Bad Romance Read online

  I felt Shannon come up behind me and whistle.

  “If he wasn’t that guy, I would totally screw him. But I honestly don’t feel like being one of his girls.”

  Sadly, I couldn’t take my eyes off the duo as he clearly had his hands in her pants and was bringing her off in my yard.

  “Who exactly is this guy?”

  She scoffed like how dare I not know. Of course Shannon would know who the big man on campus was when she didn’t even go to the school.

  “Dax Trenton.”

  I felt the color drain from my face, and if I was the swooning type, I would have totally passed out Scarlett O’Hara style. But I was a nerd, I was a smart girl/woman, and that name. A flood of emotions rolled up inside my stomach and came to rest like lead.

  Dax Trenton, my former best friend from Illinois before he moved away when I was eleven.

  “Fuck.”

  Chapter Two

  Dax

  How the fuck did I miss this shit?

  The one thing, or should I say person I hated most in this life was watching me pin a girl to her tree and finger-bang her into orgasm.

  “Oh fuck Dax, yes, please, so close,” she whimpered.

  She was annoying the living fuck out of me. I was only doing this to prove a point. That I could have any girl I wanted, and she wouldn’t, couldn’t have me.

  Never again.

  “That’s it, come, come all over my hand.”

  And come she did. Just as I was about to give the little bitch next door the grand finale, licking this bitch’s juices off my fingers, she turned and walked away. Rage boiled hot inside me.

  How dare she fucking deny me that?

  With a firm smack to the chick’s ass—I didn’t know her fucking name—I sent her on her way. I didn’t leave, though. I leaned my shoulder against the tree and looked up at her window.

  What were the damned chances we would end up in the same place again? When I left, she gave me that huge song and dance how she would keep in touch and write and never forget me. I got fucking nothing. Clara Parker was the reason I was the man I was today. I heard a door slam and realized she had gone out the back.

  Did she figure it out?

  Doubt it.

  Clara always cared more about her books, fandoms, and other bullshit than any living person.

  “Dude, why the fuck were you such a douche to Clara?”

  Fanfuckingtastic.

  Todd was gonna be a problem. Clara was his type. Innocent on the outside, smart, driven, and he could turn them into raging whores in the sack. I guess that’s how it was supposed to be. I gave a lazy glance over my shoulder.

  “What? Professor Parker’s little girl? Yeah, well, she’s a bitch.”

  His hand was on me and he had me pinned to the tree.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you? She’s nice. If you don’t like her, let it go. I’ll take her.”

  Something hot and ugly roared to life inside me and before I knew what was happening I had him pinned against the tree.

  “Like fuck you’ll take her.” I was panting, I saw red. Then I saw Todd and her naked, fucking, her moaning his name and I just wasn’t having any of it. I pushed off him and stormed over to the house. I slammed open the front door and up the two sets of stairs. The main reason I’d picked this house was it had the attic fully redone to be a room for Todd and me. He and I always saw eye to eye. About everything. Girls, books, school, and movies. So this had to be fucking with his head.

  “Whoa, what the fuck is going on with you, man? Usually if I say I like a chick you back off. You treat her like shit, then I say I’m gonna make a play and you go all fucking Conan the Barbarian on me? What the fuck, Dax?”

  I stabbed my fingers through my hair and moved to the mini fridge to pull out a Blue Moon. I gulped half of it down pretty quick before collapsing on my mattress. This shit needed to get sorted if I had any hope of getting Clara out of my head before she showed up.

  The bead dropped to the side and Todd blew out a puff of air. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t know mine and Clara’s history. I mean fuck, I doubted Clara knew we had a history. I wasn’t that skinny little fuck that had followed her around like she was some angel. Like she was perfect. Like she was mine.

  But she had been mine.

  Until she wasn’t anymore.

  No doubt some fuck had already claimed that pussy and left her damaged goods.

  “What’s going on, Dax?”

  I shook my head and got to my feet. I finished my beer and tossed it in the trash.

