Page 16 of Secret

I look back at her when she doesn’t reply, and she is shell-shocked enough to stop in the corridor as people move around us.

“You’re related to the Kings, as in the hottest men around for miles? Well, all of them accept Elliot, no wonder you’re so damn eye-catching,” she replies with wide eyes, looking at me closely, I’m guessing she is trying to see our similarities.

I laugh at her and shake my head. “I'm not and they’re my brothers, so I can't answer that.” I pull a face.

“True, anyway, I like you, so can I have your number? I need a girlfriend that's immune to my brother.” She winks.

I nod and give her my phone.

Allie passes it back after a few minutes, and then I feel a warm hand on my back as Blake arrives at my side.

“Hey, beauty. I’ll walk you to your car,” I glance up at him, and I don’t regret it as he smiles that killer smile at me. I end up blushing so badly that I know anyone can see it.

I look back at Allie, who has a frown on her face for Blake.

“I’ll walk her out, Blake, I wanted to invite Izzy to my house tomorrow anyway.” She smiles sweetly at him, but not in a way that makes me feel threatened, like the redheaded Barbie from earlier did. She takes my hand, not giving either of us much of a choice.

I turn back to wave at Blake, who frowns but waves and walks off.

“How do you know Blake already? I don't want to be rude, but he is the biggest player around–well, excluding Sebastian–but that's why they’re friends,” she says and looks kind of worried about me.

“He's been around the house, and he is my guide for a bit. I know, I can guess that, and, to be honest with you, I'm out of my depth. Thanks, I’ll be careful,” I say, but I know I'm lying. I haven't been able to get him out of my head since I met him, and I know I need to guard my heart, too.

“Okay, I'll leave it for now. Anyway, come to my house after school tomorrow?”

“Sounds great.” I actually grin, I like the idea of girl time. I miss having a friend since Tilly left, and, well, I felt so alone that I didn’t try to make new friends at my old school.

“Have you got a lift, or did you drive here?” she asks, looking around, most likely for one of the boys.

“Damn. I came with Elliot, but his car is still here, so I’ll wait and text him,” I frown, thinking to myself that I should have asked for a lift home from him.

“No, don't. I’ll drive you,” she smiles as she replies.

“Thanks, do you know the way?” I ask, hoping she does. I’m kind of lost and terrible at directions. I haven’t written down my address anywhere yet, I know I have to do that soon.

“Erm, yeah, I do. My best friend, Maisy, used to date Sebastian, and we hung out a lot together. I would drop her off at your place sometimes,” she says as we walk to her car. She clicks her keys at a black Land Rover. A lot of people have big cars here, and I have to wonder if they get bad snow and need them. I guess the weather must get cold at some point, and we are close to the mountains.

I climb into her car. I briefly smile at the messy-paper and empty-cup-covered back seats as I ask, “Who’s Maisy? How long did they date?” I wonder if I’ve seen her around school today. If she is best friends with Allie, I'll meet her eventually.

“About four years. She loved him, and I thought he loved her, but something happened about two months ago. She left with her parents the next week. I miss her, but she won't talk to me anymore.” She sighs and starts the car, looking upset.

“I'm sorry; five years, that's a long time. What happened?”I wonder more to myself, but Allie answers anyway.

“I don’t know, but she was so devastated, Izzy. I’m guessing he cheated on her, but Sebastian was very angry when she left. I can only hope she will come back or log into Facebook sometime soon.” She sighs.

“I’m sorry he hurt her. Sebastian doesn’t seem like a bad guy,” I say, and I can’t imagine he would cheat. I guess I haven’t known him long enough, but then again, he has had a few girls over since I’ve been there the last few days. Allie doesn’t say anything else about Sebastian as we drive to my home.

We pull up to the house, and I hop out of the car, waving goodbye as I walk into the house.

Harley is in the kitchen, his face has fresh bruises all over it, and it looks like he is holding his side. I drop my bag and rush over.

“What the hell happened?” I ask while moving to touch his face. Harley jumps away from my touch, so I drop my hand, trying to hide that I’m a little hurt he doesn’t want me to help him.

“Nothing to worry about, just something that happened at work. Looks worse than it is,” he grunts and slides into a chair. He starts eating some crisps, clearly thinking the conversation is over.

“You look terrible, and work? What is it that you do? I thought you owned a gym, not get beat on for a living,” I ask as quietly as I can. I guess his answer isn't good or safe for my growing temper to handle as he groans at me. I know it’s because I’m feeling protective of my new family, I was protective of my mum because she was all I had, and now these boys are all I have.

“Look! I'm too tired to care about answering those questions now. I’m going for a shower,” he shouts at me and walks off, not looking back.

---