Unbridled (The Monroe Series Book 2) Read online

  Her dad was a preacher and a real asshole, if you ask me. His wife was his servant, and he made it very clear she was there to have his babies and tend to his every need. Hannah has five younger siblings and as she got older, it was her job to help her mother. It was clear to me, even at a young age, that the good pastor didn’t see any real value in women.

  Then right before we were to start eighth grade, he took a lead minister position in a huge church in Dallas and just uprooted his family. He took Hannah from me. I’ll never forget the day they moved. It was straight out of some sad movie. All I could do is sit and watch the moving van drive away, and Hannah with a devastated look on her face.

  I’ve only seen her one time since that day, until today that is. I shake that memory from my head.

  Could that be why she wanted absolutely nothing to do with me?

  Chapter 2

  Luke

  The next day I’m sitting in my psychology class trying to decide if the window I’m sitting by is a blessing or a curse. I can see the world outside of the classroom, and even though it’s drizzling and there are two inches of dirty snow on the ground, it’s still freedom from this boring lecture.

  Shit, I need to get it together.

  I look around at my classmates thirsting for knowledge, and all I can think about is how to escape these beige walls. I see a guy two seats in front of me with his head drooping and snapping back to attention when someone drops their pen on the ground. Okay, so I’m not the only one, but I bet he gets to blow off some steam occasionally. I’ve been to a couple of parties since I’ve been here, but with an eleven o’clock curfew my first semester, nothing was truly epic. Now my curfew is midnight, and bed checks are rare since football season is over. But if I get caught drinking underage or doing anything illegal, I’m done. I’ll be kicked off the team and lose my scholarship, and I will have officially let my dad down.

  I sit up a little straighter in my seat at that thought. Then my thoughts drift to Hannah. I wonder what her life has been like since she moved to Texas. Did she think about me as much as I thought about her? Why didn’t she keep in touch? Why did she downright ignore me after the last time we saw each other three years ago.

  Fuck. I have to see her again.

  Class ends, and I quickly check-out with the shy chick at the back of the classroom before heading to the athletic facility for a workout. Back at my dorm I try and concentrate on some homework, but the shit I’m reading can’t keep my thoughts from drifting to Hannah. I have so many questions for her, the first one being, why the hostility?

  Deciding I need a run, I text my friend Nick. I’ve known Nick since my freshman year of high school. He lives in the dorms on campus, but he lives with the “normal” students. Those are his words. I have no idea what he even means by that. He’s a business major and honestly, he and I are as different as night and day, but somehow it works. He is very serious about academics and spends a lot of time studying.

  I meet him at the usual halfway point in between our dorms, where we greet each other with a fist bump before beginning our route down Manhattan Avenue toward Aggieville, and a kickass cluster of bars that I intend to visit as soon as I can.

  As we run, I turn my head in his direction, "Do you remember Hannah Martin, from back home?"

  He's searching his brain, but then shakes his head, "No. Who is she?"

  "She was like my best friend from kindergarten until she moved, right before eighth grade."

  "Don't remember her." That makes sense, it was a big school. "Why?"

  “I ran into her in class today."

  "Well, that's not that unusual, it's only two hours away from home."

  "Yeah, but her home has been in Texas for five years. And her father is a controlling prick. I never thought he would let her be this far away from him."

  "Well five years is a long time, people change. So, did you catch up?"

  "That's the thing, she wants nothing to do with me."

  He grins as we run, "Oh shit, no wonder it's bothering you. A girl wants nothing to do with you."

  "Shut up man, it's not like that. We were friends, actual friends."

  He laughs, "So what did you do to her?"

  "Nothing, I don't think."

  I contemplate what I could have possibly done for the rest of our run, and at the end, I still come up empty. This is fucking ridiculous. I've never spent this much time thinking about a girl. At one time I did, and that girl was Hannah. But that was before she disappeared, and wrote me off three years ago—the last time I saw her. When she first moved away, we wrote each other every week. Then after they visited three years ago, I never heard from her again.

