Bully (Fall Away, #1)

by Penelope Douglas

I’d been called a bitch before, and it didn’t hurt the way being called a slut did. Being a bitch could be a survival technique. They get respect. There was no honor in people thinking you were a slut.

“She can be my North.” Jared’s formidable voice hit me from behind, sending shivers down my spine.

“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all of those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

“Jared, I can’t race for you,” K.C. laughed out. “There’s got to be someone else.” He looked up to the sky and shook his head. Even though I didn’t want to see his car get trashed, I found the situation amusing. Serves him right. “There’s only one other person who I’d even slightly trust driving my car.” He raised an eyebrow and turned to lock eyes with me. All the air left my body. “Me?” “Her?” Madoc burst out, and Ben and K.C. echoed. Jared crossed his arms over his chest and approached me like a cop in an interrogation room. “Yeah, you.” “Me?” I peered up at him like he was crazy. If he thought I’d do him any favors, he was crazy. “I’m looking at you, aren’t I?”

A hand hooked me at the crook of my elbow and gently pulled me to a stop. I looked up to see Jared struggling to meet my eyes. “Can I talk to you?” His voice was hushed, and his demeanor gentle. It had been so long, I’d forgotten how human he could be. Though, it wasn’t enough for me to forget how horrible he’d been, either. “No,” I spat out the same, flat response he’d given to me weeks ago when I’d asked him to turn down his music. He took a breath. “You know how hard this is for me.” He looked away and then back again. “I need you,” he sighed, sounding defeated.

and me as if they were waiting to see which bomb would go off first. Jared shook his head with a bitter smile on his face and finally took a deep breath before responding. “Tatum.” His voice was calm, but the underlying bitterness was there. “Would you ride with me, please?”

His elbow propped next to his window, he leaned his head on his hand and peered at me with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. I wondered what he thought of me behind his wheel. “You’re smiling,” he pointed out, almost as an accusation. I stroked the steering wheel without meeting his eyes. “Don’t ruin this for me by talking, please.”

“Tatum?” His eyes narrowed to slits. “Stop toying with your opponent and win the damn race already.”

When I looked over at him, he was leaning against his fist with a finger across his lips. What was he trying to hide? A smile? Raking a hand through his hair, he opened his door, and the sounds of cheers and screaming rushed in like water into a sinking boat. Looking down at his boots, he shook his head. “Waking the demon. . . ..” he mumbled to himself, and I wasn’t sure what he meant. Before he climbed out, he looked over at me again through hooded lids. “Thank you, Tate,” he whispered. The hair on my neck stood up, and my hands shook. He hadn’t called me “Tate” since we were fourteen. Not since we were friends.

“You were never clingy or a nuisance, Tate. The day you moved in next door I thought you were the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I fucking loved you.”

“Tate?” His lips were inches from mine, and his body radiated heat. “I don’t want to talk any more tonight.”

“Stay away from me.” I hopped off the car and walked to the passenger side. I heard his chuckle behind me. “You first.”

“You go from threatening me one day to kissing me the next. I don’t switch gears that fast.” “Kissing you? You kissed me back . . . both times. And now you’re off to the school dance with Madoc. You might say I’m the one with whiplash here.”

“Take you with me?” He looked at me skeptically but then turned thoughtful. “Alright, go get something warmer on, and I’ll come get you when we’re ready.” He moved towards the door, but stopped. “And after the race, we’ll come back here and finish this.” His promise made me smile despite myself.

As she lay on her ass, I clapped my hands twice in her face and shouted. “Hey! Now that I have your attention, I just want you to know—he’s not interested in you.” I tossed her words back at her like a pie in the face. Taking a deep breath, I looked up to Jared, who had gotten out of his car and looked at me with a mixture of shock and amusement. “I’m not wallpaper,” I clarified, walking up to him. Pulling the fossil that I’d made for my mom out of the pocket of my hoodie, I pooled the necklace into his palm. “Don’t hide from me, and don’t ask me to hide,” I said for only him to hear. He nodded and tipped my chin up, running his thumb along my jawbone. I sunk into him, and he caressed my lips with a light kiss. I instantly felt relief. More taunts and whistles came from the crowd, but I only cared about the warmth of his body close to mine. “Ahem!” The guy in the next car signaled us loudly. “Jared, if it’s okay with you, I’d like to get this done some time tonight.” I shook my head and sighed happily. “Good luck,” I wished to Jared as I pushed away and walked to the crowd.

Yesterday lasts forever. Tomorrow comes never. Until you.

“You’re cold,” he said as the rain drenched our clothes. “Warm me up,” I begged.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” -Mother Theresa

I want to be one of your lifelines, Tate. I want you to need me. So . . .” He gestured to the bracelet. “The heart is me. One of your lifelines.