Page 4 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

RAINEY

“ Y ou have an hour to finish your exams,” Professor Mills announces.

A student in front of me groans. An hour is a lot of time, but not for the amount of work we have. Final exams suck.

“Hey, I can’t wait until summer break. What should we do?” Lana whispers next to me.

“Girls, no talking.”

Forty-five minutes have passed, and I’m done.

Physiology is my last class, and summer break begins.

It’s been a heck of a long year. College is balls to the wall with work.

Lana, my best friend, and I have been living together in an apartment next to the school.

You would think we moved far from home, but no, we traveled thirty minutes from our home, Carson City, to Reno.

“How do you think you did?” Lana skips out of class toward me, her blonde hair bouncing.

“Good, I think. I studied my ass off, so hot Mr. Mills better give me a passing grade.”

She snorts. “Show him your tits. That’ll do it.”

Taking a bite of my apple, I volley back at her, “Maybe if I rub them all over his face.” Fuck! My face heats when Mr. Mills passes us with a grin.

He’s in his early thirties and hot as hell. He gives me a wink. “Enjoy your summer.”

I’m going to pray we are not in his class next fall. Lana’s mouth is about to drop to the floor. I bend down to grab my bag and swing it over my shoulder.

“Go after him, Rainey.”

“Lana, stop shoving me. Why would I chase after him?”

“He winked at you.”

“So, I’m sure he was messing around trying to embarrass me. Also, he’s our professor.” I pull my hand from hers.

“Was our teacher—past tense now. He heard you. That wink meant he wants your boobs in his face.”

“I was joking, and it literally went tits up.” I roll my eyes at her. “Besides, he’s older.” She loops her arm in mine, and we walk to my car.

“The older, the better. He’s experienced, I assume.”

“Not happening.”

“Are you ready to start our summer?” Lana asks. “Are you heading to your parents’ house after we pack?”

Pressing the key fob, I unlock the car. “I haven’t decided yet.”

Home.

Isn’t that the place you want to go? Your safe space?

It’s been nothing like that lately. Christmas break was a nightmare.

My parents were once the couple everyone dreamed of being.

My dad treated my mom like the queen that she is.

During spring break, my parents hardly talked.

My mom’s face sagged with sadness. All due to what happened.

At Christmas dinner, shit hit the fan when Mom walked in on my dad and his secretary, Rebecca, kissing in his home office.

They were supposed to be discussing a case.

My mom snarled and slammed the door open.

“I knew it!” she screamed at him. “You’ve been having an affair with her! ”

My heart broke for my mom.

“I don’t think I want to go home. Every time I call, it’s like they’re in the middle of an argument,” I confess to Lana.

She huffs, messing with the radio. “Your dad’s cool, but an asshole all at the same time. For being an attorney, you would think he’d sign the divorce papers your mom served him with.”

I groan, turning the blinkers on. “Dad wants to restore their marriage, but Mom can’t get over it. At least that’s what Bethany has been saying.”

My little sister has been keeping me updated. I don’t blame Mom. And Justin, my brother, is not living at home.

“You can stay at my place. Come with us to Paris.”

It wouldn’t be a bad idea, but the thought of being on a three-week trip with Lana’s annoying brothers has my blood pressure skyrocketing.

“I’ll have to think about it.”

She slips her sandals off and throws her sweaty feet on the dashboard. “If you don’t come with me or go home, are you planning on staying on campus?”

“My plans were to call home and see what Bethany and Justin say because I don’t want to go home to their damn drama. I’m so pissed at Dad.”

When I park in my assigned spot, the car jerks back.

“Have I told you that you’re a horrible driver?”

“Yes, you repeat it to me, but then again, you never want to drive.”

“I like to be chauffeured around. I need a man who will give me that princess treatment without my life depending on it,” she mumbles.

“I’m not your man. Now get out of my damn car.”

She snorts. “We both need a man. We should hit the party everyone’s talking about tonight. Then, we can hit the road back to Carson City tomorrow morning. Maybe we can find a hookup.”

I’m twenty-one, with very minimal experience when it comes to the opposite sex. I’ve had a short-term boyfriend who lasted six months. That’s about it, only one.

