“Leave him be, Mitchell,” Papa said, as he shuffled across the floor and then into the house.
Ignoring Papa, Mitch bounded up the stairs. “Dude, you’re wasting a perfectly good day sitting up here on your ass, screwing with that guitar.”
“Once again, go fuck yourself,” I growled. Trying to tune him out, I started playing Let It Be again.
“Hmm, hello, hottie.”
My fingers screeched to a stop on the guitar strings as I jerked my head up. Mitch’s hungry gaze was trained off the porch and far down the hillside where a grove of apple trees stood. Rising up from the swing, I peered farther into the distance. With her arm raised to one of the branches, a tall blonde was picking apples, her long hair cascaded over her shoulders. Even from where I was, I could tell she was beautiful, and it wasn’t just the way her sundress molded to her body.
Mitch flashed me a wicked grin. “Let’s go have some fun.”
I groaned. “Can’t you for once not let your dick make every decision for you?”
“And what would be the fun in that?” As he started down the porch, he glanced at me over his shoulder. “That kind of attitude is exactly why you’re still a virgin.”
“Douchebag,” I muttered, as I put my guitar back in its case. I then followed reluctantly behind him. Since we were kids, he had been the Pied Piper, leading me from one adventure to the other. Most of the time, he got us both in trouble. He was the closest thing to a brother I had, and although he was an overbearing, egotistical jackass most of the time, I still loved the hell out of him.
We trailed down the grassy hillside. Silently, I hoped the blonde would leave before we could get to her. Mitch had a way of being a sexist pig around girls. He was a legendary ladies man at school—the love em’ and leave em’, manwhore type. Although I probably didn’t stand a chance with her, I sure as hell didn’t want Mitch tainting her.
As we neared the tree, the blonde reached up on her tiptoes to pick another apple. “Fuck me,” Mitch murmured. The blonde had the hem of her dress flipped up, cradling the apples she’d picked. If she moved just another inch, I would be able to tell what color her underwear was. But even if I didn’t get a peek of that, her tanned thighs were enough to cause my dick to twitch in my pants.
When I stepped forward, a branch snapped beneath my sneakers, causing the blonde to practically jump out of her skin. One of her hands holding onto her dress’s hem flew to her chest, causing a few apples to tumble to the ground.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I apologized.
As she rubbed her dress over her heart, she gave me a weak smile. “That’s okay. I just wasn’t expecting anyone.”
Mitch cut in front of me. “You know stealing is a pretty serious offense around here,” he said, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Her brows creased in confusion. “Excuse me?”
“You’re stealing our apples.”
She gasped as her blue eyes widened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I thought the trees were on our property.”
“Your property? So you’ve just moved in next door?” I asked.
“Yeah, well, we’ve been here a couple of days.”
“My grandfather said his new neighbor was the chief of police,” I said, finding it easier than usual to make conversation with her.
She bobbed her head. “That’s right.”
Mitch nudged me and chuckled. “How ironic that the new chief of police’s daughter is an apple thief?”
She jerked her chin up at him. “I said I was sorry. You can’t fault someone for not knowing.”
“Don’t mind Mitch. He’s just being an asshole as usual.”
Her expression lightened. “Okay, I won’t.”
“What do you want with those apples anyway?” I asked.
“I wanted to bake a pie for my dad. Apple is his favorite, and I wanted him to have some tomorrow on his first day at work.”
“Damn, you’re just as sweet as you are pretty,” I blurted, to which the girl giggled.
“What’s your name?” Mitch asked.
“Lily.”
“Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m Mitch, and that’s Brayden.”
I gave her a lame wave. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she replied, with a smile.
“Why don’t I make a deal with you for the apples, Lily?” Mitch asked.
“What do you want?” she asked cautiously.
“I let you have the apples, and you let me have a taste of your pie.”
Smacking him hard on the chest with my palm, I tried pushing him away from Lily. With a determined raise of my brows, I said, “We should be getting back now. We’ve bothered Lily long enough.”
