Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (reading tree txt) 📕

I snicker at Rhys’s firm tone and climb the steps to take a seat next to Tillie. She gives my shoulder an ‘I forgive you’ nudge and we both smile, returning our attention back to the boys and Rhys.

“We don’t follow rules; we make the rules,” Simon grunts puffing out his chest like a damn gorilla. I roll my eyes.

“Follow these rules or fuck off, Hastings.” Rhys sneers, and I swear I see him flinch back.

I love this girl!

“We’ll follow your rules, George.” Marcus throws Rhys’s surname back at her like she did with Simon’s, but I don’t miss the satisfied grin Rhys shares with him. Yep, something is definitely brewing there.

“What are the rules?” Ayden asks, sounding fed up. He looks over to me, and I notice for the first time that he has dark shadows under his eyes. Is he not sleeping?

“Firstly, you are here because we allow you to be here. This is our area, and if you don’t like the rules, then you can fuck off.” Rhys locks eyes with each one of the boys, getting a nod from each of them before continuing. “Do not, under any circumstances, bring anyone else here. If you have a clingy girlfriend, then I suggest you hang out with her friends instead because we don’t want any of those self-entitled stuck-up bitches here. Got it?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. We are all single and ready to mingle.” Shaun wags his brows, and Rhys makes a gagging sound. Everyone laughs, except for me. I chew the inside of my cheek to stop myself.

“Dude, you sound like a creeper,” Jared adds, making Shaun frown.

“Lastly, if we ask you to leave, you will, and without any bloody commotion,” Rhys demands, her painted nails resting on her hips. Today’s shade is a dark blue. I bet it’s called midnight blue, or night sky, or something.

“Do we really look like we make commotion?” Simon asks.

“Hastings, your middle name is commotion.” Rhys shoots another dig at Simon before addressing them all. “Do we have a deal?”

“Deal,” Ayden speaks for all of them and strolls past Rhys to take a seat next to Dale on one of the logs under the trees.

The look Dale gives Ayden is priceless. It’s obvious he didn’t expect Ayden to sit next to him, but then his face melts into a satisfied smile, and they both start quietly chatting. Ayden is oblivious to the fact that Dale is totally checking him out.

“Should we warn him?” Rhys asks quietly, sitting down next to me.

“Hell no. This is too entertaining.” Tillie quietly giggles, and I can’t hide my smile this time.

“Till is right. This is way too entertaining. Let’s watch Dale have his fun.” I add.

“Girl, you’re just as devious as me.” Rhys throws her arm over my shoulder and plants a big kiss on my cheek.

Laughing, I push her away and notice Ayden watching. He looks so lost. I have to force myself to stay seated and not go over and climb onto his lap. The pull is ridiculous, but I have to keep fighting it. He deserves more than what I have to offer. He’ll see that soon, and he’ll be thankful I pushed him away.

“You okay, girl?” Rhys nudges my attention away from Ayden, and I look into her concerned gaze.

“I guess.” I shrug.

“That’s not very convincing. I know we haven’t had any real deep and meaningful’s, but I’m here for you Lex, if you want to talk.”

“Me too,” Tillie adds, and I turn a small smile her way.

“I’m not very good at opening up.” I look to my fidgeting hands in my lap and will them to stop.

“Maybe we should have a girl’s night. Get drunk and spill all of our dark secrets to each other.” Rhys rubs her hands together, excitement laced in her tone.

“That might not be such a good idea, Rhys. Remember what happened last time?” Tillie cringes, and Rhys laughs. I don’t know what they are talking about, and they don’t divulge the information.

“I think my secrets are too dark to share.” It’s only a whisper, but Tillie and Rhys stop laughing when they comprehend what I said.

Arms link with mine on both sides, and both of my new friends drop their heads to my shoulder.

“You’d be surprised, Lex. I’ve got some pretty fucking dark secrets as well,” Rhys says in all seriousness.

“Same. Mine are as dark as a moonless night.” Tillie says quietly.

A shiver travels up my spine as fear creeps its way into my heart at hearing both of their confessions. One thing I know for sure. My connection with these girls stems from lost souls finding each other through the darkness that roams this earth. They too, have come face to face with the blackened devil that has wrapped itself around my heart.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Tillie, Dale and I take our seats in Media class after lunch, minding our own business, eager to focus on the work we need to get done. That is until silence sweeps over the room, and I look up to see Tasha stroll in looking like a smug bitch. Then she opens her vile mouth.

“Look, it’s the filthy whore who had her brother prepare her virgin body for all the boys to share. Did you beg your brother for more, Lexi?”

I see red!

My control is gone, and all I see is her face and how much I need to end its ugly existence. The table I’m at flips over as I leap from my chair across the room to reach Tasha before she even has time to turn and run. My fist meets her nose with a sickening crack, and blood sprays from it as she goes down. My fists keep flying as I follow her to the classroom floor, punching her face over and over.

I fucking hate her. She’s just as bad as Mike, and she needs to be shown that she can’t go around bullying people. As I