  “Nothing. You want the little brat, go for it. Don’t expect her to give you anything good. She’s gonna be like the last ten chicks you dated. Those smart ones never give you what you want. I told you, hook up with the Kappa hoes and all will be well. They even make good trophy wife material when you need to marry.”

  Todd smirked and held up his fist and I knocked it. I had him back. Even if he really wanted Clara I could fuck that up real fucking fast.

  No one, and I repeat no one, was getting their hands on Clara Parker. I would blacklist her if I had to. I’d done it to bitches before, and I would do it to her. Fuck who her dad was. He wasn’t here right now, and that meant she was free game.

  The shitty part was, I liked her dad. He was a good guy that let me stay the night when everyone else thought he was nuts to let a little punk like me into his home, much less have him around his daughter.

  “Hey, get the fuck out of here and get shit ready. We have a house warming party to throw tonight.”

  “You’re right, man.” He started to head down the stairs. As my VP he handled everything, while I handled fucking everything with a pussy between their thighs. Todd stopped and turned around.

  “You sure you aren’t trying to go after Clara? I mean, I can wait. I don’t think she likes you all that much, but you never know. You’ve turned it before.”

  I doubted I would be turning anything where she was concerned. He was totally right. Clara hated me, and thank fucking God for that. I reached in for another beer and took a swig.

  “Nah, go get that ass. I’m sure it won’t be hard. You both nearly had a nerdgasm in her kitchen this morning.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Dax.”

  He turned and ran down the stairs. It left me alone with nothing but my thoughts. They went straight into the damned gutter, let me tell you. I saw images of Todd and Clara fucking in every room in this house. And in her room. God, in my head she had the most amazing tits. She had grown. Fuck, she was all grown up. She’d never been one of those skinny girls; she was always solid. But this Clara was full, her ass, hips, and boobs. When I had her pressed against me I nearly shoved my dick between those full melons on her chest.

  Yep, Clara Parker was the hot nerd.

  But that didn’t mean shit.

  She was off limits.

  Not just off limits, but I would make sure Todd and her never happened. If I had to ruin her at this school and chase her off I would. She wasn’t going to get no fucking happily ever after. I was broken cause of that bitch and I would break her right back.

  My mind could fuck her, though, and boy, did it. Put her right in place of that chick I had against the tree. I swear I could feel her tight little cunt wrapped around my fingers. It would pulse as she came while she jerked and shook in my arms.

  Maybe I’d fuck her. Just once. Get the bitch out of my system.

  Sounded like a plan to me.

  ***

  Clara

  Dax Trenton.

  No, it couldn’t be.

  After I watched him get the chick off in my front yard, I stormed to the back of the house and into the back yard. I needed air. Hell, I needed to call my dad and beg for a plane ticket and get the hell out of here. That sounded like a plan, get out of Dodge and forget I ever saw him. I could just stay at Cambridge for the rest of my schooling.

  “Whoa, Clara. What the hell was that, you tart?” Shannon came storming down my back steps and
grabbed me by the arm, turning me to face her. She looked me over, her brows furrowed as she took in my panic, my edge, and the fact I could barely breathe. “Okay, spill.”

  I shook my head.

  I could tell no one about Dax and me. No one needed to know and he obviously didn’t remember me or he wouldn’t have treated me so terribly just moments ago in my own house. After everything I did for him, after all he and I had been through in Illinois. No, no he wouldn’t have done or talked to me that way, or disrespected my house by doing what he had done.

  I had to come to terms with the fact the Dax I knew wasn’t the Dax that currently was the president of a frat and a raging asshole.

  “Nothing, he just—I mean, that was so gross. Did you see what he was doing with that girl in my yard?” That’s it, Clara. Deny, deny.

  Shannon wasn’t buying a word of it. I could tell by her lifted brow and her huh, that she hummed out at me. “Yeah, well, I’m getting it out of you if I have to get you drunk. Tonight to be exact.”

  I let out a puff of air. “I’m not going, I told you! I can’t. I’m not a party person. You know what happened at the last one. I got locked in the damned bathroom with a guy that said he was a porn star and nearly molested me.”

  Shannon laughed. Yeah, it was super funny when it wasn’t you being violated. Though I believe Shannon had been violated once I got free. She scooted herself right in and it was all moans and grunts after that.

