Stupid Boy Read online

  The light stayed on. Always on.

  Soon, with the sounds of my sorority sisters’ laughter wafting up the staircase, my eyelids grew heavy and I drifted off to sleep.

  The moment my eyes popped open, Kane McCarthy was there. In my brain. Behind my eyelids, like a photograph. Five-thirty a.m. What was he doing in my thoughts so early? On my nightstand, I lifted the copy of Sense and Sensibility I’d purchased at a used book store in Covington and began reading. I’d read it a dozen times before, but it didn’t matter. Jane Austen was by far a woman I admired, and I loved all of her works. Corinne Belle had insisted I read her novels as a child, swearing it would make me more well-rounded. Little did she know I honestly enjoyed it. Sense and Sensibility and Emma were two of my favorites, and I’d read them both many times. Austen’s profound words seemed to stay with me for days on end, even after I’d closed the book.

  Slipping out of bed, I hurried through my morning yoga routine, my full-body stretches, my sit-ups. Then before anyone else awakened, I pulled out the pair of trainers from beneath my bed, along with the running leggings and a light jacket, and set out for the second thing I did for sheer pleasure: run. It was something Corinne Belle would frown upon; it was something I hid from her, as well. As I eased out of Delta house, the chilled November morning greeted me, along with the still-darkened sky, and I set out to the parking lot. I didn’t dare run on campus; the park was much safer. There, I left my car, eased out, did a few more stretches, and started my morning run. Slow at first, I picked up the pace, reveling in the burn of my muscles, the long stride of my legs, the ache in my lungs. It was the one thing that really made me feel alive. Made me feel like me. Rather, what was left of me.

  No one else was about. Just me, the running path, and the pond. Unavoidably, my thoughts again landed on a pair of smoky brown eyes and flawless skin. Messy hair. And I had to shake my head to clear my thoughts of Kane McCarthy.

  Why was he troubling me? Wasn’t he a perfect subject for the Dare? Murphy thought he was the perfect choice. I ran harder, as if trying to put distance between me and his image, and by the time I succeeded the very hazy edge of daybreak cracked the sky. My lungs now burned, and I bent over at the waist, grabbed my knees, and sucked in volumes of crisp air. Sweat clung to my neck, and the cool air swept over it as I breathed—

  “Running from something?”

  Gasping, my heart leapt as I jumped. Kane leaned against the tree closest to the park bench I’d sat on the night before.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked, surprised. “Are you following me?”

  Those smoky eyes regarded me in silence. “Yeah. I guess I am.”

  My eyes darted through the barely-there haze of early morning. A few others had begun their morning run, so I wasn’t alone. Still, he unnerved me, and I questioned him. “Why?”

  Kane must’ve sensed my unease; he remained against the live oak. He shrugged. “I was out, saw you leave. Guess I wanted to know where you were going so early.” He inspected me then, toe to head, then lifted one brow. I was utterly speechless, so I waited for him to speak. “Why do you drive twelve miles off campus to run?”

  There it was again. Edgy. Caged in. I didn’t like questions, and Kane McCarthy was full of them. “It’s really none of your business.” I breathed, forcing the adrenaline pulsing through me to settle. “And frankly I think it’s pretty bizarre that you’d follow a total stranger—a girl no less.”

  There was that slow, easy smile. “There you go with that strangers thing again. I told you last night. We’re not strangers anymore.” Still, he stayed where he was, propped easily against that tree, arms crossed over his chest, that leather jacket opened and exposing a dark T-shirt beneath. He pinned me with a look. “It’s safe out here? A girl like you?” His gaze held steady. “Alone?”

  Wiping my damp brow with my forearm, I began edging my way to my car. “What do you mean, a girl like me?”

  Now he pushed off the tree and his long legs stretched over the ground as he followed me. He shrugged. “Small. Easy target.” He rubbed his chin. “Goody-goody. Beautiful.”

  That caught me off guard. It also angered me. “So only small, beautiful girls get attacked? I don’t think so. Besides, I can handle myself. And yes—this is a safe place.” I inclined my head. “The Covington Deputy Sheriff jogs here every morning and stays until after daybreak.” I glanced around and saw the sheriff on the opposite side of the lake. At the water’s edge, an old lady fed the ducks. Perfectly safe.

