Mr. Heartbreaker Jordan Marie Page 0,3

me, but I never trust anyone enough to fully let them in.

I just don’t have that in me. I don’t trust anyone.

“Don’t tell me you’re scoping out Black Mountain’s newest talent,” Davis laughs.

I do my best not to roll my eyes – Big Mike wouldn’t do that. Davis has it so easy. He has no fucking idea. His parents are loaded just like mine, but he doesn’t have the shadow of Parker Huntington looming over him. He also doesn’t have a father that he can’t please no matter what he does.

My brother is the current poster boy for the Major Leagues. He started in the rookie league in Texas and now he’s hit the big time. It was hard enough for me when he was in the lower ranks, but now it’s all I ever hear about – especially from dear old dad. I force those thoughts out of my head and turn my attention to my buddies. I lean back in the metal seat, paste a cocky I-don’t-give-a-fuck look on my face and smirk.

“You know it,” I boast, and honestly, I’m not lying. I’ve been looking at the girl from the hallway this morning. She’s been sitting at a table all by herself since shortly after I got here. She’s eating an apple – that’s it – and she has her nose in a book. I can’t tell what book, but it’s definitely a textbook.

Is she a nerd?

I’ve fucked a few, but none that look like her. She has hair that’s on the verge of being curly, but more relaxed, and it’s this beautiful white-gold color that makes her stand out in a crowded room. The sun is shining through the dormer windows and again I’m struck by her beauty. There are a lot of beautiful women in and out of this school, and I’ve had most of them. But she’s special.

Truly special.

“That’s Violet Raines. She transferred here from California.”

“California?” I ask, still staring at her. I could see her shopping on Rodeo Drive. She definitely would fit in with all the beautiful people. “Why would she willingly switch to BMA?” I muse out loud.

“I heard her mom died and she had to move out here to live with her aunt,” Ben answers.

“Who told you that?” Davis laughs. “Was it Camden?” he adds snidely.

“Fuck off, Davis,” Ben growls.

There’s something going on with Ben and Camden. They wouldn’t appear to mesh, but I can see the fireworks there.

“You going to go over there and show her that Big Mike charm?” Davis asks, having no idea the bitterness his simple question causes.

“Nah, man. When it’s time, Violet Raines will come to me,” I respond, smiling.

I’m already anticipating Violet coming to me.

And she will…

4

Violet

I can feel his eyes on me.

I spotted him when I walked to the table and he’s been watching me the entire time I’ve been here. I’ve been eating my apple and trying to read the chapters I’ll be going over in my next class, but I can’t concentrate because I can feel the weight of his stare on my back. It heats my skin and makes me nervous. I imagine the things he’s making me feel are what a deer would feel like when a hunter is chasing them.

I don’t know why he’s staring at me. Maybe he’s pissed because I turned him down on his offer. Whatever the reason, I refuse to turn around and acknowledge him.

I’ve survived through life with one credo.

Don’t poke a sleeping bear.

I don’t think this guy is sleeping, but maybe if I ignore him, he’ll grow bored.

Guys like him are a dime a dozen and they usually grow bored quickly and move along to new eye candy sooner rather than later. I’m hoping that’s what happens here.

The last thing I need is to grab the attention of anyone here at Black Mountain. And I think that’s probably especially true for him.

“Damn, you’ve caught Big Mike’s attention.”

I look up to find a tall blonde with an athletic build standing beside my table. Her hair is long and wavy. She’s wearing jeans and a shirt – they’re nice, but they don’t read designer. If they are, it sure doesn’t scream it. I again have the thought that maybe I’m overdressing for this place. Next week the new school uniforms are dispersed, and at this rate I’m almost looking forward to it. It might actually help me blend in.

I try to hide my frown. I don’t really want to talk to anyone or get to