I was around two years old when my mum’s headaches first started. She would spend days, sometimes weeks in bed because of them. My dad tried to get her to go to the doctor, but she refused, saying they were just migraines. My dad said she was stubborn like that. It’s a trait I’ve inherited I’m afraid.

By the time she finally did go for tests, the tumour on her brain was so large it was inoperable. They tried chemo. It was her only option. It wasn’t successful. It made her so sick. She spent the last six months of her life bedbound. She died when I was six. Her death broke my dad’s heart. They were teenage sweethearts. I’m not sure if he’ll ever completely get over it.

••••

I open the blinds in my bedroom before leaving for school. I’m not going to be home all day, so I don’t need to worry about stupid Carter taunting me. I don’t even bother to look in the direction of his house. I’m not going to let him ruin my day again.

Heading out back, I give Lassie a quick pat before I feed him and replenish his water dish. “I’ll see you this afternoon, boy,” I say as I leave. He’s too busy eating to even notice me disappear through the side gate.

Just my luck as I walk down the drive, Carter and his mother come out of their front door. “Morning, Indiana,” she says to me. “This is my son, Carter. The one I was telling you about.”

“We met yesterday,” I reply, plastering a fake smile on my face.

“Oh, you didn’t tell me that,” she says turning her attention back to her son. I use that time to narrow my eyes at him. I have a good mind to tell his mother how rude her son is. Maybe he’s adopted. How else could someone so lovely have such a prick for a kid?

Now that he’s standing by his mother, I see they have the same eyes. That’s pretty much it though. He must get his looks from his father. I bet he’s good looking. His mother is extremely attractive, but her features are fairer than Carter’s.

“Slipped my mind, I guess,” he says, looking my way and winking. Ugh!

“Why don’t you give Indiana a lift to school, since you’re both heading the same way? It’ll give you a chance to get to know each other better.” What little I know about him is enough.

“No,” we both say in unison.

“Carter,” she scolds, causing him to frown at me. “It will do you good to have a friend on your first day.” I almost want to laugh at her comment. Friends is something I doubt we’ll ever be.

“Thanks anyway, Mrs. Shepard. I usually get the bus to school.”

“Don’t be silly. Carter will drive you. Won’t you?” she says nudging him.

“Fine,” he exhales while rolling his eyes in frustration. Even when he’s angry he still looks sexy. That just pisses me off even more. Getting in the car with him is the last thing I want to do. If giving me a lift is going to annoy him though, then I’m all in. I’ll take pleasure out of giving him a taste of his own medicine.

“Okay. That’ll be great,” I say smiling at his mother. When she turns to look at her son, I wink at him. I grin when his eyes narrow. Two can play at this game buddy.

“Have a nice day you two,” she says sweetly. How she could’ve produced such a monster is beyond me.

“Bye, Mum.” I’m surprised when he bends down and gently kisses her cheek. She smiles up at him. He’s so tall he towers over her petite frame.

“Nice car,” I say once I’m seated in the passenger seat. He grunts at my comment. I roll my eyes. I should’ve known better than to give him a compliment.

I have no idea what type of car it is. It’s an oldish type, I know that much. It looks like it’s in the process of being done up. A muscle car I think they’re called. Don’t quote me on that. My dad will know. He loves anything to do with cars.

It’s a ten-minute drive to school. I decide to keep my mouth shut for the rest of the journey. Well, that was my plan until he leans over when we’re stopped at a red light, and retrieves a packet of cigarettes from the glove compartment.

After he lights one up, he throws the packet in the centre console. “You shouldn’t smoke you know,” I say. “It’s not good for you. Don’t you read the warning labels on the packet?” I pick up his cigarette packet and point to the words ‘SMOKING KILLS’ that’s written in large bold font.

He blows a puff of smoke in my face before snatching the packet out of my hand. “Mind your own fucking business, kid. You really think I give a shit if I die?”

“Why would you say that?” I ask, horrified. Hearing him say that upsets me. I know firsthand how devastating cancer can be. “Carter?” I add when he doesn’t answer me.

“What?” he sighs, looking over at me.

“You want to die?” I see what looks like sadness briefly cross his features before he recovers. Returning back to that hard-arse look he always seems to wear.

“I didn’t say I want to die. I just said I don’t care if I do.”

“Well that’s just sad.”

“Listen, stop with all the damn questions. I’m only giving you a lift because my mum made me. We’re not friends. Got it.”

“Got it.” Loud and clear you stupid jerk. I turn my head to look out the window. “Word of advice. If you want to make any friends here, I suggest you lose the bad attitude. This is a small town. You don’t want to get a bad reputation on your first day.” He doesn’t bother replying to my comment.

We travel the rest of the way in silence. When we reach the street the school is situated on, he pulls over to the curb. “Get out,” he barks.

“What? The school is further down the road.”

“I know,” he says smirking. “If you’re so worried about my reputation, you’ll understand why I don’t want to be seen travelling to school with a kid in my car.”

“I’m not a damn kid,” I snap. “I’m one year younger than you.”

“Huh. You could’ve fooled me. You look like you’re twelve.” Abruptly removing my seatbelt, I get out of the car.

“Fuck you,” I say as I slam the car door shut. So much for not letting him ruin my day again.

CHAPTER THREE

Carter

I sit and watch her walk down the street towards the school. Why does she make me feel bad for being mean to her? I almost want to drive up beside her and tell her to get her sweet arse back in the car. Fuck that. Not happening.

Damn her arse is fine. My eyes are glued to it. Today she’s wearing these sexy as hell skin-tight jeans. Why does she have to be such a babe? Why can’t she be an ugly fucking troll or something? I feel my dick stir in my pants. Hell no. I need to get some action today—anything to get her face, those lips, and that sinful arse of hers out of my head.

I lose sight of her when I pull into the car park. That’s probably a good thing. Having her living next door is bad enough. Knowing how she affects me, and having to see her around school every day, isn’t going to be fun.

Parking the car, I grab my backpack and head towards the school office. My mum said I have to go there to pick up my schedule.

••••

By the time lunch rolls around, I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve managed to avoid Indiana all day. I’ve even managed to organise my first hook-up with a pretty blonde. Don’t ask me what her name is. I’ve forgotten it already. The name’s not important anyway. I’m only up for a bit of fun, nothing more.

After I grab something to eat, I make my way towards a table. “Carter,” one of the guys from my math class calls out. “Come sit with us.” He seems like a cool enough guy so I head over to him and his friends.

“Thanks,” I say when I take a seat at the end of the table. He proceeds to introduce me to his mates. There are at least ten of them. I’ll never remember all their names.

Brad, the guy sitting opposite me sizes me up. I hate it when people do shit like that. I feel like I’m being judged. “You’re a pretty big dude,” he says flicking his head my way. “Have you ever played football? We could use a guy like you on our team.” He’s one of those pretty boys. The kind the girls seem to fall all over. Smug bastard. I don’t usually associate with his type.