Chapter 1

Leo

Five Years Later

Law school had done wonders to change me, and as I looked in the rearview mirror of my latest Mustang, a black convertible GT, I made sure my hair was perfect despite the top being down and gave myself a smile to check my teeth. I straightened my cuffs and smoothed down my tie as my phone rang in the seat next to me.

I glanced over to see Bailee with two e’s name and smiled. She was a persistent one, much more than Bailey with an ey, but instead of answering her call, I turned off the ringer. I couldn’t very well have my phone blowing up under my graduation robe. It was time to walk the stage once again and make another transition in life.

The last time I’d done this, it was with a broken heart, and even though things had turned out much better than expected, with me not only filling out but finding a social life, I still felt rattled thinking of Kya.

I let out a deep breath and reminded myself that I didn’t want to think about her, but with graduation on the schedule, she’d come into my mind a lot lately.

There came a tapping on my windshield on the passenger’s side, and Jon, my roommate, who had driven his own car to the event, walked around to my side. “Come on, man. Are you going to stay in that car all day?”

“Hell no, I’m as ready to finish as you are, my friend.” I opened the door, and while I stepped out, shutting it behind me so I could go to the trunk and get my graduation gown, Lacey, whose last name I’d never asked, hurried over, nearly knocking Jon off of his feet.

She threw her arms around me. “You look amazing! I hoped I’d get to see you before you took your place in line.”

I pushed away, glancing around with the hope that no one else had seen her. “Yeah, I better get to it. I’m running a bit late.”

Jon rolled his eyes and looked away while Lacey frowned. “Will you meet me after?” she asked. “I wanted to give you a graduation gift.” She flashed me a wink, and from the way she said gift, I had a feeling she meant blow job. Lacey was a pro on her knees, but she still wasn’t the best blow I’d had. Once again, Kya came to mind.

“I’m sorry, Jon and I already have plans to celebrate together.”

“I don’t mind gifting both of you.” She winked at Jon, and he shook his head.

“As tempting as that is, we’ll pass.” I got my gown and shut the trunk, looking around the lot for my father’s car. He was usually late to everything but a court date, and I wasn’t one hundred percent sure he’d come to see me graduate.

“Fine. Call me if you change your mind.” Lacey walked away in a bad mood, glaring at us over her shoulder as if trying to give us one more shot.

We made it to the back where the other graduates were still standing around talking and taking pictures. But before I could get too comfortable, Professor Templeton came over and got us to line up according to out last names. Finally, after minutes of working the others into their places, she called my name. “Pace.”

As I took my place in line, I quickly wished I hadn’t slept with Samantha Overton or Patricia Patterson or any other girl who would fall in line near me. Each was giving me a different look, and all expected me to show them the same affection.

I had been a busy man, and Jon had once asked me how on earth I managed to keep them all straight. I wasn’t sure myself, but it helped that most of the women just wanted a little fun. There were plenty of sluts around like Kya willing to throw themselves at you for a quick lay, and best of all, I didn’t have to feel shit for them.

Once we got seated, after making our grand entrance, Samantha leaned over and licked her lips. “I’m having a party later if you want to come, Leo.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, sweetheart.” I saw no harm in giving her hope and didn’t care if she was upset later that I didn’t show, but sometimes it was just easier to keep things simple and vague, no promises made, none to keep.

I sat through what seemed like a never-ending cattle call of everyone before me and finally got to walk across the stage. I had much more applause from the crowd than I’d had in high school, and that was because everyone was still stunned I had somehow managed to bag Kya Campbell.

Most of my applause this time was from the slew of friends I’d made and all of the hearts I had in my back pocket.

With my degree in hand, the world was mine.

After the ceremony, Jon met up with me, pushing the crowd. He had a lipstick print on his cheek and another half on his lips. “You look like you’ve been tagged,” I said.

He gave a soft chuckle. “Yeah, Breanna and Casey. Both asked me where you were going after.” Jon had his own fan club, but he could only manage one or two at a time.

“I don’t know, man. Where are we going?” I clapped my buddy on the back.

“We are going to Rock Fest, my friend. I’ve got us front row seats for a night of music and hopefully a lot of tits and beer. One last night of fun before your father whips us both into shape at the firm.”

“Speaking of the old bastard, did you happen to see him around?” I knew it was a longshot but thought I’d ask anyway.

“No, but thanks again for getting me a job at his firm. I can’t believe he agreed to take me on.”

