of her shirt.

The boy reaches his hand out to me.

“I’m Wild.”

Hesitantly, I grab the offered hand and look at him with a furrowed brow. “…Okay?” I mutter, slowly shaking his large hand.

He smiles. “No, my name is Wilder. I go by Wild.”

“Oh.” My cheeks heat.

Now I feel dumb .

“Indie. Well, Indiana, but I go by Indie.”

“Nice to meet you, Indie.” His eyes light up as he sweeps his gaze across me with that charming, playful smile again.

A light breeze sweeps through, tousling the hair that has partially fallen from the bun I had it up in. Wild reaches over and grabs the end of a stray piece, lightly rubbing it between his fingers before letting it go.

Typically, I’d smack someone away for something like this, but there’s something about this boy that’s… different. And it’s getting more and more irritating that I can’t figure out what it is.

What is he doing to me?

Maybe I have indigestion? The tacos were a bit greasy tonight.

“I like your hair. Makes me think of wildflowers… and fire.” His eyes stay on my untamed tresses a beat longer before coming back to me.

“Umm… thanks?” I respond, uncertain what else you say to that.

He lets out a soft chuckle, causing the butterflies in my stomach to do somersaults.

“Do you wanna come sit over there by the river with me?”

I look at the group of girls and see a mix of looks on their faces. The two brunettes, Desiree and Lizzie, stand beside their leader, looking worried. Whitney’s gaze flicks back and forth between Wilder and me, looking like she may be plotting a death—mine or his; I’m not entirely sure. My neighbor, Julie, is zoned out on a group of people across the fire, not paying any attention to what is happening right beside her.

Sensing my stare, Julie turns toward me. “Hey, I’m gonna go see my friend, Tommy, over there,” she points toward the fire where she was staring at the group of boys. “Will you be okay here with the girls?”

This bitch is seriously going to leave me here with them?

“Yeah, I’m good,” I tell her, masking my annoyance.

She smiles before quickly jogging away.

Wild and I meet eyes again. “So, whatcha say? Wanna come sit with me? Get away from all of this noise for a little bit?”

Knowing my options are either stay here with these bimbos or go sit with this strange boy who just knocked me down, I go for the latter. His vibe is already much better than theirs.

“Sure,” I nod.

Following beside him, we walk past the little bonfire. We come to a large cluster of bushes on the water’s edge, and there’s barely enough room for my feet to fit on the grass separating the bushes from the river as we squeeze around it.

Thankfully, I don’t slip, and we make it around to a grass clearing where the water is much quieter and the current softer.

I look over my shoulder, realizing no one can see us now. With how loud the music and laughter are, I doubt anyone would hear me over here either if this guy decides to get handsy.

Fuck. What am I doing? Auntie June would so kick my ass right now.

“Relax,” Wild says as he sits on the green patch of grass along the river. “I wouldn’t hurt a fly. You’re safe with me,” he adds, sensing my worry.

I don’t know this boy from Adam, but I oddly feel like he’s right. I am safe with him.

“Here,” he says, reaching into his front pocket. “You can hold this if it helps.”

A cold piece of metal lands in my hand. Giving it a quick once-over, I realize it’s a pocket knife.

“I’m good.” I push it back toward him. “If you try anything, I won’t need a weapon to kick your ass,” I state, causing his playful grin to return as he lets a laugh out of his nose.

Probably a dumb decision, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.

Sitting beside him, I cross my ankles in front of me, lean back, and place my hands on the cool grass behind me.

“Nice chucks,” he says, pointing to my feet.

“Thanks.”

I look at my black-and-white shoes and then glance over at his worn-out brown boots. From the looks of them, either this boy works outside a lot, or he’s owned them since he was ten years old. Based on his build, I’m guessing it’s the former.

“Don’t even compliment my shoes. I’ll know you’re full of shit, and you don’t come across as the full-of-shit type.”

“I’m definitely not,” I laugh. “But I’ve seen worse,” I say, studying the boots some more.

“I know they ain’t pretty, but new boots are a bitch to break in, so I’m keepin’ these until my toes pop through.” He sways his feet in front of him.

We both cast our gazes out to the calm water as the silence grows between us. It’s comfortable, and that starts to make me un comfortable.

