Eden High: (A Serial Novel Book 3) Read online

  Jared continued his conversation pulling me back to the here and now.

  “Red thinks they might be planning to jump my sister. She doesn’t have any evidence, but she says she’s known them since kindergarten and thinks she has some kind of sixth sense where they’re concerned. I’m inclined to believe her.”

  “Mandy isn’t that fucking stupid Jared.” Even as I said it I knew she was. That was exactly one of the reasons I left her, because she might be that fucking stupid.

  She might not have the guts to go up against me personally, but she’d get someone else to do her dirty work for her.

  “You don’t look too sure about that bro and I gotta tell ya, I’m not willing to take that chance. If one of those idiots mess with my sister I’m not going to let that shit go.”

  “That’s my job now Jared, you don’t need to worry about her anymore I’ve got it.” Fucking Mandy and her shit.

  If I gave a fuck I would tell her why I’d left her, but I knew that that, more than anything else, was killing her, the not knowing. And I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.

  I thought long and hard about my next move as I went from class to class. Because this was Sian’s debut into the dating world, and because somewhere deep inside I knew that she was going to be it for me, I needed everything to run smoothly.

  I’ve watched my dad all my life, the way he stands between my mom and anything that might cause her harm. So I’ve had lots of examples of how to treat the one that owns your heart.

  As I grew older he’d taken me into his confidence more than once where mom’s happiness and wellbeing were concerned.

  Like the time some young starlet was trying to shake him down by claiming that they were having an affair. Dad had shared all the sordid details with me.

  I’d been there when his PI had got the goods on the girl and the asshole that had been behind the scam, and I’d been there when dad had told her what he would do to her if she messed with his family. She’d disappeared never to be seen or heard from in the Wood again.

  Most people wouldn’t agree with a man sharing such things with his son, but dad explained that it was a life lesson. Something I myself, because of the very nature of who I am, might face one day.

  She hadn’t been the first or the last, and he’d let me in on every one of them. Funnily enough, mom was never made privy to any of it.

  My dad’s philosophy and one he tried to instill in me, was ‘your woman is your treasure. She’s to be cherished at all cost, above all else. You stand between her and danger, whether that danger be physical, mental or emotional.’

  I’d learned that lesson over time, though I never had anyone that I felt that strongly for before, until now.

  By third period I knew what I had to do.

  First things first, I needed to have a talk with the guys. I’m about to pull a mean girl on Mandy and her crew.

  You see, I’ve always thought that the reason that mean girls shit worked, is because the guys never step the fuck up and do their part.

  I don’t care if Sian had a black belt in the arts, I would still stand between her and that shit. If Mandy and her brainless crew chose to go against my warnings and fuck with her, then I hope they’re all willing to bear the consequences.

  I’ve never gotten involved in the politics of the schoolyard before, beyond telling some asshole to back the fuck off if I caught them bullying one of the younger kids, but now I was about to get very fucking involved.

  I’d told her dad and mom that they could trust me; I’d told them a hell of a lot else too, but that was neither here nor there.

  The bottom line is that Sian is now mine, which means that whatever loyalties and respect are accorded me, are now hers. If there was anyone here who didn’t get that shit, well I was about to make it known.

  ***

  I met with the guys just before lunch period. I’d sent out an SOS that they were to meet me in the locker room, the one place I knew we were bound to have privacy from prying eyes and ears.

  They straggled in one by one. I waited ‘til they were all here and I had their full attention.

  “Okay listen up, I’m pretty sure by now that all of you know that Sian is mine. You also know that Mandy and her bitch patrol have already started their shit.

  There’s a worry that they’re planning something against my girl. I don’t have any details on that as yet, but I’m not taking any chances.

  I don’t need to tell you that this isn’t going to go down like all the other bullshit that we let happen before. If she touches her, she’s done.

  So before we get to that point, here’s what we’re going to do. A total and complete freeze out!” I looked at each of them in the eye so they know that this was serious, no room for fuck-ups.

  We’ve only ever been here when it came to the game, so they knew that if I was calling them out and putting them on notice that I mean business. I’ve been known to put a hurting on someone for fucking up. And nothing has ever been more important to me than her.

  “In case you don’t know what that means, it means that if you see one of them on fire you don’t fucking spit.

  You don’t see any of them from now on. Some of you have been fucking around with some of them, stop.”

  I looked at Shane as I said this, because I knew he was pumping Liz, but I also knew for a fact that he wasn’t really in love with her. She was just clinging onto him because it was the thing to do, the cheerleader and the jock. And he was fucking because, hey, free, easy pussy.

  I can’t knock the shit because I’ve been guilty of the same. “Anybody got any questions?”

  “You really think those idiots would try something after you already warned them off? I mean, I don’t see that happening cap’.”

  “I would’ve said the same thing a few days ago Dave, but now, I’m not willing to risk it.

