Torn Apart (Torn and Bound Duet 1)

“Hol-y shit.” Brayden laughs. “And here I thought you were a lesbian. You’re totally crushing on this asshole.”

“What?” I sputter.

“A lesbian,” Brayden repeats. “I haven’t seen you around with any guys. You hang out with Ashton, who’s gay. You turned me down. It’s not off base to assume you like girls.”

I release a loud, unladylike snort at his twisted logic. “Let me get this straight. You thought because I didn’t want to date an asshole jock and I choose to spend time with a man who’s gay, I must be a lesbian?”

“And I haven’t seen you around with any guys,” he repeats.

“So, because I’m not a whore, I’m a lesbian?” I bark out a laugh that has the people around us glaring my way.

“I didn’t say that,” Brayden says. “I’m just shocked this guy is who you’re attracted to.”

“Trust me, she’s not a lesbian,” Drew says with a devilish smirk to Brayden, who’s glaring daggers at Drew. “And it shouldn’t surprise you. Women always choose me over you.”

“One woman,” Brayden argues. “And that was only because of your money.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night.” Drew chuckles, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. I try and fail to ignore the veins popping out of his forearms. They did that the night we were together, when he climbed up my body and… Oh my God! I have to stop thinking about him!

“Who ended up with her after prom?” Brayden says.

“Only because I told her it wasn’t happening. I left with Missy Jenkins. You were nothing more than her fallback guy.” Drew’s lips curl into a wicked smile, making his single dimple pop out. Mmm, what I wouldn’t give to lick that dimple… Damn it, why does he have to be so freaking sexy? Focus, Mia. Focus on the fact that he’s the coach and is just as obnoxiously cocky as Brayden is.

Wait a second… “Did you guys go to school together?” I ask, putting the pieces together from their verbal sparring match.

“Yeah,” they both say at the same time.

Then Drew adds, “Brayden spent all four years chasing my leftovers. Looks like nothing has changed.”

Leftovers. Like me? My blood boils at his insinuation.

The smug look on Drew’s face says all Brayden needs to know to confirm this.

“You and Mia?” Brayden asks incredulously. “Seriously?”

Drew doesn’t deny his words, just flashes Brayden a smirk that maddens me to no end.

I whip my head around to look at him. “We did not hook up, therefore I am not leftovers.”

“Of course not.” His blue eyes flash with heat from the memory.

I stand and start packing up my stuff so I don’t do something like smack them both in the heads with my book.

“Where are you going?” Brayden says.

“To shower,” I hiss, glowering at Drew, who now has the sense to look ashamed.

“Wait, Mia,” Brayden calls out. “What about studying?”

“We’ll have to reschedule. There’s piss all over my leg and it stinks.” I side-eye Drew before looking at Brayden. “If you want help, make an appointment at the front desk.”

On the way out, I text Ashton.

Me: You were on my shit list, but now I need my bestie so I can talk shit about the new shitheads on my shit list.

Ashy C: Bring Twizzlers and I’ll dig out the Fireball. I talk better shit when I’m white-girl wasted.

Me: I’ll be there in twenty.I hear her bitching from the living room all the way in my shower. Chuckling to myself, I rinse the chlorine off and then hop out. I throw on some of my old swim team sweats and forgo a shirt. My hair is wet and messy, so I half-ass comb through it before heading into the living room to find Mia.

“MiMi’s mad,” I say, observing the way she slams packages of snacks onto the bar.

“Understatement, buddy. Big one.”

“To my defense, Drew cornered me into it,” I explain, holding up my hands.

She pulls a giant package of Twizzlers from her sack and then skims her gaze over to me. The anger bleeds from her. Surprise washes over her features, confusing me.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She drops her head and fishes around in the bag. “Explain how he cornered you.”

Shrugging, I saunter up to her, stealing the package of Twizzlers. “Threw out threats. Ultimatums. Guilt trips. I thought he’d be cool since he’s my age and all, but turns out, he’s better suited to be friends with Dad.”

At this, she scoffs. “As if. If Curtis knew Drew was a manwhore, cocky asshole, he wouldn’t have a job!”

“Ready to talk about what happened?”

“No.”

“You’re not leaving until you tell me,” I explain as I walk past her into the kitchen.

“Guess I live here forever now,” she grumbles.

“I’m sure Drew would love that.” I flash her a deviant grin that earns me the middle finger.

“Fine. I’ll tell you, but it’s stupid. He’s stupid. Brayden’s stupid. Boys are stupid.”