Fueled Fury: A Dark College Bully Romance Read online

  Eli shoves Lainey to the side as he lunges forward. “I’m gonna fucking kill you.”

  Moving fast, I dodge the fist he swings at my face. It’s not the first and I know it won’t be the last, but in fights, he’s predictable because he lets his temper control him.

  Swinging my arm, I plunge my fist into his gut as he lets out a groan. Lainey screams for us to stop, shoving me back as she places her body in front of Eli. Protecting him with no regard for herself.

  “Stupid, stupid little girl.” I shake my head as I take a step away, but she matches my movement, attempting to get in my face.

  “I. Hate. You.”

  It’s not her words that I feel like a punch to the gut but the tear slipping down her cheek. “Then you’re not so stupid after all.”

  Her hands shove against my chest as she grabs Eli’s arm and drags him out of the room. His angry scowl is fixated on me, but I don’t give a shit about him. It’s past time for him to accept it. She’s mine. Not his and never will be. And I’ll be sure to reiterate that fact over and over. Even if I should stay far away from her, I’m not going anywhere.

  3

  Lainey

  If Eli doesn’t kill him first, I’ll be sure to do it myself. It doesn’t really matter which of us it is. Someone needs to strangle the asshole who’s hell-bent on causing chaos and destruction at every opportunity.

  My best friend leans against his truck before bending forward, his hands covering his face.

  “I’m so sorry. It was a mistake. I wanted to tell you, but I was—”

  Eli’s hands drop to his sides as he looks to me with so much pain and agony it rips my heart to shreds all over again. “Why him?”

  “It just happened. We—”

  “No.” Eli holds his hand up cutting me off. “I don’t want details.”

  He shoves off the truck, turning his back to me as he pulls the door open.

  “Eli, please don’t leave. Just talk to me.”

  He freezes, his back to me as he says, “I warned you.”

  “I know.” The many conversations replay in my head, all the cautioning advice to stay far away from his brother. Austin ruins everything he gets his hands on. Anything good he can get to, he will destroy given the opportunity.

  Turning to face me, Eli goes to reach for me but stops, his hand dropping back to his side. “I’m sorry I didn’t do enough to protect you from him.”

  “What?” I whisper, blinking rapidly as tears trail down my cheeks. Why is my best friend apologizing to me when I’ve been lying to him? When I made the stupid decision to allow Austin into my heart after Eli repeatedly warned me.

  “Did he hurt you?” Eli asks quietly, glancing behind me at the door leading into the house.

  How do I answer that? Physically, no. Emotionally and every other way possible, yes. “I’m all right.”

  I know Eli well enough to know he isn’t convinced, and he shouldn’t be. Nothing is all right because Austin is a few feet away from us, and he’s not planning on going anywhere. Attend Haine? Why? Even though money isn’t an issue for the Hales, Austin had a full ride to FSU but transferred to Haine. That is what nightmares are made of for both Eli and me.

  “Just stay away from him,” Eli says as he gets in the driver’s seat.

  “That’s my plan.” It always has been, even if poorly executed. “I’m gonna check the dorms to see if they have anything open.” I already know they don’t because spring semester started last week which makes me question how Austin would just now be transferring in.

  “You’re not going anywhere. He’ll be gone before the end of the day,” Eli says with determination. And I’m sure he intends to keep his word, but when Austin has his mind set on something, there’s nothing that will derail him.

  “Okay.” I agree but make a mental note to check into a few apartments for backup because I highly doubt Austin is going anywhere anytime soon.

  “I’ll catch ya after class.” Eli shuts the door as I stand back and watch as he reverses out of the garage bay.

  “I did you a favor.” Austin’s voice makes every muscle in my body tense as anger consumes me.

