Chapter 1: Broken Beginnings: haley

Fourteen Years Ago

“COME ON, it’ll be so much fun!”

My sister dragged me out the front door into the sultry humid night. Sarah was two years older than me and determined to take me to the party at the Harlow boys’ house, even though I would be much happier doing literally anything else.

I didn’t want to go. In fact, anywhere that Cameron Harlow set his big-ass boot was a place I didn’t want to be.

“I don’t want to,” I hissed at her. “People are just going to be throwing up everywhere. It’s hot. Besides, I’ll be the youngest there.”

“You know Sammy will be there, and he’s younger than you,” Sarah said. “Besides. Honey isn’t home tonight—she’s working an overnighter. It’s just us. And I want to celebrate being free. One more week until I graduate.”

Except she wasn’t really free.

Not like how I would be in two years.

Sarah meant she would be free from school but not from this prison of a town. My plan was to get the hell out of Citrus Cove the moment I could.

I hated it here. I hated Texas. I hated the heat, the people, and how they whispered about us. Four years ago, after our daddy walked out, our mama dropped us off at Honey’s and then took her own life. The moment he left us, she decided that it was time to leave us too. That earned us two types of reactions—prayers and pity or sneers and snide remarks. Both were the type of spotlight that made me want to tuck tail and run.

It didn’t help that Cameron Harlow, resident bully, went out of his way to make my life hell. Ever since we started at this school, he’d spread rumors about me, make fun of my clothes or body, and accidentally drop food or drinks on me. It was always something.

“I hate the Harlows.” I yanked my hand free. “I don’t want to go. If you want to, just go have fun. I know you want to see Colton.”

Sarah scoffed at me. “Don’t even get started on that.”

I fought the urge to laugh at her. She tried so hard to pretend she didn’t like him, but she couldn’t lie to me.

Colton was okay, at least. He wasn’t one of the Harlow brothers—not by blood anyway—but was always with them. Despite his friendship with them, I still tolerated him. I saw the way Sarah looked at him; she could do better, but she could also do worse.

She rolled her eyes, reaching for my hand again. I evaded her grip. Fireflies flickered around the oak tree in the front yard, the quiet street interrupted by her pleading voice.

“Come on. Seriously? I’ll even sneak you a drink.”

We stared at each other. I knew that was probably a lie. The moment we got there, my sister would leave me high and dry. I would sneak my own drink. And if Honey found out about that, we’d be dead, but…

Sarah’s eyes pleaded.

“Fine,” I caved.

“It’ll be fun,” she promised.

For you. “Sure, whatever,” I muttered.

I followed her to the beat-up Corolla and climbed into the front seat, cranking down the window. Her AC was busted, and it was too expensive to fix.

One day, I’d have all the money in the world. I wouldn’t have to worry about broken air conditioners or cranking down windows because I’d be able to afford a brand-new car. Maybe I could even take care of Honey, too. All I knew was that my life was not meant to be here in this town.

“Why don’t you go to college?” I asked her as she started down the street.

“It’s too expensive. Besides, who needs that? I have my job at the cafe.”

Citrus Cove Cafe was known for the best cherry pie in the county, but that wouldn’t help her make more money. I fought my inner demons, never knowing what to say. I could hear Honey’s voice in my head. Some people like small towns. Your sister is one of them, and there ain’t nothing wrong with that.

“Yeah, but…” I drifted off. It was useless arguing with her, and yet I couldn’t stop myself. “Do you really want to stay at the cafe your whole life?”

“Not everyone wants to be rich and famous, Hal,” she quipped. She continued down the road but looked at herself in the rearview, tucking back her blonde waves. “Or whatever it is you think you want to be.”

‘Eyes on the road, diva. And I don’t want to be anything. I just want to be out of this place. I’d do anything to leave.‘

“You act like we’re trapped here. We’re not. We’re on our way to a cool party and we’re going to have the night of our lives. Maybe you’ll find someone to make out with.”

I made a face. That sounded gross.

Black Velvet crooned in the cabin. Once we hit the town limits, she gunned it down the never-ending dirt road that took us to the Harlow barn. The wind whipped my curls, turning my hair into a tangled mess that left me feeling frustrated. I could never seem to tame them, even when I pulled them back.

