Hooked on the Game (The Sterling Shore Series #1)

Hooked on the Game

Published at Smashwords
by C.M. Owens
 

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The story
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Chapter 1

Grounded

Great.  Just frigging great.

The bills stare at me from the counter and I glare back with disgust.  When I moved in here, I had two roommates to help pay the bills.  My part-time job at the coffee shop isn't going to be of much use.  I'll never cover their half of the rent with it, and my monthly scholarship isn't going to cut it either.

They'll cut my power off tomorrow if I don't manage to come up with the money for the outrageous electric bill.  This wasn't supposed to happen.  I had it all planned out.  My various scholarships would cover tuition, books, and part of the rent, and then I'd find two roommates to cover the rest.  It's too late in the year to go shopping for roommates; everyone else already has a place now, and no one is answering my flyers.

Part one was working out.  I had my money managed to an exact science.  My part-time job was to cover food and clothes.  Then my two roommates, Megan and Lana, stupidly broke into the school to pull a prank and they were both expelled, leaving me without anyone covering the rest of the rent.

I've barely slept an ounce for so many different reasons, and I'll lose my scholarship if my grades drop.  It's hard to focus on my schooling when life is kicking my ass.

My phone buzzes on the counter, right next to a two-thousand dollar check.  I groan when I see a number I don't know flashing across my screen.

"Hello?" I ask, having a good idea about who it is going to be.

"Hey, sweetheart.  Did you get my check?" Dad asks, sounding hopeful.

I love the man, but this money is tainted.  It has to be.

"I got it, but you know I can't cash it."

"Raya," he grumbles, "I've told you over and over that money is legitimate."

A man from prison sending two-thousand dollars every month is anything but legit.  Considering why he's in prison... I have to change the subject and distract him.

"Whose phone are you using this time?"

He chuckles, as though he's amused.  "One of the guards left it unattended.  I did him a favor.  Most of this lot would never give it back.  I plan to be a good boy and return it.  Don't worry."

Right.  I'm sure he left it
unattended.
  It was probably holstered on his hip or snugly tucked in his pocket, but to Ray Drivel, that is considered unattended.

"What is that ungodly racket going on there?" he asks, sounding annoyed.

Quite frankly, I'm annoyed, too.  The party going on next door is ridiculously loud, obnoxious and irritating as hell.  I hate Kade Colton.  Preppy, rich, snobby, son of a bitch.  He lives directly beside me in his house that makes my home look like a shoebox.  All he does is party.

That massive home was a
gift
from his parents.  I can't accept such lavish things from my dad.  There could be jail time involved.

"My neighbor," I huff, finally answering Dad.

Something crashes outside, and I look out to see the drunken fools cackling as they stand up from the broken fence they've just smashed into.  Kade has no respect for anyone.  This is ridiculous.

"I need to go.  I have an early morning," I say, sighing as I tear his check into tiny pieces and toss it into the trash.

"Okay, sweetie.  You still coming out soon?"

I smile as I start heading toward the back window, following the idiots who are still trampling over the fence.

"Of course," I mutter sweetly before telling him
bye.

It's no surprise that Kade isn't doing anything to stop them from further destroying my yard.  He's a selfish prick like that.  I'm trying to figure out how to keep from being evicted without touching jaded cash, and he's over there blowing money on booze and who knows what else.

"Dude, let's do it," one yells, slurring his words.

I watch as they clamber into the large bulldozer that is parked in the field directly behind the homes.  That's another reason I don't sleep much.  Those bulldozers start early - four in the morning most days.  They're trying to add more houses behind ours to make more money off campus students.

I hope those idiots run that thing into Kade's pool and destroy it.  It'd serve him right.

Deciding not to waste another second on the idiocy going on outisde, I grab some clothes from my room and head to the bathroom down the hall.  My plans for the rest of the night are to take a hot shower and pray for answers to all my problems.  I'm sure I'll be met with the same silence as usual, but it's the only hope I have right now.