  “Clara, you can’t keep doing this to yourself. Honestly, something has to give. You’re like a creepy hermit. A very hot creepy hermit, but still.” She took a sip of her coffee and grinned like the damned Cheshire Cat. “Tell you what. Let’s hit the mall and pick up new outfits. I will buy a few things at MAC to get us make overs and we will show up and you will make Todd your love slave, and we will make Dax Trenton wish he never came in your house acting like a twat. What do ya say?”

  I couldn’t help but smile.

  It’s why Shannon and I work. I make her humble and she makes me do crazy crap that I would never normally do if not for her. A fraternity party? I had a really, really bad feeling about the whole thing. Not only would I be dealing with my ex best friend and going with my new best friend, I had Todd. I liked Todd. He just didn’t do the things to my naughty bits that Dax did.

  Dax.

  Big, beast, nice abs, that goddamned V that disappeared into the universe of his blue jeans that I secretly wanted to see behind.

  God, what was wrong with me?

  I was like a glutton for evil men. The ones that would be totally wrong for me. Those guys that make my heart break.

  But he already broke your heart, Clara.

  And that was the biggest secret of all. I never admitted as a child my love for Dax. I just loved him, knowing he didn’t love me. He just thought of me as the little sister he had to protect. But I had to protect him too. From his father…

  God, the memory of that night was burned into my brain. I still had random nightmares about it. I closed my eyes against the violent memories that left a trail of pain on my soul. It made it all worse knowing that not only was Dax alive, but he didn’t even remember me. I looked the same for the most part. But him, God, I could see it all. His eyes, his cheeks and that smirk. The wicked smirk that would always get us in trouble with my dad. What was missing now? The sorrow. He must have gotten away from the monster that my father and I tried to shield him from. I would talk to my dad about him tonight or tomorrow. I didn’t plan on staying at the party all night. I just planned on staying long enough to get to know Todd and make sure that Dax really was okay, and that he really wasn’t the boy I remember that slept in my bed and called me his angel.

  Better yet, he had called me his, and I had felt safe.

  Finally looking up at Shannon, I knew I had to stop this shit and get moving. Make-up wasn’t going to apply itself.

  “All right, let’s get going.”

  Shannon’s squeal of excitement was no doubt heard all the way to Gallifrey.

  Chapter Three

  Clara

  “I can’t go in that place.”

  Okay, so I was a big fat chicken. I looked up at the throbbing strobe light mess in front of me. Huge Greek letters decorated the roof while girls at only nine at night ran around with only bras on, drunk off their asses. I knew that this wasn’t my scene. Not just that, but I realized, now that I knew Dax was in there, and who he’d become, I couldn’t go in there.

  I’d been so brave when shopping with Shannon.

  I was going to take on the world when I looked in the mirror at the MAC Store in the mall and saw how not-me I looked. In that moment I realized I could just play a part. I’d been in drama club in high school I could pretend I was a strong, confident, sassy lass with a sway to her hips and big tits that men liked to stare at instead of making eye contact. As I looked down at my low scooped top, the stupid Bombshell Bra I’d bought that shoved my boobs up to my chin, I knew in that moment all my gumption was coming from the mask I was wearing.

  I’d never had a mask with Dax before.

  That was before he disappeared out of my life.

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Shannon grabbed my upper arm and tugged me back to look at her. “Look here, Miss ‘I would rather watch Netflix or read then go into a party and get smashed and make out with a cute smart nerd that likes you.’ I knew you would pull this shit.” She paused, turned on her heels and smirked. I saw the smirk as I gave her the side eye. That smirk was not good. That smirk actually preluded every poor decision I’d ever made in my life. It also preluded the most fun I’d ever had in my life. “So, I prepared for your brazen nerdiness and called ahead.”

  “Clara!”

  Oh, shit.

