“What the hell is your problem?” I marched up to Maverick as he stood next to the Audi, his arms folded over his chest, jaw clenched tight. His eyes widened a fraction, as if my outburst surprised him, but he narrowed them quickly. “Get in the car, London.”

“Stop calling me that! It's not my name. My name is Eloise. Or Lo. Not. London.”

He looked bored. It only infuriated me all the more, and I got right in his face, craning my neck up to meet his ruthless gaze. “You might get to boss around the rest of your friends and family, but newsflash, tosser, I am neither of those things.”

He cocked his eyebrows, a momentary flash of amusement in his eyes. “Tosser?” 

“Yes, you know idiot… jerk… dickhead.”

“You think I'm a tosser?” His voice was smooth with a hint of annoyance.

I annoyed him?

Good.

“Well, you are, aren't you?” It was my turn to arch my eyebrow.

“Get in the fucking car, London.” It came out a low growl.

Aargh. I wanted to scream or punch his pretty little face, but I did none of those things. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Maverick slipped out from between me and the car and went around to the driver’s side, and I got into the back seat. The further away from him the better. But as if the universe hadn’t had enough fun at my expense, the passenger door opened and Macey ducked inside.

“What's she doing here?” She flicked her head in my direction with a sneer, but otherwise ignored me.

“Devon Lions was hanging around her. I fucking hate that guy.”

I sat a little straighter. He hated Devon? Interesting. He had been nothing but nice to me. 

“You hate everyone.” Macey sank back into the seat and the car purred to life. “I need sleep. Practice starts back up tomorrow and I am so not ready.”

My phone vibrated, and I slid it out of my pocket. 

 

Kyle: Sorry I bailed. Get a ride with Maverick.

 

Lo: Traitor. I hate you!

 

Kyle: Love you too, Cous.

 

A couple of classes with Kyle, and I’d somehow already fallen into friendly banter with him. But he made it so easy whereas these two moody sods made it impossible. Then it occurred to me, maybe I was here because Kyle arranged it? He lost serious brownie points if that was the case. No wonder Maverick was pissed at having to play babysitter. When I glanced back up, his eyes were on me in the rear-view mirror. “New boyfriend?”

“Fuck you.”

Macey barked a laugh. “Who knew the princess had claws.”

I winced at her mocking tone, and we rode the rest of the way in thick silence. The second Maverick pulled into the Stone-Prince's driveway, I was out of there. He didn't follow. Macey got out of the car, leaning back in to say something. Whatever it was, she didn't look happy, her usual scowl even more menacing. She slammed the door, and the car roared out of the drive and disappeared. 

“Where's he going?”

She shouldered past me. “None of your fucking business.” 

I watched her go. She had a runway worthy body, all long legs and slender curves. Her hair was the same dark tone of Maverick's, and it hung to her shoulders in an angular bob. She was strikingly beautiful, but her eyes screamed don't mess with me or I will eat you alive. I didn't want to get in her way—or Maverick's—but I was here and we had to find a way to co-exist. 

After going to the kitchen to grab a drink and snack, I went to the pool house. Dad still wasn't home, and I had noticed Gentry's car wasn’t in the driveway. What time did they work until around here? Back home a late finish was around eight. It was almost eleven. Still, I sent my dad a quick text letting him know I was home, and went to my room. Stripping out of my clothes, I pulled on my favourite Oxford University t-shirt letting its familiarity seep into my skin. It had belonged to my brother, Elliot. I’d stolen it one weekend after visiting him during his freshmen year. I had quite a collection. Now I lay on the bed imagining what he'd make of all this. He would have given Maverick a piece of his mind. Macey too, if he hadn’t tried to sleep with her first. I swiped the tears falling with the pad of my thumb. I couldn't think about Elliot without feeling swamped with grief. 

Which is why I rarely let myself remember.

~

“Morning, sweetheart. How was your first day?” Dad was already up, fiddling with the puce tie hanging loose around his neck. 

“It was fine,” I said. “Here.” I went to him and took the material, folding it into the perfect knot, stepping back to survey my handiwork.

