Dirty Little Secret: A Savage Run Romance Read online

  “Fucking hate it when he calls me Bunny and he knows it,” she grits out without looking back, though she throws him the bird over her shoulder.

  Snickers follow the gesture.

  I bite back my laugh. I used to think Bunny was a sickeningly cute nickname until Phia confided one night we’d a little too much to drink that she could go for hours, like the Energizer Bunny.

  Now every time Trent calls her that, all I can picture is Phia in pink bunny ears, riding Trent while beating a drum. Not how I want to imagine my best friend.

  “So, what was Linc hinting at?” I ask her with a shoulder nudge.

  “Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”

  “No way. Why didn’t I know my best friend was an exhibitionist?” I joke.

  “It was one time. He watched and jerked off. Story over.” She quickens her pace and pulls a few steps ahead while I drag my jaw off the floor and rush to catch up. I grab her arm to slow her down.

  “Oh my god, Phee, now you really have to tell me the entire story.”

  She peeks at me out of the corner of her eyes for several long seconds. Finally, she slows.

  “You don't think I’m some kind of slut for doing that?”

  I yank her into an alcove next to a drinking fountain, out of the flow of students.

  “Are you kidding me? Rule number one, Sophia Lawrence: We do not slut-shame each other. I would never do that to you. I can’t believe you’d think that.”

  She looks up from under long eyelashes. “I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t. It just...happened and I didn’t hate it. I guess I was questioning myself more than what you would think.”

  “So, you’re a kinky bitch then?”

  As soon as she snorts, I start to laugh and soon we’re both leaning against the wall, trying to get control of ourselves. When we finally stop laughing, Phia wipes under her eyes and leans closer.

  “Can I tell you something else, Lil?”

  “Always,” I swear.

  “Trent asked me if I’d be up for more with him and Linc. Okay, he asked something like, ‘Hey Bunny, think you’d like to be the creamy white filling in an Oreo sandwich?’” she mimics his deep voice. “But I’m pretty sure he was being serious. Honestly, I’m tempted—you only live once, right—but I’m not sure I should be. What if it’s a test? What if I say yes and he’s upset?”

  Before I can open my mouth to tell her Trent loves her and would never manipulate her that way, the first bell rings. Students in the hallway brush past us a little faster.

  “We can talk more tonight, okay? Just remember, I support you whatever you decide.” I pull her into a quick hug. We part as I make my way toward my locker.

  After I grab the books I’ll need for the first half of the day, I head toward the math and science building while sending a quick text to coach to apologize for missing this morning’s meeting. I’m sure it was just a reminder to talk the team up these last days of school. She’s losing a lot of her seniors.

  Mr. Ander’s door opens just as I walk past and Brooke emerges with Hank on her heels. Not only is she smart as hell, but she also has a way of explaining complicated concepts in a simple way, which makes her a popular tutor among the jocks.

  Brooke falls into step beside me and Hank heads the other way, right after he checks out her ass in the fitted shorts she wore today. With her black-rimmed glasses and buttoned-up sleeveless blouse, she fits the role of the sexy librarian to a T. Yet another reason she’s a popular tutor among the jocks.

  But she’s only interested in the one jock who doesn’t notice her.

  “How’d it go?” I ask, dumping my empty Starbucks cup into the trash.

  “I think he’s making progress. He did offer to pay me to write his term paper, though.” She rolls her eyes and I laugh. Sounds about right. “So, you and Mick?”

  I can hear the slightest bit of hesitation in her voice, starting an ache in my chest. I’d never hurt her like that. I push out of the building and a blast of already-hot air hits my face. Summer comes at the end of March in North Carolina.

  “Mick dropped something off for my dad, that’s all. I’m not interested in him, B. I promise.”

  Mick, Brooke, and I all live in the Hillside Estates community, while Phia and Trent live in Emerald Hills a quarter-mile away. Some days, like today, we live a little too close together. Brooke saw Mick’s truck in my driveway yesterday.

  “He’s more than interested in you, though,” she says with a frown.

