When the Stars Fall (Lost Stars, #1)

by Emery Rose

I cranked up the volume on a classic rock song—“Carry On Wayward Son”—and I drove.

You told Kyle Matthews I had head lice.” I shoved his chest.

He shrugged and chewed on the gum in his mouth. “I thought I saw something moving in your hair.” He held up both hands like he was innocent. “An honest mistake.”

He won’t get anywhere near me now.” “Good. I don’t like the guy. Didn’t like the way he was looking at you either.”

Brody snickered. Jude and I ignored him. “How was he looking at me?” “Don’t worry about it.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll take care of Kyle Matthews.” “I don’t want you to take care of him. You can’t ...

Can’t I?” he asked, with that smug lo...

Well, let me tell you something. Even if you had bugs in your hair, I wouldn’t even care.” “You wouldn’t care if I had head lice?” “Nope.”

“Why?” I asked, confused. “Because Rebel… if a guy is worth it…”

If he really likes you, he won’t even care if he has to shave his head because of you.”

Unlike my mom, I didn’t believe in praying for miracles. But I’d never say those words to my mom or Lila or anyone else. I just planted a garden with my friends in the hope that it would put a smile on Lila’s face.

“I’m about to prove you all wrong. Watch me make my moves on Lila Turner.” He cracked his knuckles and rolled out his shoulders, psyching himself up for what I was sure would be a massive defeat.

Brody’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline. He gave me an inquiring look that asked if I was cool with this. Pretty sure he could tell that I wasn’t.

“He’s going to get shot down,” Brody said. “Might as well enjoy the show.” “Too bad he missed the memo that she belongs to Jude.”

“Not sure how he could have. Jude might as well have announced it over the school loudspeaker, it was that loud and clear.”

It was the damn truth. But Reese wasn’t ...

Which was the only reason I stood back and watched from the sidelines, eyes narrowed, arms crossed over my ch...

Reese cupped his hand and whispered something in Lila’s ear. She glanced my way and smiled.

She leaned in and whispered something in Reese’s ear that put a smile on his face. He took the bottle of suntan lotion from her hand and she turned her back to him, sliding her hair over one shoulder to expose her suntanned skin. Only a string tied at her neck and her back held the bikini top in place and she was offering it up to Reese Madigan on a silver platter. Like her skin was his to touch. Oh hell no. Not happening.

Before I could stop myself, I was striding toward them, ready to put an end to this little game they were playing.

No part of her should be touching any part of him.

She was beautiful. Full of fire and sass. And I didn’t want anyone else to have her. I wanted to kiss her. Lick the beads of water off her face. Suck on her plump bottom lip.

She was my favorite person. Even when she got bitchy.

She was the only girl who made me angry. Frustrated. Jealous. The only one who made me want to protect her from all the bad things in the world. The only girl I wanted to spend my time with. The only girl I wanted to talk about everything and nothing with.

It didn’t matter what we talked about. It didn’t matter if it was two in the morning and I had to get up early for football practice. I wanted to be her two in the morning person. The one who was there for her no matter what. Lila was mine. End of story.

You think I care that you kissed Ashleigh?” I laughed like that was the most ridiculous thing I’d ever heard. “Why should I care?” “Because if you kissed someone, I’d care.” I snorted. “You don’t want to kiss me but you don’t want anyone else to kiss me.” “What makes you think I don’t want to kiss you?”

You told Ashleigh we were just friends. Figured you wouldn’t care what I did with her.”

“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?” “I’ll put them back in the sky for you,” he said,

If you won’t kiss me, I’ll find someone who will.” The words were barely out of my mouth and then I was caged in his arms, his face so close to mine,

Nobody else is allowed to kiss you.”

This was quickly turning into a hell of a lot more than a kiss. We were dry humping on a roof and my mouth was on her neck,

She looked up at me, her lips parting and I dipped my head and kissed her neck, sucking on the sensitive skin until I was sure it would be bruised and purple tomorrow. Mine

Did you just give me a hickey?” she asked when I rolled off her and sat next to her. “Yep.”

Let me in, Lila. Please.” I was pleading. Begging. And I knew I sounded pathetic but fuck that. She couldn’t shut me out. I was her best friend. I was the guy who loved her more than anyone on this planet. Caroline was gone but I was still here, begging for her to let me in.

“You know what I want for my birthday?” he asked finally.

What do you want?”

You. Down on your knees in front of me.” He licked his lips and closed his eyes as if he was savoring the taste. Then his eyes opened and locked onto mine and there was something different in them. “I want you begging me to let you suck my dick.”

he pushed down the waistband of his boxer briefs and I swallowed hard because this thing right in front of my face was a lot bigger than when I’d seen him coming out of the shower.

I licked the tip and he muttered a curse. Feeling bolder, I shoved his hand away and took control, licking and sucking, taking my cues from his responses.

Never yours, she’d signed it. That was where she was wrong. She had always been mine and for a while I had been hers. She’d just been too blind to see what was right in front of her eyes. She’d thrown my love back in my face just like that football jersey, and she’d walked away. I had done everything in my power to be there for her but what had I gotten for my efforts? A kick in the balls. Because that was how it felt.

“So... does this mean we’re friends again?” He snorted and returned his eyes to the road. “Don’t even think about friend-zoning me.” “What zone do you want to be in?” “The one where I get to rip off your clothes and do dirty things to you with my tongue and my hands and my gigantic cock.”

“You’ll be lucky if I let you kiss me with that dirty mouth of yours.”

“You’ll be lucky if you get to find out what this dirty mouth of mine can do.” Oh my God.

His lips still sealed to mine, he slid my panties aside and dragged two fingers through my slick folds. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rocked my hips. “Why are you so wet?” I heard the accusation in his voice. “From watching you, you sexy beast,” I panted as one thick finger dipped inside me and his thumb rubbed the tight bundle of nerves that made heat pool in my belly and sent zings of electricity up and down my spine. “Oh my God.” “You called?”

Hey J. What’s up?” J. Ugh. I gritted my teeth and narrowed my eyes on Jude. He chuckled under his breath like this was some kind of joke to him.

I climbed off Jude, accidentally kneeing him in the balls. Oops.

The fuck, Rebel?” he wheezed out.

Sorry to interrupt,” Kylie said with a smirk

Why had he slept with her but my virginity was still intact?

It’s only ever been you,” he said, his voice low and husky in the stillness of my quiet bedroom. “Only you, Rebel.”

It wasn’t every day that you got to see your boyfriend make a forty-five-yard pass for the winning touchdown.