Shattered Legacy : A Dark Bully Romance (Gravestone Elite Book 1) by Caitlyn Dare (red seas under red skies TXT) 📕

myself in his chest the way I used to as a kid.

“Sweetheart.” He gently grips my shoulders and eases me back. “You are so strong, Mia. You can handle anything life throws at you, and this, Cade, being his prosapia… you can do this.”

My brows knit at his strange choice of words, but before I can ask him what he means, my mom appears.

“We’re heading out now. Do you girls have everything you need?”

“I think so.”

“Okay, well, have fun. We won’t be too late.” She smiles at me and then at my dad. “I’ll grab my purse and then we can go?”

“I’ll be right down, love.” Dad turns his eyes on me. “You sure you’re good?” he asks me, and I nod.

“Have fun tonight.”

“We always do. Night, girls.” He walks away, but then I remember something.

“Hey, Dad?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“Does the name Jagger mean anything to you?”

“Jagger?” His expression gives nothing away. “I don’t recognize it. Why do you ask?”

“No reason.” I smile. “See you tomorrow.”

“That you will.” He stalks off down the hall. Anyone else would think nothing is up, but they don’t know my dad like I do.

And he’s lying.

Which means he does know the name Jagger.

But why would he know about anyone living in Sterling Bay?

“Mia?” Annabel says, cutting through my reverie.

“Huh?”

“So I did a thing.”

“You did?” I close the door behind me.

“Yeah. Pass me my bag.”

I pick it up, feeling its weight. “Jesus, what is in here?”

She unzips the bag and pulls out a bottle of vodka mixer.

“What the hell is that?”

“Emergency supplies. I knew you were feeling a little worried about coming home, so I figured…” She shook the bottle. “I have glasses too.”

“Oh my God, who are you and what have you done to my friend?”

“We’re freshmen now, Mia. College students. We should be out partying and hooking up with hot guys. But here we are.”

“So this is what, your attempt at bringing the party to us?”

“Something like that. Are you game?”

Am I?

So much has happened over the last few days, I can’t deny I’m tempted.

“Oh, what the hell. Fill me up.” I grab a plastic cup from her bag. “Just don’t let me get too drunk.”

“At least we’re already in bed if we do.” Annabel cackles, uncapping the bottle and pouring us both a glass.

“To a night of laughter, freedom, and bad decisions. Cheers.”

An hour later, I’m drunk. Not out of control, stomach churning wasted, but that warm and giggly drunk.

“This was a good idea,” I say, draining the last of my drink. “I feel so good.”

“Right? I don’t think we’ve ever done this, you know.”

“Gotten drunk?”

“Not like this, just the two of us.”

“I’m not a very good friend, am I?” I chase the shadows dancing across the ceiling. Billie Eilish blasts out of the docking station, serenading us about ocean-eyed boys that are dangerous for our hearts.

My mind instantly goes to Bexley. The way he kissed me… touched me… the way he made me come so hard I saw stars.

Heat unfurls in my stomach, and I let out a heavy sigh.

“What was that for?”

“Nothing,” I reply.

“You can trust me, you know. I know I don’t have a great track record with gossip, but I would never betray your confidence, Mia. I hope you know that.”

I glance over at her, surprised at the honesty glittering in her eyes.

“You don’t believe me?” Hurt flashes across Annabel’s expression.

“It’s not that, Bel, I just…”

Crap. The alcohol flowing in my veins is clouding my judgement. I want to tell her, I want to share the burden.

Bexley still hasn’t replied to my message. We spent an amazing night together, and then he just ghosted me… and it hurts.

Damn him, it really hurts.

“Oh, come on, babe. You’re killing me over here. Is it Cade? Did you two…” Her brows waggle.

“No.” God no!

“So what is it? Because I can see your secrets, Mia Thompson. They’re written all over your face.”

“It isn’t Cade.”

“So what, then…”

My breath hitches as the urge to confess overpowers me. I need to tell someone, I have to. It’s killing me, holding this all in.

“You promise you won’t breathe a word of it… to anyone?”

“Cross my heart, hope to die.” She drags her finger over her chest.

“You can’t tell a soul, Bel. I mean it.”

“Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.”

“Oh, it’s bad,” I sigh. “Me and Bexley—"

“Bexley? As in Bexley Easton?”

I nod slowly, tears rushing up my throat and burning the backs of my eyes.

“Mia, what is it?” She sits up, looking cornered.

“We…” I can’t. I can’t tell her. But before I know what’s happening, the words are spilling out. “We slept together, Bel. I gave him my virginity.”

25

Bexley

Dad didn't come home last night. I should have called him, told him that I was in town, but if I'd dragged him away from some important business thing I'd have felt guilty. His life is already shit enough as it is because of my existence; I don't want to make it even worse.

Besides, part of me was scared he would reject me now.

I ended up drinking until I passed out after finding Dad's stash of scotch in the small kitchenette.

When I wake, I'm on the couch with a stiff neck, a bad back, and a pounding head.

The sun streams through the floor to ceiling windows that overlook the backyard and glistening blue pool.

My limbs ache for me to dive in and ease the stiffness with the warm water, but the chance of Mom being home and coming out to try to talk to me makes it a little—or a lot—less appealing.

A groan rips from my lips as I push up until I'm sitting on the edge of the couch.

Dropping my head into my hands, I think back to the message I found sitting on my cell yesterday morning from Mia.

She wanted to know my plans because the asshole was away.

Typical that the weekend I take off is the weekend he also fucks off.

Karma really is a fucking bitch.

I want to feel bad about what