  I nudge her shoulder with mine. “It takes two to tango and this girl is not dancing with that boy. The next time you see him, you should just seize the day, jump into his arms, and kiss him. Or I could dare him to kiss you. Pretend like it's a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

  Her cheeks redden and she scowls at me. “Don’t you even.”

  I tap my bottom lip. “Mmm-hmmm, this could work.”

  She swings her bag and I jump out of the way, a grin on my face as I retreat backward. “Two minutes in the closet?”

  “What are we, middle schoolers?”

  “You’re right—he might need more than two minutes.”

  We reach the math building and push through the classroom door just as the second bell rings.

  “Maybe we should focus on finding you a man,” she argues back.

  “Maybe I’m giving up guys and going the girl-on-girl route,” I tease.

  A notebook hits the floor and I look over to see Caleb and Zack staring like I’m an ice cream sundae.

  “Fuck yeah, can we watch?” Caleb asks with a grin.

  Of course they’d think what they overheard is hot. I slip my arm through Brooke’s. Without missing a beat, I whisper loud enough for them to hear me. “I’ve always thought you were hot, Brooke. Maybe you can stop by tonight for a little one-on-one tutoring if you know what I mean.”

  Brooke snorts, seeing through my ruse, but the guys are both hard and drooling at the thought. I’m sure we will play a starring role in their next jerk-off session.

  We slide into our seats a few rows behind them.

  “How long until that rumor goes viral?” Brooke whispers. “If my mother finds out, you realize she’ll go crazy, right? She’s always wanted a lesbian daughter. After Janie up and got married last year, she’s pinned her hopes on me.”

  Only her mother, Celine, would say something like that.

  “Then I guess you better hurry up and jump Mick’s bones, you know, to put the rumors to rest.”

  Brooke grunts. “You’re such a bitch.”

  A grin turns my lips up. “But I’m your best bitch.”

  Ms. Armstrong stands behind her desk and pushes her glasses up.

  “Books away, pop quiz time.”

  Amid a chorus of groans, I feel my phone vibrate. A quick check reveals a text from Phia.

  Oh. My. God. I have news. BIG FUCKING news. See you at lunch. ;)*

  Phee only spells out OMG when she’s really excited about something. She did last summer when her parents okayed a trip to Paris with Trent for three weeks.

  “Phone away, Ms. Montgomery. Unless you’d like an automatic zero?”

  I tuck my phone back into my bag and only half-focus on the quiz. Thankfully, I have a ninety-eight percent in this class, so I can afford to miss a few questions.

  I’m pretty sure I do.

  Chapter Two

  Lil

  “Hurry up, we’re going to be late.”

  I have no idea what we’re late for. When I finally caught up with her yesterday, Phee brushed off my questions with a vague answer. After that text, I was ready to strangle her.

  All she told me was that she had found me the most epic birthday present ever, though my birthday is still four days away.

  Brooke slams the car into park and cuts the engine. After listening to Thirty Seconds to Mars on full volume for half an hour, the silence seems louder than the music.

  “Can I take this damned blindfold off yet?” I ask, pushing fake hair off my face. The wig Phia gave me to wear has been tickling my forehead for the last thirty minutes. I’m not used to bangs and they’re driving me crazy.

  When we arrived at her house, she had laid out wigs along with our outfits for the night. We’re either going to perform as strippers for a bachelor party or we’re earning some spending money along the Strip. I’m wearing far more eye makeup than normal, but the black wig brightens my blue eyes. When they aren’t covered by stray hair, at least.

  “Okay, you can take it off now.”

  The excitement in Phia’s voice is infectious. I rip off the blindfold, expecting… well, something. We’re parked in an alley and lights glow around the corner.

  “Where the hell are we?”

  “You’ll see.”

  “Is my car even safe here?” Brooke asks dubiously.

  She tugs at the platinum-blonde pixie wig that covers her natural raven-colored hair, also in a pixie cut. She opted for a short jean skirt and loose peasant blouse with a plunging neckline. Gladiator sandals complete the sexy outfit.

  “Oh my god, when did you two become such old ladies? Live a little!”

