Dynasty (Boys of Winter 1)

Being orphaned as a baby wasn’t exactly something I wanted the world to know. I usually keep these secrets close to my chest, but for some reason, the words just came pouring out of me. After having no sleep and dealing with the foster parents from hell, I don’t think I can handle all the bullshit—at least, not today.

CHAPTER 4

The cigarette sits between my lips as I hold the lighter in front of my face, inhaling deeply and sucking in my first deep breath of nicotine for the day. I instantly regret it as it burns down my throat, reminding me that I smoked way too much last night. I should probably be drinking water instead of adding to the problem, but hey, I don’t think I’ll make it through the day without it.

I stand outside of the school gates, looking over the student parking lot during the first break. It’s been a shitty day just as I expected it to be, but honestly, it could be worse, so I should consider it a win.

I stare down at my Ducati, wishing so desperately that I could climb onto it and ride off into the sunset. If it wasn’t so brutally blocked in by that stupid Escalade, I’m sure I’d already be gone.

I grumble to myself and take another drag, needing the small hit to bring me back to reality. As Taylor Swift once told me, I need to calm down. I can’t keep getting so worked up over such little things. It’s going to kill me one day.

Flopping back against the wall, I tear my gaze away from the Ducati and Escalade and focus on the students coming and going. I watch with interest. They’re just walking straight off the school grounds as though they’re allowed to. I’ve never been to a school that’s allowed that before. It’s pretty freaking awesome if you ask me. Though right now, it only serves to remind me that my ride out of here is trapped between someone’s daddy’s mid-life crisis and a stupid SUV.

I drop my cigarette to the concrete and stub my toe over it, putting it out with a little extra effort. I should be going inside and getting familiar with the school. Yet, I find myself leaning against the wall and letting the few minutes of my break tick by.

“Rough day?” A feminine voice says, creeping up beside me.

I glance over to find a short, slim girl with deep brunette hair, so dark that if we weren’t standing out in the sun, I would have mistaken it for black. “You could say that,” I tell her, watching as she moves in beside me to lean against the wall.

She pulls out a packet of cigarettes before holding it out to me. “Want one?”

I shake my head. “Nah, I’m good,” I tell her. “After smoking a whole pack last night, I could use a break from the stuff.”

“No shit. Were you at the party last night? I think I saw you hanging out with Knox.”

“Yeah, that was me. Are you friends with him?”

She shakes her head. “Not really,” she says. “I haven’t got anything against the guy, just haven’t really had a chance to spend any time with him. My friend is close to him though, and she thinks pretty highly of him, so I’m assuming he’s alright.”

I nod. “I guess that’s good to know.”

She gives me a warm smile, and I instantly decide that I like her. “I’m Ember by the way. You’re Winter, right? Winter with no last name?”

I groan. “So, the rumors are spreading. That’s nice.”

“Nah, not really,” she laughs, pushing her hair back over her shoulder. “Well, maybe. Who knows? I was in your homeroom listening to you put that old dick in his place. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone shut him down like that. It was fucking awesome, and I decided right then and there that I had to meet you properly.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Uh-huh. From now on, I’m your go-to girl. Whatever you need, just hit me up. I’ll teach you everything you need to know about this place.”

I push off the wall and study the girl. No one has ever been this keen to be my friend. “I don’t know,” I tell her. “You look like drama.”

Ember laughs—a real belly type of laugh—before giving me a wide smile. “Oh, trust me, I’m definitely drama, but only the good kind. But, tough shit. I’m here now, and you’re not going to get rid of me that easily. I’ll grow on you, I promise. It might seem like hard work now, but one day you’ll find yourself sitting in an empty room wishing that I was there to chat your ear off.”

I watch her a second longer, and as her smile seems to stretch wider and wider across her face, I realize that she’s truly genuine. Where the hell could I go wrong with that? “Fine,” I say. “But there’s only ten minutes left before third period, and I still know nothing about this school.”