  The next two days are so uneventful, I’m almost comatose. Nothing but classes and working out. Saturday morning, I decide I need to deal with this, so I use my daily run to jog to the campus library where Hannah told me she works. Stalker much? I know.

  I walk into the main doors of the massive campus library. I admit I haven't been here since Freshman Orientation, but it's a massive building in the middle of campus, you can't miss it. I walk in and go up the stairs to the main floor. It's pretty full, and I can't believe this many people are in a library on a Saturday morning.

  I zone in on Hannah almost immediately. She's sitting at the large front desk next to another girl. Okay, time to turn on the Monroe charm. I make my way confidently over to Hannah’s desk. Her coworker notices me for damn sure if the look of sheer delight on her face is anything to go by. But when Hannah notices me, there is nothing but annoyance on hers. "Lucas? What are you doing here?"

  I shrug it off and give her a big smile, "You know I actually go by Luke now." Still annoyed. I wave my hands in surrender, "but you can call me Lucas. I just want to catch up."

  Hannah stands up in a huff and starts to push a cart full of books toward the stacks, so I follow. "There isn’t anything to catch up on, Lucas."

  "How can that be possible? I haven't spoken to you for three years. Not one word."

  "Like I said, you're popular around here. I've even seen you on TV."

  "But none of that shit is real, and I don't know a damn thing about what you've been up to."

  She places a book in its correct spot on the shelf and turns to me, "Why do you want to know?"

  I narrow my eyes at her, what the hell has happened to this girl? "Because you've been my best friend since before I could ride a bike."

  "No, I was until we were thirteen. I mean, we were children. We’re adults now and totally different people. So much has happened and we’ve changed."

  "You certainly have."

  She purses her lips and then continues putting the books back. "You're right, I have and you have too."

  "No, I've always been this awesome."

  She rolls her eyes, "So keep being awesome. I'm just not interested in getting reacquainted."

  Now I'm pissed. I can't help it. I have to know what her deal is. "Why the hell not?"

  "We’re different people Lucas. I'm here because I want to learn, to grow as a human being, you’re here to play football and screw around."

  "Oh okay, this is because I play football? I know you always hated the sport, but that’s not the only thing going on in my life."

  "It's not that I hate football or you playing it for that matter. As for what you’ve got going on in your life, that’s no secret either. We’re just different people with very different goals and interests. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you care about school? Do you even care about your GPA, other than keeping your athletic scholarship?"

  I don't say anything. She’s right, but like hell if I’ll admit it. Basically, I’m here to play ball, just like my dad always wanted me to. Keeping up my grades to keep my scholarship is just a burden I have to bear. “You’re here on a scholarship also, so I’m not seeing how we’re so different."

  "Yes, a scholarship I worked like crazy to get through studying and writing an essay. I care about learning, and I do
n't party or waste my time on..."

  "Fun?"

  She glares at me and says so quietly I don't think she believes it herself, "I have fun."

  I laugh, "Yeah, sounds like you have a blast."

  "Maybe I'm not here for fun."

  "Then what is the point? It’s fucking college, Han."

  I could ask myself the same thing.

  "Look, I have to work, so if you don't have anything library-related, please leave. I bet you could even easily find someone to follow you out of here."

  "What the fuck happened to you? This isn't you—some judgmental, uptight bitch."

  I see a glimmer of the old Hannah, and I think she's going to lay into me, but she doesn't. She remains calm and tucks a strand of her hair behind her head. "This is me, Lucas. You just don't know me."

  I nod my head angrily and hiss, "Yeah, it sure looks that way, Hannah. Now, I’m wondering if I even want to.” I think I see a flash of hurt that just as quickly disappears. I quickly turn away to get away from this girl who at one time was so much part of my life, but that girl is gone.

  “Lucas, it’s just better if we don’t….”

  I keep walking, “You’re right about that. Won’t be bothering you again.”

  Well, maybe I won’t anyway.