  At the car, he caught up with me. “I’m not trying to scare you,” he said quietly. He stood close now—so much that I could smell the soap wafting off his skin. “I’d just…hate to see you get hurt.”

  I opened my car door and before I could close it, Kane was there. Keeping it opened with an easy grip. When I looked up in alarm, or surprise—whatever—he was staring down at me, and there was a gentleness about his features, in the relaxed lines around his eyes, the ease of his full lips that captivated me, banishing the fear that had sprung up inside of me. It was strange. Exhilarating. Terrifying. “All women are potential targets, Harper.” His eyes grew solemn. “You just happen to be a beautiful one. Sometimes, that puts you at a higher risk.” He turned my car door loose. “Be careful.”

  I barely knew what to say. I swallowed, felt the cagey feeling gnawing at me again, and I gave a nod. “Of course. Thanks.” I closed the door then, and he stepped back. After I started the engine and put the car in reverse, I looked at him, and he offered an easy smile.

  Again, the kind of male beauty that made one’s eyes kaleidoscope.

  As I backed out, he waved, and I nodded, and as I pulled away I glanced in my rearview mirror. Kane stood there, hands in his pocket, legs braced wide as he watched me leave. Only when I passed a vintage truck, parked close to the exit, did I wonder how Kane had gotten to the park. I then questioned if it was his and figured it had to be.

  Apprehension left me as soon as I pulled onto the road, yet my thoughts ran rampant through my mind as I drove back to Winston. Within two days Kane McCarthy had not only entered my life, uninvited, but he now knew one of my secrets—that I chose to drive twelve miles away from campus to run. I was positive he suspected I had motive, and I felt sure that he’d eventually ask questions. Yet somehow, I felt sure he’d keep it to himself.

  Why, I had no idea. He was about as polar opposite of me as one could get. He wasn’t the usual type of guy who even remotely showed an interest in me. And that caused me to pause and consider.

  Later that afternoon, I was hurrying to Calculus when I noticed Brax and Olivia just ahead of me. As I caught up to them, my eyes scanned the area for Kane—he was nowhere to be seen. The closer I grew, though, Brax’s distinct voice drifted back toward me.

  “Gracie, he’s runnin’ fuckin’ numbers again,” Brax said. “Right out of the Kappas’ frat house. Swear to God, I feel if he gets busted, it’ll come down on me.”

  My skin prickled as I computed the words. Running numbers? Out of the Kappa house?

  “Brax, you aren’t your brother’s keeper,” Olivia comforted. “What he does isn’t your fault.”

  “He’s my fuckin’ brother, Gracie. Damn, he’s got a hard head!” Brax rubbed his head, the back of his neck, then halted so fast I slammed into the back of him.

  “Oh!” I gasped. “Brax, I’m sorry—in such a hurry here I didn’t see you!”

  His strange blue eyes flashed over me, and he tossed me a grin. “No problem, half-pint. You okay?”

  “Yes, of course,” I assured him. “Hey, Olivia.”

  She smiled that warm smile that always made me feel a little at ease—much more than anyone else. “Hey back,” she said. “We’re going for pizza later. Wanna come along?”

  “Oh,” I said, and shifted my briefcase in my hand. “Thank you, but I can’t. Huge test.”

  Olivia nodded. “Maybe next time?”

  I forced my smile. “Yes. Definitely so.”

  Br
ax pulled Olivia to his side and he gave me a wink over the top of her head. “See ya ‘round, Harper.”

  I smiled. The lines around Brax’s eyes and mouth gave his worry away, and I couldn’t help but wonder just how much trouble Kane was stirring up. I didn’t know much about numbers and betting and gambling, but I could tell Brax wasn’t taking it lightly. Not at all. “Bye, guys.” I watched them for a moment, walking together, and Brax leaned close, pushing Olivia’s braid off to one side and pressing his lips to her neck. Olivia shrugged and squealed, as if it tickled. Without thought, my hand lifted and grazed the side of my own neck. Wondering.

  “Positively dreamy, don’t you think?”