  I shifted my gaze and took it all in. Todd came down the front steps dressed in nothing but low slung board shorts. They displayed his lean chiseled form for my viewing pleasure. The V that dipped into his shorts wasn’t quite as intense as Dax’s but it still made all my naughty bits go a-tingle. Shit, even my nipples pebbled as I looked him up and down. Todd’s hair looked all messy and adorable again. He held two red Dixie cups in his hand as he walked towards us quickly. August in Southern California was giving us ninety degree nights. It’s the only reason I was in shorts that looked like I was ready to go hook for a living, flip flops, and this tight-ass low scooping tank top. To his credit, as he came to a stop in front of me, he didn’t look down my top. Todd looked you right in the eyes when he took you in, and that boyish grin made his perfect features come to life. Those light blue eyes, his high cheekbones, his strong chin and slightly crooked nose made it all come together in this sweet, sexy package. Honestly, I would be stupid to not give this guy a chance.

  “Hey, I’m glad you came.” He reached down and grabbed my hand, pulling me forward. “Come on, I want to get you alone and out of all this chaos.”

  I looked back at Shannon with panic in my eyes. She had freed Todd of his other red cup and was sipping as she waved at me. That sparkle in her eyes was so telling. She’d called the poor guy before we came over. I turned back around and nearly slammed, once more, right into Dax. I would know that masculine piece of chest anywhere. I could feel my throat contracting as I tried to hold my composure. I wasn’t going to let this new Dax, this stranger, treat me like shit. I was better than that.

  “Well, if it isn’t the little mouse come to play with all the big cats on the street.”

  My gaze locked on his and he was—amused?

  Yep. Asshole.

  “If it isn’t the douchecanoe come to partake with the revelry.”

  I heard Todd laugh. Dax turned his glare on him and Todd didn’t stop. He shrugged. “What? You deserve it and more after going in her house and acting the way you did.”

  I watched something like regret pass over Dax’s expression, but it quickly faded. Must have been delusional for a few seconds. This new and not-so-improved Dax didn’t do regret. Nope, he did fucking ass. God, I was cursing a lot
even in my own head with this man. Needing to get away, I shifted around him, but he moved just as I went for Todd’s arm.

  “This is my party. That means you need to follow my rules, little mouse.”

  My teeth clenched, and I could feel them ache as I ground them hard. “Stop calling me that.”

  He scoffed. “Fine. Little girl, come with me. If you want to be at my party you have to at least pretend to be a big cat in the jungle.”

  He quickly turned and all I could do was stare at his ass. Damn him and his nice ass, and his nice everything else. He walked over to table where one of the pledges was wearing a giant dildo on his head. Cute. This was why I didn’t do this Greek crap. It was just another form of bullying. He brought back what looked like a very tall and thin vial. The glass was bright pink and must have had a little LED in the bottom because it glowed. I gripped Todd’s hand tight and he gave me a reassuring squeeze. He was so damned nice. Why was he hanging around this horrible guy? Dax stretched out his hand and presented me with the vial.

  “All women that enter must take the pink blaster.”

  I stared at it and an uneasy quiver came to life in my belly. I knew I should’ve eaten before I came.

  “I don’t drink,” I blurted.

  “Yeah, Dax. I was just heading to get her a Coke.”

  “Lemonade,” I interrupted.

  Todd turned his gaze back to me. The nervous expression in his face wasn’t comforting. I shifted from one foot to the other, favoring my right. I knew it was smart to wear the flip flops and not the scary heels Shannon had presented me with at the mall.

  Dax’s eyes rolled and he shoved the vial closer. Now he was nearly touching my cleavage. He stepped closer and looked down at me.

  “Drink, little girl,” he whispered.

  Dax lifted his free hand and lightly grazed his fingertips over the tops of my boobs. My lips parted and I felt the breath I’d been holding release. The heavy drumming of my heart felt like punches inside my chest. I ached. God, if only he remembered me. I wished in that moment he would suddenly know and take me in a huge hug and all would be well. But as his fingers trailed down, stopping to circle my perky nipple, I met his gaze once more and realized. He hated me. Those deep pools of blue were cold and blocked off. I represented everything this new Dax despised and then some. He wanted me drunk, stupid, and off my game so he could move me around his chess board for his amusement to humiliate. Well, I wasn’t playing.