  If any of you hear anything about them plotting against my girl you come to me. It goes without saying that Sian is to be protected at all times. If I’m not around one of you will have eyes on her.

  If she so much as stubs her toe I’ll knock your fucking head off.”

  I wasn’t too worried about them slipping on the job. They knew I’d fuck them over if they let anything happen to her, but they also knew I wasn’t going to leave her safety up to anyone else.

  ***

  Chapter 3

  She was where I told her to be when I went to get her at lunchtime. Her little blonde head looked adorable sticking out of the neck of my too big shirt.

  “Hey beautiful.” I saw Mandy out the corner of my eye as I pulled Sian in for a hug, but didn’t acknowledge her presence. She stormed off in the opposite direction with her crew following behind.

  I can’t believe I was in the middle of this high school drama, something I’d been lucky enough to avoid until now. “How was class baby?”

  “Fine, I’ve got a trig test on Monday. Which means I have to study this weekend and I have a sleepover party on Saturday, ugh.”

  “I’ll help you study cutie, I’m an ace at trig. Did anyone mess with you today?” She gave me a curious look and I could tell that she was choosing her words carefully, which meant something had happened. Fuck!

  “Uh no, not really, just you know, some kids were teasing me because of my fashion faux pas.” She pulled on the end of the jersey and tried to play it off like whatever it was had been a joke, but what she didn’t realize is that I knew her a little better than that.

  I dropped it for now and pretended like all was well, changing the conversation to class and how she was really settling in to her new school.

  ***

  I saw her relax as we walked to the cafeteria and I sat her at my table with a kiss, before going to get her lunch tray.

  That’s another thing that I’ve never done before, and I was very aware of all the eyes that were on me as I made my way across the room.

  I was sending the message loud and clear, that this relationship was diff
erent. They all knew me here, knew what I’ve done since fucking pre-school which most of us attended together.

  So they knew that Jace Saunders didn’t get anyone’s lunch, in fact, the opposite has been known to be the norm.

  They also know that no one else has ever worn my numbers before either.

  Knowing me, and how I felt about the game, it wasn’t something that I took lightly, and I’m pretty sure most of them knew that shit.

  If they didn’t fucking get it after this, that wasn’t my fault. If any one of them made the wrong move where she was concerned they were fucked.

  I didn’t kid myself that everyone was going to toe the line. Mandy had her share of supporters, and since I’ve never flexed my muscles around here before, most might not understand the lengths I’m willing to go to for my girl.

  I don’t need to put on a show for others to see, to get my point across. But I have to at least send a clear message, not only to the school, but to Sian as well.

  She’s been sheltered her whole life, even though she doesn’t seem to see it that way. From what I can tell, she’s never really had to deal with adversity before. Her dad had always protected her.

  Listening to him talk about her, it’s hard to miss the love and affection there, or the fear.

  I’m still amazed that I was even able to talk him into letting me have her. Maybe it had been my honesty that had done the trick. Or maybe he’d seen something in me that reminded him of him.

  What amazed me was the love and affection I felt for her, so soon and seemingly out of nowhere. I’ll have to remember to ask dad to tell me the story of when he met mom again for the one- hundredth time.

  Always before I’d listened fondly, thinking that dad was laying it on a little thick. Now I knew every word to be true, because I’d found my own one and only.

  It might seem like too much too soon to some, but it was just right for me.

  Never one for procrastination I don’t see why the hell I should start now with something as important as this.

  I’d secured her parents’ blessing and that of my own parental unit. The only thing standing in the way of our relationship moving forward was her virginity.

  Not something that should be taken lightly, but since I was seriously leaning towards being the only man to ever go there, I didn’t see the problem.

  I can’t believe I’m worried about a girl’s innocence. Not worried so much as wanting to make sure that when I take it that it’s perfect for her.

  I wanted her, for the rest of our lives together, to look back on the experience at least fondly. As soon as I handled this bullshit. No pressure though.

  ***

  I looked around the room to get the lay of the land so to speak, after placing the tray down on the table between us.

  The cafeteria is like the hotspot for school dynamics. I felt like I was navigating a fucking mine field. When had my life become this thing?

  Mandy and her girls were very interested in what was going on at our table, but my boys were already on the ball.

  Sometimes I forget that half of them were aspiring actors or had already had a few shows and commercials under their belt.

  I could see that the girls were a bit flustered by the new turn of events. Accustomed to being the center of attention, they didn’t seem too happy about being ignored by the team.

  Not all the girls on the cheerleading squad were twits, so hopefully they would get the message that if they hung around with their queen bitch, then they were out. I’ve become a fucking teen movie.

  “Did you call your mom?” I bit into my apple and watched her cut her sandwich in quarters; she’s so cute.

  “I can’t, no phones in school remember? I was gonna do it after school.”

  “Call your mother.”

  “Okay but can I at least go out on the steps?”

  “Sure.” I kissed her hair and nuzzled her cheek before watching her walk across the room to the exit.