  I jumped at the sound of Murphy’s voice in my ear as she leaned over my shoulder and stared in the direction Brax and Olivia had taken. She puffed out a breath, and it tossed a few strands of my hair. “Damn, he’s got a fetchin’ backside.” She cut her eyes at me. “Wickedly scrummy. Don’t you think?”

  Murphy was one of the few who could drag out a real smile in me, and she’d just done it. I shook my head as she oogled Brax. “You’re shameless.”

  She gave me a light head-butt. “One of me best qualities. And you’re going to be late to Cal.”

  “Oh, shoot!” I gasped, and took off to class.

  The whole way there, though, as I darted through Winston’s occupants as they milled about the quad and hurried to various parts of the school, my mind worked. Wheels turned. Kane McCarthy was running numbers out of the Kappa House. While he didn’t exactly come across as a thug or a delinquent, despite his smoky stare and leather jacket—he actually looked more like a rough-around-the-edges Abercrombie model. Still, he was doing something illegal. Something Brax despised. Something he could get into serious trouble for, and Brax, too, more than likely.

  Kane McCarthy needed reforming.

  He needed a Bad Boy Makeover.

  And by the time my Calculus professor ended the class with a reminder of a large pending quiz, I’d made my mind up.

  I’d found my subject for the Dare. Actually, I was doing not only Brax a favor, but Kane, as well. It was a win-win, if I succeeded. And the Kappas would lose.

  And I’d quite possibly lost my mind.

  As I gathered my belongings and slid them neatly into my slim leather briefcase, ideas surged through my head. I couldn’t deny that there was something alluring about Kane. He was beautiful, in a feral sort of way. At the same time, I felt edgy. Foreign. Vulnerable.

  Scared.

  For the first time in my life I decided to do something, despite all of those feelings pounding away at me. Warning me.

  Besides. It was a reformation Dare. No harm could come of it except for hopefully saving not only Kane’s hide but Brax’s, too. He of all people didn’t deserve to be caught up in the middle of it.

  Best of all, though? Olivia and Macie and any other girl who’d suffered the Dare in the past would be privately vindicated. The Kappas would lose their numbers man. And hopefully gain some humility.

  And we would possibly put an end to the Kappas’ stupid dare for good.

  Once more, I stood before my sisters in the common room in an unofficial meeting. I lifted my chin. “So our very own Dare is now officially on its way.”

  The girls all gave a light applause.

  I looked first at Murphy. “Murphy Polk has somehow managed to secure the Kappas’ own Josh Collins.”

  “Good luck reforming that one, Murph,” Margie commented. “He’s so full of himself.”

  “Yeah, Murphy, you have your hands full.”

  Murphy rose from the sofa and smoothed the front of her red plaid pajama bottoms. Then she daintily turned and poked out her bottom. Across the backside the word Queen was embroidered. She pointed at it. “There’s a good stiff reason I wear these bloomers, loves,” she said with a wicked grin. She rose tall. “I’ve got Collins, no problem.” She sighed. “He definitely needs polishing, though. Starting with a manicure.”

  We all laughed.

  I scanned the room. “Leslie, how about you?”

  Leslie remained sitting on the floor; legs crossed yoga-style, her blonde pixie hair tucked behind one ear. “Jake Soverinson? He’s on the baseball team. Big buddies with the Kappas, but he’s not in the fraternity.”

  Another light round of applause. I nodded. “Good job, Leslie.”

  “Alright, Ms. Belle,” Murphy chided playfully. “Spill the proverbial beans. Who’s your man?” She winked at me. She knew.

  I drew a deep breath. “Well, you won’t know him. I’ve only encountered him a time or two, actually.”

  Several who’s filled the room as the sisters anxiously awaited more.

  I pinned a smile to my face and drew courage from somewhere deep inside of me. Was I really committing to this? To say it out loud made it official. I inhaled. “His name is Kane McCarthy. He’s…actually Brax Jenkins’ older brother.”

  Murmuring became a low roar as the girls all gasped and commented and then looked at me for more explanation. I folded my hands together where I stood. “He’s not a student. Actually, I’ve discovered he’s possibly the Kappas’ numbers man for the football season.”

  I watched Murphy’s mouth pull into a grin, and she gave me an approving nod. She’d known I was on the fence about Kane, but seemed pleased I’d made up my mind.