“Thanks. You'd think after all these years, I'd know how to get it right. But your...” He didn't finish. Sometimes it was easier to not talk about the things that once meant the most to you.

“I know, Dad. Late night? I didn't hear you come in.” I smoothed my hair into a ponytail and stretched my arms in front of me working out the kinks from the restless night’s sleep I’d had.

“Gentry organised drinks with the team. One became two and, well, you know how that one goes.” I heard the accusation in his voice but his expression wasn’t scathing. We’d had that argument enough times.

“And yet here you are, looking as fresh as a daisy.”

He came over to me and dropped a kiss on my head. “Oh, trust me, on the inside I'm dying. The party was good? You got home okay?”

I pressed my lips together and nodded, feeling the taste of bitterness on my tongue.

“Oh no,” Dad chuckled. “What's that face for?”

“Nothing.”

“Lo?” 

“You could've warned me about them.” I leaned back against the counter of our small kitchenette.

“Who?” He feigned ignorance.

“Oh, come on, Dad. Maverick and Macey. What’s their deal?”

“You caught that, huh? Gentry mentioned there was some tension, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. They're being nice to you though, right? Because if they're not I can—”

“No, no, it's fine. I can handle them. Besides, what they lack in personality, Kyle makes up for in droves.”

“The kid has zest, that's for sure.”

A comfortable silence settled between us as we carried on getting ready. When I grabbed my bag off the floor, Dad held the door open for me, and I slipped underneath his arm as we made our way to the main house. 

“Did the agent give you a date, yet?”

“She's working on it. There was a delay with the final paperwork. Hopefully we'll be in our own place soon enough.” His eyes darted around. “It's not so bad here, is it?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “It's alright, I just don't think I'll feel settled until we're in the new house, you know?”

Dad paused when he reached the kitchen door and turned back to me. “I know it's been a big upheaval, but I know we can be happy here, kiddo. If you just give it a chance.”

“I know, Dad. I'll try.” Though I couldn't make any promises. We'd left so much behind it felt wrong being here, but maybe with time, things would get easier. His eyes lingered on me, and I saw doubt there. 

“Guess what?” I grinned, wanting to reassure him I could do this. 

“What?” He opened the door, and we entered the kitchen.

“I made a friend. Three, in fact.”

“Wow, three, and were these friends girls or boys?”

I punched his arm playfully, but froze when my eyes landed on the two figures sitting at the island. 

“Something smells good,” Dad said seemingly oblivious to the tension. 

Macey shoved her plate away and rose from her stool. “We ate all the pancakes.”

Well, okay then.

“Maverick?” She barked, and I half expected him to jump to attention. But he didn't. 

“I'll meet you at the car,” he said coolly, and her expression slipped for a second as she murmured 'whatever' under her breath, before spinning on her heels and marching out of the room. 

“There's fresh coffee in the pot.” Maverick spoke again and Dad searched for cups. I was too confused to move. He was being amicable now? This was new. 

“So, Maverick, Gentry tells me you’re captain of the Wreckers? I hear you're tipped to do great things this season?”

I slipped onto the stool opposite the eldest Stone-Prince son and peeked at him through my lashes. He shovelled another spoonful of cereal into his mouth and washed it down with juice. “We have a good shot at the championship, yeah.” 

“Maybe you can get us some tickets? I'd love to come and watch you play. Back in school I used to play myself.”

I felt his heated glare on the top of my head as I stared at my empty plate. What was happening right now? 

“The season doesn't start for another couple of months, but I'll see what I can do.”

Dad pushed a cup of coffee in front of me and I smiled, my eyes sliding to Maverick's as he watched the interaction. 

“Good morning. Please tell me there's coffee.” Gentry shuffled toward the counter with his head in his hands. 

“Still suffer after a skinful, brother?” Dad chuckled beside me but I was too busy watching Maverick. His body was rigid, his hand gripping the spoon so tight the colour had drained from his knuckles. He didn't say a word as he got up and stalked out of the room. Gentry didn't acknowledge his behaviour, and neither did Dad, they were too busy joking about the night before. 

