“Family meeting!” Dad shouts from the dining room.

Ugh. Groan. I hate those things.

Tipping my head to the ceiling, I mouth “NO” and drop dramatically to my knees on the bedroom floor.

My twin sister laughs and pats the top of my head. “Just keep your mouth shut and it’ll be over faster.”

I grunt and get to my feet, snatching my bomber jacket off the pile of clothes at the end of my bed and tugging it on as I follow Maddie down the hallway. My younger sister, Chloe, is already at the table nibbling a piece of toast. She wrinkles her nose at us, curbing her smile when Dad appears in the kitchen doorway, his huge body filling the frame. He’s all suited up in his new police uniform—a crisp navy blue ensemble with badges on the sleeves and a metal star on his right breast pocket.

Oh yeah, he’s proud and ready to take charge of this crappy little town.

When I found out three weeks ago that we were moving to California, Armitage was not what I had in mind. I was expecting sand and surf, and that cool California vibe you see in movies.

Armitage, CA?

Not so much.

I have no idea where the closest beach is, but I’m guessing miles, and as for a cool vibe, well that’s a bust. Driving into this town yesterday made me realize how monumental this shift truly is. No wonder Maddie’s struggling. She kept murmuring in her sleep last night, a soft mantra of “Take me back to Ohio.”

I dump my bag on the floor by the dining room table and slump into my chair. This is only our second day in this house and I already have my chair. It’s weird how that happens. It must be human nature to go for routine, familiarity, comfort.

My eyes dart to Maddie as she sits down next to me. Her expression is calm and controlled, but I can tell by the way she’s gripping her fingers together that she’s wound tight. It’s our first day at Armitage High School, and after our experience on the baseball field yesterday with those sexist douche buckets and their fragile egos, I’m guessing she wants nothing more than to catch the first flight back to Columbus.

Me?

Sure, it’d be nice to go return to everything we’ve ever known, but another part of me is like “Bring on the change!” Armitage may look like a shithole, but it’s new and different, and maybe life doesn’t need to be so mapped out the way it always has been.

“Okay, girls. First day. I’m sure you’re all nervous.” Dad’s voice is deep and rough. He’s already switched into police mode. I can understand why most people are scared of him. They never get to see his soft side. He definitely has one…somewhere. It’s buried deep beneath his rough don’t-mess-with-me exterior.

Chloe and Mads share a jittery look. I glance at Mom. She gives me a tight smile and goes back to sipping her coffee.

“I know starting halfway through senior and junior year is a big ask, but you girls can do it. I believe in you.”

Okay, here we go.

I internally roll my eyes. Dad’s pep talks are so lame.

Maddie smiles and sits a little straighter in her chair.

“You’re Barlow girls. You can do anything. Now, I want you to look out for each other. Don’t take any crap from anyone, and be the best you can be. Mayor Carter got me this job. He expects me to make this town shine the way it used to, and I need your help to do that. You go into that school today and you show those kids what it looks like to be an upstanding, high-achieving, brilliant person.”

Ugh. Gag me.

“You showed those boys yesterday a little of what you’re made of. It won’t take them long to figure out that having you on their baseball team is a huge advantage. I know it’s tough. There’ll be moments where you just want to go back to Ohio, but that’s not happening. We’re gonna win this. We’re gonna be the best. Got it?”

Three heads bob in unison. Maddie actually means it. Dad’s talks always fire her up. Me? I nod because I can’t be bothered with the fallout if I don’t. And Chloe nods because she’s Daddy’s good little girl.

Mom sets her coffee down and smiles at us. “Eat up, girls.”

Groan. I hate morning food. I don’t know why, but if I could have my way, I’d eat breakfast at ten o’clock every day. It’s not going to happen, so I grab a banana out of the fruit bowl and then start my standard argument with Mom that yes, it’s enough food to fuel me for the morning.

Dad leaves us bickering, hitching his belt and looking a little nervous as he walks out the back door. He’s gonna be fine. If any man can kick butt and get what he wants, it’s my dad. He’s a force to be reckoned with.

A force that’s too big to take on.

My stomach pinches, reminding me that my time will come eventually—once I’m out from under his protective wing. For now, it’s just easier to keep my head down and play his game.

I bite off another mouthful of banana, staring at the peeling wallpaper near the ceiling while Chloe and Maddie’s nervous chatter becomes white noise around me.

* * *

Maddie drives us to school, her knuckles white on the wheel while Chloe munches on her bottom lip. I glance behind me and smile. “Chillax, little girl. It’s gonna be fine.”

“I know.” Her voice is small, telling me she doesn’t know.

With a sigh, I spin back to face the front, checking out the trail of students making their way towards the school. A cluster of girls walks in two rows of two, chattering and laughing. Three guys on bikes trail behind them, along with a lone skater who leans into the curve as he rounds the corner on his board. Maddie follows him, and Armitage High appears. It’s a pretty plain, boring-looking school. A big gray rectangle with no character.

Not that I care about character, but it doesn’t exactly make you want to climb the three wide steps of the front entrance and walk inside.

“Here we go,” I murmur as Maddie parks the car.

“We can do this, sisters.” Spinning around, she holds her hand out and Chloe slaps hers over the top.

Lame!

With a tight smile, I complete the hand tower and try not to cringe when Chloe goes all sappy.

“I love you guys. And even though I’m petrified right now, I know I can do this, because you’ll be there with me.”

Maddie grins. “We love you too, Chlo-Chlo.”

“Not just sisters, but best friends too.” Chloe gives us a watery smile.

“Okay.” I raise my eyebrows. “Let’s get this over with.”