“That’s because I told him how competitive you are. He likes a competitive spirit. It’s what makes him tick.” The old man had always been wired that way, even when I was a kid in the science fairs and mock trials. He had wanted me to be the best, and he would always find the other overachievers to compare me with. Jon had that spirit, too, but he wasn’t an asshole like my father.

I turned on my phone and found another call from Bailee. “This girl doesn’t give up.”

“Is that Bails?” He still called her by the stupid nickname he’d given her when they dated.

“Yes, and I don’t think she’s going to take no for an answer so easily.” She had been a stage-five clinger for the past two months, and I’d somehow not managed to shake her off.

He followed me as I walked out to my car. “She’s a nice girl, man. I didn’t introduce you to her so you could treat her like all the others. I thought she’d be good for you.”

“No, what you thought was that she’d preoccupy me while you moved in on my herd. You’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that’s what you are. And thanks a lot for passing off your leftovers. She told me how she blew you in your car. I think she thought I’d appreciate the fact that you were experienced.”

He belted a laugh. “Why would she tell you that?”

“She was comparing our cocks. Said mine was ginormous compared to yours.” I liked to tease Jon even if it was the truth.

He nudged me. “Maybe we’ll just have to find someone at this concert tonight to size us up. I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I think what you mean is, you have no shame. There’s a difference.” Jon was a hell of a lot more straight-laced than me, but he still knew how to have a good time.

“Slight but I’m okay with that too. I’m so pumped up to see this concert. I’m going home to change, and then we’ll head out when you’re ready.”

“Sounds good. Who’s playing?”

“The Deathgrips, Ocean’s 666, Rock and Mayhem, Frankfurter Apocalypse, and Sabbath Sundae.”

My pulse quickened. “Sabbath Sundae? They’re still a thing?”

“Fuck, yeah. They have that song on the radio, Sacred Hearts. That lead singer is one fine piece of ass. They’re really growing in popularity, considered one of the hottest new groups to look out for.”

“I guess they finally paid their dues. Last I heard, they were hitting most of the dives across the state.” I had only heard a few things from the occasional hookup from my list of chicks who wouldn’t fuck me in high school. I’d met a few of them over the years, and when they noticed how much I’d changed, they all wanted to see what I was about, although two of them never knew, which was kind of funny too.

“You know the band?”

He imagined Kya going down on him, taking his cock into her sweet lips and sucking it for all it was worth. “I know that hot piece of ass you mentioned.”

Jon’s eyes lit with surprise. “No way. Maybe you can introduce me.”

“If anyone is fucking Kya Campbell, it’s me.” And then I’d fuck her over as hard as she’d done me.

“Kya Campbell? You mean Kya Star?”

I had never heard the name before. “Don’t tell me she’s married.” Even though I still held a grudge for what she’d done to me, I felt a sting in my chest that she had actually given herself to another man for more than a cheap hookup. I had always wanted to be the man in her life and had pictured what had happened between us ending in many other ways besides how it had. But the one thing they all had in common was us walking down the aisle and me taking her for my wife. I’d never been able to imagine anyone else in that position.

“Fuck, I don’t know. Is that not her name?” He took out his phone and moved his fingers quickly across his screen. “Oh, I guess her name is Campbell. There are two others for me to choose from.”

I breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn’t off the market. “Then maybe you have a shot after all.” I had thought the band was made up of a bunch of guys, but I guessed Kya had probably run them all off as well.

“Funny guy,” said Jon. He started to walk away and turned back to wave. “I’ll see you soon, man.”

I waved as a hand fell on my ass. I turned to see Bailee had caught up with me. “I can’t believe you won’t answer my calls. I’ve been trying to tell you I finished up my last day at work early and decided to come see you graduate.”

“That was nice of you.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I know you’re going to be busy, and I’m moving to Florida for the summer, but I thought we could keep in touch. Maybe when I get back in town for my last year, we can start again. Only this time, maybe you’d like to take things to a deeper level.” She met my eyes, and I couldn’t help but see the hope in hers. It was sweet but totally out of left field.

“I’m flattered, Bailee, but the truth is, I don’t want to ruin our friendship. We’ve got such a strong bond, I feel like having anything more would tear it apart. I know you know I’m right. I mean, I’m not crazy. It’s special, right?” I needed her to agree if I was ever going to get any peace.

“Okay, Leo. I understand I guess. Maybe when I come back, we’ll talk again?” I could see her hope turn to disappointment, and I sympathized, I’d had my reality shaken once before too. Besides, better her than me. In the end, all of these girls were the same.