As soon as I slam the door to the car, Lana races to the apartment to unlock it. “You know, maybe that’s a good idea. I could unwind from the long day of exams.”

Lana wags her brows. “I figured you’d say that. I ordered us some dresses.”

Sure enough, she has a large box sitting on her bed. We both work at the student center. Although our parents are both wealthy and pay for our tuition and spending money, we like to earn our own paycheck.

When eight o’clock rolls around, I step out of my bedroom. The blue dress Lana bought fits me like skin; it works perfectly for my curves. My long brown hair passes my bra strap. The Prada high heels I’m rocking make me look taller than I am.

“Holy smokes, Rainey, you’re hot.” Lana whistles, setting a glass of orange juice on the counter. I give her a spin that nearly causes me to lose my balance. Her head throttles back with laughter. “And clumsy as hell.”

“I’m so close to twisting my ankle.” I laugh. “You look stunning, bestie.”

Lana is beautiful with her long blonde hair, heart-shaped face, and long legs.

“Fingers crossed, we find ourselves a man.”

“Since when do we do one-nighters?” I reach around her, grabbing a glass from the cupboard.

“Since it’s been a while, since we’ve gotten laid.” She peers at me with her blue eyes. “You’ve had two boyfriends and slept with only one of them. I’ve had three who lasted a couple of weeks.”

“Only one.” I lift a finger. “Where are you getting two from?”

“Oh, please don’t act dumb, Rainey. I’ve never seen you want something so bad like you wanted him. Max. Do you remember Max? You stared at that boy like you were staring at a portrait. You wore your heart?—”

“Enough. It was a crush, and it was seven years ago.” I want to add that I had feelings for him before he left me heartbroken without even a word, much less a goodbye.

Now, all I feel is pent-up resentment at the mention of Max that I thought would go away at least after graduation.

Instead, it was something that still irritates me like a splinter under my skin.

“Fine. Let’s get to the party. It doesn’t hurt to find a guy to make out with.”

I groan. She’s determined. We both lack when it comes to finding guys who aren’t assholes and only want one thing.

Do guys just not want to be in a relationship?

Hell, I guess not. I’ve always wanted what my parents had.

Until now. Now I’m unsure. My dad sleeping with his secretary bruised my heart.

You spend a lifetime loving someone, sharing a life, only to lose it all on a one-night stand.

I want a man who’s faithful, loyal, worships me, loves me, holds me in his arms. A man who will make me feel safe. Do men like that exist?

Three beers down, and that’s enough to give me a buzz.

Music vibrates through the large rooms of the frat house.

Beer sticks to the floor, tables are out for beer pong, and guys are taking shots off women.

I’ve been to so many parties that they don’t faze me.

They’re all the same. Guys spread out on a sofa, chicks grinding on them.

It wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t a hookup for the night.

“Allen Copper is staring at you,” Lana whisper shouts.

“Who?”

“To your right. He’s in our English class.”

I turn to see who she’s talking about. Allen Copper is staring at my curvy ass. I’ve never met him before, nor do I want him hypnotized by it. His gaze rolls up my body, then gives me a smile. Chills run up my spine, and not in a good way.

“You should talk to him.” Lana takes a chug from her beer.

My head tips back on the wall. “He’s the kind of guy I’d run away from. Now, if you’re trying to shoo me away to get to know the guy you keep staring at, I’ll be fine.”

Her lips go in a straight line. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I’m going to the restroom, and you go talk to the hot guy.”

Lana’s been eyeing him for a while. His girlfriend broke up with him, so it seems he’s back on the market and gazing at my friend.

The acrid stench of vomit and urine grows stronger with each step I take toward the restroom, making my stomach churn.

I heave a sigh, shaking my head in resignation.

This isn’t worth it. Turning on my heel, I head back toward the front door, the thought of a night out losing its appeal.

Over in the corner, Lana is nestled comfortably beside Dan, the guy she’s been eyeing for weeks.

With a quick flick of my fingers, I pull out my phone and tap out a text to her.

Moments later, my screen lights up with her reply.

See you tomorrow . Seems like she’s found her company for the evening.

The drive is only ten minutes to my apartment. My phone rings while I unlock the door.

“Hey, sis.”

