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  SHANE MORGAN

  Copyright © 2019 Shane Morgan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews. Please do not partake in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Purchase authorized editions only.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 9781701775541

  Cover Image © Stocksy United

  Also by Shane Morgan

  Our Kind of Love

  The Right Song

  The Stone Files

  Only Want You

  The Unresisting Trilogy

  Unresisting

  Unfearing

  Unending

  Impossibly Forever Duology

  Impossibly Love

  Impossibly True

  The Finding Trilogy

  Finding Julian

  Chasing Bristol

  Losing Amber

  Table of Contents

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  29

  30

  31

  32

  33

  34

  35

  36

  37

  38

  39

  40

  41

  42

  43

  44

  45

  46

  47

  48

  49

  50

  51

  52

  53

  54

  55

  56

  57

  58

  59

  60

  61

  62

  63

  64

  65

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  1

  Trippy music fills my ears.

  The bass drones in sync with my heart.

  I slowly descend the stairs, pause midstride, and scan the crowd. This basement party is rather lively for a boarding school.

  Where the hell is my cousin?

  “You there!” My body stiffens as a brassy guy yells through the leech-like cluster surrounding him.

  All eyes flick to the stairs where I’m lingering like a scared child. Everyone has curious expressions.

  “Who’s that?” some blonde asks her friend in a snobbish tone.

  “Don’t know,” replies the girl, flipping her long dark hair off her shoulder.

  They ignore me and resume drinking and talking. I’m about to continue the search for my cousin, but the guy is now making his way over, eyes on me.

  I wheel around and head back upstairs.

  Turning into the passage, I stop at the first door on the right and enter what appears to be an office.

  The room is empty. It’s a subtly quiet space away from the loud music and shouting.

  I plop down in one of the leather chairs and slide my phone from my jeans pocket to call Nia again.

  She finally answers.

  “Where are you?” I blurt. “You told me to meet you at this party, and you didn’t even show.”

  The tune in her background lessens in seconds. It doesn’t sound like the one I heard in the basement. “Calm down, Sydney. I am at the party. Where are you?”

  I scowl. “Wait, you mean the elites’ basement party, right?”

  “What?” Nia shrieks. “No, I’m in the rec hall at my math club thingy.”

  “Ugh.” I rub my temples and moan. “No wonder they looked at me as if I’m lost.”

  “How’d you even get in there? You’re not an elite.”

  I recall the moment I arrived. “The kid at the door asked for a secret word. I told him I’m a transfer and don’t know it yet. Think he was just nice.”

  Nia laughs in her disbelief. “So, you just waltzed right into an exclusive party, and no one gave you shit even though they don’t recognize you?”

  “Guess they’re having too much fun to care.”

  “Lucky!” she squeals. “Oh my gosh, Sydney, since you’re there, you need to mingle. At least find yourself an elite boyfriend. Cuz, those guys are hot!”

  “Huh?” I crease my forehead. “I’m not interested in rich and spoiled boys, Nia. I’m getting the hell out of here before something happens to me.”

  “Geez. You’ve watched too many creepy movies. The elite boys are cool. Mostly athletes, and sure they’re flirty and move in on the same girls, but—”

  “Yeah, to keep score.” I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “They did that at my old school. Anyway, I’m leaving.”

  “Come on, Syd. Just hang out a bit. Oh,” she yelps at a thought and asks, “is Parker Prescott there?”

  “Who?” I shake it off. “Never mind. I’m heading out. Definitely not staying here by myself. See you in a bit.”

  Nia sighs. “Fine.”

  The second I end the call and stand to leave, someone opens the door. It’s the drunk white guy.

  “There you are. Why’d you run off? I just wanted to say hi.”

  Warm, steel-gray eyes stare confidently into mine. Chiseled jaw with perfect angles. Tousled black hair tempting me to drive my fingers through. A stomach-tingling smile that’s probably made girls faint.

  Gosh. I’ve never seen a more attractive guy. But as my gaze lowers to his unbuttoned shirt and the beer in his hand, an uneasy feeling rises in me, and I snap to my senses.

  “I’m leaving,” I say, and shoo him with a wave.

  A frown replaces his grin. “Damn. Well, aren’t you sassy.” He follows me into the hallway.

  I quicken in the direction of the exit.

  He stays at my pace, touching my elbow. “Wait, what’s your name?”

  “Not interested,” I say politely, easing my arm away. “Please stop following me.”

  Reaching the entrance, I nod to the kid at the door. He squares his shoulders after seeing the tipsy guy at my side. “Oh, Prescott. Are you leaving?”

  So this is the one Nia was asking about.

  I scowl at the kid. Why’s he acting like this guy is royalty?

  Parker gives his shoulder a playful jerk. “Of course not, Murphy. Party just started. Why don’t you go enjoy yourself? Loosen up.”

  Murphy appears on edge, shifting from one leg to the other. “You know I can’t do that. I’m on door duty. If I leave and an official comes, everyone will be pissed.”

  Parker snorts. “Well, too bad. You’re missing out.”

