Broken Hill Hurt (Broken Hill High 3)

We could have gone inside and laid in bed like the rest of the couples around here, but the second he mentioned wanting to watch the first sunrise of the year with me, I couldn’t resist, even though my yawns are starting to completely take over me. I mean, what girl in her right mind would deny Nate Ryder of spending time with her? Not me.

Majority of the partiers have cleared out already but there’s no mistaking the sound of Jesse, Tyson, Puck, and Elle still going strong. I don’t know what happened to Brylee, but I think she dropped off the face of the earth around two hours ago.

“Did you have a good night?” Nate questions as his fingers run up and down the length of my arm, sending a tickle over my skin.

I look up at him with a beaming smile. “The best,” I tell him before looking back at the pattern that clouds are making in the rays of sunlight streaming across the morning sky. “I mean, going to a party as your girlfriend sure beats going as the girl you like to pick on.”

“I bet it does,” he laughs. “But admit it, you liked having a reason to talk to me.”

“Whatever,” I scoff, playfully smacking his stomach. “I’d dare say it was the other way around. After all, you were the one secretly in love with me all those years, remember?”

“Believe me, that’s not something I’ll forget anytime soon.”

“Hey, Nate?” I say quietly.

“What’s up?”

“I know you’re obsessed with me on a crazy stalker kind of level, but just so you know, I’m kind of obsessed with you, too.”

“Ugh, really?” he teases.

“Shut up.”

In the blink of an eye, he grabs me and rolls us so he hovers above me. “I fucking love you, Tora Roberts,” he says, smiling down at me as though his world begins and ends with me.

“Ugh, really?” I mimic.

He grabs both my hands in just one of his. “Say it back,” he demands.

I shake my head. “Nu-uh.”

His lips come down on mine. “Say it back,” he repeats.

“And what do I get if I do?” I grin.

His eyes grow hungry and he drops his lips closer to mine. “Anything you want.”

“I thought you wanted to watch the sunrise?”

“When will you get it, Tora?” he murmurs. “You are my sunrise.”

“That was super cheesy.”

“Have it your way,” he says, pulling back away from me.

“No, no, no,” I laugh as I hold onto him for dear life. I pull him back down and he watches me from above. “I love you too.”

“Good,” he whispers before bringing those lips down on mine and giving me his absolute all as we start our New Year in the best, mind-blowing way possible.

Chapter 7

I pull into school on a Monday morning and the instant relief that settles over me when I don’t see Nate about to tear someone to shreds is nearly overwhelming. That, combined with the fact that he’s completed his suspension so he’ll actually be here today is putting me in the best mood. I mean, nothing can tear me down today.

It’s a new year, new me. Well, not really, but that’s just what you’re supposed to say at the beginning of the new year, right? I’d rather not change a damn thing.

This year is going to be incredible. I feel it in my bones. I have Nate by my side, I have Jesse there, ready and prepared to hit me with any sarcastic comment under the sun, I have my girls, I’ll be graduating senior year, and I have a new and improved relationship with my mom, you know, as we work out how to be us without dad.

As I said, it’s going to be an incredible year.

I get out of my car as I see a familiar Range Rover pulling into the parking lot and wait as the boys park it and get out. “Long time no see,” Nate says as he takes my hand.

“You snuck out my bedroom window an hour ago,” I remind him.

“I know,” he grins as Jesse barges his way between us and hangs his heavy arms over our shoulders.

“What’s going on, Torz?” Jesse grins. “Break any hearts lately?”

“No, but I’ll break some ribs if you don’t get off me,” I tell him.

“Geez,” he gasps in mock outrage, refusing to remove his arm. “What crawled up your ass this morning?”

“Nothing,” I say. “I’m actually in a great mood and not even you can ruin that.”

His grin widens. “Is that a challenge?”

I roll my eyes as we get up to the top of the school and smile at Nate who opens the door for me. We walk down the hallway and as usual, the students diving through their lockers stop and stare at the Ryder brothers making their grand entrance.

People walk forward, wanting to say hi while other’s just gawk. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but I’m starting to think that will never happen. Nate and Jesse’s popularity knows no bounds. It’s ridiculous. I mean, they’re just boys.