Five Summers: Steamy Rockstar Romance (Broken Oasis Book 1)

1. Chapter One

The sound of my mother’s keys jingling at the front door interrupts my usual morning routine of rinsing my breakfast dishes. She’s home from her lengthy night shift at the nearby aged care facility. I shove my bowl into the dishwasher and turn to see her eyes on me.

I can already predict what she’s about to say before she even says it. It’s the same thing over and over, like a broken record.

“You’re going to be late?”

Yeah, well, hello to you too, I want to say, but instead of getting into a heated argument with her, I just go with, “Yeah, I know.”

As I’ve grown older, my relationship with my mom is somewhat strained. When I was nine, my mother kicked my father out of the house. Whenever I think of him, a heavy wave of sadness crashes upon me, like a dark storm cloud rolling in, casting a shadow over my heart. Despite not having seen him for years, I miss him, along with the sound of his laugh.

To him, I was his princess, and he was my daddy. He could always make me laugh with his silly stories. He was the best father a girl could ever wish for. He is the reason I have a passion for music.

I have fond memories of the two of us sitting side by side as he patiently taught me the chords on his guitar. He taught me the art of composing music, showing me how to seamlessly merge a melody with lyrics. And then, we would sing the words we had written.

I can still recall the proud look on his face when I totally crushed those high notes.

Too bad my mother couldn’t see what we had before she kicked him out. If she did, maybe he would still be here. But thanks to her he’s not around now, because he left, and I haven’t seen him in years. I guess I wasn’t special enough for him to stick around.

With my mom still standing by the door, giving me a watchful glance, I quickly grab my bag and make my way towards her.

“So, have you made a decision yet?” she asks.

Damn, I was hoping I could get through today without her asking me this again. Always the same fucking question.

“Nope, as I’ve said a hundred times. I have no idea about what I’m going to do when school ends.”

Of course, I know what I want to do. I want to pursue music, but I can’t bring myself to tell her because I know she’ll be livid.

Right before I’m about to walk out the door, I pause.

“Seriously, Mom, stop asking me the same thing every day. Remember, I get to decide what I do. This is my life, not yours.”

Frustration and irritation wash over her face, causing her brows to furrow and her lips to tighten. “Poppy, you have no idea what awaits you beyond these walls. It is important to have some qualifications. Don’t be as useless as your father.”

And there it is. It always circles back to him. She wants me to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career in caring for the elderly, just like she does. That job is okay, I guess. I mean, the elderly are adorable and everything, but it’s just not my cup of tea. My true passion lies in music. It’s what my dad passed on to me.

I know that music is a touchy subject for her because of my father. He used to be the lead singer of a band.

One day, when she was ranting about him in front of me, she let slip that he had been unfaithful to her multiple times with his groupies. That’s why she despises my dad. He shattered her heart into a million pieces. Talking about him causes her to become mad and sometimes unresponsive. That’s why I can’t talk to her about my desire to pursue music, because she’ll only dismiss it as if it holds no importance.

I walk out the open door without even attempting to say goodbye to her.

Walking across the front patio, I rummage through my satchel in search of my car keys. When I can’t find them, it finally hits me that I took my shitty Toyota Corolla to the mechanic yesterday afternoon.

Shit. Now I have to catch the bus. The school bus that is full of mean bitches.

The second I step out the front gate, I see the bus approaching. It’s only Tuesday and I’m already confronted with a dilemma. I so desperately want the weekend to be here already.

I’ve got two choices.

Either I can sprint my ass down the street - or I can go back inside and ask my annoying mother to give me a ride to school. But that will only result in another lecture about what I’m doing next year. Yeah, it’s a no-brainer.

Just so you know, I”m not really a runner or anything. I”m definitely not in shape, far from it. But there’s no way I’m dealing with my mom again this morning. Once is bad enough.

I quickly sling my satchel over my shoulder and sprint like a maniac down the street to catch the bus, my feet pounding against the pavement. I’m sure I look ridiculous. I’m not overweight at all. And I guess I’d consider myself average-sized. However, compared to all those Instagram wafer-thin bitches who strive to look like a walking skeleton, people consider me overweight.

So what if I’m not wafer-thin? It just means I don’t follow the crowd. But when it comes to feeling vulnerable, I”m just like any other girl my age, worried about my body, my flaws, and all that stuff. It really hurts my self-esteem when girls, who are more beautiful than me, mock my size.

Every morning, I feel an overwhelming sense of dread as I prepare to go to school. My hate for Eastern High runs deep. Each cruel taunt feels like a bullet piercing my protective shield.

To mask my vulnerability, I adopt a defensive attitude. My words become my weapon, carefully aimed at inflicting the same amount of pain that they have caused me.

I know that this is not the right approach. However, it is the only way I know how to cope.

The bus comes to a halt, and a crowd forms a line, eager to board the bus.

Meanwhile, I still have half a block left to run. I push myself harder, even though I’m already gasping for air. God. I need to get in shape, or perhaps I should cut back on eating those chocolate drops I love so much. Nah, not gonna happen.