  “Isn’t that…illegal?” Annie Hall asked. Her shoulder-length black bob flipped up on the ends.

  I nodded. “Yes, it is. Which is why he needs reforming in a big way. It also puts Brax at risk, and as we all know he needs no provocation. Or further risks. So all of this information is for our ears only. It doesn’t leave this room. I…aim to put a stop to Kane’s numbers, for his sake and for Brax’s.” Everyone knew Brax Jenkins—especially on Olivia’s behalf—would throw a punch at the blink of an eye. He’d been in trouble before and couldn’t afford any more.

  Murphy grinned. “Brilliant, my friend, I knew you’d choose wisely. By the by, I think that tops even Josh Collins.”

  “You’re probably right,” I agreed. “Okay, girls. Remember. This is a top Delta secret. If any of this gets leaked it’ll go straight to the Kappas. Or to the campus police.” I gave them all a stern look. “We don’t want that. So let’s begin. And don’t forget about the Turkey Run this Saturday. Even if you’re not actually running, please be prompt to hand out bottled water and snacks. Also, begin your lists for the bake sale. We’ll vote for five different recipes.”

  Everyone agreed, and our un-official meeting adjourned. As usual, Murphy headed straight for me. She grasped my hands, felt me stiffen, and quickly released me.

  It was a reaction I absolutely couldn’t help. No matter what I did. I knew she never meant any harm—it was normal for friends to do that. Only I wasn’t normal. And strangely enough, the only person who I ever thought suspected that about me, was Brax Jenkins. And, Murphy. I hid it well. Nothing less was expected of me.

  And Murphy was extraordinary. Because she never, ever called me on it. Never judged. Like now, when I could see her eyes soften as she released my hands. Not out of pity, I didn’t think. But because she saw my reaction was real, unavoidable, and she truly wanted to be my friend.

  There were times—so many times—I’d wanted to just tell her everything. To let her in. To be real, true friends. But I hadn’t. I didn’t dare.

  “So. You’re going to relieve him of his wicked ways! What’s your plan?”

  My eyes lit on hers. “First, I’m going to march right over to the Kappa House,” I grinned. “And place a bet. Let them know that I know.”

  Murphy cocked her head to the side, causing the dainty diamond embedded into the side of her nose to sparkle beneath the lamp light of the common room. “You don’t know the first thing about numbers or betting, Harper Belle.” Her gaze narrowed. “Besides. That’s illegal.”

  I gave a light smile. “I’m not really placing a bet. It’s just to get his attention again.”

 
There was the Cheshire Cat grin. “I like you, Harper Belle. I really, really do.”

  * * *

  I knew Kane was at the Kappa House; that vintage wagon truck was parked in their lot. I’d changed from my typical tailored suit that I wore during school hours to a form-fitting black dress, cream hose and black leather boots that zipped to my knees. A ginger colored silk scarf wrapped around my neck, and I’d pinned my bangs back with tortoise shell clips. Clutched beneath my arm was my black leather purse, and as I hastily crossed the street to Kappa House, I glanced over my shoulder.

  Murphy watched me from her bedroom window. With a pair of binoculars.

  The roar of music thumped from inside as I climbed the porch steps, rapped on the door, and waited. Moments later, the door opened, and the smell of beer and something else I cared not try and identify wafted out. Jason Willis stood there, elbow propping his body against the doorframe, and the smile he poured over me made me inwardly cringe. A big cow lick made his hair flip up at the part.

  “Well now, Saint Harper,” he crooned. “What do we owe this pleasure?”

  I pasted on a wide, fake smile. “Hi, Jason. Can I come in?”

  Josh Collins’ head appeared over Jason’s. He wore a Silverbacks baseball cap, turned around backwards. “Hell yeah, hot neighbor babe like you can come right on in.” He held the door open. “Move your ass over, Jase.” He grinned at me. “Welcome to the Kappa Kingdom. Want a brew?”

  “Uh, no thank you.” As I entered the dimly lit common room, scents and bodies and the feeling of being trapped singed my insides; I ignored it. Pushed it aside. In the living area, I turned around and faced Josh. He was there, smiling down at me. Not a bad looking guy. Just…well, I hoped Murphy could do a reformation job on him.