I smile when I hear Bethany’s voice. “So, how were the exams? I can’t believe you’ll be a senior next year.”

“I know, right? Exams went well. Passed them all. So, the reason I called was to tell you I’m going to Florida with Natalie and her family. I could use the break from Mom and Dad.”

She sighs. It sounds like she’s packing.

“Oh, God. What’s going on with Dad and Mom? Is he still trying to win her back?” I toss my purse on the table and head to my room.

“Yeah, the house looks like a funeral home with the amount of flowers we have. He keeps apologizing, but Mom is broken. She can’t unsee it.

The fact that she knew Rebecca was a stab to the chest. Mom yells at him and cries, then Dad yells, then he feels like shit.

Mom sleeps in the guest room. And Justin moved to Vegas.

” I don’t blame her for wanting to leave. “Are you coming for the summer?”

“No, I don’t want to see Dad. I lost the respect I had for him.” I pull out my suitcase from under my bed and toss all my clothes in.

“Are you staying at your apartment?”

“No, I’m going to the cabin. I have the key.”

“Okay, I’ll text you when I get back if you want to come.”

“Stay safe.”

We hang up.

The heels hurt my feet, so I unbuckle them and slide sandals on. I sigh in relief. Once I’ve gathered all my belongings, I make sure to leave Lana a note letting her know I’ll be at the cabin.

Rolling my suitcase down the quiet sidewalk, a breeze hits me.

The tipsiness I had is long gone. I’m antsy about getting out of here to relax in the quiet house.

Maybe I’ll head down to the lake. Although it’s summer, the temperature in Tahoe isn’t boiling hot.

It’s in between—perfect—neither too cold nor too hot.

I could bathe in the sun, read books, and cook. Nothing beats home-cooked meals and fresh-baked desserts.

The Range Rover merges seamlessly onto the dead highway and thank God for that.

If my driving is hazardous during the day, just imagine at night.

My car has so many scrapes and dents it’s not even funny.

The one-hour drive should be a breeze. I blast the radio and sing like I do, as if I’m at karaoke night.

The car idles at the grocery parking lot. I’m grateful for the twenty-four-hour grocery store. It’s one a.m., and I have the munchies and need food for the house.

“Fuckin hell, why do I always get the defective carts!” I say to no one.

The store is partly empty. The music blasts throughout the store.

I go through my mental list. In the produce section, I toss in everything needed for a salad.

Then I make my way down the baking aisle.

My mom is a baker, so my baking addiction comes from her.

I toss chocolate chips, red dye, flour, sugar, and other ingredients into the basket.

My cart piles up as I go down all the aisles and end up in the meat section.

I laugh out loud. You would think I’m shopping for an army of people when it’s just me.

I shake my head. You’re ridiculous, Rainey.

The back of my hair stands up. You know the feeling when you feel someone staring at you? I tug on my damn short dress. Why in the hell didn’t I change? My ass is hanging out. Turning my body slightly, I peer from the corner of my eye. My lungs tighten. No, no, it can’t be.

He’s glancing at me with those haunting eyes.

My grip tightens on the shopping cart, and I haul ass down another aisle.

He’s not thin anymore. He’s layered in muscle with a square body.

Those eyes. I’ll never forget Max’s beautiful green eyes and light tan skin.

He’s no fourteen-year-old boy. He’s a man. A beautiful one.

Panicking, I toss household items into the cart, trying to distract myself.

My body warms, and then the heat increases like a match lit on my back.

He has to be behind me. I can sense him.

Does he recognize me? Oh, of course, he wouldn’t.

It’s been seven years. He left without a goodbye.

My body idles when he passes right by me.

The sound of my racing heart is all I can hear.

He watches me and gazes into my eyes. It lasts a matter of seconds.

Max drops his beer, Takis, and a deli sandwich on the belt of the register. I reminisced about him for years.

Max doesn’t turn back. He has the same expression he carried as a kid—expressionless—until he semi-warmed up to me.

He was my first kiss. You can never forget your first kiss, especially when it meant something to you.

Those lips moved in sync with mine. It was perfect.

He clung to my body like he wanted it until the end of time.

I watch as he pays and then walks off. Max Cano slips away again.

Finally, I expel a breath.