Fearless (A Carolina Coastal Novel Book 2) Read online

  She walks away in a huff, slamming her bedroom door behind her. I get off my ass, walking over to her door and knocking.

  “McKenna? I’m sorry. I’m being selfish.” I wait, but I don’t even hear her moving around in there. “McKenna?” Dammit.

  As I’m leaning on her door, my ear pressed as tight as possible against the frame, my phone rings. I leap away from her room, doing my best unintentional attempt at parkour to reach the device that could possibly hold the answer to my future in this very moment.

  My caller ID reads Unknown Number, which I’m sure is a ploy to protect the personal number of Principal Powell.

  “Hello?” Please let me get this job.

  “Lose the attitude and get your ass dressed. You’re going shopping with me whether you like it or not, bitch. Consider this payback.”

  My roommate’s voice shocks me and my jaw drops. What a nasty little prank. “That was cold.”

  McKenna’s door opens and she has her phone pressed to her ear and a smirk on her face as she wiggles her fingers at me. “Go. Now.”

  I flip her off and walk in the opposite direction of my room. “You’re a real bitch, you know that?” I call as I enter my bedroom.

  “But you still love me.”

  After a short drive to heaven on Earth—also known as Target—I go to get out of McKenna’s Nissan Sentra when she locks the doors and stops me.

  “Leave your phone in the car.”

  I make a point to look around, but no one else is in the car. “I’m sorry, but did you hear my mother just now?”

  “A watched pot never boils, Liv.” I feel like a surly teenager being scolded by my parents.

  “Fine, but if I miss this call, I’m going to kill you and bury you in the garden.”

  “Whatever you say, Mary Tudor.”

  With a laugh, I throw my phone in the glove compartment and exit the car. “I’d rather be Bloody Mary than Virgin Mary any day.” She rolls her eyes. “Do you have a list of what you need?”

  She shoots me a look and laughs. “Target will tell me what I need, not the other way around.”

  Girl’s got a point.

  We mill around the store for an hour until I start to get antsy. McKenna has a cart full of stuff that she can probably barely afford and I’m starving. Hangry Olivia is not a fun time.

  “Can we go yet? Our generation is not meant to live without cell phones, especially not when we’re waiting for a life-changing call.” I’d wonder how she was managing without her phone if she wasn’t so enamored by the school supplies.

  She ignores me, meaning I have to resort to the big guns to get her attention. “If we leave now I’ll take you to your favorite Mexican restaurant down the street on me. Come on—all the tacos and margaritas you can eat.”

  She pauses and spins to look at me, excitement alight in her eyes.

  “Deal, let’s go.”

  I knew tacos and margaritas would sway her.

  “You’re such a basic bitch, you know that.” I laugh as we finally head to the checkout lines. “If we hurry we can still make happy hour.”

  Thank God the store is mostly empty and we can check right out. The second McKenna unlocks her car to pile in all of her new shit, I dive for the glove compartment.

  “Oh, phone, how I’ve missed you.” I clutch the device to my chest like it’s my only means for living. “Holy shit.”

  My bestie climbs in the driver’s seat now that all of her new clothes and school supplies are stored safely in her trunk. “Ready for all the margs?”

  “Shh!” I click to my voicemail after seeing a missed call from Coastal Academy. I knew this was going to happen.

  “Hello, Ms. Hart, this is Principal Powell from Coastal Academy. We would love to offer you the position as our new tenth grade American History teacher. Please call me back by the end of the day to accept or decline the position. I look forward to hearing from you.”

  I squeal at the top of my lungs and do a happy dance in my seat.

  “What, did you finally get a match on Tinder?”

  “Fuck off, your weak and obvious insults can’t touch me today. I got the job!”

  She squeals right back and now we have a real reason to celebrate.

  With a quick glance at the clock, my stomach drops when I notice it’s 4:53 and I’m cutting it way too close for comfort. I press redial on my last call and wait with the patience of a colicky newborn for Principal Powell to pick up.

  “Come on, come on, come on.” My foot is tapping against the car mats and if this phone rings any longer I’m going to scream. “Answer the fuc—”

  “Hello, this is Marcia Powell?”

