Page 2 of Savage Promises
Unable to shake the crushing weight of sadness, I focused on school. Now I’m set to graduate early from Astoria Prep. I’m going to Penn State to study finance with a minor in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Dad’s rundown dive of a bar needs a rescue. My brother is too much of a loose cannon to run a business, so I plan to be that force my father needs. But I have to work hard. Prove myself. No one is going to hand me anything in this life.
Especially the guy I want.
My gaze keeps drifting back to Shane and the floor that is littered with discarded plastic cups and beer cans. Dad will kill me for the mess tomorrow. But tonight ismynight.
Because Shane is here, I can finally ask for what I really want. Theonlything I want.
I grab the red solo cup from Mara’s hand and gulp down the horrible, watered-down vodka punch she mixed up. The overpowering sweetness tastes sticky on my tongue.
The music vibrates up my legs as I weave through the crush of teenagers to speak to Shane. All while pretending my pulse isn’t going haywire. But he’s on my turf now, and hot damn, I’m going to do something about it. If he won’t make a move, I will.
“Hey, Lennox!” a voice cuts through the crowd.
Derrick Rossi, Astoria Prep’s star quarterback, steps in front of me. He’s cute enough, but I’m not into loud jocks. I prefer brooding guys with quiet power, leaning against pool tables.
I smile to be polite. “Hey, Derrick. Having a good time?”
“I know how to have a better time.” He nods toward a group of kids sitting in a circle in front of my dad’s storage closet.
Holding playing cards, when two kids draw the same one, they laugh and go into the closet.
“Seven Minutes in Heaven. Really? What are we, fourteen?” I huff.
“Better. Eighteen.” He knocks my arm, spilling my drink. “We candostuff.”
“Stuff...” I shake my head. “Well, have fun.”
Behind Derrick, Shane is still watching me, and when the jock tugs my arm, Shane’s eyebrows pinch and hisnostrils flare.
Protectiveness? Jealousy?I can work with either one.
“You know what? That does sound like fun.” I let Derrick lead me toward the game circle where I sit next to a girl who I’m pretty sure I didn’t invite.
“Cards.” Derrick holds out his hand. “Donnelly and I have a date in the closet.”
“Just go in,” Liam Riley says. “You get a pass. Itisyour birthday, Lenny.”
I feel my Irish temper raging through me, and I want to murder Liam right now for calling me Lenny. But his father is powerful, too.
With one last glance at the pool table, I find Shane’s fiery gaze on me. I look away fast, pretending not to notice.
Or care.
Derrick’s cold fingers circle my wrist as the group heckles us. He yanks me to my feet and we step inside the closet where a musty smell wrinkles my nose. The louvre doors click shut and light from the party slices into the darkness through the slats.
Outside, someone slips the locking hook into place.
Suddenly, I think the punch has gone to my head. What am I doing locked in the closet with this guy? I don’t want Derrick. I want Shane. I wanthimto be my first kiss. My first everything. Even if that’s a pipe dream.
My pulse hammers. Not from Derrick. From the fact that Shane knows I’m in here with a guy.
Derrick leans in. “You nervous?”
“No. Of course not,” I rush to reply, but I’m panicking.
“You should be. I’m not exactly gentle.” Derrick’s breath fans my cheek.
