Betraying Him (Blackwater University #3)

Chapter 1

ONE

HARLEY

SUMMER BEFORE FRESHMAN YEAR

You know what’s bullshit? Being stuck on a beach vacation with your family when all your friends are off partying because your parents want you to ‘spend some time together’ before you go off to college.

It’s funny, really, that I was forced here to spend time with dear old mom and dad, and I’ve barely seen them since we got here.

It’s my own fault, but the idea of spending time having brunch with their friends or whatever else they have planned really isn’t my idea of fun. I love my parents, I really do—it’s just they don’t understand their idea of a good time and mine are completely different.

I’d rather do literally anything else than spend time with their snooty friends, trying to make connections. I have time for all that shit, and I’m in no rush to get serious about my future before I’ve even started college.

Which is why I’m here, wandering the beach as I grunt down at my phone, cursing out the guys for not answering my messages. I don’t blame them, honestly, since I know they’ll be having fun and won’t be purposefully ignoring me, but it still sucks.

The further I walk along the beach and away from our house, the louder it gets. I spot the pier in front of me, lit up with the lights from the rides and games.

Fucking Christ, is this really what it’s come to—me going to the pier alone?

Still, I guess it beats sitting at the beach house alone while Dad’s on a work call and my mom is out shopping with her friends.

I pass the hordes of people, barely even glancing at the families enjoying their day as they play carnival games.

Kids are running around, their delighted cackles surrounding me as they enjoy their family vacations, and it only makes me more miserable.

Usually, I love this place. But that was when I visited family when I was younger or when I was with my friends.

Nothing makes you feel more alone than being surrounded by people having the time of their lives while you’re wishing you were anywhere else.

It’s always busy this time of year, and the pier is the main attraction for the town in the summer, whereas in winter, it’s like a ghost town.

I’m so in my head that I nearly get taken out by a young boy racing across the path in front of me. I grunt as I step out of his way before pasting on my familiar smile so he doesn’t go running to his parents to tell on me.

I am not in the mood to deal with a disgruntled Mom and Dad.

Once I reach the end of the pier and the fanfare seems to die down, a feeling of peacefulness washes over me. The calm sea almost breathes life into me the closer I get.

I stand at the end of the pier; my hands folded on the railing in front of me as I stare out at the view.

I’m not sure how long I stand here, taking it all in, but it’s long enough for the sun to start setting and a slight breeze to make goosebumps rise on my flesh.

The noise has died down a little; the young children seemingly replaced with teenagers, coming here to hang out with their friends.

Just as I’m about to head back home, I feel a presence, and a quick look to my left shows I’m no longer alone.

A girl around my age stands just a few feet away from me, looking out over the view just as I was doing only moments before.

I take her in, from the white Converse on her feet, to the navy summer dress she’s wearing, and the vibrant red hair hanging down her back, before finally getting to her face.

She’s beautiful. Her blue eyes reflect the sea, while her pale freckles bring my attention to her rosy cheeks.

My eyes flick down to her mouth and those pouty lips.

I lick mine. Fuck, she’s stunning, and there’s just something about her that…

My head tilts, my eyes narrowing as realization washes over me.

“I know you,” I state before I can stop myself. Her attention snaps to me, her eyes widening as though she had no idea I was here.

She bites down on her bottom lip, in no doubt a nervous gesture, before nodding her head once.

“We went to school together?” I ask, since I’m pretty sure we’ve been attending the same schools since we were kids.

So why the fuck can’t I remember her name? I mean, I’ve never actually spoken to her before, and I think she’s always been one of those quiet, studious students, so it’s not like I have any reason to know it.

Jesus Christ, I’m such an arrogant dick.

“Savannah,” she says, her voice soft, and my lips quirk.

“Savannah,” I repeat, liking the sound of her name rolling off my tongue. “I’m Harley.”

“I know.”

“What are you doing out here all alone, Savannah?”

She shrugs one delicate shoulder. “My dad is busy doing whatever it is rich men do, and I wanted to get out of the house for a while.”

I snort, unable to stop myself before muttering, “Fucking tell me about it.”

She smiles shyly, and I can’t help but grin back at her before looking out over the sea. This is oddly… peaceful.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at ease around someone who isn’t in my immediate circle.

“How long are you here for?” I find myself asking, and she drags her attention back to me.

“Long enough for it to feel like the longest summer of my life.”

So, the same as me then.

Which is honestly bullshit, but as I stare at the gorgeous girl in front of me, I have a feeling I’ve found exactly what I need to occupy my time.

The longer I look at her, the more realization dawns.

I do know her; she’s Savannah Marks. Her father is big in the old money world, and our parents attend a lot of the same functions, as well as attending the same school.

I take a step closer, then another until I’m standing right in front of her, looking down into her pretty blue eyes.

“How about we spend it together then, hmm?” I put on my most charming smile and trail a finger over the exposed skin on her shoulder. “There’s no reason for you to spend the summer bored out of your mind. Not when I’m here.”

Something flashes across her face before she lets out a trembling breath.

Just when I think things are going my way, she takes a step back and crosses her arms, almost self-consciously.

I can’t help but glance down to where the movement accentuates her chest and she makes a strangled sound in the back of her throat.

My eyes snap back to her face and she raises her brow, clearly knowing exactly where my attention had gotten to.

“Is that a no?” I ask, my lips turning down.

“It’s a no,” she agrees quietly. My shock must be written all over my face because she smiles softly. “We’ve been going to school together for over ten years, and never once had a conversation. We’ve had classes together, and you didn’t even know my name.”

And on that parting note, she spins around and walks away, leaving me to stare after her.

I probably came across as an entitled asshole, which I can admit to being.

Whatever I want, I get.

And that little speech of hers just made me want her so much more.

I do love a good challenge.