Page 13 of Nevermore (A Cruel Love #1)

ELEVEN

SANTIAGO

“Are you going to tell us why you’re being so weird?”

I chuckle mid-stretch and crane my head back to look at Hudson.

Clad in his old practice jersey, he begins wrapping his stick in tape for our upcoming pick up game.

Even though we’ve graduated, us and a couple of guys from the team still come out to the park once in a while to play.

Kingston’s lunging beside him, throwing me an equally curious look as he stretches.

I smile. “Whatever do you mean? I’m in an excellent mood.”

“That’s the scary part,” Kingston says as he straightens up. “Did you manage to squeeze in a quickie before practice or are you high and just didn’t share?”

“You’re funny,” I laugh as I squat.

Kingston furrows his brows. “No, you think I’m an idiot. Seriously, what’s gotten into you today?”

I shrug. I have no reasons to complain. Today has been just like every other day. I woke up early to play some piano, had a gourmet breakfast, and changed for this. While I’d normally grow tired of the rinse and repeat of my schedule, my mind hasn’t settled enough to feel any boredom.

Not when I have something highly entertaining to captivate my thoughts.

Reign was preciously pathetic yesterday.

I had entirely expected him to apologize, although it did come a few days later than I had first predicted.

The way he stumbled over his words, almost fearful of my reaction, somewhat hopeful that he’d be forgiven, was adorable.

Then what happened at the park—his incredible rage —exhilarated me.

It’s disappointing that it only lasted a split second.

Seeing it and feeling it, I could tell there was more where that came from.

I still believe all the things I said to him that night about his pathetic nature and weak-willed spirit, but my interest has been piqued. I know now there’s more hiding under the surface just itching to come out. Today has been a day of wondering how I can get that to happen again.

How far do I have to push him to crack? What things can I make him do for me? What kind of person can he become?

The very thought is thrilling.

“Oh no,” Hudson says as he begins to shake his head. “I know that look. Who is it?”

Kingston wrinkles his nose. “Who’s what? What are you talking about?”

“Santiago, no,” Hudson continues. “There are other ways to keep you entertained than this.”

I smirk as I do my final squat before stretching my arms over my head. “Not like this.”

“Seriously, you two? What’s going on?” Kingston asks, his need to be in everybody’s business coming out. “I’ll ghost if you don’t say it.”

Hudson pinches the bridge of his nose as he mutters a quick ‘idiot’ under his breath before looking up at him. “Santiago has found himself a new toy. What I need to know for maximum damage control is who it is.”

“I don’t have toys,” I lie easily as I walk towards the bench for some water. “I just think there’s more to Reign than meets the eye.”

“ Him ?” Hudson shakes his head rapidly. “No. Pick someone else.”

Kingston chuckles as he joins us. “Oh, come on now, Hudson. This could be fun.”

“There’s nothing fun about Santiago ruining his relationship with his stepbrother because he’s bored.”

I wish I could say that Hudson is wrong, but he isn’t.

Always the smartest of the three of us, I could say that he knows me best. Not because we trade secrets back and forth like preteens at a sleepover, but due to his keen skills in observation and overall intelligence.

Unlike Kingston, he observes his surroundings and calculates every possible move as if life were one big chess game.

I wouldn’t call them toys , per se, but ways to amuse myself.

Sometimes I’m drawn to a person for reasons I can’t explain, and I can’t help but poke and prod until I find what I’m looking for.

I might have been indifferent before but I can see now that Reign came into my life as a perfectly wrapped present topped with a shiny bow.

I can’t forget the thrill I felt of him fighting back.

I can’t escape the way his big blue eyes raged with fire.

His accent—which I still think is ridiculous—was thick with passion.

He has more layers than I gave him credit for, and I look forward to peeling them all back one-by-one to find what lies underneath.

Even with force, if necessary.

“So you’re going to fuck with him,” Kingston states as he chuckles. “Save a little bit of the cowboy for me too.”

I narrow my eyes at him. Kingston’s obsession with my stepbrother shouldn’t bother me, but it does. Instead of acting on the surprising instinct that courses through me, I clear my throat. “Did you push him into the pool at the party?”

Kingston doesn’t even have the decency to look ashamed. “Yes. What can I say? I wanted to see him wet and dripping.”

I bite down on my bottom lip and nod slowly just as my blood begins to boil.

Hudson’s eyes ping pong between the two of us and he takes a smart step back.

Kingston is completely unaware of what’s happening to me, just like I’m a bit taken aback by it, but I’m curious about this sudden protective instinct that’s come over me. No, not protective.

Possessive.

He turns his back on me to reach for his stick and I clear my throat as I tap on his shoulder. “Hey, Kingston?”

“Yeah, man?—”

And in a move completely foreign to me, I punch him straight across the jaw.

“ Ow !” he shrieks, his hand flying to his face. “What the fuck, Santiago? What’d you do that for?”

Hudson is cackling like a madman as I shake my hand out. I tip my head as I watch the blossoming red spot on his cheek. This kind of raw and primal satisfaction I’ve never felt before courses through me at my work. Knowing that Kingston will have an ugly bruise fills me with pride.

Interesting .

Needing to make myself even clearer, I step up to him and grab him by the front of his jersey. Jerking him towards me, I make sure he hears my words loud and clear. “Reign is off limits now. He’s mine to play with so fuck off about him.”

“Alright, alright,” he says as he wiggles out of my hold. “Jesus, Santiago. You’re on something about this one.”

“Potentially.” I give his cheek a hearty tap and then bend down to hand him his stick. “Only time will tell, I suppose.”

We see the rest of the guys approaching and Kingston gives me one last scoff before grabbing his helmet and rushing over there. I take my stick and my helmet, ready to join him, but Hudson’s hand on my elbow stops me. I look down at him and sigh, “Do you need something?”

“For you to have some common sense right about now,” he deadpans. “Reign isn’t like all the others you’ve fucked with over the years. Breaking him isn’t going to be the same.”

And once again I smirk because he’s right. It won’t be the same as all the people that have come before and all the people that will come after. I haven’t felt this sort of wild excitement in years. Reign isn’t going to be like everyone else.

He’s going to be more fun .