  I didn’t miss the interested looks aimed at her, or myself for that matter. Ian Stanley was a teammate but not a friend.

  I’ve always hated that prick because he always seemed to have a hard on for me. Whatever I did he mimicked, have been doing it since first grade.

  I guess it has something to do with the bad blood between our grandfathers back in the day.

  Some deal that his grandfather had wanted, but it had fallen into my grandpa’s hands or some shit like that.

  The ass seems to think we should keep the feud going and has done everything he can think of in the last twelve years or so to get under my skin, without much success I might add.

  He was one of the guys who had eyes on what’s mine. I’m gonna have to deal with him soon, since his eyes seem to be permanently attached to some part of her body whenever they were in the same space.

  Total disrespect, and not something I was willing to take. If he wanted to bring our little dance to a head he was on the right track

  One good glare and he turned around in his chair with a smirk. He wouldn’t want me smashing up that pretty face of his, he knew I could kick his ass, but I knew he would keep pushing.

  She came back into the room and stopped at her old table where Belle, Tammy and Cassandra were seated, before making her way back to me.

  “Why are your girls not here with us babe?” I looked over at the table where her friends were looking at us a little longingly I might add.

  “I don’t know, I guess they’re waiting for an invitation from you guys since they’re not accustomed to sitting at the head table with the jocks.”

  “Cute.” I pulled her hair and she poked me in the gut. I hadn’t given her girls any thought when I was handing out assignments, but I have to use my head here.

  If Mandy did anything, she might not come at me directly, which means she might go around Sian and harm her friends to hurt her.

  I sent one of the guys to get them and bring them over. “Okay ladies, from now on you sit with us, you don’t need to ask.” I informed the three very appreciative girls as the guys made room for them at the table.

  It was only then that I realized I might’ve been part of the problem in the past. My eyes landed on little Cassandra and I felt a slight twinge of guilt. Then I followed her gaze across the room and got a strong case of ‘oh shit.’

  If the look Mandy threw me was any indication there really was trouble on the horizon. But if I was right, I had more than one person to protect from her venomous ass. Shit. I hope I was wrong and that the kid didn’t know anything, if she did then…fuck!

  Sian really likes this kid; I don’t know her that well, but I like her too. She’s nice and quiet and nothing at all like most of the others around here.

  It didn’t escape my notice that Sian had chosen the least popular girls in the school to befriend. It said a lot about her character.

  I didn’t even think about what I was doing, or that I was about to do it in a room full of people. I turned her face to mine and kissed her, long and hard to the cheers and applause from half the room.

  TAMMY

  All this new stuff is going way too fast. Well not too fast in a bad way, just…there was no warning.

  One minute Belle and I were plotting escape routes for when the new jock showed up, and the next, we were sitting at the head table.

  Even more than a seat with the cheerleaders, a seat at Jace’s table was coveted. It was a blessing and a curse.

  I got to be close to Shane and…I got to be close to Shane. The only time I was relaxed around him is when I was tutoring him, then I felt like we were at least on even footing.

  But sitting here next to him with everyone else around, I felt exposed. “You okay Tam, you’re not eating.”

  Tam, who would’ve thought being referred to as a Scottish hat could be so sexy?

  “I’m fine just a lot on my mind that’s all. I did something really stupid today; well not stupid exactly, I don’t regret dong it, but I know they’re gonna come afte
r me now.”

  “Who’s gonna come after you and why?” he asked the question as his gaze went straight to Mandy’s table.

  I was too chicken to look but I could imagine the look on their faces. The fat nobody was sitting where they wish they could be.

  “It’s not important, forget I said anything.” I tried to pretend an interest in my salad so that he would take the hint and drop it.

  He studied me without saying a word, but I could tell he didn’t believe me for a second. I wish he wouldn’t look at me like that, like all his focus was on me.

  There was no way this would ever happen. I wasn’t one of them, something the twit brigade as Belle called them, had never let me forget.

  I was the poor daughter of one of the faculty who was here on sufferance.

  I wasn’t Hollywood pretty, not even close, and I had no real interest in the things that made this town run.

  All of these things worked against me I know, and it’s never really bothered me before, because I’ve never really wanted anything they had. Not since I was thirteen at least. Until now! I’m ever the over achiever.

  I saw him exchange a look with Jace and wondered what that was about, but of course wasn’t brave enough to bring it up.

  “The other day, in the lot; those girls were trying to hurt you weren’t they?”

  Please don’t look and sound like you care, or I’ll make a fool of myself. I pleaded with my eyes, or at least I think I did, but he didn’t let up.

  It was the slamming of a tray across the room that jerked me out of my stupor when I got caught up in his eyes. He has this way of looking at me like I’m the only one in the world.

  Liz had slammed her tray down hard before flouncing out of the room; my life is going to be hell for the next few days at least.

  My eyes stayed glued to the doorway where she’d just gone and I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt his hand cover mine.

  Chapter 4