Just Drop Out (Hannaford Prep, #1)

by J. Bree

I’m small for my age. Years of food insecurity have taken their toll, and I was the youngest contender in the Game this season. None of that matters though; I’ve won. I’ve beaten thirty men and teenage boys to take the victory and the spoils of this war.

“I am the Wolf.”

I’m the Wolf of Mounts Bay, and I can survive anything.

“Eclipse Anderson. I prefer Lips, though.”

What the safe holds is worth more than my life.

Matteo D’Ardo was another foster kid, and four years older than me. We met at school, and he had taken me under his wing even before my mom died and I wound up in the system. He was dangerous. More dangerous than any of these rich kids could ever be. They play pretend in their safe little bubble, but Matteo was the Jackal. He owned more than my home city; he owned the entire state. In a lot of ways, he owned me too.

The twins are flanked by a guy so gorgeous I’m stunned, and it takes me a second to realize it's the guy from the courthouse last month. He looks absolutely devastating in his uniform, and there are girls frothing left, right and center over both him and Ash. Avery is looking down her nose at them all.

“Who gives a fuck, she's Mounty trash.” If only that were true.

It's like a gut punch when I realize the super hot guy’s name is Harley, and I now have to share a desk with him three times a week.

“Let me explain to you how this works. I'm a Beaumont. My family is old money, so old it will never run dry. In fact, I wipe my ass with more money than your pathetic little family has ever made, and I have the connections to not only ruin your life, but to end it. If I tell you to move, you move.”

Joey, who is the older Beaumont sibling, scoffs.

I have to make a life for myself, we can’t all be the Jackal.

This Jackal just wants his Wolf safe and by his side. Don’t forget that while you’re at this big posh school.

A shudder ran down my spine. Why did that always sound more like a threat than a promise?

My name is Lauren. If they hadn't put a ban on the rest of us speaking to you, I would've already approached you. I know what it's like to be the new girl at school. How the hell do they ban other students from talking to people? Who the hell do they think they are? I'm angry enough that I grip my pencil so hard my hand shakes.

“I can’t wait for Morrison to get back. I need a sane ally in this place,” Avery moans, and Ash scoffs at her, stepping around the table to sling an arm over her shoulders. “If you think he’s sane, then you’re not as smart as you think you are, Floss.”

Turns out I've caught all three sets of Beaumont eyes. Lucky. Fucking. Me.

The door in front of me opens, and out walks Blaise fucking Morrison. Blaise. Fucking. Morrison.

Blaise Morrison, Blaise fucking Morrison, is the lead singer and guitarist for Vanth Falling, which is my favorite band and, not to be too dramatic, is also my entire reason for existence.

“I would have paid good money to watch you punch that asshole.” The corners of my mouth tug up into a grin. Who would have thought the way to civility with Avery's boys was by acts of violence toward Joey’s group?

“Such popularity! Maybe you should try and move up to the junior class instead of slumming it with us, Mounty,” says Avery as she breezes forward, tugging Harley with her. He grumbles at her. “If she flattens another guy, I want to see it. If she does it to Joey, I will wank over it for the rest of my life.” I blush, and then I curse myself for it. “If she hits Joey, she'll be dead before the week is out.” Avery's tone is no-nonsense, monotone, and dark. I shiver.

“Great. Do let me know if you have any more troubles with students. I know my sister can be a little cunt when she's forced to share her toys.”

“I'm fine. It takes a lot to bother me.”

“Oh, I'm counting on it,” he says with a wink, then leaves me alone.

How do you inform the privileged that you're just trying to survive when they can't see the danger from their vantage point?

“Why do you care? Your sister has been my biggest torturer, so why are you telling me to stay away from Joseph and not Avery?”

“Don't ever compare them.”

“Why not? She's just as cruel as he is.”

“My sister is perfect. She is selfless, smart, and the kindest person I know. Joey is a sociopath. Don’t you ever forget it,”

“You know he tells people you're fucking Avery. He's told half the school that you four are having some big orgy every night, and someday he’ll be an uncle to a deformed, incestuous child.”

“And you believe him? Are you asking me if I'm fucking my own sister?”

“No. I just thought you should know.”

“I'm well aware of the depths of Joey’s depravity. I do have to live with him occasionally.”

It’s hard to choose between the Beaumont boys. Which devil should I trust? Neither of them is the obvious answer, but I have to make a decision on whether or not to go to the party. What’s the worst that can happen to me there? A lot of things, but how many of those could actually break m...

I have boobs for the first time in my life too, nice ones and big enough that they hide the scars on the left side. I didn't need Avery seeing that and digging around in my past. I am more than a little shy about how many scars I have. My leg is mottled with red and white raised skin after all the operations to put it back together. I have a burn on my hip that I can't think about without triggering my PTSD, and then there's the two perfect circles on my shoulder. Bullet in, bullet out.

Do you remember when I drank for the first time and you told me I was too good for that kind of thing? I think I'm going to go out next week, and I think I may end up in a fight.

You could call in a favor. There are many people that would take care of your problems for you.

“Cold shoulder, and I'm trying so hard. You're a hard girl to befriend. I could deal with Avery for you, you know. Would that win me your trust?” he coos at me. “No.” I look up at his cold, blue eyes.

“I don't need rescuing.” I say as I turn the page.

“Everyone needs rescuing from Joey Beaumont. You shouldn't be speaking to him. If he sits here again, get up and walk away.”

“Oh yeah, and what should I do if Ave...

“I know you won't believe me, but Avery didn't set you up, and she definitely didn't take the photos.”

“Think about it. Plus, I haven't looked at them. If Joey actually gave a shit about your feelings, he wouldn't have looked at them either. He's a snake in the grass.”

“You expect me to believe you care about my feelings?”

“Nah. I just don't find naked photos all that great without consent. I have enough sent to me from willing partners that I don't feel the need to look at yours.”

“You're not missing much. I'm just a scrawny Mounty.”

“If you two are going to fuck right here at my study table, please tell me so I can make other arrangements,” I say as I tap formulas into my calculator. I don’t look up, because I don’t want to see if Ash is into her and they’re just gearing up for a hate-fuck.

“Fuck off, then, Mounty,” she says, and I sigh as I go to grab my books.

“Allow me to paraphrase for you, Mounty, I wouldn't fuck Harlow if she were the last piece of pussy left at this school. Stay. I need help with my equations when you've finished yours.”

She snaps, “I thought you and Avery hated the Mounty bitch.”