The roaring pipes need a plumber, too.  They're too loud.  I'll call a plumber when I can afford one.

Just as I start to strip down, an earthquake strikes, rattling my house all around me.  I scream while grabbing onto anything not shaking violently.  I hear it tearing apart one side of my house.  Why only one side?

A pile of my ceiling drops, slamming into me, and all I see are small flakes of darkness speckling my view before I completely pass out.

Chapter 2

Punishment

"Counselor, you realize the actions of Mr. Colton and his friends could have resulted in the death of a student, correct?" the judge asks, frowning as he stares down at the snob.

"My client is perfectly aware of the severity of the situation.  However, Your Honor, he wasn't one of those four boys who stole and wrecked the bulldozer into Ms. Capperton's home.  He simply hosted the party that got out of hand.  Surely you can't hold him responsible for the actions of four grown boys."

Kade chances a smug smirk.  He doesn't have an ounce of humility.  He's lazily lounging in the chair, his arms crossed over his chest, and he even goes so far as to look bored.

"And the school is allowing him to stay there because of that, Counselor.  The others were expelled and arrested.  However, I'm not too thrilled with the fact he supplied that much alcohol to underage partiers who then destroyed the home."

That earthquake had turned out to be those idiots crashing that big-ass bulldozer through my living room.  Damn near killed me.  Had I not gone to take a shower, they probably would have killed me.  Now I've been living in one of the dorm rooms for three days.  The school offered it to me temporarily, under the circumstances.  I have two days to find something else.

"He didn't supply that alcohol, and he checked the identification of every partier.  No one under twenty-one was allowed."

"Sure he did," the other lawyer scoffs, cutting his eyes toward Kade.

As if anyone doesn't have a fake ID.  Even I have one.  Albeit I never use it, but I have one.  I'm not voicing that though.  I just hope they make him pay me something.  That's all I need.  Just a little money to replace what I lost.

I'll probably have to go to a different court for that, though.

A snooty man in a pristine business suit stands up and walks over to be behind Kade.  This small courtroom just hosts a few of us.  This isn't exactly a murder trial, but a jury would have been nice, dammit.

"I think I know a way we can solve this," the man says, texting on his phone as though he's above all this too much to grant it any real amount of attention.

"Please, Mr. Colton, proceed," the judge snarks, sounding bitter, but... compliant?  Why is he letting Kade's father run the show.

"My son fucked up," he says simply, putting his phone away and turning his attention to the agitated judge.  "But he didn't force those boys to mount a bulldozer and go for a joyride.  I do agree he should be punished in some form, but I think I know better than anyone else how to do that."

Kade's jaw clenches, and he sits up a little better while barely turning his head to listen in.  His devilish good looks and rich influence won't help him out with his own father.

"I think Ms. Capperton's situation has become... a problem now," he says, turning toward me with his award-winning smile.  "She needs a home," he continues, turning back to the judge.  "My son's home is directly across from the school, he has amenities most would die for, and there is plenty of room there for another person."

Kade's jaw clenches all the tighter, making me worry it's about to snap off.  What is his father talking about?

"Are you suggesting Ms. Capperton go live with him?" the judge scoffs, rolling his eyes.  "That's your form of punishment?  No wonder he's so irresponsible."

Mr. Colton lets a rumble of laughter free.  "Then you don't know my son as well as I do.  He hates to have rules.  While Ms. Capperton is there, he will respect any and all her needs.  Everything he wants to do will have to go through her for approval.  She'll have power over him, which will limit his social life.  If he steps out of line, she can call me, and I'll start taking things away as punishment for refusing to abide by her rules.  Let's face it, Roy, you can't hold him for anything.  You can't charge him with any wrongdoing.  I'll hire the best lawyer to keep him from having jail-time on his record.  It's up to you."

I can't believe he's doing this.  Me?  Live with Kade?  Hell no.  Not happening.

"Ms. Capperton?  How do you feel about this?" the judge asks through gritted teeth.

