When Rivals Fall (Bayshore Rivals 1)

“No problem. I’ll see you around, Harlow,” I give her a half-hearted wave and walk towards the entrance of the dorm. My mind is so consumed by my encounter with the Bishop Brothers that I don’t realize how weird my encounter with Caroline was. I didn’t even ask her why she was so late for the party, or why she was quick to bring me home when she hadn’t even stepped foot in the party herself? Does she always pick up random people?

I shove my thoughts about her to the back of my mind and decide to digest them another day. Right now, I have to figure out how I’m going to remain going to school here with those assholes. When I get back to my room, I change into a pair of sleep pants, and an oversized T-shirt. I rid my face of the makeup painted on it, and sag down onto the small twin sized bed.

Tears sting my eyes once again and this time I let them fall. They cascade down my cheeks gently. I’m such a horrible friend. In my fit of panic and rage, I lashed out at the one and only friend I have here. I left her at that party without even thinking. Balling my hands into tiny fists I slam them against the blue comforter. I let those stupid assholes win by leaving, by running away. I want to scream. I’ve never been the type to run, to hide, but I don’t want to fight them. I’m done fighting, done with the lies, with all the drama.

My eyes drift closed and I beg for sleep to come. Instead, images of the brothers filter through my mind. Tall, tan, handsome as hell. It would be so much easier to hate them if they weren’t gorgeous and if the things my father had told me were true.

The memory of that night, haunts me, looming over me like a ghost. It’s one of the worst and also, one of the best nights of my life all wrapped up in one.

The worst because I ruined the Bishops.

The best because I got my first kiss, even though it was with Sullivan Bishop.

I don’t know how I’m going to get close to him. Bethany Kingston’s house is packed making it hard to work my way through the crowd, and it doesn’t help that I have no idea where he is. Parties aren’t my scene and I’m sure I’m drawing attention to myself since I keep stopping and scanning the room, especially since I don’t have a drink in my hand. A knot of worry fills my belly. I want to be at home, not out doing my father’s dirty work.

The packet feels heavy in my pocket even though it’s as light as a feather. All you have to do is put it in his pocket, I tell myself, surveying the room once more for his russet brown hair. The Bishop Brothers stand out amongst the other guys, not just because of their looks but because of the air that surrounds them. They walk with a chip on their shoulders, one that says I’m better than you.

“Come out to play, Princess?” A deep voice says from behind me, vibrating through me, and sending tiny rivulets of heat to my core. I shouldn’t be attracted to them, but much like the rest of the female population I am and I hated myself for it.

“Not with you,” I sneer, twisting around, coming face to face with Sullivan. Eyes as blue as the sky peer down at me. They’re framed by thick lashes that most of the women at my school would die for. I clench my teeth together as I let my gaze roam over his face. High cheekbones, dimples, and full smooth pink lips.

Him, Oliver, and Banks look almost identical, though Oliver has brown eyes that remind me of melted chocolate rather than blue like Banks and Sullivan. They are close in age, Oliver is two years older than us, Banks only a year.

Sullivan’s pink lips turn into a pout, “That’s a shame. I wonder what it is you do for fun? I never see you at parties like this.”

“I don’t like the people going to parties like this,” I lie. I like most of the people here. I just don’t like how people act at parties. I don’t like the drinking or the dancing.

“If you don’t like the crowd why don’t we go out for a walk? Did you see the Kingston’s’ backyard yet?” I’ve heard about the backyard. It’s supposed to be beautiful. Apparently, Mr. Kingston spends thousands of dollars every few weeks to have the most pristine yard with some of the rarest flowers. But going outside with Sullivan…just the two of us?

“Come on, I won’t bite.” He winks, giving me a swoon-worthy smile.