  Phia jumps from the backseat of the BMW and slams the door shut. I look at Brooke, who just shakes her head before following.

  In the fading beam of the headlights, Phia stands with hands on her hips. She’s wearing a hot-pink shoulder-length wig, leather bustier, and black leather shorts. Her stilettos make her legs look a mile long. She looks like a wet dream.

  My outfit resembles hers except I’m wearing a low-cut silver sleeveless top with a draping neckline and high-waisted black suede shorts. A long silver necklace hangs between my breasts—one of my best assets. I’m also wearing my favorite knee-high black boots, laced up my calves and heeled, of course
.

  I chose them because I had no idea where we were going—I still don’t.

  As soon as I open the car door, the whine of motorcycles fills the air.

  Goosebumps pop up on my arms and a wave of excitement washes over me. Phia grabs my hand to pull me away from the car, doing a little booty dance. Her brown eyes dance with anticipation.

  “Welcome to Savage Run,” she squeals.

  My mouth falls open as I hear thudding bass emanate from somewhere nearby, mixed with the revving of bike engines. Lots of bikes. Heat rushes through my veins and my skin prickles.

  I am speechless.

  “Happy early birthday! I know it’s not until Sunday, but I found out about a Savage Sync tonight and the timing was perfect. Welcome to womanhood, beeyotch!”

  She pulls me along behind her and I grab Brooke’s hand as we practically sprint around the building. I’m the youngest of the three of us, but only by a month. Last month, we celebrated Brooke’s eighteenth by making matching friendship mugs at the do-it-yourself pottery shop.

  This... is definitely more my speed.

  I skid to a halt when we round the corner.

  The scene is like something out of Fast and Furious, my favorite franchise on Earth. Girls strut practically naked around the guys whose bikes are lined up along the front of a huge, dark warehouse. Spectators dance to the heavy bass of the music. A few guys stand off to the right with coolers, selling cans of beer and soda.

  “How do they avoid getting caught?” Brooke breathes, looking around with wide eyes.

  “Spotters,” Phia and I say at the same time.

  Phee shares my love of street racing while Brooke just listens to our recap of every race. She isn’t into this kind of thing—her words. Tonight she’s here for me and I love her for it.

  “And they monitor the police scanners. Besides, until the race starts, there’s no law against a bunch of people hanging out,” Phee says.

  There isn’t, but my father has drafted a bill specifically to prevent loitering on abandoned properties like this. He would die to know about this gathering right now. Deep-seated satisfaction rolls through me, though I also make a mental note to stay hidden in the crowd just in case I get caught on camera when the live feed starts.

  I’m in disguise, but if he looked too closely… No, no more over thinking. Tonight, I am not the mayor’s daughter. Tonight, I’m just Lil. Living her wildest dream.

  “This is amazing, Phee.”

  “Come on,” she urges, pulling us closer to the crowd. “The racers usually park toward the front. We have to meet them. Maybe you’ll even get a birthday spank.”

  My pulse speeds up, thinking about one racer, in particular, I wouldn’t mind spanking me.

  “Gentlemen,” a deep voice booms, making me jump. “Ten-minute warning. And the rest of you, five minutes left to place those bets!”

  A chorus of shouts answer and people flock to a man standing at the front of the crowd, waving cash in the air.

  A tingle of excitement runs up my spine. Over the thump of the music, I can hear engines revving. I’ve always loved that sound; there’s something feral and raw about it. Something uninhibited.

  I’ve never ridden on the back of a bike, but I can imagine the freedom. The wind and the world whipping past, just out of reach. I’d get to choose where and when the ride stops.

  Not to mention wrapping my arms around a hot guy. Maybe instead of spanks, one of the racers will offer me a ride.

  As we push through the crowd, I start to recognize many faces from school. Half the lacrosse team seems to be here.

  I duck my head and try to keep out of their line of sight. The last thing I need is for the word to spread about my identity. I’m not my father, but I’m sure no one here would appreciate our connection.

  A body separates from the throng and blocks Phia’s path. She stops, then I hear an excited squeal. Seriously?

  “I thought they broke up,” Brooke yells in my ear.

