Damaged dropout lone wol.., p.1
Damaged Dropout (Lone Wolves #2), page 1
Damaged Dropout
A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance
Lux Carmine
Copyright © 2018 by Lux Carmine
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Also by Lux Carmine
Introduction
Dear Reader,
I finished Damaged Dropout a little bit early and wanted to get it onto your Kindle reader as soon as possible! If you happen to stumble across a glaring typo please feel free to email it to me so that I can correct it. I’ve hired an editor but mistakes always manage to slip through!
I hope you enjoy reading book two as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
XX lux XX
PS: If you want a book three please make sure you let me know if your Amazon review!
One
“Ruby O’Hart.” My name boomed through the too-big stadium rental which was filled with thousands of parents, grandparents, and siblings. They were seated, waiting and watching for one of their own to cross the stage and receive their American rite of passage into adulthood.
I grinned as they presented me with my diploma. I’d done it! I was officially a high school graduate! I took my faux diploma and shook hands with the principal I didn’t know, and never would, and then I departed the stage. My ten seconds of fame were over. I wasn’t disappointed. I’d had enough stage time as my lead role in the play Grease. I was good if I never had to step foot on a stage ever again. The spotlight was not where I was destined to be.
I wasn’t in my seat long before Kevin’s name was announced. I stood up, hooted and hollered as he took the stage and accepted his fake diploma.
The first half of the ceremony had dragged on, Robbie Flosser had received the honor of valedictorian. It was extremely uncomfortable having to sit in my seat and listen to him talk. He kept saying ‘we’ and ‘our class,’ as if he somehow represented anything that had to do with anyone other than Robbie Flosser.
A few times during the ceremony I caught him turning around in his chair, staring at me. Despite his plans and his attempt at assaulting me, I’d managed to keep my distance from him for the rest of the school year. A few weeks after I moved into my own apartment I was pretty sure that I had seen Robbie walking past my building. As much as I’d like to think that I could be like Sookie Stackhouse, I was in no mood to be all alone in an apartment when a crazy stalker was on the loose, even if he were mortal. I was so scared that I called my Lone Wolves and demanded that one of them come over. It was the start of a new Wolf habit, and for the rest of the school year they’d taken turns staying the night.
After the last name was called, and Gregory Zingermann sat down, the principal invited us to stand up and turn our tassels. The principal announced us as a graduating class and our caps flew into the air. After gathering them back up, we were dismissed: the last dismissal ever from Davis High.
“Party at your place, right?” Kevin had found me first, his hand snaking around my middle and pulling me back against his blue graduation gown.
I grinned, my cheeks flushed because I still wasn’t used to the stares that we received whenever one of my boys grabbed me in public. I swiveled around and wrapped my arms around him too, hugging him. “Yes, party at my place. But first I need to say congrats to some friends. Hashtag sorry not sorry.”
Kevin’s lips pouted playfully. “I’m not your friend?”
“No. You’re only one of many. Congratulations, grad.” I moved to pull away, but he held me tight, his beautiful chocolate eyes holding my attention.
“Don’t I get a kiss for all my hard work?”
I grinned and put my hands on his cheeks, holding him as I brought my lips to his. The anticipation wasn’t a letdown, his arms circled around me tighter as he pulled me up closer to his sexy-as-sin body. I was quickly losing awareness of my surroundings because kissing him was like drowning the sounds of the mass exodus in the stadium were becoming muted. I pulled back, a smile on my lips. I loved that he wanted me so much. I loved that he had no shame in showing me just how much he loved me, no matter where we were.
There was a clearing of a male throat behind us and as I turned around my smile faded. “Dad?”
His cheeks were red, his hands shoved into his suit pants pockets. He’d gotten all dressed up for me? I looked past him to see if anyone else were waiting for him. I saw no one.
“Do you think I’d miss my daughter’s high school graduation?”
Honestly, I did. I hadn’t heard from my father since he had presented me with the check from my mom’s life insurance policy that covered my rent. I wasn’t sure if he was here to help alleviate his guilt at missing his only daughter’s life, or if he were actually here to support me for once. I was 18 and a high school graduate and I didn’t really think that it mattered either way. In a few short days Kevin, Jason, Steven, Mike, Billy, and I would be soaking up the rays in sunny California.
“Are you here alone?” I asked, once again glancing around, wondering if I would actually get to meet the woman that had stolen my dad’s heart and presence.
“Yeah. Remember how I told you I was going to tell my wife about you?” He paused and when I nodded he continued, “I did... But she didn’t take it so well. We’re splitting up.”
A little part of me felt guilty about the news. It had been me that had pushed him into it. But then I reminded myself that it had been my dad’s choice to tell her and his choice to keep me a secret.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
He rocked a little on the balls of his feet. Why was he so nervous? “Look, Ruby, I was hoping that we could sit down and have dinner.”
