The Misfit (Oakmount Elite #5)

1. Lee

ONE

lee

I thought my first stint in jail would be for a crime far worse than kissing some random guy in a bar. If I’m being honest, it wasn’t the kissing part that landed me here; it was everything after that, but I won’t correct them. My reputation is more important than clearing up a rumor. Anyway, jail isn’t as half as bad as the endless reruns of Cops make it out to be.

To be fair, the severity of the jail might be a little more harsh in theory than reality, given this is more like a metal box with bars than an actual cell. Or maybe my last name has me receiving the royal treatment. It doesn’t matter.

The silence here eats away at my insides like an infection.

If only my brain were this quiet.

With a sigh, I roll onto my side to face the bullpen. They’ve stashed me away in a tiny-ass holding cell, but in a way, I should be thankful the police station is the next town over from the college and not the one we’ve been fighting against for the past year for Ely’s sake. I’m sure tonight would’ve had a very different outcome if that were the case.

As it is, the young officer who arrested me keeps casting looks my way. He’s acting like I’m about to strip my clothes off again and run around the station until he catches me. It doesn’t sound half bad; my only real worry is that he’ll like it. I give him a little wink and smile, and satisfaction builds as a red flush creeps up his pale cheeks.

What can I say … I have a habit of making people nervous. The door in the other room opens, then slams, and one of my best friends, Sebastian, comes marching in, his tie undone. His very pregnant wife, Ely, trails him. They are unamused.

“What the fuck?” Sebastian gripes as he approaches the lone officer.

His comment is directed at me, but the cute officer leans away as if that will protect him from Sebastian’s wrath.

I sit up, my vision blurring slightly as I reach my arms above my head and stretch out my back. “Took you long enough.”

“Is it really that difficult to behave? Why do you always have to do something that gets you in trouble?” Sebastian snaps, not even acknowledging the police officer.

“Are you kidding me? If I wanted to be scolded, I would’ve called my mother. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was having a couple of drinks at the bar and kissed a guy.” I toss him a grin. “And I liked it. So fucking what? It’s not my fault the homophobic owner got pissy and called the cops.”

Sebastian lets out a loaded breath through his nose. “Don’t play the innocent victim here. I know you, Lee. Instigation is your MO.”

“I didn’t instigate shit. There wouldn’t have been a problem if he hadn’t started one.”

Seb merely shakes his head. “At some point, you have to learn when to shut your mouth. Not every disagreement has to end with blood drawn.”

I ignore him because I don’t want his opinion. I want out of this fucking cell.

I peer over at Ely, who has thrown herself into a chair nearby. “Looking very round there, Ely. You okay?” She leans her head off the back of the chair and flips me off. Naturally, that makes me smile.

I look back at Sebastian, who is still staring at me like a disappointed father, and huff. “Can you save the lecture for later and get me out of here? I’m missing the party.”

His gaze scans my shredded jeans and vintage Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirt. “You aren’t even dressed for the party. Besides, it will likely be over by the time we get back.”

I roll my eyes. “Not a Mill party. Never. If it ends before sunrise, I didn’t plan the thing properly.”

Ely groans, either from exhaustion or from my mentioning dawn, and I cock my head in her direction. “Actually, you can just drop me off and take your wife home so she can put her feet up. She’s super pregnant, for fuck’s sake.”

“I didn’t notice,” Seb snaps, then turns to the officer. “Can you get him out, please? I’ll send his lawyer to handle the paperwork.”

The adorable officer nods, grabs a ring of keys from his desk, and comes over to the cell. I stand, slip my Converse back on, and meet him at the door.

“Thank you for the hospitality.” I keep my voice low and husky, making the officer blush even more. God, I love making them nervous.

“Where’s the other guy?” Seb snaps.

I tear my attention away from the officer. “Huh?”

“The other guy. The one you made out with in the bar?”

I keep my expression blank, tucking away the anger and pain at the reminder that the man had split the second the bartender called the cops. “Fuck if I know. He was just some rando. I don’t even remember his name.”