  I roll my eyes.

  I watch Phia jump into Trent’s arms as he wraps one hand around the back of her neck, kissing her like he wants to devour her. I envy the ease with which they collide, even while they are broken up. I haven’t felt that kind of passion for anyone—well, not since I started attending Aster Prep.

  Brooke grabs my arm when someone knocks into her, making her stumble into me.

  Behind Trent, I catch sight of a few of his teammates, giving Brooke and me the once-over. By the time Mick’s eyes meet mine, his tongue is practically hanging out.

  When he finally realizes who he’s ogling, his eyes fly wide.

  “Montgomery, looking good,” he yells and winks.

  I cringe, looking around quickly to check if anyone heard him and put two and two together. Thankfully not. Mick seems to be in his element though, relaxed and not worried, despite being the police commissioner's son. He saunters closer and twists his ball cap around so the brim points back.

  “That wig is hot. We can role play later. I’ll be Antony and you can be Cleopatra. D’ Nile isn’t just a river in Egypt, you know.”

  I may have solidly friend-zoned him but that doesn't stop him from flirting outrageously. I laugh out loud and he sends me a lopsided grin that even I admit is cute. I hear Brooke sigh beside me—another reason I won’t ever grow closer to Mick. My bestie has nursed a crush on him since second grade—according to her—but for some reason he barely acknowledges her.

  Phia and Trent are still dry-humping when a piercing announcement sends a hush over the crowd.

  “Two-minute warning. Racers, to the line.”

  “Damn it, I wanted Lil to meet the racers,” Phia says, pulling her lips off Trent’s. “Was hoping one would give her a birthday spanking.”

  A chorus of offers comes from the team and I wave them off with an eye roll.

  “With those shorts, I don’t think there’s a guy here who would turn you down,” Mick says with a smirk. “But… I do know the organizer. I could be bribed to ask if you can meet one of them after the race.”

  Phia pulls out of Trent’s arms and claps her hands. “Oh my god, yes. Romeo. She wants to meet Romeo.”

  Heat crawls up the back of my neck as all the guys groan.

  “You, too? So, I need a bike and some leather pants to get your attention,” Mick grumbles.

  Brooke stiffens next to me. I grab her hand and pull her slightly in front of me. Mick’s eyes widen a fraction, finally noticing her low-cut top. Brooke has an amazing figure, no doubt about it, but she tends to hide her assets at school.

  “Oh, hey, Brooke. Didn’t see you there. You look… different.”

  “Hot, right?” I prod.

  He glances at her chest again, then scrubs his hand over the back of his neck before looking away.

  “I could shove them in his face and he still wouldn’t notice,” Brooke murmurs into my ear.

  “I think you're wrong. Dare you to try it.”

  She huffs out a laugh and steps closer to me as the crowd jostles us from all sides. The energy is changing tangibly. I strain to see over the heads around me.

  “Are you ready?” the voice booms and the crowd erupts in a frenzy of shouts and waving hands. Including mine.

  “We’ve got eight racers tonight, but you might notice only seven at the line.”

  Excited screams echo as I glance around. The enthusiasm ratchets up to new heights; even Mick bounces next to me, then leans down close to my ear.

  “You want to get closer?”

  I nod quickly and he starts to pull me through the crowd. Though I grab Brooke’s hand, it slips from my grasp when bodies shift. I try to look back, but everyone is shoving forward and we’re forced to follow.

  Mick pulls us to the front, where we reach a makeshift barrier of sawhorses and police tape separating the spectators from the racers. He stands at my back to keep the crowd from shoving me forward and I don't mind when his hands settle on my hips to steady me. I’m too enthralled by the scene in front of me. Seven bikes are lined up at the starting line, riders revving engines while a few barely dressed girls are securing cameras to their helmets.

  The bikes are gorgeous. All of them are black, but there are subtle differences in the styles if you look close enough. The riders wear black jeans, boots and leather jackets, gloves and black helmets with tinted visors. A few have their visors up now as they pull on gloves or check the controls, but the masks pulled over the bottom of their faces hides most of their features behind skeletal grins.