I frowned. Dinner? Wasn’t it a little late to be playing house? What did he possibly hope to gain by sitting down with me for dinner? Did he think buying me a meal was going to make up for his lifelong absence?
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
His face twisted into disappointment and my guts twisted right along with it. He was my father. Despite all that he’d done to fuck me up he was still my dad. And that he looked disappointed that I didn’t want to have a simple dinner with him made me immediately regret my words.
“Yeah, I understand. I had just hoped that...” He sighed and shook his head, looking away. He pasted on a smile when his gaze returned to me. “It doesn’t matter. I’m glad I got to be here, to see you walk across the stage.” He shuffled some more and I could see him wrestling with his limbs. Was he trying to get up the nerve to hug me?
“How about lunch tomorrow instead of dinner?” I said, unable to stop the guilt-ridden words from leaving my mouth.
A flicker of disbelief passed over his brows before the corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “Of course!”
After we exchanged numbers, I forced a smile and then a hug so that I could move on and find Melissa. It wasn’t hard to spot her. She had decorated her blond hair in glitter. I’d gone with her to buy the glitter and I tried to talk her out of it but there was just no convincing her that it was a bad idea. I hated to admit now, but it did make her stand out and sparkle, just like she’d wanted. I hugged her from behind and after her moment of surprise she turned around and hugged me back.
“Hey! Congratulations! I’m so glad you came to find me, my mom wanted to say a few words to you or something,” she said as she twisted around, her eyes wandering the crowd.
The thought of Aunt Sara saying anything to me made me itchy and suddenly dying with the urge to flee. “Oh yeah, I’d love to stay, but I need to go get ready for my party. You’re still coming, right?”
Melissa’s lips twisted into a smile. “I would not miss it. It was at your last party that Joey and I got back together.” She clasped her hands tightly in front of her as her eyes wandered again. I knew exactly who she was staring at: Joey.
My teeth clamped down on the inside of my cheek as I held in my disdain. Melissa had some obsession with Joey and Joey knew it. They were in this on-again off-again relationship that he seemed to have with at least two other girls. Currently it was off and I hoped it stayed that way so Melissa could go off to college and start fresh. I smiled and gave her blond hair gentle tug. “Good, I’ll see you there.” I saw my aunt approaching, waving her arms wildly, and that was when I quickly made my escape.
In the parking lot, it was easy to find my guys, waiting by Billy’s truck. Gary and Beth were standing there taking pictures. Despite the fact that Beth had not given birth to any of them, they looked and acted very much like a family.
When five pairs of eyes turned my way Beth and Gary turned around too. As I approached Beth’s arms opened wide, and she pulled me into a big hug, congratulating me. “Gary and I are so proud of all of you. And... we are going to...” Beth’s voice wobbled and then cut out. She
Gary wrapped his arms around his wife, a small smile on his lips as he finished the sentence for her. “We’re going to miss you.”
I felt the sting in my eyes and I looked away. Today was one of those few occasions when I had decided to wear eye make-up and I didn’t want it to be running down my face.
“Okay... I think it’s time for us to go,” Steven said. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the truck. He was forever saving me. “We are going to drop Ruby off and then we will be back to get ready for the party.”
“I can’t believe you guys are letting them throw a party at your house,” I said. Beth and Gary had a very strict no party rule.
Gary shrugged his shoulders. “YOLO, right? We know you guys will do the right thing and be responsible.”
“Sure, we will, but what about the others?” Billy asked with a chuckle.
Beth smiled and gave one more round of hugs before we all piled into Billy’s truck. “Thanks for letting us stay at your apartment, Ruby. We’re going to make the most of our stay-cation.” The Lone Wolves all groaned with disgust as Beth and Gary stepped closer together and kissed.
I tried really hard not to think about what might happen later in my bed. Perhaps tonight I’d be doing something myself in one of the Lone Wolves’ beds. I could only hope. I was pretty sure I was the only virgin aside from Jason in our graduating class.
It felt like only minutes between the time the guys had dropped me off and when Steven came back to pick me up. By the time he arrived I’d already set out some notes for Beth and Gary’s stay and restocked the bathroom with toilet paper, the good kind that I now only purchased when company was coming over. It felt a little like I was running an AirB&B. It was kind of fun.
One thing living on my own had taught me was how to budget. Things like toilet paper and paper towels were expensive, as were meat and produce. I cut corners where I could and the dollar store was now a place I often frequented. In L.A., living close to a dollar store was going to be a requirement, especially being without a car.
I’d dressed in my usual jeans but instead of a t-shirt I’d paired them with a white tank top that had a bohemian vibe and a pair of white sandals. When I opened the door Steven, his thick black hair and scruffy five o’clock shadow, stood there on my stoop, looking as handsome as the day I’d first laid eyes on him less than a year ago.