Unfortunately Mitch didn’t back down, and Lily didn’t get the message. “You really want me to bring you some pie?”
“Aren’t you generous?” Mitch remarked, with a wolfish smile.
“Mitch,” I growled in warning. I knew my cousin all too well, and if I had a breath left within me, I wasn’t going to let him work his usual sleazy numbers on Lily. Even though I had just met her, I could tell she wasn’t like one of his usual conquests. And I sure as hell didn’t want him corrupting her. Even if I wanted to corrupt her seven different ways, I didn’t want Mitch to.
Ignoring me, Mitch closed the gap between him and Lily. “Mmm, yeah, baby. I want that sweet, warm pie that’s between your legs.”
Lily’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re disgusting!” she shrieked. Throwing down the hem of her dress, the remaining apples bounced onto the ground before she turned and fled up the hillside.
“You’re a fucking jerk,” I muttered.
Mitch grinned. “Just wait. I’ll be tapping that ass before homecoming.”
Ignoring his comment, I swiped up four apples and then ran after her. It had been a long time since I had done any running. Within seconds, my body ached from the exertion and my lungs burned. When I started to feel a little lightheaded, I debated stopping. But then Lily’s enraged and embarrassed face flashed before my mind, and I trudged on.
Just when I reached her, Lily abruptly stopped and threw her arm straight out, clotheslining me at the throat. I flew back, tripping on my own feet and stumbling. I got my bearings again just as the world cloaked dark around me.
***
Something warm and soft cradled my aching head while someone was stroking my cheek. As my eyelids fluttered, I tried desperately to bring myself around. Where was I? What had happened? At the pain throbbing through my skull, I groaned. “Shh, you’re okay. I’ve got you.”
My eyelids snapped open. When my vision finally focused, it was Lily I was gazing up at. It only took me a few seconds to do the math that if I was staring up at her I was flat on my back. It also meant that I had come off looking like a fucking pansy in front of the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. “Oh shit,” I grunted, trying to pull myself into a sitting position.
“Easy now,” Lily murmured, her fingers stroking through my hair. At that moment, I realized I was a fool to try to get up when I had such an angel of mercy looking after me. Her blue eyes locked with mine. “You had me really scared there for a minute. I mean, I didn’t think I had hit you that hard, and then you were passing out. I thought about going for help, but I didn’t want to leave you.”
“Yeah, well, what the fuck were you doing closelining me anyway?” I demanded a little too harshly.
“Y-You were chasing me…After what your friend said, I thought you were going to try and do something…,” she swallowed hard as her cheeks reddened. “Nasty to me,” she whispered.
“First of all, I would never, ever hurt you. Second, that guy is not a friend—he’s my cousin and generally a pain in my ass.”
“Oh,” she murmured.
“I came after you because I wanted to give you the apples.”
She gave me a sheepish grin. “I realized that a little too late.”
I couldn’t help smiling back at her. There was no way in hell I could be
angry with her considering her delicious thighs were pillowing my head, and her fingers threading through my hair felt amazing.
“I really am sorry,” she said, softly.
“It’s not your fault—” When she started to protest, I shook my head. “Really it’s not. Most dudes wouldn’t have had that reaction to being hit by a girl.”
“Is that right?” she questioned icily.
“I didn’t mean it like that. You see, six months ago, I got hurt playing football.” My hand automatically went to my neck. “I guess that’s putting it lightly. After getting tackled, my helmet sorta malfunctioned, and I got a major brain injury along with a cervical fracture. A few more inches and I would have been paralyzed.”
Lily gasped in surprise. My heart did a funny little sputter at the concern and empathy that washed over her face. “I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah, I was lucky in some ways, but it means no more contact sports like football. If I got hit hard enough again, I could end up in a wheelchair.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin at Lily’s shriek of horror. “Oh my God, what if I hurt you that bad when I hit you? Or what if when you fell, it caused more damage?” Her blue eyes left mine to gaze below my waist. “You haven’t moved your legs yet.”