“I have somethin’ for you,” he says, distracting me from my thoughts as we sit side-by-side along the quiet river.

“You do?” My brows pinch together.

“Yeah,” he nods. “Open your hand.”

I stare at him, unsure. Trusting is one thing I’ve never been accused of being.

“C’mon, I’m not gonna bite you,” he laughs. “Open your hand.”

I cautiously reach my hand out toward him and open my palm. His hand comes out and hovers over mine, fist closed.

I have no idea what he could have for me. We met five minutes ago, and he hasn’t left my side since.

His hand opens, and I stare down in anticipation. But nothing falls out. Instead, his large, warm fingers wrap around mine.

My eyes jump back up to him.

“What are you doin’?”

I think about pulling my hand away but stop myself, curious for his response.

“I told you I had somethin’ for you.” He smiles and looks back out to the river, holding my hand tightly in his.

Before I can say anything or even think about what just happened, he begins talking again.

“How come I ain’t seen you before, Indie…?” he asks expectantly, waiting for my last name.

I guess it’s going to come out sooner or later.

“Jones.” I wait for his reaction—the same one I always get.

A look of contemplation and then realization morphs over his face as a slight smirk appears.

“Wait… your name is Indiana Jones?” His eyes faintly twinkle from the moonlight, now starting to reflect off of the water in front of us.

I let the crickets chirping fill the void that isn’t being drowned out by the music just down the river for a few seconds before I respond.

“Yup. That’s what happens when your dad gets namin’ rights.” I wait for him to do the usual thing and start laughing.

“That’s fuckin’ awesome. I love your dad already,” he smiles. The delight in his voice tells me he’s being truthful.

Well, that’s not the typical response I get.

The last few people I told laughed and insisted I was pulling their leg.

I’m not, though. My dad is a huge fan of the movies, and I honestly love them too. We watch them together all the time, and though I went through a small phase of hating my name in middle school, I love it now.

Last year I only got in one fight at school with some dickwad who decided to mock me for having a “boy’s name.” Being suspended for two days was totally worth the broken nose I gave the idiot.

“Yeah, he’s pretty awesome,” I respond. “Your parents must be pretty cool, too, with a name like Wilder.”

He nods. “Yeah, my mom said she knew I’d be the wild child from the day I started kickin’ inside of her,” he laughs, and his face softens.

His eyes cast down to the ground as a melancholy expression crosses his features. He quickly shakes it away just as fast, though.

“So why ain’t I seen you around before? I know I’d remember you.” He lightly nudges my shoulder with his.

My nerves start to take over again, and I’m afraid my hand is going to start sweating in his. I debate about pulling it from his grasp but decide against it at the last second.

“I just moved here last week.”

“So you’re gonna be goin’ to school at Twin Pines High?” His eyes light up, clearly happy about this news.

“Yup,” I nod.

He doesn’t say anything; just beams that likable smile my way.

I glance back out to the running water in front of us, and he does the same. For some reason, I’ve lost the ability to use fucking words tonight.

God, I hate that I suck at conversation.

“Do you know anyone here?” he asks, looking back over at me.

“Nope. Just you, Julie—who’s my neighbor, and I just had the pleasure of meetin’ the Sanderson sisters when you knocked me over.”

He lets out a loud laugh, his head going back.

“Just ignore those girls. Think they own the damn town.” He reaches over, grabs a rock, and tosses it out into the running water. “And I’m sorry about earlier. Didn’t want you to get a frisbee to the head.”

I watch as another rock skips across the dark water.

“That’s okay. Not the first time someone’s knocked me down. And I doubt it’ll be the last.”

“It will be if I have anything to say about it,” he says, turning his attention back to me.

“I can take care of myself just fine, Romeo,” I inform him, my tone a little more hostile than I intend.

“I don’t doubt that for a single second,” he laughs again, shaking his head.

His shaggy blonde hair hangs down over his forehead, and I find myself wanting to push it back to see his face fully. Take a peek and see if his eyes were really the hazel green I thought I saw up close or if maybe I’m mistaken.

“Well, regardless, I’m glad I got to meet you first.”

He faces me again, squeezing my hand in his. When his eyes meet mine, I’m met with that captivating hazel green I remembered. Even though it’s nearly dark out, the faint blue from the remaining bits of sun that has dipped under the horizon helps me see his eyes perfectly sitting this close to him.

