Bad Boy

BAD BOY THE LOYAL BOYS BOOK TWO CHARLI MEADOWS CONTENTS Synopsis Author’s Note Playlist 1. Remi 2. Remi 3. Linc 4. Remi 5. Linc 6. Linc 7. Remi 8. Linc 9. Remi 10. Linc 11. Linc 12. Remi 13. Remi 14. Remi 15. Linc 16. Remi 17. Remi 18. Linc 19. Remi 20. Linc 21. Remi 22. Linc 23. Remi 24. Linc 25. Remi 26. Linc 27. Remi 28. Remi 29. Linc 30. Remi 31. Remi 32. Remi 33. Remi 34. Remi 35. Remi Epilogue Acknowledgments Also By Charli Meadows About the Author Copyright © 2023 by Charli Meadows All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for brief quotations in a book review. Editing by Novel Mechanic Cover Design © Silver at Bitter Sage Designs Formatting by Elizabeth Dear SYNOPSIS Linc This small town is stifling, and my parents are overbearing. They only care about how others perceive us and sustaining the family legacy. I’m drowning from the pressure they’ve placed on me to be the perfect son, have perfect grades, and wear perfect, preppy clothes. No parties, no friends, no trouble, and certainly no fun. But everything changes when chaos storms into town in the form of Remington Michaels. The mysterious and dangerous new kid everyone is whispering about. They say he killed someone at his old school. That he’s a brutal fighter. But I don’t believe it. Not with the way he’s always there—protecting me, watching me, touching me. I have no idea what’s brewing between us, but I’m helpless to stop it when we find ourselves sharing a cabin and becoming friends with benefits all in the first week. You see, he really is a bad boy. But maybe, just maybe, I could be good for him. Remi After getting arrested and expelled from my old school in Detroit, Mom had no choice but to move us back to her hometown. Somewhere I’ve never even been. And we’re staying with my eccentric grandpa, whom I’ve never even met. This new neighborhood—this new school—isn’t what I expected for a place tucked deep in the mountains of North Carolina. The elitism, the bullies, the social structures—I want no part of it. But then I meet the shy, stumbling Lincoln Anderson. He ignites something inside of me, and I’m drawn to him—his goodness, his quiet resolution. I can’t leave him alone. Won’t leave him alone. Even when an unknown threat from my past endangers everything. I’m no stranger to putting my fists up, and it doesn’t take long to decide that I’ll wreck anyone who steps near Linc. The thing is, he doesn’t want me to. They say I’m a bad boy, but I think maybe I could be good for him. Bad Boy is a 96,000-word friends-with-benefits-to-lovers gay romance. It is book two in The Loyal Boys Series, a collection of standalone contemporary M/M romances. You can expect opposites attract, forced proximity, hurt/comfort, and steamy first times. This novel is intended for 18+ readers and contains explicit scenes, violence, language, and bullying from outside sources. See Author’s Note for a full list of Content Warnings. AUTHOR’S NOTE Let’s talk for a second! First of all, thank you so much for picking up my second book and giving this brand-new story a chance! It really means so much to me, as do these boys! Bad Boy has similar vibes to Cali Boy in that they are seniors attending a private high school—meeting for the first time and hitting it off—struggling with different issues in their lives. More importantly, while our boys are sweet and spicy and loyal, they will also face more physical dangers, especially in the second half, making this book a little darker. I have included a list of content warnings if you want to know what to expect. I’m so excited to share Remi and Linc’s story with you! I hope you enjoy! Content Warnings: Language, explicit sexual scenes (both MCs are eighteen the entire story), violence, fighting, bullying (outside of the MCs), parental neglect, brief homophobia, brief flashback to physical abuse by a parent (this happens after the first scene break in chapter thirty-two—it is in italics and can be skipped), mentions of a past teenage pregnancy and an unsupportive family (Raina’s pregnancy with Remi). PLAYLIST Available on Spotify affection by BETWEEN FRIENDS Eyes on You by Vwillz I Like You (A Happier Song) by Post Malone and Doja Cat Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift Love Me For Me by MASN Sleepless by Dutch Melrose Treacherous Twins by Drake and 21 Savage love. by Kid Cudi Bad Habit by Steve Lacy Not a Home by Pardyalone Criminals by Xuitcasecity carpool by Zachary Knowles Above the Clouds by Luca Push Up by Ne-Yo feat. Trippie Redd soda stream sky by Powfu feat. KNOWN slow down my thoughts by Zachary Knowles Looking at the Sky With You by Roiael, Monty Datta, and Skinny Atlas Live Fast Die Numb by iann dior DEDICATION For the bad boys, who are probably just big softies underneath it all. CHAPTER ONE REMI Red and blue flashing lights illuminate the dark alleyway I’m currently sprinting down. Discarded glass bottles and cardboard boxes line the piss-stained concrete, and even in my haste, I wrinkle my nose at the offensive stench. I reach a dead end, throw my hands up, and slam into the chain link fence blocking my way to the other side of the alley and sidewalk beyond. Shit. Bouncing on my toes, I glance behind me, ensuring I haven’t been found yet. I focus my attention back on the hurdle in front of me. My eyes scan the