Clearing my throat, I shoulder my door open and scan my surroundings as I get out of the car. People are staring at us. I meet a few gazes, refusing to be put off by their curiosity.

We’re new.

We’re practically triplets.

Thanks to Dad, we muscled our way into a Pitbulls practice yesterday.

Three very valid reasons for students to wonder who the hell we are.

One guy saunters past our car, giving me a flirty eyebrow raise.

As if, buddy.

I share a look with Maddie, wrinkling my nose in disgust.

She chuckles and slams her door closed.

Of all the people in the world, Mads knows me the best. Sometimes she doesn’t understand me, but she knows everything about me. Like the fact I prefer savory to sweet, I’d rather watch epic fantasy than a romantic movie, and I have never once been in love with a guy. Not even a crush. I don’t really know what’s wrong with me. I’m not attracted to girls either, so I’ve ruled out being gay. I guess I’ve just never found a guy worth drooling over. Probably because almost every guy I know has turned into a buddy before any kind of attraction can form.

Although I’ve heard attraction is supposed to come first.

I must just be weird.

At this rate I’ll probably end up an old, gray virgin. That doesn’t sit too well with me, but I’m not about to spread-eagle for some random guy just so I can cross “lose V-card” off my list.

Maybe it’ll happen in college. I don’t know.

If Dad has his way, I’ll be heading off to college with a baseball scholarship in my back pocket. I can’t imagine scoring myself some gorgeous guy when I’m spending every waking hour playing ball.

Sigh.

My sisters and I walk in line to the front office where we’re welcomed by the flustered assistant principal who is trying to figure out where our tour guide is.

“She’s usually on time.” Ms. Walters taps her watch and lets out an irritated huff. “Well, here are your class schedules anyway.”

I grab my slip of paper and scan it. I’m in Mr. Tribeck’s homeroom. Glancing at Maddie’s schedule, I notice we’re not together. I frown but keep my mouth shut. There’s no way in hell I’m letting the nerves come out today. It’s just a new school. Big deal. I’m not stressing over this.

“You know what, I think we can find our way. You got a map of the school or anything?”

Ms. Walters winces as she shakes her head.

“Don’t worry about it.” I nudge Maddie with my elbow. “We’re big girls. We’ll be fine.”

“Let me see if I can find someone to at least show you to your homerooms.” She clips to the door and pokes her head into the corridor, but I brush past her before she can summon some poor stranger to show us around.

“Seriously, Ms. Walters, we’ll be fine.” I give her a bright smile before raising my eyebrows at Chloe and Mads.

They nod and follow me out the door.

“Okay, sisters. Good luck, yeah?” I glance between them and snicker at their nervous faces. “Relax. What’s the worst that can happen?”

“We could get lost. We could get bullied.” Chloe’s forehead wrinkles.

“We could be late to class.” Maddie glances at her watch.

I roll my eyes. “We’re new. We’re allowed to get lost and be late for class.” I point to Chloe. “As for the bullying thing, you may be the smallest, but I know you can kick ass. We all can. Stop freaking out. This is a new adventure. And I can’t believe you have suckered me into giving you a pep talk! Goodbye.” I spin and walk away while they giggle behind me.

Checking out my schedule, I head down the first hallway on my right. Mr. Tribeck is a Social Sciences teacher. From memory of our tour yesterday, those classes are in the southeast corner of the school. I wind my way to where I think I’m supposed to go and soon find myself lost in what feels like a maze of corridors. I descended some stairs a while back and I think that was my downfall.

The bell rang about three minutes ago and I probably shouldn’t have refused that random girl’s offer to help me. Downfall number two.

I spin and look down the narrow empty space.

Crap.

Swallowing my first-day jitters, I head back the way I came and finally manage to find the stairs up ahead.

But something catches my eye before I make it.

Drawn by a force I can’t explain, I forget all about finding my homeroom and gently push the door open.

My lips part as I gaze down at the electric guitar resting against the wall. Scanning what is obviously a small music studio, I take in the rest of the equipment with a grin. A well-loved drum kit is nestled in the corner of the room next to a keyboard, and a bass guitar is propped in a stand beside a couple of amps. Four chairs are scattered in the remaining spaces. Apart from a door with a glass window that obviously leads to another room, and a wall of shelving, the room is covered with egg cartons that have been stapled from the floor to the ceiling.

“Soundproofing?” I murmur, wondering who plays these instruments.

Before I can stop myself, I reach down and brush my fingers along the strings of the guitar. An instant smile pops onto my lips. I’ve always loved music. I wanted to play an instrument when I was seven, but my family is more sports-oriented and when I asked if I could learn the piano, Dad gave me this really confused frown and asked, “Why?” like some crazy demon had possessed his baseball-loving daughter.

I just couldn’t bring myself to let him down, so I shrugged and mumbled, “Just kidding.”

He let out this booming laugh filled with relief before pulling me into a bear hug.

Weird how I never thought to try again.

Weird how eleven years later the desire still hasn’t left me.

Biting my lower lip, I slip the bag off my shoulder and reach for the guitar. I’m about to grab it, pull it against my body, pretend for a second like I’m this amazing rock star.

But I’m stopped by the click of the other door.

I look up as it opens and I’m frozen by the most beautiful human being I have ever seen.

I don’t recognize the feels storming through my system right now, but I swear this guy must have some kind of superpower because my eyes are glued, my heart is hammering and all I can think is…

Pale brown eyes.

Shoulder-length waves of hair.

Skin the color of milk chocolate.

He’s hot.

He’s so freaking hot.

No, he’s more than hot.

He’s lush, beautiful…perfect.

Oh shit, what do I do now?