Apparently Kade's father holds more power here than he does.  Hell, he even called him
Roy
instead of
Your Honor
.

"I don't want to live with Kade Colton," I say quickly, bitterly, turning my nose up in disgust.

Mr. Colton smirks, and Kade relaxes.

"Ms. Capperton, do you have a home or money to rent anywhere?  I've looked over your financials.  It wouldn't have been long until you were being kicked out.  I'm sure you could sue for the damages done, but that takes time and money as well.  Do you have time and money?" Kade's father asks, sounding so fucking pompous.

"No," I almost whisper.

"Didn't think so.  You'd have a home - a nice home - and at the end of the school year, I'll buy you a new house you won't have to stress over.  You have to live with Kade first, though.  And if he gives you any trouble at all, you call me right away."

This is one twisted man.  Has he no clue how much I hate his son?  Why punish me by making me live with him?  I don't really have a choice though.  If I was a guy, he'd have me by the balls.

"Ms. Capperton?" the judge says, prompting me to make a decision.

Do I live through hell for the rest of the year and then have three years of paid housing?  Or do I let the devil off the hook without any punishment while I go homeless and possibly get kicked out of school.  Shit.

"Fine."

Mr. Colton's deep, satisfied smile spreads like the Cheshire cat's grin.  "Fine?  What does fine mean, Ms. Capperton?" the judge asks.

I roll my eyes, and Kade cuts his eyes toward me, willing me dead with his icy glare.

"It means yes.  I'll do it."

Mr. Colton turns to his son, seeming to enjoy this immensely, as he says, "Son, meet your new leash."

I don't know what I
was expecting to find inside Kade Colton's home.  I suppose I expected the chandelier to be decorated by beer bottles and lacy underwear.  I wasn't expecting to feel like I'm in a house meant for royalty.

It's grand on the outside, all three stories, but inside... wow.  Marble floors, tall ceilings, immaculate furniture, and all the newest appliances and gadgets one can fathom.  Spoiled brat.

"I think you'll find everything you need here, Ms. Capperton.  This room is almost just as big as the master.  Are you sure you don't want the master?  I'll gladly make my son switch with you," Mr. Colton says as he types away on his phone, putting it down when he finishes.

I scratch my side, trying to relieve the agony I'm in.  Damn it hurts and itches.

"This will be fine," I murmur.  I sure as hell don't want to touch Kade's icky room.  I've seen the girls that come and go during the parties.  "And please, just call me Raya."

"Very well," he says, smiling.  "Raya, are you okay?" he asks, pointing to my constant scratching.

"Yeah," I mumble, growling almost.  "My clothes were in the midst of the destruction path.  The ones that weren't ruined were covered in insulation.  I've washed them over and over, but they still... it just itches."

He frowns just as Kade fills the doorway.  He hasn't stopped scowling or tossing me death-glares since I agreed to this.  He's tall, at least six-foot-three.  I've never before noticed how tall he is.

His dark hair is always bedroom sexy, and his eyes are pools of perfect blue.  His body is enough to make immortals envious - toned and cut in all the right places.

He'd be the sexiest thing I'd ever seen if I didn't hate him so damn much.

"You rang," Kade snarks, turning his burning hatred toward his father.

"Yes, I was texting to tell you to make sure you get this mattress replaced today.  There's no telling what your friends have done on it, and I want Raya to have fresh sheets as well."

Ew.  Gross.  I hadn't thought of that.  Sick.

I casually pull my bag back off the bed and drop it to the floor, earning a small grin from Mr. Colton.

"Already called the furniture shop.  They'll be bringing it by tomorrow."  Kade seems bored now, though still irritated.

I groan inwardly.  No way can I sleep on this mattress now.  "Not good enough," Mr. Colton says.  "I'll contact them myself.  I'll have it delivered this afternoon.  In the meantime, take Raya shopping.  She's itching to death since your friends got fragments of fiberglass in her clothes.  It'll never come out.  Grab some stuff to help her dress up the room a bit as well."

