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“Oh, yeah? Like what? Enlighten me, Princess,” Tuck laughs, bumping my shoulder.
I’m so happy I have this tree holding me up right now because I feel like that push would have sent me to my butt otherwise. I look up at the leaves dancing in the wind, trying to figure out some bad things I’ve done. The only thing I can think of is falling in love with five guys at the same time. That’s not a very good thing to do. I mean there’s no way in hell I would tell him that.
I need something, anything! Come on, I must have done something bad at some point.My panic must be written across my face because Tuck just starts chuckling again.
“That’s what I thought,” he laughs. “Goody two-shoes.”
“Whatever,” I snap. “I’ll show you a bad girl.”
My alcohol muddled brain gives me courage to do something I’ve only ever dreamt about. Spinning towards him, I throw myself at Tuck and smash my lips against his. It takes me a moment to realize what I just did.
Holy shiitake mushrooms! I’m kissing Tucker Wild!
I feel him tense in front of me so I try to pull back. He stops me with a hand on my neck, holding me in place as he starts kissing me back. My body feels like it’s flying as my heart keeps skipping a beat. My first kiss and it’s with Tuck. I think I must have died from alcohol poisoning, it’s the only plausible explanation.
Tuck pulls away so suddenly I stumble and fall backwards on my butt. Tuck looks down at me with so much anger in his eyes that I physically flinch away from him.
What did I just do? I’m so stupid. Of course someone like Tucker wouldn’t want me, I’m a homely, boring girl with nothing to offer. I hide in modest clothes and look like a child compared to other girls with my boyish hips and almost non-existent boobs.
“That never fucking happened,” Tuck snaps at me. I nod, holding back my tears. “Fuck!” Tuck storms off after that.
I need to forget that kiss because apparently it never happened. If only my heart would get on board. Heading home is a daze of shame and embarrassment, my mind in a cloud of misery.
Waking up the next day I make a promise to hide from everyone. I don’t see him or any of the other Wilds for the rest of the summer. I stay home, work hard, and get ready to leave this entire town behind. Four years of college await me, four years to move on with my life. I’m going to forget every single one of those Wilds and how I can never have what my heart really wants.
Chapter One
Brayleigh
Now
“Please tell me you’re almost home,” Piper whines over my car speaker. “My engagement party is in like three hours.”
“I’m just pulling into my parents driveway right now.” I laugh. “I won’t be late to your party, babe.”
“You better not! I have been waiting a whole year to see you,” she groans. “That’s a lifetime for us.”
“I know,” I respond sympathetically. “Both of our lives went a little crazy there for a while. However, I’ve finally graduated now and you’re getting married at the end of August so we’re going to live up this summer together. I promise.”
“Damn right we are!” Piper whoops. “I’ll see you in two hours! I need help with my hair.”
“You got it. See you then!”
Hanging up the phone, I park in front of my parent’s ranch house. It looks just as pristine as it did when I left four years ago, nothing has changed. It feels like I’m walking back in time being here. The difference now is I’m not the same person I was when I left. I’m no longer the shy, awkward girl that never did anything for herself. I’m a woman who does what I want, takes no shit from anyone, and is finally comfortable in my own skin.
Stepping out of the car into the ever present dust that never seems to fully dissipate, I take a minute to stretch out my limbs. The drive, while pretty quiet, still takes a toll on the body. I’m not used to sitting for that long or driving for that matter. Looking around, I see farm hands busy at work. Some of them are familiar, but most of them are not. My family usually employs about 10-12 people year round to help tend to the animals, the equipment, and whatever else my father thinks we need help with. My family is fortunate to be well off and successful in what they do.
I make a note to go see my horse, Lucifer, when I get a chance. I’ve missed him like crazy since I've been gone. Mom always sent me little picture updates to let me know he was doing okay, it just isn't the same as seeing him. Turning towards the house, I hear a voice yell out from behind me. It sounds oddly familiar, I just can’t place it right away.
“Can I help you miss?” The deep southern voice says behind me now.
“Nope, I’m good. I live here.” I smile as I turn around. “Well, my parents do.”
My breath leaves my body as I finally take notice of the man speaking to me. Grayson Wild, the craziest of the five brothers. Damn, he grew up to look like a wet dream. His light brown hair is peeking out of the front of his backwards baseball cap. His body is built like a swimmer with lean, defined muscles and arms that have me imagining digging my nails into them. Grayson has always had the same open, friendly face and a smile that leaves you dazzled.
My mouth goes dry as he gives me a slow perusal from head to toe, his grey eyes flaring with appreciation. If he wasn’t one of the forbidden five I would be all over the idea of flirting with him. I just can’t let myself fall down that hole again. A voice in my head helpfully chimes inDid you ever get out of that hole?
“Little Brayleigh Carter? Is that you?” Grayson asks.