  Please tell me she didn’t hear that.

  “Principal Powell, hi, this is Olivia Hart. I’m calling to accept the position you offered me earlier.”

  “Lovely. Thank you so much for getting back to me, even if you cut it a little close.” I shrink down in my seat even though she can’t see me. “I’ll send you all the details to your email first thing in the morning.”

  “Thank you so much for this opportunity. You won’t regret taking this shot on me, I promise.”

  “I hope so. One more thing, Ms. Hart.” I wait, holding my breath and praying she won’t rescind the offer. “Try to refrain from swearing in front of the students. They’re quite impressionable at sixteen.”

  If she could see me right now, she’d notice how hot my face got. I’m sure I’m cherry red from the neck up. “My apologies Marcia—err, I mean, Principal Powell. It won’t happen again, I promise. I’ll let you go. I look forward to seeing you soon.”

  The line clicks and my face falls into my hands.

  “All good?” McKenna’s smiling as we pull into the restaurant parking lot.

  “Yup. Let’s go celebrate.”

  Bottomless margaritas, here we come.

  “You realize you’re now officially working at rival school from your best friend Lucas, right?”

  “The thought didn’t even cross my mind.” I examine my nails as we head inside. “And never refer to him as my best friend again.”

  Of course it’s on my mind that we’re at rival schools. It’s the perfect set up. I demolished him in college and now I can continue the tradition at work. I’m already thinking of all the ways I can take him down and the victory will be oh so sweet.

  Four

  Olivia

  “What did I tell you before? We need to stop meeting like this.” I hear the voice that makes my skin crawl behind me, making unwelcome goosebumps pebble on my skin.

  “Why are you always everywhere? Can’t you go infect some other town with your bullshit?” Of all the places to run into Lucas, it has to be in CVS while I’m picking up my birth control prescription and a large box of tampons.

  “I love it when you’re feisty.” His woodsy cologne permeates my senses, making me woozy.

  A cute little brunette appears behind him, a hand tapping on his bicep as she draws his attention back to her.

  “Is this your latest one night stand? Oh, honey, it’s okay. You’re not the first sucker to fall for his pretty face and cheesy lines. If I’m being honest, though, you should probably be running to the nearest clinic, not buying more condoms. Here,” I reach behind me, finding a super-size box of condoms, the sampler boxes doctors’ offices and clinics have to hand out as samples. I toss it at my enemy, forcing him to catch it. “At least make sure you wrap it. No one wants more of you running around, no offense.” I motion to the brunette, who chuckles.

  “None taken.” She’s quiet, timid, though her voice is light and high-pitched. She looks up, amusement behind her eyes as she stares at my arch-nemesis. At least she seems to know who she’s sleeping with.

  Lucas places the box of condoms back on the shelf and runs a hand through his hair. If I’m not mistaken, even a slight blush colors his cheeks.

  “Don’t be ashamed, Pucas. When they start using your face for ads for venereal diseases, then you can be asha
med. But hey, even Joey Tribbiani did it for the money for a minute there.” My smile is broad, so proud of myself, especially for sticking it to him in front of his date. Then again, what kind of girl agrees to go on a hot date to the pharmacy?

  “Cool it, Hart. This is my sister, Carson.”

  “Hi.” His sister waves to me, her bright blue eyes dancing with amusement. Son of a bitch.

  “Sorry. Normally I wait until at least the third time meeting someone until I bring up my hatred for Lucas.”

  His sister laughs a sweet, genuine lilt and smacks her brother’s arm.

  “I like her. Why haven’t we met before?” She looks between us curiously, searching for something she’s never going to find.

  “Because I assumed Satan was your father since I already met his spawn.”

  Her cackle makes me smile and even Lucas can’t help the slight grin cracking his tough exterior. Still, he offers an eye roll and no further verbal response.

  “Thank you. I really needed that laugh today, but we have to get going. I hope to see you around…”

  “Olivia. It was nice to meet you, Carson.” Despite the fact I just met her, I lean in to whisper in her ear. “So, one of you is adopted, right? There’s no way you’re actually related to him.”