“Lily, I’m—”
Remorseful tears streaked down her pretty cheeks before she buried her face in my shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
“Hey now, stop crying. I’m fine. I can move my arms and legs. Everything is fine,” I reassured her.
With a sniffle, she pulled her head up and then peered down where I was shaking my legs and feet. A long exhale of relief escaped her lips. “You had me so scared.”
“I’m sorry I scared you.”
“It’s okay,” she sniffled.
I reached one of my hands up to brush away some of her tears. With my head still throbbing, there was no way to censor my thoughts. “God, you’re so pretty.”
Lily giggled. “Is that you or your head injury talking?”
“It’s me,” I replied. The moment between us seemed to be broken, so I sat up. Glancing at her over my shoulder, I said, “Guess a compliment like that doesn’t mean much to you.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“A beautiful girl like you—I’m sure you get told that all the time.”
“Maybe,” she replied. As I brought my knees to my chest, Lily leaned closer to me. “A compliment like that only matters when it comes from someone you want to hear it from.”
“You care that it came from me?” I questioned incredulously.
“Of course I do.”
Before I could think better of it, I blurted, “Do you want to go on a date with me?” The moment the words left my lips, I cringed. Although I wasn’t bad to look at, I had never been good with girls. When they would flirt or come on to me, I was too shy to follow through. I was a sixteen-year-old virgin who had only gotten to second base with a girl and had one short-lived hand job.
Her blue eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Um…yeah. I mean, it’s only if you want to. I don’t want you doing it out of pity cause you hit me and caused me to pass out.”
Lily laughed. “I would never go on a pity date with you, Brayden.”
“You wouldn’t?”
She shook her head. “But I would love to go on a regular date with you.”
I couldn’t keep the goofy grin off my face. “Really?”
“Yep.”
“That’s awesome.”
Cocking her head, Lily asked, “So where are you taking me on our date?”
“Hmm,” I muttered. I hadn’t even bothered to think that far ahead. “Well, next Friday night I’m playing at a frat house.”
Lily’s brows shot up in surprise. “You’re in a band?”
“Not exactly. You see, I have an audition with these guys on Friday night. If everything goes well, then I’m in their band.”
“Wow, that’s really cool.”
“So would you want to come to the party? I’d have to meet you there since I have to help with set-up and sound checks.”
“I’d love to come.”
“Great. The set starts at nine, and then I could take you to dinner afterwards. You know, so we could actually talk rather than having to shout over the loud-as-fuck music.”
Lily grinned. “That sounds like a great plan.”
A throat cleared above us. Lily and I jerked our heads up. I could only guess it was her father staring down at us. “Hi Daddy,” Lily said.
“Hello,” he replied. The corners of his lips twitched. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on here?”
“Oh, yeah, um, I was just meeting our new neighbor.” Pointing to me, she said, “This is Brayden…”
“Vanderburg,” I finished for her.
“Hello Mr. Vanderburg,” Lily’s father replied dryly.
Turning to me, Lily said, “This is my father, Paul.”
I threw my hand out. “Nice to meet you sir.”
“Likewise.”
Shooting to my feet, I quickly said, “Actually, it’s my grandparents who are your new neighbors. I live across town.”
This time Paul gave me a genuine smile. “That’s good to hear.”
A nervous laugh escaped my lips. Breaking Paul’s intense gaze, I stooped over to pick up some of the apples I had been bringing to Lily. Lamely, I thrust them out to Paul like a peace offering. “They’re from my grandparents’ tree. She kinda forgot them when my cousin was being a dick.” I winced at my language. “I mean, I was bringing them to her because she wanted to bake you a pie on your first day at work.” When I realized my mistake of ruining Lily’s surprise, I muttered, “Oh fuck.”