He was the one I saw as the leader of the Lone Wolf pack. The other four looked to him for answers and direction. He carried the responsibility without any complaint. Before he moved past me he wrapped me up in his arms and pressed a kiss to my lips. Their kisses still sent my heart racing and other parts of my body into overdrive. When he pulled back I grabbed his lower lip between my teeth lightly, leaving him with a tease. His dark eyes grew darker, his thick eyebrows raised as he stared down at me.
“Oh the things I want to do to you right now. You’re lucky that we have somewhere to be and lots of other people to entertain,” he said in a low voice.
My knees weakened just a little as he held me a little closer. “We can be quick...” I said, my fingers tightened into his dark blue button-down shirt.
He closed his eyes against my words but I could feel his erection pressed against the front of his pants. “Ruby...” He said, his voice strained.
“Steven...” I whispered against his lips.
There was a pained expression on his face for a moment before his hands slipped from my back to my waist and pushed me away from him. “You’re too damn tempting, woman.” He smiled but I could see the fear in his eyes.
Fear of what? Of me? Of me giving my virginity to him? I didn’t let him go. I needed to get to the bottom of this. Like now. “Seriously, let’s just go into my bedroom and get this over with.”
His cleft chin fell towards his chest and he shook his head. “This is exactly why we aren’t going to just get it over with, Ruby. It’s your virginity, it’s not a shot from the doctor.”
I stepped closer to him and put my hand to his scruffy cheek so he would look at me. “It’s kind of the same. I just hold my breath, hold still, and then it’s over, right? One little prick?” My other hand moved from his chest to his shoulder, I felt it bunching with tension.
His eyebrows furrowed and then he shook his head and blew out a sigh of what sounded an awful lot like relief. “Oh good, you’re not serious.” He looked away and rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
It was my turn to furrow my brows. I felt the anger burning in my chest, rising towards my cheeks. “What? I am serious.”
He studied my eyes again and blew out a hot breath. “Sorry, the little prick thing threw me off. I’m not a cocky dude or anything but my prick is anything but--“
He didn’t get to finish because my open palm slapped his chest. “Steven!”
He grinned and pulled me against him and once again his arms wrapped around me. “Ruby!” he playfully mocked me before pressing a kiss to my hair. “Don’t be in such a hurry. We have forever to have sex.”
I felt my lower lip pucker out as I pouted into his shirt, my arms going around his waist. “I can’t help it, Steven. You and the guys, except Jason, you’ve all had sex. I feel like I’m missing out on something.”
“You’re not.”
“But...”
He pulled back. His eyes staring into mine caused my lips to clamp shut. “None of us are having sex right now. You’re not missing out on anything. Besides, not all of us are ready yet.”
I let his words bounce around in my head. Not all of us? Who wasn’t ready? I stared at his shirt and then lifted my eyes to his. I knew. Jason.
Steven confirmed it with a shake of his head, as if he could hear my thoughts.
“Why not?”
I knew that it probably had something to do with his past. His past was still a secret, a closely guarded one. I’m not sure any of the guys knew exactly what had happened to Jason, only that it was bad.
“It’s not my story to tell, Ruby. You already know mine.”
I nodded and smoothed my hands over his chest, trying to soothe myself with the feel of his warm body under my hands. It worked... kind of.
He grasped my hands and held them against his heart. “When it happens Ruby, it’s going to be great. But you need to be patient.”
“I will... I didn’t realize... I’m sorry.” I lowered my eyes, feeling the prickle of tears in them. How could I be so selfish? They made it too easy to forget that it wasn’t all about me.
His lips pressed to my hair once more. “Hey. No tears. We’re going to a party. And me and the guys have a surprise for you.”
I lifted up my chin and searched his eyes to see if they would give away the surprise. They didn’t, but I knew whatever it was I was going to love it.
* * *
When we arrived at their house I was surprised to see that the whole place had been transformed, not physically but the mass of people who’d turned up for the post-graduation party was impressive. I had no idea that my guys were so popular. Of course it shouldn’t have surprised me too much, they were truly good people. Why wouldn’t they have lots of friends?
I felt Steven’s hand tighten around mine as we made our way towards the kitchen. He turned around and pulled me close so he could speak to me, the music was loud. “Do you want a drink?”
I pulled back and nodded. I was parched. It probably hadn’t helped that Steven and I had kissed for a few minutes in the car alone before he once again reminded me that we had somewhere to be. I didn’t understand how he could think about anything else while we were kissing, I had thoughts of nothing else but him when it was happening. I got lost in him.
When we got to the kitchen Billy was standing around with a few guys. They were discussing summer and post-high school plans. Billy was telling them about L.A.. I smiled and turned my attention to the drink choices. I didn’t really want to get wasted but a little buzz to help tamper my anxiety was welcome. I took a cold beer from a metal ice-filled bucket that was in the sink and tapped it against Steven’s water. He wasn’t much of a partier and his background made him very wary of drunks.