My stomach twisted as I saw a slew of parked trucks and cars, all crammed together haphazardly in the grass. “Half the town is here,” I protested as she parked.

“Relax.” Sarah was already getting out.

I unbuckled quickly and slammed the door, shaking my head as she practically skipped toward the barn. Music played through speakers, people from school milling around, drunk and laughing. I paused for a moment and watched as Katie Mays, one of our most popular cheerleaders, ran toward the fields and threw up.

Gross.

This would not be fun for me.

I tried to keep up with Sarah, but as we made it into the barn, she slipped away. I cursed under my breath as the music got louder, people dancing all around me.

I didn’t understand why people came here anyway. The barn was old and hardly used anymore; the Harlows had finished building their new home next to their vineyard and farm.

Must be nice.

“Hey, Haley,” an unfamiliar voice said.

I glanced up, seeing a guy leaning against the wall. He had dark hair and an even darker gaze. I’d seen him around but couldn’t put a name to his face.

He moved toward me, but then an arm slipped around me.

I didn’t even have to look, to know that it was him. I came toe-to-toe with Cameron Harlow—blue eyes, pompous grin, and all.

“Let me fucking go, you ass,” I snapped, my cheeks flaming hot.

Cameron was wearing an open button-down, exposing his chest and abs, along with faded jeans. If he wasn’t the bane of my existence, I might have thought he was hot. But I knew better than to have a crush on the devil.

“Just the girl I was looking for,” he said. “Haley Bently came to my party!” he shouted.

That earned claps and laughter, two girls that hawk-eyed him glaring at me. A guy laughed as he passed him, handing Cameron a five-dollar bill.

“You smell like beer,” I snarled, shoving him away. “You really bet on if I’d come here or not? Get a fucking life.”

“No, other people bet on it. But I know you wanted to,” he said, sliding his arm around my waist again.

I shoved him harder this time. “I hate you. Just let me go, so I can go watch people throw up or something.”

He was a lot taller than me and a lot stronger, so that shove did nothing. He chuckled, looping one of his fingers in my blonde ringlet. “Why are you so angry all the time? Is it because your mother died?”

His words stung, but I’d learned how to numb the whip of them. “Wouldn’t you like to know? You’re never gonna leave this town. You’ll grow up and die here, just like the rest of your ugly family.”

That sparked a cold fury in his icy gaze. If there was one way to piss off a Harlow, it was dragging the rest of their kin.

“What the fuck would you know? You don’t even have a family.”

“I do too,” I said. “And I’m sure as hell going to make mine a lot prouder than you’ll ever make yours. You’re a good-for-nothing idiot who can’t tell his left hand from his right.”

“You don’t even fucking know me,” he snarled.

“And you don’t know me.”

He lifted his beer and dumped it straight over my head. I never broke eye contact, even as it ran down my face. I felt the tears well up, the humiliation of it all, but I held strong, forcing myself to stay still even as those around us laughed and catcalled.

“You’re going to end up just like your mama. Alone and forgotten and dead,” he whispered. “A guy like me shouldn’t even give you the time of day.”

Beer ran down my neck, soaking my dress. My hands curled into fists.

Something in me snapped.

I pulled my fist back and punched him straight in the face. I gasped as I felt my knuckle crack against his nose, pain flaring through my hand.

His head whipped back, but he recovered quickly. He grabbed my jaw, squeezing tight. He parted his lips to sneer something but was interrupted by a harsh voice.

“Cameron.”

A broad hand grabbed him by the shoulder and hauled him back. Hunter Harlow, the oldest of the three, grabbed Cameron like a kitten. Hunter gave me a startled glance.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Cam? What the fuck? Sorry, Haley,” he huffed, shooting me an apologetic look. “If you need anything, just let me know⁠—”

“I don’t need anything from any of you.”

With that, I turned around and marched out of the barn. I ignored the snickers from classmates and the curses I heard coming from Cameron’s older brother.

“You’re going to regret that,” I heard him say. “You’re such a dumbass.”

It was going to be a long walk home, but at least I wouldn’t have to deal with anyone else. It wouldn’t be much longer until I left this place, and then I’d never have to come back again.