Rotten (29 page)

She had short, dark hair and wore skinny jeans. Her face was downcast, doing her best to retreat into the lockers she was backed up against. Two other girls were in her face calling her a
slut
and
ugly
. One knocked her books out of her hands, and papers scattered to the floor. At that, I began to walk towards the group, and the girls moved to take off, but I stopped them immediately and demanded they turn around. I knew who they were and had been waiting to catch them actually doing it. They sneered at the girl as they passed by now, heading to my office. Brandon had come out and helped pick up her papers and books. She smiled shyly at him and he blushed.

“Honey, what’s your name? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

Clutching her books to her chest, she refused to make eye contact with me. I could see the thin red lines across her arm and instantly knew she was a cutter. Her chunky bracelets did little to hide the marks.

“Megan, ma’am.” She was so quiet and soft spoken that I had to ask again, just to be sure. Reaching out to introduce myself, she timidly took my hand and barely shook back.

She seemed comfortable with Brandon, so I asked if he would mind walking Megan to her next class and perhaps make sure she got on the bus safely. His chest puffed with pride at the charge of responsibility I had given him. Every guy liked playing hero, and with a stature that nearly rivaled David, his size would be put to good use. Megan appeared to like that idea, and they slowly started to walk down the hall.

“Megan, wait. Come see me tomorrow, will you?”

She nodded before turning back to Brandon and chatted away. I smiled at how he instantly jumped in to help her and realized that I could never forget there was always more at play than what my mind could perceive. Heading back to my office, I was in a ripe mood to confront the two sitting outside on a bench. They were unapologetic and defiant. Beyond their hardened exteriors, I knew the fragility of their hearts as well. With a deep breath I opened the door, ushering them in and prayed that I too could make an impact on the other end of the spectrum.

The rink was crowded as peewee practice ended. I adored all the kids who looked like floating marshmallows on the ice, padding awkwardly and learning to find their footing. Climbing the rafters, I watched as David continued to wrap up the drills. The whistle blew loud as the kids moved through each exercise. Every time I took in this scene, my heart melted with tenderness.

It didn’t take much to convince David to become a coach once we decided to make Jodie a partner in the club. She ran it with precision in our absence and jumped at the opportunity to pursue other sources of income. She still danced on the weekends, but knew that eventually it would stop, and she liked having something to fall back on. With additional staff, I took a full-time job, and David spent half of his time at the rink and was incredibly happy. When the kids began to clear, I carefully made my way to the entrance of the rink and waited for David to skate over.

“Well, hello there, Ms. Knox, fancy seeing you here.”

He pushed a puck around in a small area with the most gorgeous grin.

“Well, you know this guy turned me into the biggest puck bunny, so I have to get my fix somehow.”

His face soured. “I better be the only hockey player you’re fucking.”

I shook my head and walked closer. With my toes near the ice, I raised my arms for him to bend down closer. “Pick me up.” Wrapping my legs around his waist, I clung to him for dear life. “Skate with me; I want to feel like I am floating.”

David smiled at my suggestion and happily began to glide across the ice. I closed my eyes and rested my head in the crook of his neck as we traveled across the frozen surface. If we fell, I would most likely get hurt, but I knew he wouldn’t let that happen. Bending his head down, he placed light kisses on my shoulder and neck.

“You okay?” he asked. I could tell he was concerned. I had never asked him to skate like this, but I had a plan.

“Yeah, just take me to the penalty box for a minute, will you? I’ve been a bad girl.”

He chuckled and crossed the ice, knowing I was up to no good.

“Have a seat.” I smiled mischievously and crawled onto his lap. I knew he would instinctively begin to rub my thighs and discover I wasn’t wearing panties. I had hoped he would notice on the ice, but the fabric gathered in his hands.

Lounging on the wooden seat, he allowed me to guide his hands where I wanted them and kiss him feverishly.

“So tell me what naughty things you could have possibly been up to that I wasn’t a part of?” His voice was low and lazy as lust began to fuse in his veins.

Biting his lower lip, I smiled and scraped my teeth along his chin. “Well for one, I am about to fuck you in the sin bin. I must confess this has been a fantasy of mine for a long time.”

His hands moved up and found my center hot against his cold palm. Trailing a finger back and forth, he groaned while shifting beneath me.

“Fuck, Toni, you’re ready.”

He moved quickly to drop his pants a little and remove his unyielding cock. I wasted no time sinking down his length, gasping at the thrill that came every time he buried inside of me. I rotated my hips and bucked hard and fast. I wanted him to come swiftly, and he did not disappoint at being taken off guard. This year had taught me exactly what he liked, and it was variety.

Holding my hips down until he was fully spent, he chuckled and shouted out. “He shoots, and he scores!”

