GraysonI've been standing in this fucking courtyard for what feels like hours, the sun bleeding orange across the sky while I stare up at her window like some kind of deranged stalker. My feet are rooted to this spot even though every rational part of my brain is screaming at me to walk away.Sloane's been talking the entire time—something about her summer in Europe, about the museums in Paris, about how much she's missed us. I've been giving her just enough attention to seem polite, throwing in the occasional "mmm" or "that's cool," but my focus keeps drifting like a magnet to that second-floor window.Where Norman is sitting on Rae's bed like he fucking belongs there.Why does she let him so close? A guy shouldn't even be in her room in the first place, especially not him. Not when he's looking at her like... like she's something precious. Something worth protecting.The thought makes my jaw clench so hard I'm surprised my teeth don't crack."Gray, are you even listening to me?" Sl
Raelynn"A week with SilverHigh? Now that's going to be drama." Yara loops her arm with mine as we head inside, practically vibrating with excitement. Her voice keeps rolling—shared space this, rivalries that, who might throw the first punch—but her words fade into background noise.Because laughter echoes behind us. Rich, genuine laughter that makes my stomach clench.I glance over my shoulder and immediately wish I hadn't.Gray. He's standing close—too close—to some girl with sleek black hair that catches the light like silk and a smile so bright it could power the entire hotel. Her hand brushes his arm, fingers lingering, and it's so casual, so natural, that something cold and sharp spreads through my chest like poison.They look like they've known each other since childhood. Like they share inside jokes and memories I'll never be part of. Like she belongs in his space in a way that makes my skin crawl."You're going to trip if you keep craning your neck like that," Yara mutters, y
My brows furrow in confusion as Jace steps closer, his face a mix of surprise and something that looks almost... pleased? What's more surprising is the fact that he's not alone and has an entourage of people behind him wearing Silver High jackets.So that's what they were looking at."Hey," I offer a small smile, suddenly feeling awkward under the weight of all these stares. Jace was pretty chill the last time I met him, but I still know practically nothing about him. Plus he conveniently forgot to mention the whole SilverHigh/KAQ war thing, whatever that's about anyway."I thought I was dreaming for a sec," he smirks in that flirty way that reminds me of Grayson when he's being particularly insufferable.Ugh, stop thinking about him already."Since I've been seeing you a lot in my dreams."My face twists like I'm physically pained, which causes him to chuckle. "Do NOT say stuff like that." My voice is firm though my lips betray me by twitching into a smile.He raises his hands up in m
RaelynnIsabella is the first to notice me, and her smile instantly melts into a scowl that could freeze hell over. The look screams bitch loud and clear.Ugh.I shoot Gray a glare, but his eyes just dance with amusement as I shuffle toward the backseat. Isabella doesn't even pretend to make room—Brandon has to physically pull her closer to him, which earns him death glares from both her and Grayson. Probably because Brandon dared to touch his precious sister."Damn, Rae, isn't it way too hot for that turtleneck?" Brandon asks, eyeing my outfit with obvious confusion."I'm cold." The lie tastes bitter. It's freaking July and I feel like I'm suffocating, but there's no way in hell I'm parading around with a constellation of hickeys decorating my neck like some kind of twisted trophy collection.Brandon's eyes narrow suspiciously, but he shrugs when I flash him a tight smile. I catch Gray's smirk in the rearview mirror, and the bastard is absolutely reveling in this.But I can't even fo
Raelynn.I fell asleep with strong arms wrapped around me, a tender warmth embracing me like a cocoon. I thought I'd wake up to that same feeling, but instead I wake to nothing.The space beside me empty and cold.I spring up in a panic and instantly regret it, the ache between my thighs causing me to wince. My body feels sore, yet I can't stop the smile that tugs at my lips.I can't say how other people usually feel when they wake up the morning after losing their virginity, but for me... the idea of finally being able to let go of something I've held onto for so long fills me with a strange sense of relief.I've guarded it for so long because of what happened three years ago. The idea of someone touching me again didn't seem appealing—didn't seem possible.That was until last night.Until Gray.I manage to sit up properly, and that's when I realize I'm no longer bare but wearing a t-shirt way too big to be mine. He must have slipped it on while I slept. The thoughtfulness causes heat
Grayson.I wait for her to respond, but she doesn't need to. The nervous flutter in her eyes gives her away completely. She shifts beneath me, her teeth catching her bottom lip in that maddening habit that drives me fucking insane.I reach up and tug her lip free with my thumb, ghosting over the swollen flesh. Her breath hitches."You haven't answered my question," I groan as the tip of my cock brushes against her soaked pussy, the contact reminding me we're both completely naked and I'm barely holding on."Maybe we should stop," she mutters, trying to push up and escape.Not fucking happening. I keep her pinned with my palm spread flat against her chest, feeling her heart hammering against my hand."Are you a virgin?" I demand, even though I already know the answer. Because fuck me, I want to hear her say it. I want her to admit that I'm the only one who's touched her like this, who's seen her this vulnerable and beautiful.Her eyes narrow as she glares at me, her lips forming the mo