Seb arches an eyebrow, the number one sign he’s not buying my shit, but thankfully, he doesn’t push. It takes a hot minute to sign the release paperwork and get my belongings back.

The officer tosses the items on the counter, and I assess them, ensuring I have everything. Keys. Wallet. Phone. Condoms.

Everything is here. I shove it all into the pockets of my jeans. “It was nice to meet you, Officer Chu.”

Seb huffs loudly. “For fuck’s sake, Lee, let’s go.”

He starts toward the door, and I give the officer one more wink, then shuffle my brown hair off my forehead and follow. The car waits outside, and we all slide into the back with Ely wedged between Seb and me.

My gaze is drawn to her bulging belly. Fucking hell. I’m a piece of shit. As pregnant as she is, there’s no reason she should be out at this hour, fixing my problems. Then again, she wasn’t supposed to come—only Sebastian was—but I guess now that they’re married and having a kid, it’s a two-for-one special.

“I’m sorry.” I can’t help but apologize. I feel like a total dickhole that she’s out and about this close to her due date.

“Don’t be sorry, Lee. I still love you.” Ely smiles at me, and I’d return her smile if her husband’s glare wasn’t burning holes into my skin. He’s pissed, and rightfully so, but if he didn’t want me to call him, why did he agree to help me in the first place?

It’s a short twenty-minute drive to The Mill, and as I predicted, the year’s final party is still raging. I pause with my hand on the door handle.

“You coming?”

Sebastian shakes his head. “No, I think Ely has had enough fun for the night.” He tugs her on to his lap, and she nuzzles her face against his chest.

“Yeah, yeah. Go. Behave,” he orders.

“Shut it. I’m always on my best behavior.” I smile and step out of the car.

Time to put on the party mask. Part of my brain seizes up at the idea because I’m so burned out over being someone I’m not. But what other option do I have? This is what they expect of me. This is all they want from me, nothing more.

This is why I’m here, why I insisted on coming to this party when the part of me that’s real would rather be home in bed.

Play the part. Deliver The Man.

Gathering up my remaining energy, I saunter up the steps, push the door open, and enter the house. I’m greeted with a cry of excitement that echoes through the room. It ripples through me even as it grates against my nerve endings. Their energy, their excitement, their adulation. Except they don’t know me, do they? I give a little bow just off the entryway, none of them noticing the sardonic twist to my lips, and sneak into the kitchen to get some alcohol.

Because what’s a party without a beverage?

I scour the countertops for the perfect liquor to indulge in, and like the mood killer he is, Drew, with Bel attached at his hip, finds me before I can wrap my hands around a bottle.

“What the fuck? We all agreed to keep a low profile, and you go out and get yourself arrested?”

I can handle Sebastian all day. Drew, another one of my best friends, is a different creature entirely. Do I say I’m sorry for being such a fuckup? Nah. He should expect that by now.

Is there really any response that will matter? I guess no response is better. After all, I’m not a fucking Hallmark card. Ignoring his comment, I snake a hand behind him to a bottle of amber liquor. I pop the cork and steal a glance at the label as I do.

Ten-year-old bourbon—not the best, but it’ll do.

Drew is not one to be ignored, so I’m not surprised when he grabs me by the wrist to stop me from bringing the bottle to my lips. “Are you even listening to me?”

“I heard you loud and clear, Dad, ” I snap, then instantly regret it when Drew flinches.

Why do I have to have a fucking heart?

“I just care about you, man. What the hell happened?”

“Do you want my version of the events? The police officer’s version? Or the homophobic asshole bar owner’s version?”

“Whatever version makes me least likely to want to knee you in the balls.”

I grin. “Aw, it’s sweet that you’re thinking of my balls. It’s because mine are bigger, isn’t it?”

Drew’s nostrils flare, and annoyance pinches his features, color riding high on his perfect cheekbones. “Is everything a game to you?”

I mean, maybe. That’s the thing about Lee Sterling. If you give me an inch, I’ll take a fucking mile, then I’ll fuck you with the inch you gave me just to prove a point. It would be kind of sad if I had a damn choice in it all.