I smiled nervously and hesitated to get up from him immediately. Bringing his hand to my lower abdomen, I clenched my teeth to wait and see if he caught what I was about to say. “And your aim happens to be impeccable.”

Squeezing the flesh of my abdomen slightly, he looked at me with a bit of concern when I held his wrist, keeping his palm flat. “What?” he said, still trying to pull away from me.

“You shot, and you scored, Mr. Stark. You should be proud.”

With the realization hitting him, his hand reflectively jerked back, making me suddenly nervous about telling him. It wasn’t planned, but with the way we were, I was shocked it took so long. I started to back away the longer he remained silent, but he flung out his arms and held me in place, processing what I just told him.

His hand returned to my stomach and grazed the skin with his fingertips. Reaching up and holding the sides of my face, he stared into my eyes with absolute devotion. Placing a light kiss on my lips, he began to laugh while rubbing my stomach in soothing circles.

“What’s so funny?” His laughter was contagious, and I breathed easier, knowing he was okay. David brought my forehead down to his and smiled bigger than I had ever seen before.

“You know we’re in trouble right? Our kid is going to be rotten.”

Brushing my lips softly across his, I met his gaze.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I never set out to write
Rotten
. It found me. With it came the characters who would fuel my inspiration and allow me to build the crazy world they inhabited. It was unlike anything I had done before, and I am so blessed to have had my friends along the way to play a part. As all good stories begin with “I was at a bar,” this is no exception.

This past summer, I was at a bar with Toni Aleo (buy all of her books right now) and told her the story about a hockey player I knew long ago. She suggested I see what he’s been up to. So I did.

I met said hockey player at a bar fourteen years ago. His name is Brandon “Sugar” Sugden (hands down one of the smartest, funniest, most pain in the ass guys I know). A lot can happen in fourteen years, and he suggested I write a story about him. At first, I laughed, but he has a way of growing on you.

In addition, I received an invitation to the Strength Through Love of Books- Author Fundraiser for the Amanda Todd Legacy and connected with a mama and her daughter, who was nearly a casualty of bullying, within weeks of each other. I knew without any doubt, something great was about to transpire.

The best things in life are often the most unexpected.

To those who carried me along the way

First, I want to thank my family for allowing the dishes to sit, dinner not to be cooked, and late nights of being awake typing up a storm. I could not have done this without your understanding. Thank you for allowing me to chase my dreams. I love you very much.

I thank my brilliant editor, Audrey Harte, for not just correcting my work, but teaching me along the way. I know it makes your job easier (haha), but you have made me a better writer, and for that, I cannot thank you enough. Snyder and Jenn Smith at Regimental Design and Foci Photography for being incredibly patient with me when I start to go off the tracks, you do brilliant work and keep me in line. Angela McLaurin at Fictional Formats for keeping me calm and always doing a spectacular job with my babies. Brandon Sugden, for your blunt honesty, being a fantastic muse, Grammar Nazi, resident sexpert and all around hilarious, you really are a saint. Lisa Sax, you never stop encouraging me forward, and I secretly think you like the trouble I cause. Erin Knaus, our mutual love of the word “fuck” might have made us friends, but your never-ending awesomeness will keep us that way. Jodie Stipetech, I knew from the moment our paths crossed you would change me forever. The only thing that would make our friendship better is if one of us had a penis. Donna Sabino, you have my heart in many ways, I do not have to tell you how much you have influenced my life. Thank you for your endless support. Melanie Hazard, you have made this journey so much more spectacular because it’s not often that people from your past grow with you like we have. I am blessed to have you alongside me for this ride, and hope you will stay on for many more to come. Toni Aleo, you have given me the courage to draw from the rawest places as a woman and writer, while being fearless in all I do. That and we have a shit ton of fun. Nicola Farrell, thank you for believing in Distractions and being one of my biggest champions. Your faith in me as a writer means more than you will ever know. Denise Tung, this story may not have happened without you thinking of me. I am humbled by your authentic spirit and desire to want the best for everyone. Nichele Reese for being an anchor in a whirlwind galaxy. Nacole Stayton for reminding me where my blessings come from and to trust God in all things. Michael Gleason for being one of the greatest friends in the world and always knowing when I need your shoulder to lean on. Becky Bilby, Linda Fultz and Kim Kretzer, thank you for sticking with me through this crazy adventure, it’s been a blast! Nicole Brooks and TJ Kramer for being so sexy and allowing me to capture it; you guys are awesome. My wingman, Alex Scott, for keeping the balance. Weston Roodhouse, your playlists inspired me often, and your encouragement continues to make me smile. All of the authors, bloggers and readers I have met along the way, it blows my mind every minute how great you all are. Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. Last but never least, my Creator. God is not often associated with someone working a pole, sitting on a barstool, or loved by an outspoken adult writer, but God will use you wherever you are, so long as you are bold.