As the last person boards the bus, I quickly step on just before the doors close. My heart’s going crazy and I’m breathing weird. Bent forward, with my hands on my knees, I suck in great gulps of air.

The bus driver floors the accelerator and pulls away from the curb. The force of gravity propels me forward, causing me to fall to my knees. My hand automatically shoots out to stop me from falling. The echoes of mocking laughter linger in my ears, then followed by their snide remarks.

Fucking bus driver. I bet the asshole did that on purpose.

And then it suddenly dawns on me: my hand is on someone’s leg. Scratch that, my hand is on their upper thigh. Whew, that was a close call. An inch higher and I’d be touching his cock. Immediately, I retract my hand and lift my gaze. Oh fuck. Of course, it had to be him.

Xander fucking Williams. The absolute heartthrob and self-declared bad boy of the school, with those stunning dark brown eyes that make all the girls go gaga and, uh, you know, feel a little tingly down there. His cocky grin sends a shiver down my spine, making my throat tighten. The smile that always gets him what he wants. It’s no secret that he has hooked up with nearly every girl in our school. It”s common knowledge that he”s all about casual hook-ups and not into relationships. Oh, and don”t forget, he”s apparently not into kissing. He basically fucks them and then moves on to the next conquest. Except for Jade and Savannah, who he hooks up with all the time.

But let’s be honest. Jade and Savannah are easy and will gladly ride anything that comes their way.

Despite Xander’s habit of jumping from one hook-up to another, I have to admit I feel kinda stupid sometimes when I catch myself daydreaming about him.

I like to daydream about all the dirty things I”d want him to do to me if he were mine. It’s stupid, I know. Curvy girls like me don’t stand a chance with a hot guy like him. Yeah, but a girl can still dream, right?

Feeling flustered and shaking the idea of Xander out of my head, I stand. A rush of heat creeps up my cheeks as I pull on the bottom of my blouse, tugging it down so no one can see.

Jealousy hits me hard when I see who’s sitting next to Xander. Jade fucking Wilson. My sworn enemy. Also known as an easy fuck. And enjoys giving blowjobs when requested.

And let”s not forget, she”s the meanest bitch in the school, at least according to me. Her cruel words cut me to the core.

She’s drop-dead gorgeous and adored by everyone. All girls desire to look as beautiful as she does. However, she is fully aware of all of it—the way people gaze at her and follow her trends. The way guys go after her, totally hooked on her oral abilities. Well, that”s my opinion. Why else would they hang around with such a bitch?

However, what truly bothers me is the fact that Xander occasionally spends time with her. She must be really good at it, because why else would Xander be hanging out with her for more than a day? That’s just not his pattern.

I know. I know. You’ve probably already figured it out. I have a strong fascination with Xander Williams. However, let me assure you, it doesn’t make me some kind of creepy stalker. I mean, who can resist the charm of admiring something so beautiful? And let’s be honest, every girl has a weakness for a bad boy.

Xander has been a neighbor of mine for as long as I can remember, living just two doors down. I have to confess, sometimes I hear him strumming his guitar. Sometimes I leave my window open and pretend he”s serenading me. I am a bit of a sad sack at times. He is completely unaware of my existence. But not anymore. From now on, he”ll know me as the chick who tried to touch his package on the bus.

“Just sit down, you fat cow!” Jade yells, her gaze fixed on me as if I were nothing more than trash. “Everyone here hates you.”

“Yeah, I guess I’m not as popular as your mouth,” I add, as I move to the only available seat on the bus.

Thank God, I”ll have my car back tomorrow afternoon. I’m done with these idiots and their bullshit.

I take a quick look out the window, but my focus shifts back to Xander Williams. He’s rocking his usual black attire, looking like he’s living his best life. To the outside world, Xander appears to have everything. He’s got the looks, and he’s on the path to success. It”s obvious he should be on stage with his musical talent.

But living two doors down from him, I know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. I hear the loud arguing. I hear his dad, who is drunk all the time, tell Xander he’s just a useless piece of shit. It’s just the two of them living in that house. When I hear his dad spit those words, I often wonder what happened to Xander’s mum. Did she walk out and leave him to deal with his intoxicated father all alone?

Having observed Xander over the years, I believe I have a deeper understanding of him than anyone else. Xander”s all about being alone unless he”s out looking for some action.

Ace is his only friend. They both love music and have a rebellious side. I’ve seen how they size people up whenever they approach. Both making it clear that if you fuck with them, there will be trouble.

As I watch him, I notice Jade leaning in closer to talk to him. Ignoring her, Xander shoves his earbuds into his ears and redirects his attention to his music. I can’t help but grin. It seems that I’m not the only one who finds her annoying.

The second the bus pulls up out the front of the school, I eagerly race to be the first one to get off. Hiding in classrooms is typically my preferred method for making it through the day. Or find a quiet place to sit on the school grounds where I can read my Kindle and discreetly watch the hottest boy in school.