  “Considering how my mom likes to remind us how long she was in labor with each of us, I doubt it.”

  “Sorry for your luck.”

  I head to the registers, leaving them in the aisle with all the feminine products. Maybe they were on their way somewhere else and that’s why Lucas tagged along with his sister to the pharmacy. Or maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all.

  No. Definitely the former.

  I pay for my things and head home, making a pit stop at the cemetery. It’s been too long since I’ve visited, and I have a lot I need to catch her up on.

  I find the familiar headstone, Anna Marie Hart. Beloved mother. May 26, 1970 – September 20, 2016. Until we meet again. I sit on the grass beside the grave, toying with the rips in my jeans and mad at myself for not stopping to buy flowers.

  “Hi, Mom. Sorry I haven’t visited in a while. I wish I had more exciting news to bring you, but if you’re watching over me, then you know my life is less than enthralling.” After my mom’s death, anxiety about how short life actually is forced me to become extra cautious in everything I do. Other people my age might have felt that because life is too short, they have to live life to the fullest and take risks.

  But not me.

  I would argue I’m still living my life to the fullest, but staying safe and sane while I do it.

  “I got a job. My dream job, even. I’m sure you had some part in that, pulling all the strings upstairs.” I chuckle without emotion, wishing she were able to answer me. “I miss you, Mom.”

  I clear my throat and pick at the grass beside me. The wind blows, and sometimes when I’m here, close to her, and the wind blows just right, I swear I can still hear her. The whistle of the wind carries her laugh and the sun is her smile. She’s everywhere; I just wish she wasn’t here.

  “Oh, that boy I told you about, Lucas? He’s still as obnoxious as he’s always been. He even stole my job at another school, meaning he’s staying in the area too. I was hoping to be rid of him after college, but luck hasn’t always been on my side. If you’re watching, can you help me out with him? Pull some strings up there and have him spontaneously move across the country or something.” I sigh and lean my head against the tombstone, imagining it’s against her shoulder instead.

  “I don’t want to waste time talking about him.” I fill her in on McKenna and our new jobs and I ask her to pull some strings for me in the love department as well.

  Sometimes I wish I knew my dad. At least that way I’d have someone still here with me. My mom was everything I needed and more, but there are times a girl just needs her dad and I never had that chance. I don’t even know who he is, where he is, or if he’s even alive.

  Maybe it’s better that way. I don’t know if I’d be able to handle it if I found out he was gone too.

  “I love you, Mom. I’ll try to come back soon. With flowers this time.” Begrudgingly, I stand, casting one more wistful look at the stone before walking to my car.

  Until we meet again.

  Five

  Olivia

  The summer passed in a busy blur and Monday is my first official day being an honest to God teacher. I still can’t believe little ol’ me, twenty-three year old Olivia Hart from Wilmington, North Carolina is actually a teacher. I get to pave the future with these students, especially since I’m teaching them arguably one of the most important subjects—history.

  Of course, since it’s our last Saturday night as irresponsible adults before tackling the real world—McKenna’s words, not mine—my dear roommate wants to go out and get plastered. I sincerely hope she doesn’t plan to teach by example.

  Which means here I am—glammed up at the hand of McKenna Parrish like her plastic childhood dolls, sitting at a bar while she dances with her newest fling. I wish I was capable of being as carefree as my best friend, but there’s a reason my classmates came up with a variety of insults for me all with the same theme.

  Holy Hart. Mary. Trip over your chastity belt again? Where’s your habit? The list goes on.

  “Livvy, come dance with us!” McKenna’s voice carries over the music while her ass grinds into the poor unsuspecting soul standing behind her. He’s cute, I’ll give her that. With his blond hair and polo shirt, he’s too nice for her. She’ll chew him up and spit him out, but only after taking him for a ride. The poor sucker.

  I’m envious of her.

  I wave her off and down another shot.

  “Yeah, Livvy, come dance with us.” I jump at the unwelcome voice.