Drew should know better. I tap a finger against my chin as if I’m pondering a real response. “I don’t think you want me to answer that.”

“I think you need to start using your fucking brain. We’re adults, and college is over. What are you going to do with your life? Fight anyone who has a different opinion than you?” His disappointment leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. And for reasons I don’t understand, I hate his disappointment the most.

I shrug. “I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing. I don’t even know what day it is. I’m merely living for the present.”

“And that’s the problem. You’re making choices that could have a profound impact on your future. You’re acting like tomorrow doesn’t even matter.”

This is becoming far too deep and depressing a conversation to have while sober. “You’re ruining a good night and a good fucking party with your fortune cookie bullshit. I think I liked you better before you decided to become a knight in shining armor.”

It’s a jab, and a low one at that. I love Bel, and when she and Drew hit it off, I welcomed her into our little fucked-up family with open arms, but right now, I need this conversation to end before I lose my fucking mind.

“Knight in shining armor?” He snorts. “Don’t tell me you’re already drunk?”

I roll my eyes. “Do I look like I’m drunk?”

Drew shakes his head. “All I’m trying to say is, as tempting as it is, you can’t just go around tossing punches every time someone says something you don’t like.”

“Yeah, yeah. I hear you.” I risk looking over at Bel, who is a couple of feet away, failing miserably to act discreetly in her desire to give us a little privacy. “Get your adorable ass over here, Bel!”

I’d rather see her pretty face than his ugly mug, anyway. That’s a lie; his face is too freaking perfect.

Drew rolls his eyes and half turns to tug her into his side. She lets out a little squeal, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Her gaze bounces to me, and the enthusiasm fades to apprehension.

Fuck. Don’t tell me she’s worried, too?

Bel gives me a weak smile. “Busy night, huh?”

I nod and take a swig of the bourbon, loving the burn followed by the deep ache it creates in my belly. “Yes, kinda. Not the type of busy I’d prefer, though.” I waggle my eyebrows at her. “I wonder how many people I can get into my bed by dawn. Shall we make a bet?”

Some of her concern evaporates, and she grins, adjusting Drew’s grip on her waist. “No, I’d never bet against you.”

“That’s because you’re smart.” I lean forward and gently press a kiss to her cheek, loving the way Drew stiffens at the innocent touch. He doesn’t say anything, mainly because he knows my relationship with Bel is strictly friends. “Toodles.”

Letting the alcohol lead me, I turn and scan the crowd of partygoers.

“Time for shots,” I shout, raising the bottle. “Let’s get this party started!”

There’s laughter, and several people crowd closer. Bel and Drew slowly fade to the back of the room, where they both prefer to be. I grab a few random bottles off the counter and pour a round of shots that are snapped up faster than I can make them. With a drink in hand, everyone raises their shot glasses, and I clear my throat and jump onto the countertop.

I don’t particularly like the spotlight, but everyone expects me to occupy it at least some of the time. So here goes nothing.

“Here’s to the women who love us terribly, may they soon improve. And may all your ups and downs be under covers.”

The room erupts with laughter, and everyone tosses back their shot. I smile and do the same, continuing to hand out shots to anyone who wants one.

Once the crowd thins, I take another swig of alcohol, this time straight from the bottle. The liquid burns in my throat, and I nearly choke as I examine the label. Shit, I must’ve grabbed the vodka at some point. Vodka is the worst.

A drink is a drink, though. I grimace and take another swig, scanning the crowd for someone who looks alone or lonely—anyone to quiet the voices in my head and allow me to escape for a little while. Irritation pricks at my skin. Everyone seems to be paired up.

Guess that’s what I get for being late.

I squeeze my eyes closed. Maybe I shouldn’t have come after all. Everything is pressing in on me, and the mask is slipping. It always does, no matter how much I try to maintain control.

But it’s too early for this shit. Maybe the incident with the guy in the bar got to me more than I thought. I shove the melancholy thoughts away, shake out my shoulders, and make sure no one can see under the mask now.