Second Chance Rival

I didn’t want to let him go.

The less I spoke to Chase, the easier it was to allow myself to truly fall for Tristian Hawkins.

My bully had become my everything, and it surpassed our family rivalry.

The sound of Erica’s horn honking brought my attention back to the present. I grabbed my purse before making my way down the stairs.

“Belle,” Grandfather announced at the bottom of the steps, catching me off guard. “Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

I smiled, kissing his cheek. “Erica and I are going to dinner and a movie,” I lied, feeling bad that I was.

“Erica Peters?”

“Yes. How do you—”

“I do business with her father. They’re a well-respected family in our community, Belle. It pleases me you’ve made friends with her. As I always say, you are who you hang out with.”

“Right…”

“And Tristian?”

I resisted the urge to react. “What do you mean?”

“You’ve managed to stay away from him?”

I nodded. “Of course, Grandfather.”

He swept my hair behind my ear. “Keep it that way. That boy is nothing but trouble. Rumor has it, his grandfather is having a hard time with him.”

“He is? Why?”

“The less you know, the better.” He kissed my forehead. “Have fun with Erica.”

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Grandfather had unknowingly disclosed the entire drive to the party.

What did he mean by that? What was Tristian doing? Had his grandfather found out about us?

Question after question assaulted my mind. It seemed like time simply flew by. One minute, I was sitting in Erica’s car, and the next, I was at the party talking to Travis about the latest slasher flick.

“Let’s play spin the bottle!” Kristi shouted, bringing our attention over to her. She was the one throwing the party. Her parents were out of town.

“Aren’t we a little old to be playing this game?” Travis asked as we walked over to her.

“Who cares! I’ll go first!” She spun it, landing right on Travis.

“Get your ass over here.” He smiled.

She smirked, sashaying over to him. She threw her arms around his neck and remarked, “And you said we were too old for this game,” before she laid one on him.

I was about to step back and go to the bathroom, but Erica chimed in, “You’re next, Belle.”

“Oh.” I shook my head. “I’m not playing.”

“You have to!” she added. “Live a little, and spin the bottle.”

“I’m not really a spin-the-bottle kind of girl.”

“More reason for you to play!” She spun it. “Here, I’ll do it for you.”