  Chapter 3

  Luke

  After leaving the library, I head back to my dorm and pack a bag before heading to my '68 cherry red Ford Mustang, a graduation present from Jax and Dylan. Definitely, a nice way to travel the two-hour drive to Overland Park. Home, sweet home.

  It’s just after four o’clock when I park on the street in front of the large house Dylan bought when he gained custody of Cassie, Michael, my youngest sister, Gabby, and me. The only vehicle in the driveway is Cassie’s jeep. The garage doors are closed, so I can’t tell who is home. The only cars that are ever parked in the attached garage are Dylan’s Camaro and Brooke’s Roadrunner.

  When I unlock the front door, I expect to hear sounds of home, which are always loud with the number of people who live here and Gabby’s dog, Toby. Instead, it’s unusually quiet for a weekend. Since everyone’s gone, I decide to head down and throw my bag in my room before grabbing something to eat, realizing it’s been a while since breakfast.

  Those plans take a different turn when I get downstairs and hear Cassie's stereo on and then her girly-ass giggle. Then I hear something different. Something no one wants to hear coming from their little sister's bedroom, a definite male moan.

  What the hell?

  Without thinking, I burst through Cassie's door. Cassie just turned 17 and is a junior in high school. She's had a boyfriend, Austin, since her freshman year, and I swear I didn't see this coming. The kid has no swagger. He's shy as hell and is terrified of Dylan, but I think Jax and I terrify him even more. "What the hell Luke! Get out of here!"

  "What the hell are you thinking, Cassie?"

  There is a lot of shuffling around and the bed creaks as weight is lifted off of it. "Gross, Luke. Were you listening? What are you even doing home?”

  I ignore the fact that my little sister is standing in nothing but a flimsy blanket and glaring at me with attitude. "I wasn't listening by choice Cass, your little sexcapade assaulted my ears, and I'm here to visit my family. Now I think it’s time for Austin to haul his ass out of your bed, so I can beat it.”

  And that's when I fucking hear laughter that I recognize all too damn well. Brent.

  Brent and I have history. He was in my class and was Cassie's first boyfriend, until the asshole dumped her and called her a cock tease in front of the entire school. That didn't sit right with me, and he's why I have a mark on my high school record for fighting on school property. Now the asswipe is here in my sister's bedroom, again.

  What. The. Fuck?!

  The fucker stands and adjusts his boxers that he no doubt just pulled on, with his hair all messed up, "Austin? Fuck him. Cassie finally smartened up and ditched that limp dick."

  In less than a second, I’m in his face, “What the fuck are you doing here?"

  He gives me a cocky grin, "I think you heard."

  One thought flashes quickly through my mind, don’t fuck up your scholarship.

  In an evil voice that I don’t even recognize, I calmly inform him, “You have fucked up.”

  "This isn't your house, Monroe."

  "You think I give a shit? You’re in my brother’s house, in our sister’s bedroom. Guess what, I’m just gonna get started on you so that when he gets here he’ll get the pleasure of finishing you off.”

  “Luke, stop it.”

  I ignore Cassie’s plea. “Hell, maybe Jax will be with him. I know he wants a piece of your sorry ass. Won’t this be a fun reunion?”

  Cassie intervenes and takes his hand, pulling him away from me. Too bad for him, I just follow them both. Right now, I’m pretty much pissed off at the world, and this isn’t going to end well for him.

  She reaches around his waist, “Brent, go home. Call me later.”

  He smirks and breaks eye contact with me then grabs Cassie by the neck. He kisses her way too long, then smacks her ass. “Your cherry might have been sweet, but it’s not worth this kind of hassle. I’m out of here.”

  He bends to get his jeans, and I fucking explode. I crash us both into Cassie’s dresser which implodes under our combined weight. Straddling his body, I find a zone that nearly drowns out the sound of Cassie screaming for me to stop. He puts up one hell of a struggle, but it’s no match for the anger coursing through my body.

  “What the fuck? Luke, what are you doing?” Somewhere in the haze, I make out my brother’s voice, then Cassie’s.

