Broken Hill Hurt (Broken Hill High 3)

His eyes soften as the corners of his mouth lift. “This is only just the beginning, Tora. I’m going to give you the fucking wold.” He leans back in and kisses me again. “But just so you know, you have about twenty minutes to get your ass home.”

My eyes widen in shock. “What?” I shriek as a grin cuts across his handsome face. I scramble off the hood and dive for his phone on the workbench. Sure enough, he’s right. I need to get home.

I spin around to start searching out my clothes to find them dangling from his fingers. “Thanks,” I grunt before pulling them on. I kiss him again, open the garage, and grab my things off my new desk. “Love you,” I call over my shoulder before I dive into my R8. I don’t bother saying goodbye as I have a feeling I’ll see him in just a few hours.

“I love you, too,” he chuckles from the mouth of the garage as I start up my engine.

I peel out of the driveway like a pro and look up in my rear view mirror to see him heading back to his Mustang, hopefully, to wipe off my ass print.

I look at the clock and try to work out where all my time went, but remember Nate got me off three times, so, I guess that explains it.

I pray to whatever God there is above that mom hasn’t beaten me home and thank my lucky stars when I pull in and find she hasn’t. I cut the engine and run inside before bolting for my bedroom.

I drop my bag, throw my books on my desk and lay back on my bed with my Kindle, after all, my homework is supposed to be done by now. But I’m not worried. If tomorrow is as boring as today was, I can get it all done then.

Literally, three minutes after laying down on my bed, I hear the front door open and close. A moment later, mom’s heels on the stairs. She knocks at my door and pushes it open before peeking her head through the gap. “Hi, honey. How’s your afternoon been?”

“Good,” I lie as my afternoon was so much better than just good.

“I ordered Chinese in the car. It should be here in ten minutes.”

“Ok,” I smile. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

She nods her head, still trying to be a little stern with me and closes the door. The second I hear her walk away, the smile on my face grows as the adrenaline in my system begins to fade. I can’t believe I just got away with that.

Chapter 6

“Five, four, three, two, one. HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

The fireworks go nuts as Nate’s lips come down on mine. I feel his smile against my lips and I soak it in. I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to have a New Year’s kiss, and I’m proud to report, it is amazing.

This is easily one of my favorite nights. Champagne is flowing, the music is playing, and every single one of my friends is here, bringing in the New Year with me.

“Happy New Year,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Happy New Year to you too, you big buffoon,” I laugh.

Nate shakes his head but can’t help laughing right back at me. He spins me in his arms and wraps me up so I can watch the fireworks from the most incredible spot.

We’re on Maxen’s property and for once, it’s a party his parents actually know about and have thrown quite a bit of money at. They wanted us to bring in the New Year in a big way and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

There are bonfires all over the property with decorations, a dance floor, a DJ, seating all over the place, and lanterns hanging from trees. It’s incredible.

I’ve never been to such a good New Year’s Eve party before. Well, to be honest, this is only my second one. Before that, mom and dad thought I was too young so I was shipped off to some lame babysitter while they partied the night away. As a kid, I had a few New Year’s Eve parties with Nate and Jesse and they were always great, you know, as great as an eight year old would think.

But this is on a completely different level. Tonight is nothing short of amazing. I’ve got ‘the feels’ big time.

I look across at Brooke, expecting Maxen’s tongue to be so far down her throat she’d be choking on it, though, she likes to brag that she doesn’t have much of a gag reflex so maybe the choking won’t be happening. Only, as my eyes meet hers, I find her all alone and instead of looking up at the fireworks, she’s looking around searching out the one guy she’s been desperate to spend this moment with.