  “Are there no other bars in this godforsaken town you can terrorize?” I don’t even have to turn around to see the cocky grin Lucas Fletcher is wearing.

  “You could go to another bar too, you know. I bet you want to see me and that’s why you come here all the time. You have a thing for me, don’t you? Admit it, Liv.” He takes the stool beside me. I scoot mine over.

  “Yes, I’m hopelessly in love with you. You’re the Danny to my Sandy. Please, wait here while I break out in song.” He laughs and takes a sip of beer. He almost seems like he enjoys our banter, but I know better. He just likes to push my buttons and get under my skin.

  “So, what’re you doing here, anyway? Just come here to play wing woman to your girl over there? ‘Cause if I’m being honest, it doesn’t look like she needs any help.”

  I stare at him for a minute, trying to understand why he’s making small talk with me instead of hitting on any of the many girls spread throughout the bar. If this is the Twilight Zone, this is an especially weird episode. It would take more than hell freezing over for the two of us to become friends.

  “You really can’t sit here and talk with me? What’s so wrong about that? It’s just a friendly conversation.”

  We’re stuck in a trance, staring at one another. I never noticed how brown eyes could be so…captivating. Overwhelming. Like staring straight into the sun. Until he smirks and breaks the trance.

  “I’m here because my best friend wanted to come out tonight. She’s now occupied and I’m…here.” I down the rest of my drink sitting in front of me. It’s my third of the night. Or fourth. It can’t be the fifth, right? Fuck, I can’t remember.

  I look away from him, not wanting to see pity on his face if Satan were capable of such emotion.

  He stands, ready to leave, but holds out his hand. “Let’s go.”

  “Excuse me?” Does he have a twin or something?

  “We’re going on an adventure.” I bark out a laugh and almost fall off my stool.

  “Bartender! Do you have any marbles back there? This guy seems to have lost his.” She offers me a half-assed grin, effectively wiped away by the subsequent eye-roll. I spin back to face my—former?—arch-nemesis. “Why would I
go on an adventure with you? We hate each other.”

  “There’s a fine line between—”

  “Do not finish that sentence.”

  “Come on, Liv. Live a little.”

  His tone almost feels like a dare. I glare at him, not wanting to take the bait, but there’s nothing I hate more than losing to Pucas.

  I must be a woman possessed, or just a woman who is very, very drunk. I take his outstretched hand and follow him to his car. My phone buzzes before I even step out of the door. I pause to check my phone, squinting one eye so I can see the screen better. In my current state, it seems to help.

  McKenna: are you seriously leaving with Lucas?

  Oliva: pray for me.

  “Coming?” He’s oozing arrogance and although I hesitate, I kind of want to go. In my drunken state, it seems like a good way to step out of my shell. Or I’m utterly crazy, either way, this is my chance to be a little spontaneous. Plus, the intrigue of Lucas Fletcher is too strong to ignore.

  “Where are we going?” Lucas has been driving us around for twenty minutes with no destination in sight.

  “Trust me.” He’s the picture of relaxation with one hand having a loose hold on the steering wheel while the other hangs out the window. His dark brown hair blows in the wind and Whitesnake plays through the speakers. His black beamer smells of his cologne, fogging my brain, and the longer I sit in his leather seat the higher my anxiety climbs.

  “Trust you? You haven’t given me a single reason to trust you since the day we met. Why should I start now?” The man’s delusional.

  “You got in the car, didn’t you? You must have at least a little bit of faith in me, Mary.”

  “Don’t fucking call me that.” The venom in my voice must surprise him. His eyes widen and his head rears back while he stares at me from the corner of his chocolate brown eyes.

  “So, I shouldn’t take you to the virgin sacrifice my friends are throwing tonight?”

  He’s laughing at me. I’m going to kill him.

  “I knew you were Satan…or at least related to him.” How much would it hurt to dive out of a moving vehicle? He’s only going forty on these back roads. Some road burn will make me look tough. “For the record, I’m not a fucking virgin, so you can stop calling me Mary and cracking jokes about a chastity belt. The cherry was popped. I’ve been deflowered. I’m pure no more. Sorry to disappoint.”