  “You did that for yourself. Anything to hurt and cause misery to everyone around you.” I stomp into the house, grab my key, and turn to head back to the garage. Instead, I abruptly slam into Austin’s solid body blocking my path. Austin and Eli are similar in build, both having their fair share of solid muscles, yet Austin just feels like more of a force to reckoned with. Maybe because Eli never forces me to hear him out, unlike the idiot in front of me. Austin doesn’t care how he gets me to listen when he has something to say, but he ensures a way to get whatever it is off his stupidly muscular shoulders, regardless of what I want.

  “He’ll get over it.” His disregard for the havoc he’s causing gets under my skin.

  “Why are you here? Just to torment your brother and remind me what an insensitive, miserable asshole you are? Mission accomplished. Now, do everyone a favor and get the hell out of here.” I go to step around him, but he counters my move, impeding my hope for a quick escape.

  “I’m not leaving you again.” He reaches forward, grabbing my hand in his as I jerk away from his touch.

  “Don’t touch me. Don’t speak to me. I don’t want to see you anywhere in my sight.” Briefly I close my eyes, settling my mind before looking to him, recalling a time when I felt relief when I’d spot him across the field at his family’s ranch, watching for the sandy-brown-haired Hale brother to make his move. And he did. Only I wasn’t anywhere near being prepared for the damage he’d leave behind. “You caught me off guard last night, and it won’t happen again. Ever.”

  A throaty laugh rumbles as he leans forward, his mouth near mine. “Challenge accepted.”

  “Fucking lunatic,” I mumble, shoving past him as he thankfully remains in place, allowing me to hurry into the garage, hop into Lucy, and haul ass far away from Austin. And yet, no matter how far I go, it will never be far enough.

  4

  Austin

  The gray-headed battle-ax impatiently looks over her glasses at me as she asks, “Are you certain Haine is the place for you?”

  “Yes.” Even though no one wants me here—including, apparently, this disapproving university employee. For the first time, I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Besides, age hasn’t quite equated to wisdom in my experience. The so-called adults I was half-assed raised by are two of the most ignorant, dismal people I know.

  “You’ll lose all your third-year credits from fall.”

  “I know.”

  “Alrighty.” She shakes her head in disappointment, something I’m well-adjusted to, as she looks back to her computer monitor. “We’re ending the second week of classes now, so you’re already coming in behind.”

  Starting out behind isn’t something new to me. Besides, it just makes victory that much sweeter. “Got it.”

  She stops clicking on the keyboard and returns a judging glare to me. “Welcome to Haine.”

  “Thanks,” I grin, standing from the chair before heading out of the office. Even if it wasn’t exactly a warm welcome, it’s the best one I’ve gotten so far.

  Walking into the Coyote Café, I purchase two cups of coffee, put condiments in one and leave the other black, then sit at a table that gives me a clear view of the entrance. Only, the wrong person enters, spots me, then walks over and pulls a chair out before having a seat across the table from me. Each movement is unhurried, his watchful eyes studying me. It’s not like I’m the hotheaded one who’d lost it this morning. That was him.

  Eli leans forward, placing his elbows on the table as he says, “Leave her alone.”

  “Who?” I ask, taking a generous swallow of coffee.

  “She’s had a hard enough time getting past everything without you showing up.”

  “Getting past what exactly?”

  “Stop fucking around. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

  “If you already knew, then why the show this morning?”

  “Because she wasn’t ready. And it further proves my point that you’re an evil piece of shit who only wants to hurt her.”

  “Well played.” I nod, already knowing that he’s a pro at keeping up his good-guy front but thoroughly surprised this go-round.

  “Now, go away. Just leave her in peace and let her move on,” Eli demands, falsely presuming he actually has any control over what’s happening. His biggest mistake yet.

  “Move on with who? You?” I laugh.

  He keeps assuring everyone—including Lainey—that he doesn’t want her like that, but he sure as fuck wants her far away from me.

  “Any dickweed would be better for her than you.”

  “True.” The thought of Lainey being with anyone else pulls on every nerve ending throughout my body. She belongs with me.

  “Then just leave her be.” Falling back in his chair, Eli has the same frustrated look that he’d get as a child when he didn’t get his way, which wasn’t often.