  Why am I still standing here?

  “Excuse me.” I motion to Murphy to let me out. He opens the door, and I tread down the front steps.

  “Hey, not interested,” Parker yells after me. “What are you doing later? Let’s hang out.”

  Casting a sidelong glance, I yell back, “Not that kind of girl.”

  A weird look crosses his face as if he’s surprised. He drinks his beer while staring at me.

  I purse my lips and turn onto the path that leads to the rec hall. For whatever reason, I can’t help glancing behind again. Parker Prescott is still standing outside.

  Watching me.

&
nbsp; Labor Day weekend gave me extra time to prepare for my new school. But it still feels like Tuesday came too soon.

  It’s my first day of classes at Spencer Academy, and I’m beyond anxious.

  “Just relax,” my easygoing roommate advises. She arches over at her bed to pack her bag. “It’s not all they make it out to be. By the end of the day, you’ll wonder why the hell you came here.”

  “But you’re still here,” I say on a chuckle, turning from the mirror after brushing my curls into a high puff.

  Leighton peers up at me, green eyes squinting. “Not by choice, trust me.”

  With crimson lipstick, eccentric silver jewelry, dark red nail polish, and long, wavy black hair, Leighton Valentine looks like a character straight out of the Craft movie, and I love it. She turned seventeen this March like me, and we’re both starting our senior year of high school.

  One thing I noticed when I moved into the room, Leighton dances to her own beat and doesn’t care what others think.

  She straightens and rolls up the sleeves of her white shirt, leaving the hem untucked over her burgundy plaid skirt. She’s not wearing the school tie and has on Converse instead of the required black shoes.

  I twist to the mirror again and glance over my uniform for the umpteenth time. I’m more put together, freakishly neat. I’m clearly not as edgy as Leighton. But this is me. I’m not trying to stand out.

  Draping her bag strap over her shoulder, she looks at me from head to toe and stifles a smirk. “As I’ve said, relax.”

  “It’s because it’s my first day. I’ll be fine.”

  Leighton shrugs. “All right. Ready to go?”

  Holding up my index to indicate one moment, I quickly apply lip-gloss, leaving my face makeup-free. My smooth and radiant brown skin doesn’t need it, anyway. Then I grab my backpack, and we head from the dorm together.

  Leighton turns in the opposite direction once we finish at our lockers.

  This anxiety won’t settle. I wish I had all my classes with my roomie or Nia because I’d know someone right away. My cousin assured me going to a welcome back to school party would help, but it didn’t. Not really. I sure as hell didn’t charm anyone at the math club social.

  Thankfully, it doesn’t take long to find AP English. I’m happy to be ten minutes early. After a quick scan, I claim a seat in the back.

  Students file into the room in batches. Seats fill up quickly. The teacher enters soon after.

  I do a double-take when Parker Prescott walks in right as class begins. Great. Hopefully, he won’t remember me since he was drinking.

  Two other guys enter with him, talking aloud. One with curly blonde hair, the other has low-cut brown. All three are tall and close in height, a tan complexion like the majority in Orange County. They appear fit in their uniforms. Probably athletes.

  The guys plop down in the three chairs clearly saved for them in the row closer to the front.

  Parker rakes his hand through his disheveled hair, and I find myself checking him out. I lower my gaze to the moles on his neck, slightly visible at his shirt collar. His plaid tie is loose, sleeves rolled up like most of the guys. He has on expensive-looking black shoes and a silver watch on his left wrist, which appears just as luxurious.

  The blonde guy sitting two seats in front of mine shares a joke I don’t get, and Parker glances across to his friends, chuckling. Of course, his sharp gray eyes drift around, spotting me. Oddly, my stomach flutters.

  Narrowing his gaze on my face, he asks, “Still not interested?”

  “Geez,” I mumble and cut my eyes from him.

  “Welcome, everyone,” Mr. Riley finally starts the class. “You’ve made it to your final year at Spencer. Good for you.” He lifts a tablet before him. “Let’s take attendance so I can familiarize myself with those of you I haven’t taught before.”

  Mr. Riley browses the room as he calls names. When he reaches mine, I wave awkwardly.

  He pauses what he’s doing. “Right, please give Sydney Bell a warm welcome. She’s a transfer.”

  Eyes turn to me briefly then look away with disinterest.

  Parker lingers on my face, a sly grin forming on his. “Pretty name, Sydney Bell. Welcome to Spencer.”

  I ignore him and lower my eyes to my textbook on the desk.

  Mr. Riley finishes and dives into the first lesson. Throughout the class, I swear I can feel Parker’s eyes on me. It makes me shift with unease, and I anticipate the end of the period so I can avoid him.

  Just my luck, he catches up to me in the hallway while I’m heading to algebra, where I’ll see my cousin.

  “So, Sydney Bell, what do you have next? Need help finding the room?” I notice pretty much everyone stares at us as they pass by.

  “No, thanks. I’m good.” I keep my gaze straight ahead as I hasten my steps.