“Do you maybe wanna go to the movies or somethin’ this weekend? I could show you around town a little bit, too.”

I stiffen beside him and loosen my hand in his grip. “Uhh, I don’t really date.”

“Wouldn’t be a date, Indie. Just two friends goin’ to watch a movie.” He studies my reaction before continuing. “Maybe next time could be a date, though.”

I look over again with a new set of lenses now that he’s caused my guard to go up. I see it all over his face: the smile, the dimple, the eye contact, and the way his gaze travels from my eyes to my mouth with a playful tilt of his lips… This boy is a charmer.

Heart, watch out.

“Come on, Indiana, don’t leave me hangin’.” He nudges my shoulder again.

“Sure,” I finally answer. “… as friends . I’ll have to ask my dad first, though.”

“I can come talk to him if you want. Parents love me,” he smirks, and my stomach drops to my feet at the site.

I force a nervous laugh. “No, it would be better to do this on my own.”

I know my dad would say yes to anything I asked him. But I’m still not entirely sure that I want to go. So I definitely don’t want Wilder going with me to ask him. If he’s this good at charming me, I can only imagine how much truth there is in his words about parents loving him.

“Okay,” he nods. “But I at least need your number so I can make sure you don’t forget about me.” He winks and releases my hand, pulling his phone from his jeans pocket.

“You know, Wild, for some reason, I don’t think you’re a person that’s easy to forget.”

He laughs, and my guess is confirmed. After today, this boy will be permanently etched in my brain forever.

The dimple that forms on his left cheek is deep. I want to reach out and touch it.

“That is probably very true,” he says through thick blonde lashes. “But I still need those digits, Indie.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull my phone out and flip it open.

“How about I get yours?” I say with a look. “Give me your number, and I’ll let you know what he says.”

He studies me for a second with squinted eyes.

“Hardball…” he nods, “I like it.” He gives me a boyish grin and then provides me with the number.

After typing it in, I notice the time and close my phone, sliding it back into my pocket.

“I have to go,” I say as I stand. “It was nice meetin’ you, Wild.”

“Yeah, same.” He stands as well, dusting his pants.

When he leans in to hug me, I’m enveloped by the warm smell of something delicious that I need to investigate so I can buy a big-ass bottle just to sit and sniff.

I am not a hugger. But oddly, I don’t mind this as much as I usually do.

He pulls back, and I miss his warmth even though it’s close to ninety degrees out here.

Before I can look or sound like a fumbling fool, I begin to walk back to the crowd of people to search for my ride.

Turning back, I peer over my shoulder and wave. He lets out that dimple with his charismatic smirk.

“See you around, Wildflower.”

Julie

Hey, I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Whitney and Wild had quite a make-out session in front of everyone after you left last night. I know you were talking to him, but Whitney says there are no hard feelings.

Pulling my eyes from the screen, I let out a huff as I place the phone down beside me and stare up at the ceiling.

I’ve never been so proud of my procrastination. If I had brought up the movies to my dad last night when I got home, I’d have to explain why I was no longer going.

I knew when I looked into those alluring eyes last night that he was bad news— the charming ones always are.

I’m glad I learned this before my heart got involved.

Honestly, though, I shouldn’t be mad. I did technically tell him I just wanted to be friends. But a part of me was secretly looking forward to that possible second trip to the movies—the one he said could maybe be a date.

Why are boys so stupid?

When I complained to Auntie June about a boy at school last year, she told me, “Honey, boys’ brains are about as scarce as hen’s teeth at that age. And don’t hold your breath cuz it don’t really get much better.”

I climb out of bed and debate if this is a playing or painting moment. Walking past my guitar case, I go to the easel set up in the corner of my room and stare at the blank canvas, feeling very motivated to splash some colors across it.

Probably a lot of red today.

Playboys like Wilder are not people I want or need in my life.

I do a pretty damn good job at keeping people out most of the time. Of course, in my moment of weakness, he slips in and reminds me just why I need to keep these walls firmly up.

I never plan to end up heartbroken like my dad. Letting said heart get involved with people like Wilder is precisely how it gets broken in the first place.

Opening my phone again, I pull up Wild’s number and block it.

Don’t worry, heart, I won’t forget again.