Prologue
(Emily)
Meet at the big tree.
I couldn’t stop reading the note all day.
He snuck it into my locker at some point.
He was probably skipping class to do so.
That’s just how cool he is.
I know I shouldn’t be into the whole bad boy thing, but he’s different. He’s so different. He’s not bad like Tommy Wilson is. Tommy just does stuff to do it. Some say it’s for attention. Others say he’s seriously evil. But now that Tommy got Stacy pregnant, things are going to change.
But anyway… this isn’t about Tommy.
Not at all.
Just one quick note though - I dodged the bullet of a lifetime there.
Last summer at Bec’s party (when her parents took a cruise for a week and left her home alone) I had a chance to be with Tommy. He set his sights on me and it was kind of intense. Everything about him screamed dangerous, and when he took me down to Bec’s basement and touched my hand, I just knew I had to leave. So I faked being sick and left.
Whew.
Okay, back to the note.
Meet me at the big tree.
I don’t know why it has to be secretive.
I guess in a way there’s been enough people that wanted us together that it just seemed so inevitable. Like if we do this, everyone will take credit for it. When, in reality, it was us who always wanted it.
From the second I saw Liam in ninth grade, it was ohmygod…
I’m talking instant jaw drop. Instant feelings. Writing notes about him to myself. Writing his last name as my last name. All that stupid cliché girly stuff that I fell into because of him.
Now, why didn’t anything ever happen?
We stupidly friend zoned each other.
By accident.
We were paired up on a science project, and instead of it becoming a make out session in my parents’ basement, we took the project seriously, and ended up as friends. That was right around the time I started dating Devan.
He was nothing but a blond haired, blue eyed surfer babe kind of guy… no brains, but a nice body.
And of course Liam had girls all over him all the time.
He’s got that bad side, but he’s smart.
I’m talking doctor or lawyer smart.
Meet me at the old tree.
That’s like the best spot to meet someone.
Getting an invite there is a front row seat to your own fun.
And fun means everything going through your head.
But Liam isn’t like that. He’s not jumpy.
Some guys are just hand up the shirt, giggle, forget anything else and make a mess in their own pants.
That’s not Liam.
Tonight…
“Wow,” I whisper.
I check my hair in the bathroom mirror.
Only two periods left until that Friday bell rings.
Then I’m out of here…
For good.
Which is why tonight, Liam has to show up.
Everyone calls him Zen but his name is Ezekiel. Zeke is his father. He’s the chief of police in town and everyone and their brother knows what happens in the barn and woods behind the house. The rumor is Zeke doesn’t mind the parties because he can keep everyone contained and keep things under control.
And honestly, nothing bad ever happens.
I think everyone knows who Zeke is and shows up a little scared. So they don’t get stupid drunk.
I’m at the party with Mel, Kelly, and Robin.
Of course Mel and Kelly are already off with their boyfriends.
Kelly is in a serious relationship. She’s been with Scott since tenth grade.
Which is wild.
Mel goes through guys like we go through coffee while studying for tests.
Her new love interest is a guy named Hank from a rival school.
Now that’s scandalous.
I wander around the barn, pretending to dance and drink and have fun.
Robin talks but I don’t listen.
She’s upset about me leaving.
I am too.
I’ll miss my friends.
I’m not like leaving the state or anything.
Just going to a different school.
In our world that’s a big deal though.
I waste about thirty minutes before getting a drink and sneaking my way out of the barn.
I walk to the tree by myself, my heart racing.
I’m so nervous.
It’s so hard to calm down.
I’ve had a thing for Liam since…
You already know that.
I have to tell him everything I’m thinking and feeling tonight.
There’s no way I can just slip away without saying anything.
It might mess up my entire life.
At the very least…
I just want him to kiss me.
(Liam)
“This guy is just breaking our balls,” I whisper to Steve.
“Cut it, Liam,” Steve growls. “He knows my father.”
“Everyone knows everyone around here,” I say. “We just have to run. Fuck it.”
“Don’t you dare run,” Steve says.
“I’m running, man,” I say. “If you pussy out, you’re going home in the back of a police car.”
“Please, don’t run,” Steve says.
“I have to get to Zen’s,” I say. “I have a thing.”
“What kind of thing?”
I look at Steve and shrug my shoulders.
“You have a date?” Steve asks.
“Yeah.”
“With who?”
Officer Prickfuck comes strutting back, still wearing his sunglasses even though it’s dark out.
This guy is William Prinfin.
I call him Prickfuck and he hates it.
He’s been chasing me all over town since I was ten years old.
Always breaking my balls over the dumbest stuff. And the serious stuff.
Tonight he didn’t like that Steve and I were walking side by side in the dark.
My car is in the shop getting fixed.
If I had the damn car, I would have picked up Emily from the party and we would have gone somewhere much more secluded.
“You two are mine,” Prickfuck says and clicks his tongue.
“What did we do?” I ask.
“Everything,” he says.
“You can’t touch us without cause,” I say. “We were walking on the sidewalk. No drugs or alcohol. We passed your tests. You’re out of line right now.”
“Liam, shut up,” Steve growls.
“I’m out of line?” Prickfuck asks.
“That’s right,” I say. “Do you know what you’re up against if I file a complaint with the department? My lawyer will have access to all your reports and logs. I’ll dig through every arrest and ticket personally and find something on you.”
“You’re threatening me?” Prickfuck replies. He laughs. He points to Steve. “You believe this guy?”
“Please just let us go,” Steve says. “We’re going to Zeke’s for a party.”
“Don’t tell him shit,” I say. “He’s just getting hard thinking he has something.”
“You’re done, Liam,” Prickfuck says.
“Try me,” I say.
Steve elbows me.
Prickfuck walks back to his cruiser.