Paul cocked his head at me. “Damn son, you sure know how to put your foot in your mouth, don’t you?” I didn’t realize I was fully off the hook until Paul started chuckling. Amusement danced in his blue eyes—the same ones as Lily’s. “I’m sure there’s a very interesting story about how the two of you ended up on the ground. Together.”
“Uh, yessir, there is.” I then proceeded to have the worst word vomit ever by telling Paul not only about Mitch being an asshole, but also all about my injury.
“Sounds like you’ve have a rough couple of months.”
“Yessir.”
“Since you’re supposed to avoid physical injury, do you really think it’s a good idea for you to start dating my daughter?”
My brows lined in confusion as I asked, “Excuse me?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Paul shot me a hard look. “I’m merely stating the fact if you hurt my daughter, I’m going to hurt you.”
“Daddy!” Lily shrieked in horror.
Paul shook his head. “You see Mr. Vanderburg, I was blessed with four daughters who are my heart and soul. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to ensure their physical and emotional safety. While I’m thankful that two of them are now happily married, I still have Lily and Kylie to worry about. Lily just turned sixteen—to me, she’s still my little girl.” Narrowing his eyes, Paul added, “I’m a lawman, so I can ensure the body is never found.”
Lily smacked her father’s arm. “Daddy, stop it right now!” She glanced from him to me with tears sparkling in her eyes. “I’m sorry, Brayden. I’ll understand if you don’t want to go out with me considering my father is an overprotective jerk.”
“No, no, of course I still want to go out with you.”
“You do?” both Paul and Lily asked.
“With all due respect, Mr. Gregson, I know I just met Lily and don’t really know her, but I do know that there’s really nothing you could say or do that would keep me from wanting to date your daughter.”
To my utter shock, Paul gave me a beaming smile. “I’m glad to hear that.” He drew Lily to him. “I think you’ve made a wise choice in accepting this boy. He’s certainly passed my test.”
My eyes widened as his comment. “Really?”
&nbs
p; He nodded. “I’ll even talk her mother into extending her curfew a little.”
“Wow, thank you, sir.”
“Just don’t disappoint me.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Lily gave me a shy smile. “Thank you, Brayden.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Why don’t you come up to the house and meet the rest of the family?”
Jerking my thumb over my shoulder, I replied, “I appreciate the offer, but I really better be getting back.”
“Well, at least let my oldest daughter, who is a nurse, take a look at you. I don’t like the look of your pupils.”
“Oh, um, okay.”
Paul nodded. “You can call your parents from the house. Let them know where you are.” With a wink, he added, “Maybe we can get Lily to go ahead and make us some pie.”
I laughed. “I would like that a lot.”
He started on up the hillside, leaving Lily and I to walk together. Feeling a slight ego boost from my encounter with her dad, I held out my hand for Lily to take. She smiled and quickly slipped hers in mine. We then started walking hand in hand up the hillside.
LILY
THE PAST
Turning left and right, I surveyed my appearance in the bathroom mirror. Even though I was only going to be in a frat house tonight, I had dressed up a little. It was Brayden’s and my first official date, and I wanted to look really nice for him. After going through my entire closet, I’d decided on a pink and purple floral, baby-doll dress. The material flowed when I turned, and with its spaghetti straps and low cut back, I felt sexy. I’d spent extra time putting waves into my long, blonde hair, and I was also wearing way more makeup than I did to school.
To say I wasn’t as nervous about tonight as I had been about starting my new school last week would be a lie. The last time I’d been the “new girl” had been in sixth grade when we moved from Slidell, Louisiana to Birmingham. At my high school in Birmingham, I’d been a cheerleader and found myself on the Homecoming Court. I had no idea how I would be accepted here in Roswell. My mom always said I was a natural born pleaser—someone who wanted everyone to like me. I guess that was true. But as much as I always wanted to please people, I also wanted them to be happy. My disposition often resulted in good-natured teasing from my sisters who loved to mock the people who praised me for my sunshine disposition and big heart. “Lily is just so lovely, isn’t she?” they would say with a teasing lilt in their voice.