"I have to chauffeur her around?" Kade growls.

"No.  You have to chauffeur her
and
carry her bags.  You'll do whatever she needs you to do."

Kade rolls his eyes and pockets his hands to keep his father from seeing the fists he's made.  I fidget awkwardly, feeling like this is already the biggest mistake I've ever made.

"You call me if he gives you any trouble.  I need to get a hold of the furniture shop.  Do you need anything else?" he asks, seeming so genuine.

"Um... my clothes are fine," I murmur, not wanting to tell him I don't have enough money to buy more.

"Nonsense," he says, pulling out a black credit card.  "Take this and get whatever you need.  Have fun with it.  Abuse the bagboy as well," he jokes, forcing the card into my hand.

"I can't-"

"Kade, take the girl to some of my shops.  They have a better selection.  Make sure they dress her right," he says to interrupt me.

"Whatevs," Kade grumbles before walking out, never looking at me again.

"Have fun," Mr. Colton says with a wink, and then he disappears out the door.

I huff as I walk down the stairs, itching and wincing.  My body is battered beneath my clothes.  I took a hard hit when the ceiling collapsed.  This was all just brushed under the rug.  The four guys will barely get a slap on the wrist.  The school only expelled them because they were the ones who were paying for the bulldozer the idiot quartet crashed, not because they crashed through my house.

Kade wouldn't have suffered any punishment at all if his father hadn't stepped in and made sure to divvy some out.  It's nice to know someone thinks of me as brutal punishment.  What does that say about me?

I walk out just as Kade pulls his Audi out of the garage.  His perfect sea-blue eyes are guarded by designer shades.  I hesitate about getting in, especially when he lowers the top.  The music is blaring, which means he's either trying to deafen me or keep me from speaking to him.

"Get the hell in," he gripes without looking at me.  "I don't have all damn day."

I huff, but I climb in without further delay.  He doesn't even give me the chance to buckle up before he's squealing out in reverse, slinging me to the side when he jerks it hard right to line up with the road.

I squeal, which provokes a menacing smirk from him, and then he starts shifting gears rapidly, throwing us forward.  My hands rattle against the seatbelt as I try to snap it, silently praying for someone to save me from this madman.  I knew he hated me.  Why in the hell did I willingly get into the devil's chariot?

He presses a button that mutes the stereo as he slows down.  I let out a sharp breath, feeling my knuckles slowly uncurl from their death-grip on the door.

"Move out and I'll pay your rent anywhere you want to go," he says calmly.

"What?" I ask, bemused.

"I said move out and I'll pay your rent.  You can pick any place you want.  I don't want to be your bitch, and my father is loving this shit.  Get your stuff out of my house, and I'll pay your rent somewhere else.  I have my own money."

"Then why let your dad pay for all your shit?" I snark, turning my head away.

He chuckles as he hits another street with a more feasible speed.

"Because I'm not supposed to touch that money.  It's part of my trust, but I became eligible to use it when I turned twenty-one.  My grandfather has requested I keep it locked up until I finish college.  I respect him, so if he asks me not to do something, I try to oblige.  In this case, I think he'd agree it was worth touching my trust."

Am I that frigging bad?

"I can't do that," I mumble, looking out at the passing scenery.

"Why?  It's basically the same deal my father made you."  The hard edge to his tone doesn't go unnoticed.  He's such a condescending dick.

"Your father worried you'd do this, so he made me a deal I couldn't refuse when I rode with him to your house."

I swallow hard, recanting that impromptu proposition.

"What was it?" he asks, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

"He said if I stayed until the start of next semester, he'd buy me a home after I graduate college, too.  Wherever I choose. It's not exactly something I can afford to pass up.  Not all of us have a trust."

"Well, hell.  I'll buy you a home after you graduate.  There.  Problem solved."

"I already gave him my word.  To some people, that means something.  You had three days to try and make this right.  You didn't want to, and now your father has been too nice to me to screw him over."