  “Noted.”

  “So, get out of here.”

  “What makes you think I’m here for her? Maybe I’m just enjoying a cup of Coyote Brew.” I hold the paper cup up before taking a swig.

  Eli reaches across the table, grabs the second cup, and pulls off the lid to examine the contents. “Half and half, sugar, and a dash of cinnamon. Not your usual go-to, Austin.”

  “People change.”

  “Not you. Not even with something as simple as the way you take your coffee or as pretentious as the cruel pain you plan on causing. You’ll never change.”

  “Your opinion doesn’t mean shit to me. What you want means even less. I’m not going anywhere. Deal with it and stay the fuck out of my way, or you’l
l see just how much I haven’t changed.”

  “Don’t go near her again.”

  “You don’t have a choice because you may have known her secret, but I doubt she’s clued in on yours.”

  The sudden tension in his face confirms that I’m correct. “I won’t let you hurt her, Austin.”

  “It’s not up to you. But just remember, I won’t hesitate to inform her of exactly which one of us is the truly evil asshole.”

  His weak attempt is lost as his shoulders slump in defeat. “I’m nothing like you.”

  “No. You’re worse.”

  “Ben told me how you questioned him. Even he realized you were asking more about Lainey than me. So, I hope for your sake—and hers—that she isn’t the reason you transferred in. Whether I intervene or not, all of this will blow up in your face in the end … and she will undoubtedly be the one who takes the brunt of the devastation.” Eli shoves away from the table and heads to the exit without another word.

  As I watch him retreat, Lainey steps in front of him. He throws a quick glance over his shoulder, and she immediately zeroes in on me. She wastes no time looping her arm with Eli’s and leaving just as fast as she’d arrived.

  Eli has a valid point, and it pisses me off. I’m not here to cause destruction. I came to repair it, but that will be the greatest challenge of all because they’re right. All of them. Eli, Lainey … even my own parents. I impose nothing but pain even when I don’t try.

  Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dial the number of the first person I learned to trust. Why he took pity on the scrawny kid his own brother despises, I’ll probably never know. But I trust he’s doing it for the right reason; something that has nothing to do with the motives behind my parents’ every move—money.

  Clicking the contact for my uncle, I hold the phone to my ear knowing he’ll answer. And he doesn’t let me down.

  “Austin, shouldn’t you be at that fancy uni you just transferred to?”

  “I am. But I need a favor. There’s an abandoned airport out here, and I need to know who owns it.”

  “Thinking of buying some more property out that way?”

  “No. I just need some info in case things don’t go as planned.”

  Waylon lets out a sigh on the other end of the line as I hear him shuffling around something. “Send me the address. I’ll get someone on it. There’re a few documents I signed off on this morning on your behalf. My assistant sent you a copy.”

  “Yes. I got them.” I hadn’t opened them yet, but there’s nothing pressing that I’m worried about. Waylon proved the type of businessman he was long ago. Any decision he makes on my behalf, I’m behind.

  “How’s Halo coming along?”

  “Not much progress.” The full paper cup is mocking me as I try to justify my actions, or lack thereof. Not to Waylon, but myself. “I’ve been a bit distracted lately.”

  “With Lainey?” Waylon asks, knowing he’s correct in his assumption. “Eli can’t be happy to have you show up after all these months. Are you certain that’s where you should be, Austin?”

  Shit. I question myself enough without having the one person I trust doing the same. He knows the psychotic levels Eli is willing to go to, so I don’t blame him for not understanding why I’d live in the same house with the coddled asshole.

  “Yes. I need to be here.” Answering to him feels different than it had with the old broad who’d questioned me because Waylon is the smartest man I know. Much smarter than I am, which is why I’m staying. “I’ll send over the address and stop by soon.”

  Disconnecting the call, I shove the phone back in my pocket. Fuck. I am the idiot Lainey calls me.

