Renegade Hearts (Rebels of Sandland 1)

“Game on, motherfucker,” I said, and left him to clean up his bloody, beaten-up face.

“He said what?” Liv huffed, looking ready to tear all those Renaissance losers a new one.

“He said I was a rat and that he’d have me on my back before I’d get anywhere near his balls.” I laughed at the last part, I couldn’t help it.

It was the day after the warehouse party and we were all sat in Liv’s bedroom, picking over the bones of the evening and discussing what a shit-show it’d turned out to be. After Finn fetched Effy and Liv for me, we’d gotten ourselves out of that place quick smart. Neither one of us felt up to the challenge of going against those boys on the night. Now, we’d had time to think it all through and we were fuming.

“He’s got a death wish, Em. I swear to God, if that fucker ever touches you, I’ll-”

“You’ll what, Liv? Do you really think we could do anything to hurt those guys? Emily needs to stay away from them. Especially Ryan and Brandon,” Effy said, shaking her head and looking concerned. I think she’d have put me on house arrest if she could. She was our little peacemaker after all.

“I know those boys don’t like us all that much, but I never thought they’d be such complete and utter knobheads. I wouldn’t have taken you there for your birthday, Em, if I thought they’d threaten you and chase you. What kind of asshole does that?” Liv was seething.

“A Renaissance asshole,” I answered, raising my eyebrow at her to show her I wasn’t surprised by their games at all.

“Renaissance my ass. Even their name is ridiculous. They’re all twisted fuckers,” Liv said, making me laugh.

“Not all of them,” Effy replied defensively, and then bit her lip, knowing she’d said too much.

“Which brings me to my next point…” Liv turned to face Effy and I gave her a reassuring smile. I knew exactly what was coming. “What was up with the whole Finn Knowles thing? He came up to you like he knew you already. How? And why did he want to help out Em?”

“I’ve no idea. I’ve probably spoken two words to Finn Knowles in my whole entire life.” Effy spoke, but she couldn’t look us in the eye.

“Well, it didn’t look like that from where I was standing. Dude was looking at you like you were a straight-up snack and he was fucking hungry.”

Effy’s cheeks went bright red.

“Leave her alone, Liv. If Finn hadn’t gone inside to get you two, I don’t know what I’d have done.”

“Oh, he didn’t come in to get me. Just Effy here.”

I gave Liv a pointed stare and watched as Effy swallowed and looked nervously at her hands twisted up in her lap. Why was she nervous?

“Don’t worry, Eff. Finn didn’t come across as an evil twat like the others. Liv, back off.”

“Fine,” she huffed, looking put out. “But I won’t hold back if they come for us. I’ll be ready.”

“So will I,” I shot back. I was more than ready to stand my ground. I’d had a lifetime of being pushed around. That shit wasn’t happening anymore.

I left Liv’s house and made my way down the driveway towards my car. In the distance, I heard the screech of brakes and looked up to see an old black Ford speeding off down the road. I didn’t give it a second thought though, just got into my car and started the engine. My little Audi purred like a dream and I pulled off, ready to head back home and start looking into universities and courses that I liked. My parents wanted me to go to Oxford or Cambridge, but it wasn’t about them. I wanted to make the decision for myself. Do what was right for me. I had no idea what that was yet, but it would come, in time. School was over for the summer; finished. I knew I was later than most to sort my options out, but I figured I’d take a gap year, a bit of breathing space after the stress of the last few months dealing with Danny’s death. My careers guidance could wait, and that way, I’d make the right choice in the end. At least that’s what I’d hoped.

I indicated to turn right, heading towards town. I’d decided to take the scenic route, seeing as the sun was shining. Nothing better than an open road where you could put your foot down and blow out the cobwebs. I was driving without thinking, and daydreaming about my future, when I felt the car shudder. I turned my music off and at that precise moment the power died, and I rolled to a stop at the side of the road.

Fucking brilliant.

There wasn’t a house or building in sight. No other cars had passed me since I’d turned into this lane, and when I got out, all I could hear were birds chirping and the bloody breeze blowing through the trees. I slammed the car door shut and leant against it, then grabbed my mobile out of my pocket and dialled the breakdown service my dad had set up when he got me this car.

Two minutes later, and I was even more pissed off than before. Over an hour

until someone can get to you, they said. We’ll try to get someone out sooner, seeing as you’re a woman on your own, they promised. But I knew I was probably gonna spend the rest of my day sat in a layby, waiting to be rescued. I tried calling Liv or Effy, but all I got was their voicemail. So, I swallowed my pride and rang my home phone. Surely one of my parents would be concerned enough to come and help me?

“Emily, did you run out of petrol?” my mother scolded, after picking up the phone and letting out a disappointed sigh when she found out it was me.

“No. I’m not stupid. There’s something wrong with the car. Give me some credit, Mum.”

“Have you rung the breakdown service? That’s what they’re there for.” She really wasn’t getting why I’d rung her.

“Yes, and the waiting time is over an hour. Mum, can’t you come and pick me up?” I knew what the answer was going to be. I didn’t even know why I’d asked.