Prologue
BAILEY
“Hey!Get the fuck out of here,” I snap, my arms still hooked around my backpack holding everything important to me—the only things I have left of my family. I can’t lose them too. My eyes had drifted shut for only a moment, but I heard the footsteps before they could get too close.
In the flickering lights of the camp, I see a small, round face. At least it’s not Terrence, a guy in the camp notorious for stealing other people’s shit after they fall asleep. Maybe I’d be better off if I made friends, but I live in fear of the day I’m recognized by someone, so I stick to myself. It’s better this way for everyone, but it’s not easy. I don’t deserve easy, though. Not after what I’ve done.
Against my better judgement, I squint, looking closer. I suck in a sharp breath, realizing it’s a little boy, visibly shaking, and I hate how it pulls at my heart.
“I’ve never seen you before. Who are you here with?” I ask, my voice harsher than intended, causing the boy to shrink back from me. “Wait, I’m sorry. It’s okay.” I put my hands up, trying to show him I’m not going to hurt him. “Where areyour parents?” I ask, unsure of what answer I’m hoping to get from him.
“They died,” he says, his voice frail.If they’re dead, is he here with anyone?
“I’m sorry.” And I really am. “Where do you live?”
“I don’t know. I ran. They hurt me.” He inches forward, and while I think he’s talking about a different type of hurt, mine hurt me too. The lies and secrets were too much. I couldn’t stay and pretend we were this perfect family, but I was blind. They aren’t perfect, but the one thing I can’t ever deny is they loved me. Now, it’s too late to take everything back—too much has happened.
“Mine too.”
“Really?” He scoots closer, clearing the shadows hiding his features from me. I can feel my chest crack at the sight of his swollen eye. He can’t be more than five. “Please don’t make me go back.”
“No, you don’t have to,” I say, despite knowing he can’t stay with me. I unzip my bag, looking for my spare jacket to offer him. Thankfully, the nights aren’t too cold anymore. “I’m Bailey.”
He smiles, taking the jacket, but it fits him like a dress. “I’m Javi,” he whispers, moving to curl into my side.
After that night, I never went anywhere without Javi attached to my hip. I promised him and myself, I’d never let anything happen to him.
Until it was something I couldn’t control.
CHAPTER ONE
Kaitlyn
PAST
Oh my god.I made the cheer squad.
I still can’t believe my name was on the list of girls who made the cut. I knew it was a long shot, but I still hoped all the practicing and training I did this summer might pay off. Thanks to all the time I’ve spent surfing, I’ve always been athletic, but trying to get ready for tryouts really kicked my ass.
I’m proud of myself for trying something new.
When the twins told me last spring their parents were okay with them finishing their senior year at Shoreline Preparatory Academy, I was thrilled to finally be at the same school as my best friends.
I have friends at my school, but I’ve never felt as comfortable with them the same way I am with Bailey and Hunter.
With the guys, I don’t have to be anyone other than myself. I can eat whatever I want, and they didn’t care I had three inches of height on them before they shot up like a pair of weeds our sophomore year. They also don’t give a shit about what I look like.
Unfortunately, it’s made me realize that even if I don’t givea shit their last name is Walker, everyone at my school is treating them like royalty.
I’ve always been able to keep this part of my life separate and safe from the curiosity of others, but now with both of them here, it’s all anyone seems to talk about.
Are you really their best friend?
Do you think they’d come to the bonfire this weekend?
Have you hooked up with one of them?
God, every time I’m asked that, I can feel how hot my face gets as I deny it. I haven’t. They’ll never see me that way, even if the truth is I can’t remember a time when my heart didn’t beat faster from the way Bailey’s smile softens when his eyes land on me. It doesn’t matter he makes my stomach flutter with butterflies.
