Page 15 of The Rebel (Haven Grace Prep 3)

“Asher Hawthorne,” I whisper to myself as I type in his name.

The second I hit enter, thousands of results load—most of them being recent articles. His picture sits on the right side of the screen, those same green eyes making me question why I let myself walk out that door without at least getting his phone number. Maybe we could have made a thing of it. Nothing serious, of course, just a little fun. Oh well, too late now.

Scrolling down, I read over the headline of the first article.

Asher Hawthorne’s Career is Over Due to Injury

“Holy shit,” Lennon breathes. “You went and fucked an NFL player.”

I continue to scroll through the mounds of information. “I guess I did.”

; She sighs, throwing herself backward and lying down. “Only you would score some sexy ass famous quarterback and be totally nonchalant about it.”

The urge to see him again squeezes my chest, but I know it’s not possible. What am I supposed to do, march back up to his hotel room like a total stage-five clinger? No, thank you. I have a bit more dignity than that. Well, at least I’ll have plenty of pictures I can use to relive last night in my mind.

THE REST OF THE summer passes in the blink of an eye. The next thing I know, I’ve gone three weeks without waking up to Delaney right across the hall. It’s difficult, of course, but it’s getting easier. Especially because we still talk almost constantly. She’s enjoying college and living with her boyfriend, while I’m stuck here—repeating my senior year of high school. Lucky me.

I walk down the hall toward my locker with Lennon by my side. This girl has very quickly become one of my best friends, and I love her for that. After Savannah introduced us a few months ago, we’ve been practically inseparable.

“Well, if it isn’t my two favorite firecrackers,” Kellan greets, stepping in between us and draping an arm over our shoulders.

Kellan Spencer is basically the spitting image of his cousin, Carter Trayland—Haven Grace Prep’s favorite golden boy, who graduated last year. He ruled the school easily, with girls basically fainting just from him winking at them, and Kellan isn’t much different. His blond hair and aquamarine eyes only accentuate the jawline that looks like it could be used to cut glass. He’s hot, and he knows it.

“Hey Kellan,” I respond, snickering at the way Lennon blushes.

She can pretend all she wants that she doesn’t have a major crush on him, but it doesn’t take a dating expert to see it. Any time he’s around, she goes quiet—and that girl is nothing if not outspoken.

As we approach our lockers, I can’t help but notice Charleigh, Skye, and Adrianna all huddled around, excitedly gossiping. Lennon and I share a confused look before intruding in their conversation.

“What are you guys up to?” Len questions.

Charleigh is the first one to speak. “Rumor has it, we have a hot new English teacher.”

“It’s not a rumor,” Skye remarks. “I saw him myself. He’s fucking gorgeous.”

My eyes roll. While these girls aren’t the worst, if they think that they have a chance in hell with our new teacher, they’re delusional. He’s a teacher, which means he’s at least four years older and probably has morals that would keep him from messing around with a student. It’s like the typical fantasy pipe-dream. However, at least I’ll have something pretty to look at it in the mornings, because English is our first class.

“Eh, I learned this summer that gorgeous to me and gorgeous to Skye are two completely different things,” I turn to smile at her. “No offense.”

After she hooked up with one of the nerds at a party, during what she calls a momentary lapse in judgment, I’ve learned not to take her advice. Granted, he was probably one of those guys who looks better if you take off his glasses and remove the gel from his hair, but knowing that’s how he chooses to look makes me question his sanity.

The bell rings, making Charleigh smile. “Well, looks like it’s time to find out once and for all.”

Lennon and I walk down the hall with the rest of them, ignoring the guys talking about football this year. The last time I tried to insert my opinion, they told me the most I should know about their team is whatever I learn from the sidelines, slinging pom-poms. Needless to say, I punched Tanner in the arm so hard it left a bruise. Cheerleading is not my thing.

Just as I’m about to walk into the classroom, Kellan grabs my wrist to stop me.

“What are you doing?”

He places one arm next to my head, leaning off the wall in a way that’s supposed to be sexy and seductive, but I just don’t see him that way. One, because I’m pretty sure my best friend has a thing for him, and two, because I don’t mess around with younger guys.

“You and I should hang out later,” he tells me.

I shake my head. “Sorry, Kellan. I’m not interested.”

Slipping out from under him, I turn and enter the room. However, as soon as I do, I stop short. Kellan crashes into my back, but I barely even feel it. I’m frozen completely in place, staring straight into the green eyes I’ve pictured more times than I’d like to admit since the night we spent together. My jaw drops as everything sinks in.