AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Prologue
Ican’t believe my dad shackled me with her… she’s so blonde and perfect. Not to mention the typical mean girl. What the hell was he thinking?
I shut my laptop and groan as the bell rings. Going home after school used to be my escape, but now she's there.
I swing by my locker and grab the books I borrowed from the library. I'm hoping to just lock myself in a bubble and get lost in the spicy fantasy I've been dying to read.
Honestly, being the sandwich between two yummy men in a romance has got to be better than my reality.
My sigh of relief as I continue down the hall to walk outside to the parking lot turns into a glare when I see Little Miss Perfect giggle and flirt with the football players while they eat up the attention. Must be nice. I’ve never really dated much outside of hookups because my dad and I moved so much due to his job.
I could be here one day and gone the next, so what’s the point?
I certainly didn’t expect my dad to find someone, especially not a carbon copy of Lyra… at least on the outside. Bella is kind, beautiful, and loving. It sometimes makes me feel bad that I think so badly of Lyra, but whereas Bella is warm, Lyra is the Ice Queen.
Icy, perfect blonde hair, blue eyes, and a body most women would kill for. She has it all, and has lived in Texas her entire life. God, I think she was even Miss Cactus. Lyra is certainly pretty enough to have won.
I force my steps to stay measured and not race past Lyra.Ugh, why is she practically blocking the exit?
Turning to squeeze past, the football player who is talking to Lyra in the middle of the hallway steps away, pushing me into the lockers. Squeaking in shock, I wiggle and push back. I’m short and curvy, I can’t push this huge linebacker out of the way.
“I’m right here, move you big oaf!” I yell.
Gasping, he turns and looks down at me. “Shit,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck in mock embarrassment. “I don’t know how I didn’t see you, you’re just so forgettable I guess?”
Henry, who is not forgettable in the least now that I can see his face, shrugs with a smirk before turning back to chat with Lyra.
My eyes well with tears, mostly angry. I inherited my red hair and foul temper from my father, and I want to curse him out. Looking over at Lyra, a look of concern flits through her expression before she shrugs.
“Off you go, Cassie. Try not to run into anyone with those wide hips of yours,” Lyra says, and the boys catcall with her.
Taking a deep breath, I mutter, “One more year in this hell hole without beating anyone to death, you can do this.”
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t hear you. Cassie, I’m sure my mother could enroll you in elocution lessons,” Lyra taunts, and I growl under my breath.
I shouldn’t bother, because now the football players are barking at me. Fuck my life. Can we move yet? I’m ready to get out of this small town.
I finally reach my little car and sigh when the heated seats warm my cool skin. I will never get over the special upgrades my dad gave me. I think he felt guilty about falling in love again so soon after the divorce.
I crank my radio and haul ass home. Maybe if I get there first, I can take a quick bubble bath before Lyra hogs the hot water. I still don’t understand what she does in the shower for three hours. You wash, shampoo, condition, shave, rinse, and get the hell out.
Pulling into my driveway, I'm shocked to see three large military moving trucks and people walking in and out of the house. My hands shake, and tears immediately fill my eyes.
No, no. He is not doing this to me again. He promised this was the last base until college. I started to make plans, and I even ventured out and made a friend. One, Danny, but he's the first guy I've actually enjoyed hanging out with after school, and now, it looks like I’ll be leaving him.
I should have known better. I was taught at a young age not to form relationships because long distance never lasts.
ChapterOne
SIX MONTHS LATER
New York State is really fucking cold. I’m used to warmer temperatures, cowboy boots, and cute skirts. I went into shock when Mark told me the military was packing up our entire lives and moving us across the country in less than three days.
I didn’t realize this happened in real life.
It was like being kidnapped, and no one cared. I stood there with my mouth open, gaping as movers in military uniforms moved around me like I didn't exist with the occasional mutter of, “Excuse me, Ma’am.”
Ma’am, they called me fucking Ma’am, like I was some thirty-year-old housewife and not a hot teenage girl who was totally checking them out and considering how to get one of them to take me home.
