Broken Hill Havoc (Broken Hill High Series 5)

I come back to stand beside Nate and his arm curls around my waist, holding me close. I don’t even think he realizes he does it anymore. It’s more of a natural instinct to reach out and touch me in the same way that my body naturally curves into his. It’s as though we’re drawn to one another in the best, magical way. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I look across at Jesse who has made himself comfortable beside Kaylah. I haven’t seen him all week, not since he told me about the whole ‘cheating’ issues. Though I’d say, from the way his arm is over her shoulder and she’s smiling up at him as though he’s the only guy in the world, it looks as though those issues are way in the past.

Jesse catches my eye and I raise my eyebrows, secretly questioning how things are going and the way he smirks and bounces his eyebrows, tells me exactly what I need to know.

I roll my eyes and watch as Jackson sneaks up behind Elle. He’s been MIA all night and Elle was starting to get worried. She hates that they’re apart so much, but what do you expect when your boyfriend plays college ball. Not that I know a damn thing about football, but I’d assume the season will start soon and that will eat up every last bit of his spare time. Those two are strong enough though, they’ll make it.

Courtney walks through our group and hands me a drink. “Thanks,” I smile as she pushes in beside me. “Where’s Brooke? She told me she was going to come tonight.”

At the mention of her name, a dark pair of eyes shoot our way. I don’t get why though, it’s not like anything Brooke does is any of his business anymore. I meet Maxen’s stare and his eyes instantly drop, reminding me of what he and Brooke did over the summer.

I put it to the back of my mind and turn back to Courtney. “I don’t know,” I tell her honestly. “Brooke hasn’t exactly been speaking to me.”

“What?” she questions, scrunching her face up in confusion. “How is that even possible? You guys are tied at the hip, and not to mention, you live together.”

“Haven’t you heard?” I grin. “I don’t approve of her new boyfriend.”

Understanding dawns on her face. “Ahhhhh,” she says. “Suddenly it all makes sense. You’re in shit. Remember when I kissed that guy she was crushing on in our sophomore year? She didn’t talk to me for like, two months, but I mean, how the hell was I supposed to know she liked the guy? She never told me.”

“I know,” I laugh. “That’s Brooke for you.”

“Why don’t you approve of his guy anyway?” she asks. “From what I’ve heard, she really likes him. She told me the other night she thinks she could fall for him. Hell, she might already be there.”

“Ugh,” I groan. “Don’t tell me that. The guy is a serious loser.”

“Why?” comes a sharp demand from the other side of the group. “What did he do to her?” I look across at Maxen, a little pissed off that he’s listening in on our conversation but ignore him. It’s none of his damn business, and why does he care anyway? He had his chance and screwed it up. Big time.

Courtney ignores Maxen just as I do and steals back my attention “He couldn’t be that bad.”

I raise an eyebrow at her. “The guy cornered me in my kitchen in the middle of the night and asked me to sleep with him just minutes after being with Brooke. You know, like a two for one special.”

Nate’s hand tightens on my waist as Courtney’s eyes widen in surprise. She’s about to say something, but my mind is swirling as I suck in a horrified breath, realizing what I just did.

Shit. I knew I forgot to tell him something and here I am, blabbing about it to anyone who would listen.

“What did you just say?” Nate questions, sounding strangely calm as he turns me to face him.

I swallow as I look up at him with a cringe. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” he demands, looking at me as though I’ve just grown another head. “The guy came into your house in the middle of the night and tried to get you in bed, and you didn’t think it was necessary to mention that?”

“No, I did. I just… forgot. I was going to tell you.”

“Bullshit,” he argues. “You’ve been telling me all week how you’re upset about Brooke not talking to you and telling me what a douchebag the guy is. You didn’t forget, you just didn’t want to tell me.”

I cringe and just like that, he knows he’s right.

I let out a sigh and rest my hand up against his chest, feeling that rapid rise and fall which helps to fuel his rage. “I’m sorry,” I tell him honestly, “It’s just that I knew you weren’t going to like it and you’d probably try to beat the shit out of the guy which would make things worse between me and Brooke.”