  “Okay.” Parker stays at my pace. “How about a pool party tomorrow night?”

  I draw air through my teeth and glance at him. “Thought I told you I’m not interested.”

  He shrugs. “You did. But since you’re new, I’m sure you could use a friend. And I’m offering to be one and show you the ropes of Spencer.”

  Reaching a turn in the hallway, I stop and face him fully, keeping my tone courteous as I speak. “Look, Parker Prescott, I’m not your type. I know you just wanna hookup. You’re some rich kid who only cares about partying, sleeping with half the girls at your school, and wasting your time just because you can and because your rich father is gonna buy your way through life. That’s fine. I’m sure there are girls into that, but not me. So, find someone else to pursue.”

  The smirk falls from his face. Parker crumples his forehead but doesn’t respond.

  He scoffs and swivels around, going the other way. I continue walking. That’s the end of it.

  Following the third period, I see Nia again at lunch. We fill our trays at the fancy food encasing in the modern-looking cafeteria and sit at a table outside.

  It’s a hot day. I finally loosen my tie and undo the top button of my shirt, fanning myself in between cooling down with the icy drink.

  “Uh, why are we sitting outside?” I ask on a giggle. “It’s cooler in the cafeteria.”

  “Come on. The weather’s nice. Let’s soak it up.” Even Nia appears casual and more relaxed in her uniform. Makeup subtle and on point. Brown skin looking sun-kissed. She bites into her sandwich and swallows before speaking again. “I still can’t believe you got into that elite party and didn’t make one friend.”

  I shrug. “Wasn’t my scene. Besides, the only one who tried to talk to me just wanted the usual. Gosh, we even have the same English class.”

  “Who is it?” she asks, constricting her russet eyes.

  “The guy you mentioned. Parker Prescott.”

  Nia coughs on her juice. “What? Parker Prescott talked to you, and you ignored him?” She reaches over and slaps my arm.

  “Ow! The hell is that for?”

  “Christ, Sydney!” She throws her hands up. “I seriously need to clue you in on the top tier boys of Spencer Academy. Parker Prescott is at the very top. Every girl wants him. Well, except me. I like someone else. But back to my point. He’s the quarterback of the football team, nothing but straight A’s, gets all types of awards, and his father is the headmaster. So yeah, a whole lot of pressure. But the kind of person you wanna be friends with.”

  “Oh, please,” I sneer, waving off everything she’s said. “That just means I’m right. Parker’s a spoiled rich kid who thinks he can get anything he wants.”

  Nia huffs a short laugh. “Okay. I’m gonna tell you something that you don’t consider often.” She pats my hand on the table. “Sydney, just because someone has money, doesn’t mean they’re assholes. I have money, remember? Your aunt and uncle are rich!”

  I purse my lips. “Of course, I know that, and Aunt Jackie and Uncle Terrance have worked very hard for all they have. But who’s to say Parker Prescott or his dad are like your parents.”


  “Pfft. They’re not. The Prescotts are way richer. I’m talking ginormous inheritance rich. But money aside, you won’t know Parker’s true character unless you hang out with him.” She wiggles her flawless brows. “Sydney, if he’s approaching you, at least be friendly with the guy. Geez.”

  “Hm.” I roll my eyes. “I’m sure Parker is looking for more than just friendship. Bet he’s never with the same girl for too long.”

  Nia twists her mouth in thought. “Honestly, no. Not since his girlfriend left in sophomore year. And the girls usually tell people they’ve slept with him too, which is kind of weird. But not my friend, Anjali. She says he’s a nice guy. As for the other girls, I guess they wanna attach themselves to Parker anyway they can.”

  “Pathetic.” I drink some of my juice. “I should definitely stay away from him.”

  She sucks her teeth. “Fine. I just thought it was cool Parker Prescott showed interest. But yeah, he might be looking for fresh meat like the other guys’ will.”

  “Exactly.”

  She giggles. “By the end of the day, my beautiful cousin, you’ll be approached by nearly half the male population at the academy.”

  My stomach goes tense. “Yikes. That sounds fun.”

  We change the topic and finish lunch. After discarding our trash, Nia loops her arm around mine, and we walk to our next classes.

  “There’s a party at Kelly Krueger’s house tomorrow night. She’s a senior, and of course, an elite. We should check it out, and,” She jerks my arm playfully, “let’s go to the beach on Saturday. Everyone will be at Shaw’s Cove. You need to make friends here.”

  She’s right. I should try to fit in, especially since I’m going to be living in California for my senior year.

  “All right. Cool.”

  “Yes!” Nia squeals, eyes twinkling with glee.

  “How are we getting to a pool party, anyway? Are we even allowed to leave school at night? How will we get by security?”

  “Don’t worry about anything. As for the drive, we’re riding with Anjali.” A sneaky smile tugs at her lips. “Cuz, this is a private school for the moderately rich.” She points to herself. “And the super-wealthy like Parker Prescott and other elites. As long as we don’t get into trouble and embarrass the academy, we’re free to do whatever. They don’t care.”