“Hey.” Kyle poked his head around the door. “Ready to go?”

“Yes.” I downed the rest of my coffee and said goodbye to Dad, relieved Kyle planned to give me a ride into school instead of forcing me on Maverick and Macey again. 

“Let me shout for Summer again and then we'll head out. Dad, Uncle Robert.” He tipped his head in a salute and disappeared again. 

“Don't wait up tonight, Lo. It could be a late one again. Do you need any money?”

I waved Dad off, ignoring the prickle of annoyance I felt. He'd slipped into this new life so easily it was hard to believe he had been away for so long. I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel so at home here.

When I got outside, Summer was already standing by Kyle's bright yellow jeep. She lifted her hand in a small wave and I was about to say hello when I noticed the buds jammed in her ears. The Jeep bleeped and Kyle appeared, keys dangling in his hand. “Shall we?”

I hovered waiting to see what Summer would do, but she slipped into the back without protest so I took shotgun.

“How'd you like the party last night?” Kyle eased the Jeep out of the drive and pulled onto the street.

“Shouldn't I be asking you that?” I struggled to hide the amusement in my voice. 

Kyle’s face transformed into a cocky smile and he flicked open a pair of sunglasses with one hand, sliding them over his face. “Rule number one, I never kiss and tell.” His smirk softened. “Did you get home okay?”

“I survived.” 

A throaty laugh rumbled from his chest. “I'm sorry about that, Rick can be... well, I'm sure you've realized he has a giant stick up his ass. Macey too, but once you get to know them they're not so bad.”

I pressed my lips together. He had no idea I already knew what a dick Maverick could be. And I couldn't imagine a world where Macey was anything but a mean bitch. She wore it too comfortably, like a second skin.

“Laurie is good people. Stick with her and you'll be okay.”

“I like her, she seems cool.”

 Kyle glanced at me over his glasses, and waggled his eyebrows. “I like her too.”

I rolled my eyes. “You're so gross.”

“Welcome to the family.” 

Less than ten minutes later, Kyle pulled into the school, found a parking spot, and we all bailed out. “Listen,” he said. “I have practice after school. Can you two manage to get home without getting into trouble?”

“Seriously, Kyle,” Summer huffed. It was the most I’d heard her speak. “You act like I’m a baby. It’s bad enough with Maverick, I don’t need this shit from you too.” She stomped off with Kyle gaping after her.

“Whoa, baby sis grew up.”

“What just happened?” I asked watching Summer as she approached a shaggy-haired boy and disappeared inside the building with him.

“I’m as clueless as you.” He rubbed his jaw. “But that isn’t good.”

“What? The boy?”

“If she’s dating, Rick will—”

“Oh, my God, what is wrong with the two of you? She’s fifteen, of course she’s going to date.”

“Lo, cous.” He slung his arm around my shoulder and guided me to the door. “You have so much to learn. This will be fun.”

Fun?

There was no time to ask as a crowd of girls and boys descended on Kyle Stone, class clown and incessant joker.

“I’ll catch you later.” I ducked out of his hold and disappeared down the hallway. Laurie was waiting next to my locker.

“I see you’ve experienced the Kyle effect,” she said with a hint of sarcasm. I didn’t understand what was going on with the two of them but the girl had it bad.

“It’s an actual thing? And here’s me thinking he just liked the sound of his own voice.”

She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m sorry I bailed last night, it was a shitty move.”

“Hey, no apology needed. I got to ride with Maverick and Macey which was…” I searched for the right word, but she beat me to it.

“Life altering.”

“Something like that.”

“Come on.” Laurie linked her arm through mine. “Autumn and Devon are waiting with Liam. I swear he can’t do anything before his morning smoke.” She yanked me in the direction of the door at the end of the corridor.

And I realised Dad was right, maybe it could be that simple. Maybe all I had to do was want it bad enough and life in Wicked Bay would work itself out.

Maybe.