  Rising from the table, I toss her untouched coffee in the trash followed by my nearly empty cup. Being the good guy hasn’t gotten me anywhere. It never has. Being direct. Not putting on a show. That is what works for me, and that’s what I will do. Yes, there’ve been more than a few instances where pain was the cost. But in the end, the fleeting pain is better than eternal agony.

  5

  Lainey

  Stepping out of my car, I’m already missing the warm, cozy atmosphere of Lucy. That’s where I want to be—behind the wheel. Instead, I cautiously walk across the uneven pavement of the runway, the crumbling dome-shaped hangar making a perfect backdrop and defining its namesake. The Dome is definitely a favorite spot with the locals, but word had gotten out and people drive in from all over to either enter the race or stand by as a spectator. Some place bets, but that’s subsided a good bit since a scandal last year. Most just come for a good time. Me, I’m here for one reason … the rush that comes with the challenge. And hopefully the feeling of victory that follows.

  I make my way to the staging area where the party is already in full swing. It won’t be long before the first match is set and competitors begin inching up each bracket, closer and closer to the final race. The race I need to be in. A shiver moves through my body as my hands smooth over the thin layer of my hoodie. It’s not the cool temperature causing the chill, it’s the adrenaline. The anticipation of barreling down the track and capturing the win.

  The closer I get to the area where everyone is gathered, the louder the music gets. The thumping bass of the music matches my pounding heart hammering against my chest. How does Dad do this on a professional level? I’m all worked up over an amateur race on the deserted runway. Although, I can’t imagine feeling more excited to be on another track. Whether on live television or for the dancing crowd that grows continuously each week, a win is a win.

  Last night wasn’t my first test run, but it was finally the one where I thought I had a grip on myself—but realized that I didn’t. Tonight will be different. I just need to get out there and run the race how I know I can.

  “Hey, Lainey!” Hannah calls over the blaring music as she rushes up to me. Eli is nowhere in sight, but he promised he’d be here. And I have no doubt he’ll show. Eli is the dependable one. The person I can count on, unlike the evil Hale spawn born the year prior.

  Wrapping my arms around Hannah, I do my best to push thoughts of Austin out of my head, but it’s been a losing battle all day long. Eli seemed less convinced that the mutant would be headed out of town today but reassured me he would be gone soon enough. And yesterday isn’t soon enough because as much as I hate the jerk, I hate myself even more for still feeling the ridiculous pull he has over me. The one I was captured by long before I ended up in his bed and going back for more time and time again.

  “Where’s Eli?” I yell over the music, attempting to derail my thoughts. And I really should. There’re more important things for me to focus on—like the reason I’m here, which has absolutely nothing to do with that nuisance. This is for me.

  “He’s around here somewhere.” Hannah glances over the crowd, most of whom sway to the beat while others huddle close in an attempt to converse over the blaring music.

  “I’ll find y’all later.” I wave to Hannah, pointing over at Ben busily jotting down names in brackets. Each of those names is hoping to advance to face the next opponent until only two remain, then just one.

  Rubbing my palms down my jeans, I tell Ben I’d like to race again. He gives me an acknowledging thumbs-up then writes my name down. Easy enough. But it feels immense.

  Turning around, I don’t spot Hannah, so I head back to Lucy. A car really shouldn’t provide such a deep level of comfort, but she’s the only place I feel like me.

  Leaning against Lucy, I take in the atmosphere, impatiently waiting for the matchups to finally begin. My turn in the lineup should be coming soon.

  “That’s a bad habit.”

  I bite down on the fingernail that had mindlessly made its way into my mouth before quickly dropping my arm and curling my fingers against my palm, tucking my nails away. Usually, fingernail polish is enough to deter me, but my nerves are shot. The last thing I need is Austin reminding me of all my bad tendencies. Like him—he’s proved to be just as difficult of a habit to break. “There’re far worse habits than biting my nails.”

  “Agreed.” The jerk grins, confirming he’s correctly picked up on the meaning of my words.