Prologue
Twenty-One Years Ago
My best friend, Phoenix, and I were kicking off the first week of summer at a field party with some of the other guys from the football team. It was how we usually spent our summers—practicing during the week and partying on the weekends. Phoenix wasn’t big on the parties, but I loved them.
I grabbed the cooler from the back of Phoenix’s truck, and we joined our teammates by the bonfire. After tossing a cold beer to Phoenix, I cracked one open for myself and took a seat on the cooler. While we were cutting up with the guys, I noticed two girls repeatedly glancing at us and giggling.
I nudged Phoenix with my elbow. “Those two over by Douchey Dave’s Camaro have been looking over here every few minutes. Let’s go over and talk to them.”
He grimaced initially, but, as always, he came through and played my wingman. “Lead the way.”
I chuckled and called out over my shoulder, “Dibs on the brunette.”
He rolled his eyes, and I laughed to myself. He just hadn’t really looked at them yet. As if on cue, we were about ten feet away when he muttered, “Dibs on the blonde.”
I slapped him on the back. “That’s the spirit, my man.”
Knowing I would have to take the lead, I walked up to the girls and introduced us. “Hello, ladies, I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Aaron Marshall, and this is Phoenix Black,” I said and extended my hand to the brunette while flashing her my panty-dropping smile.
The brunette grasped my hand and smiled. “I’m Macy McManis, and this is Annabelle Burnett.”
Annabelle shook my hand and turned her eyes to Phoenix. “Hi,” she said shyly.
Phoenix froze like a deer in headlights but finally managed to utter, “Hi.”
Clearing my throat, I tried to keep my friend from looking like a complete dork. “So, you girls must not be from Croftridge because I would most definitely remember seeing your beautiful faces.”
Macy giggled. “I live in Cedar Valley. Annabelle’s family just moved to Croftridge last week.”
“Where did you move from?” Phoenix asked Annabelle.
As the two of them started to talk, I focused my attention on Macy. “Do you go to Cedar Valley High?”
She pointed to her tank top with CVHS Varsity Cheer printed across the front. I smirked, “Not going to lie, babe. I was staring at your tits, not reading your shirt.”
She giggled and playfully slapped my chest.
Before I could respond, Phoenix asked, “So, how did you girls meet?”
Macy started to answer, “Annabelle’s mother—”
“—and Macy’s mother work together,” Annabelle interrupted. Macy shot her a sideways glance but didn’t say anything else.
Phoenix and Annabelle fell into their own conversation, and I turned my attention back to Macy. Never one to beat around the bush, I asked, “You got a boyfriend?”
She grinned. “I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you if I did.”
I moved closer to her. “If I have anything to say about it, you won’t be standing here talking to me much longer anyway.” Hooking my finger in the belt loop of her shorts, I yanked her to me and grinned at her little gasp.
I turned to tell Phoenix to keep her friend company when I caught the tail end of his conversation with Annabelle. She almost looked like she was scared, so I tried to help him out by letting her know he was good people. “You’ll love the Blacks. Gram and Pop are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” I added.
Then, I turned back to Macy and nipped her earlobe with my teeth. “You got a car here?”
“Yes,” she breathed as she rubbed her tits against my chest.
“Well, let’s go,” I suggested and punctuated it by squeezing a handful of her firm ass.
I blinked in surprise when she clicked the keyless entry in her hand, and the lights on what looked like a brand-new Range Rover flashed. “Did you steal Mommy’s or Daddy’s car tonight?”