  “Dylan, stop him. He’s going to kill him. Please stop him.”

  Two sets of arms wrap around me and drag me off Brent, but I continue struggling to get back to beating his ass.

  “What the hell is he doing in my house?” Dylan roars once he gets a look at whose ass I was tearing into. He turns to Cassie, “What is he doing here, Cassandra?”

  Cassie’s gaze is fixed on the ground. Clearly, Dylan didn’t know that Cassie was back with this prick either. What is it about Brent for Cassie?

  Brent sits up and stupidly glares back at me before turning his gaze to Dylan, then to Jax. The piece of shit is actually too stupid to live if he thinks he can stare the three of us down.

  “Brooke, take Cass upstairs.” The command comes from Dylan.

  I hear Brooke’s voice, she sounds stunned, “She needs some clothes….”

  Dylan releases one side of me and whips around to take in Cassie standing there still wrapped in nothing but her little blanket. Looking back at the now standing Brent, he takes a step in his direction. The fucker doesn’t even flinch.

  “Babe, get her the hell out of here, now.”

  I see Brooke nod in Cassie’s direction, “Come on, Cass. You can borrow something from my closet, then we are going to have an unbelievably long talk.”

  “All of you stop,” Cassie cries out. “Please, just leave him alone. We want to be together.”

  Brent turns his gaze toward her and arches one eyebrow, “No we don’t. Like I said, this is way too much bullshit.”

  Unfortunately, he just doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut. Cassie looks devastated by that and just continues crying. Finally, Brooke pulls her from the room and upstairs.

  Dylan steps up to Brent’s swaying form, and in his deadliest voice, lets him know how things are going to go down, “It’s real fucking unfortunate that it started snowing.”

  The jackass wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, “Oh yeah, why’s that?” He asks casually.

  “Because you’re fixing to know what it’s like to walk home in your boxers again,” he grins.

  “I have a phone, asshole.”

  I really like how my brother thinks. I give Brent a shit-eating grin, “No you don’t.”

  There’s a brief glaring match before Jax breaks it, “We’ll give you a choice; you’re going
peacefully or this is gonna to get physical.”

  He considers his options briefly, and when Dylan takes a step toward him, he thankfully gets smart and heads toward the door. “If Daddy wants to know why you’re coming home again with no clothes, just tell him to give me a call.”

  “Fuck you.”

  The three of us follow him up the stairs and to the front door. After slamming it behind his exit, Jax and I follow Dylan to his and Brooke’s bedroom where the sounds of Cassie crying can be heard.

  "What the hell is going on? Are you cheating on Austin?" Dylan asks.

  "No, we broke up,” she yells at him.

  I have to admit I am baffled by this shit, so I have to ask, "Why? He fucking worships the ground you walked on Cassie. Even Dylan and Jax like him."

  "I know and he is a great guy. But I don't know Luke, it was just...boring."

  Dylan runs his fingers through his hair, clearly at a loss for words at Cassie’s behavior. “Boring, wow, Cassie. You know, we’re going to have many, many talks about this and it’s going to take a long time to trust you again. I thought we were over this shit.”

  With that, he takes Brooke’s hand and leads her out of the room, leaving just me and Cassie.

  I stand there, staring at my younger sister, totally fucking baffled.

  Fucking girls. They want the sweet, sensitive type ‘til they have one, then they want an asshole like Brent and okay, like me. I bank on girls being attracted to the asshole type.

  “So what, you were bored with everything going well and having a great boyfriend, so you go and fuck Brent?"

  "We've been dating for a couple of weeks. We have a connection."

  "Uh-huh, and I'm sure he's connected with a few others as well."

  "You're wrong, things are different. He's really changed," she insists angrily.

  “That’s such bullshit. Did you even hear what he said down there?”

  “How can you blame him for saying that with you in his face, threatening him?” she yells.

  "He's just using you Cassie. He wants one thing, and then he will get bored and ditch you."