If you haven’t already figured it out. I’m pretty much of a loner myself and I don’t have a lot of friends at school. But that’s okay with me. I love hanging by myself binging my favorite show - The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. It’s so much better than enduring constant weight taunts all day long.

By the time the school bell rings, I”m completely exhausted. And to make matters worse, I’m pissed that I have to rely on the bus to get home. I”ve been avoiding the bathroom all day to steer clear of Jade and her friends who hang out there, vaping and giving off bitch face vibes.

But now I gotta pee.

Glancing at my watch, I check the time. Five minutes until the bus leaves. No prob. I’ll race to the restroom at the front of the school, the one near the art room that no one ever uses and I’ll still make it to the bus.

With my bag slung over my shoulder, I navigate through the bustling hallway, skillfully maneuvering around the throngs of people. Taking another glance at my watch, I still have four minutes remaining. Two minutes to use the restroom, and two minutes to catch the bus. I quickly hustle down the hall.

Using both hands, I forcefully push the door open, then suddenly stop almost causing me to lose my balance on the tile floor. Holy fucking shit. What have I just walked in on?

There’s a guy with his back facing me, but I can already tell without seeing his face that it’s Xander Williams without a doubt - his signature black clothes and distinctive stance. Wait, did I just walk into the men’s restroom? My heart pounds, like a wild stallion galloping in my chest.

“Suck it harder,” he says.

His words snap me back to reality. That”s when I notice there”s a girl on her knees in front of him. But I can’t see who it is. I look up and see Xander”s brown eyes watching me in the mirror. The seconds continue to pass. I know I should make a run for it. But, for some reason, my feet are stuck to the floor. The passing of seconds continues. And then, I see this sly grin slowly spreading across his beautiful face.

“What are you waiting for, sweet lips? Why don’t you come over here and join us?”

His comment, like a sudden clap of thunder, jolts me back to reality.

I know he’s fucking with me because that’s what he does. He enjoys messing with people for his own entertainment.

“Are you talking to me?” says the girl on her knees, sucking his dick.

That’s when I recognize that bitch’s mocking voice all too well. It belongs to Savannah Gibson, Jade’s best friend, and another one of my bullies. Looks like her boyfriend, who she was just making out with at lunchtime today, isn’t much to brag about after all.

“No,” he says sharply, his voice oozing with allure, sending a delightful shiver down my spine. “Fucking suck it or I’m out of here,” he tells her.

His intense gaze reflected in the mirror feels like a scorching touch, searing through the depths of my soul. As he continues to watch me, he threads his fingers through Savannah’s hair. His smirk widens when he thrusts his hips forward, making her gag, all the while giving me a wink.

Oh, my god. Just turn the fuck around and get out of here instead of watching like some pervert. My face flushes with embarrassment as my heart races even faster. The sound of my pounding pulse races through my veins.

I pivot and sprint towards the exit with a surge of adrenaline propelling me forward.

I bolt down the school’s front steps, bounding them two at a time, feeling utterly clueless about what I’m supposed to do. My mind feels completely scrambled, replaying Xander’s smug smirk and that teasing wink. That asshole. He knew exactly what he was doing.

I sprint towards the bus, my body a mix of embarrassment and excitement from what I just saw. It’s hard to put into words, but seeing Xander in that state has an undeniable effect on me. My entire body is still buzzing with excitement, watching him thrust forward while he was looking at me in the mirror.

Once I secure a seat on the overcrowded bus, I cross my legs, silently pleading for a quick journey home. Because damn, I still need to pee.

Jade gets on the bus and stops in the middle of the aisle, holding up everyone behind her. She glances around.

I make sure not to make eye contact with her, so she won”t say anything mean. I really can”t handle her right now.

“Has anyone seen Xander?” She says.

I cringe at the sound of her voice. It’s an irritating, high-pitched noise that seems to go on forever.

“He said he was catching the bus home.” She puts her hands on her hips and looks around at the people seated. “Has anyone seen him?”

I’m busting to get back at her. I wanna spill the beans and tell her that he ditched her ass for a little action with her friend, Savannah. I want to let her know she”s not as great as she thinks.

“Tobias, have you seen him?” she screeches, moving down the aisle.

Oh, my god, she’s clingier than a wet T-shirt in the rain.

“No. He never takes the bus in the afternoon.”

“You don’t think I’m aware of that,” she sharply retorts. “But he did promise me he’d come.”

When the bus starts moving, she sits two seats away from me.

I can’t help but almost laugh, my mouth twitching with amusement. Oh, you can bet he”s coming for sure. Just not in the way she might have imagined. This is the perfect time to get back at her for all the mean shit she”s said to me today. I want to give her a harsh reality check, so she knows that Xander Williams doesn’t see her as anything but an easy fuck. He’s more interested in Savannah’s mouth than sitting next to her on the bus. But, for some reason, I really want to keep what I saw today to myself.