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“Oh my God, Beckett, are you alright?” a concerned voice asked from behind me.
A hand landed on my back, and I shuddered. The voice was female, and after what had just happened in the pool house, I cringed at the thought of being touched by a girl.
Eve Martino was bending over me, concern on her pretty face. Why was I fated to be seen in every undignified, vulnerable state by this girl?
“Should I go and get Colette?” she offered.
I exploded back away from her, tearing my hands on the thorns of the rosebushes, uncaring. She clamped a hand over her mouth, staring at me. Blood beaded and dripped down my hands and knees, dropping into the dirt.
Pity and confusion filled Eve’s eyes.
I couldn’t stand that look.
“No. Don’t get fucking Colette, don’t get anyone. Just fuck off and leave me alone,” I snarled at her.
She stepped back as I staggered to my feet.
“Beckett, I really think I should get your stepmom.”
“Leave me alone!” I roared and took off.
Eve
SIXTEEN YEARS OLD
It was Halloween,and my brother was going out with his friends, while I was going over to Lily’s place to eat too much candy and watch scary movies. Despite not being invited to the coolest party in town, where my brother and his friends were going, I was getting dressed up. There was nothing wrong with wearing a costume on Halloween night, even if it was just for movie night.
I hummed as I got dressed. I was going as an undead cheerleader. At this point, the cheap costume I’d found at a thrift store was the closest I’d get to being a real cheerleader. Even though I tried out every year, I never made the cut. I’d never wear this costume to a real party. The scorn I’d get from the head cheerleader, Selena, would be unbearable.
Poor little Eve Martino, so desperate to fit in — emphasis on the poor,she’d giggle. It wouldn’t be the first time. What stung the most was how right she was. Sure, I might laugh off her insults and pretend she wasn’t right on target with her carefully aimed barbs. But Selena had a way of sniffing out weakness and seizingon it. Ididwant to fit in, but you needed money to belong in Hade Harbor.
Still, I had my pride. Sometimes, it was all I had. If she wanted to reject me from the squad for being too poor, then there was nothing I could do about that. I wouldn’t let it stop me from trying out. I wouldn’t let her win.
So, while I might be miles away from being a real cheerleader, I could still wear my cheerleading uniform to Lily’s, and my best friend wouldn’t laugh at me or sneer.
Asher’s music boomed down the hallway while I got ready. I made my skin a little paler with face paint, and then made my eyes dark and dead-like. I finished the look with spatters of fake blood against my mouth and trailing down my neck, like I’d been bleeding from there.
Asher’s music was really, really loud. If we weren’t careful, the neighbors would complain. Sighing, I pulled my hair up into a peppy high ponytail and headed to the kitchen.
“Ash! Don’t bring Mrs. Sanchez down on us again for the music,” I scolded as I reached the room.
I stepped through the doorway and stopped. It wasn’t my brother lounging at the kitchen table, phone sitting on top of a small but powerful wireless speaker.
It was Beckett.
He had the back door open and was smoking something, taking deep puffs before blowing the smoke outside. He’d only gotten taller and broader in high school and looked burlier than any teenager should.
My mom hated the smell of cigarettes, and she hated the smell of pot even more. I could easily tell which one Beckett was smoking.
“You’re not allowed to smoke in here, Anderson,” I snapped and crossed the kitchen to him in three short strides.
I stretched out my hand to take the blunt from him, and he straightened his arm to keep it away from me.
“Give it to me.”
“I don’t think I will,” he lazily replied, arrogant as ever.
I glared at him and lunged for the burning joint. Beckett stood, holding his arm up and putting his hand far from my reach. I fell into him, my hands landing on his belly. He jerked as if I’d burned him.
