In Ruins: A Dark High School Bully Romance (A Black Falls High Novel Book 1)

With the guys’ grueling football schedule and practices, we didn’t see each other much outside of school. Their coach kept them exhausted with training and studying their opponents in the upcoming games since they had a shot at states.

By Thursday, I was missing their deep kisses and playful touches in hidden parts of the school. Hoping to catch Fox before he went to practice since I couldn’t find Enzo to discuss trying to work in a musical audition rehearsal for me, I rounded a corner and came to halt. Fox and Juliet were in a deep discussion. Fox told me they’d broken up weeks ago, so anger raced through me at the sight of them together.

I backed up around the corner and peeked around. He stared down at her with no emotion on his face. I ground my teeth as she rested her hand on his chest. I was just about to go out and claw her eyes out when he pushed her hand away and shook his head at her. I wished I could know what they were saying to one another. Whatever it was, Juliet was pissed, stomping her foot at him. He shrugged at her and backed away.

She stared after him as he turned and walked away. I watched as she called out to him. He didn’t stop. He didn’t look back.

I moved back around the corner, breathing out.

It’s nothing. He clearly put the stops to whatever she wanted.

I STAYED after school that night, singing in the auditorium, hoping to listen to the acoustics and get a feel for things. I planned on waiting for the guys after practice, so when I finished, I made my way to the football field.

‘Rosie?’ Fox called out as he walked off the field, his hair wet with sweat.

‘Hey, Sunshine!’ Enzo greeted me with a grin, his dark eyes shining as they raked over me.

Cole’s eyes lit up, and Ethan broke into a jog to get to me. My heart warmed to see them so excited.

‘Hey,’ I said, giving them a nervous smile.

‘What are you doing? Is everything OK?’ Fox asked, his worried gaze sweeping over me.

‘Yeah. I, uh, was practicing my audition in the auditorium and thought I’d come to see you guys.’

‘Nice,’ Cole grinned, kissing me quickly.

‘And what else?’ Enzo narrowed his eyes at me as Ethan kissed my cheek.

I twisted my fingers nervously and looked to Fox.

‘I saw you with Juliet in the hall,’ I blurted out. The surprised look on Cole’s face as he darted his gaze to Fox let me know he didn’t have a clue what was going on. Even Enzo and Ethan seemed surprised.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

‘What the hell is that about?’ Cole demanded. ‘I thought that shit was over.’

‘It is,’ Fox growled, taking my hands in his. ‘It was nothing. She wants to get back together. I told her no way.’

‘Great,’ Enzo grunted. ‘Now she’ll get pissed because she didn’t get her way.’

Ethan sighed and shook his head.

‘I won’t let her bother you, Rosie.’ Fox squeezed my hands.

‘So she knows about me? Officially?’

‘How could she not?’ he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. ‘Aside from seeing me with you, especially with Cole that day, she’d be stupid not to get it. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about, Rosie. I swear on my life.’

‘She better not,’ Cole broke in. ‘Don’t fuck up our shit by getting that bitch involved, Fox.’

‘I’m not,’ Fox snapped at him. ‘Trust me.’

Cole grunted and looked away, a muscle popping along his jaw.

‘Seriously, Rosie. Nothing.’ He leaned in and kissed me before resting his moist forehead against mine.

‘You’re so. . .’

‘What?’ he murmured. ‘What am I?’

‘Gross,’ I finished, pulling away from him and wiping my forehead. His face broke into a grin, and the guys laughed.

When he reached out and tugged me to his body, I didn’t resist, but something deep in my belly sent a warning.

And as much as I hated it was there, I knew I had to recognize it. Juliet was a threat. Enemies never disappeared. They only got worse. Ian was a prime example.