Dirty Demise

Dirty Demise Willow Heights Preparatory Academy: The Envy Book 1 selena Dirty Demise Copyright © 2023 Selena Unabridged First Edition All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the express written permission of the publisher, except in cases of a reviewer quoting brief passages in a review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, and events are entirely coincidental. Use of any copyrighted, trademarked, or brand names in this work of fiction does not imply endorsement of that brand. Published in the United States by Selena and Speak Now. ISBN-13: 978-1-955913-26-3 Cover © Temptations Creations For Team Darling. acknowledgements Huge thanks to all my amazing readers, especially my patrons who help my books come to life with their generous support, encouragement, and kindness. Special thanks to Crystal, Michelle C, Susan, Adriana, Kandace, Sabrina, Joyce, Nineette, DesiRae, Amanda, Rowena, Terra, Emily, Mindy, Audriana, Alysia, Jasmine, Larissa, Nikki, Jennifer C, Jennifer M, Jennifer S, Jessica D-PA extraordinaire, Mariam, Nicole, Nikki T, Kellie, April, Jennifer (JG), Jasmine, JMarsh, Kelly, Makayla, Rebecca, Breanne, Michelle, Erin, Cassidy, Nayomi, Kim, Emma, and Amy. Table of Contents acknowledgements blurb content warning prologue one two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen Show me history untouched by memories and you show me lies. —Carlos Eire blurb Colt Darling If the truth sets you free, can you ever be free without it? I used to have it all. Football made me popular. Money made me desirable. My name made me a king. Girls tried to tame me, but I valued my freedom too much to be tied down. Until I lost it all. Now I’m a ghost in the halls of Willow Heights Prep Academy. The bullies allow me to speak to one person—my girlfriend, Dixie. When I defied that order, they beat me nearly to death. I survived, but I lost my memories of the month before the attack. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, but I can’t help feeling like I’m missing something. Here’s what I know for sure. Dixie is my girlfriend. I’m a social leper thanks to the bullies and their queen, Gloria Walton. And something happened that I can’t remember. I’m determined to find out the truth, but someone thinks it’s better left forgotten. Someone who sees my freedom as a threat. But who can I believe when I can’t even trust my own memory? content warning I write for 18+ readers who have no triggers. If this does not describe you, this series is not for you. Please return this book for a refund if you’re disturbed by fictional characters dealing with assault, suicide, substance abuse, bullying (incl. body shaming and homophobic slurs), and other trauma. I would never want to cause harm, and your safety comes first. If you’re ready for anything… Welcome to Faulkner, where the city limit is the only limit. prologue 1 YEAR AGO Rumor Has It… a notorious loner boy and a girl who’s gained sudden notoriety this week were seen leaving campus together before school. Have these two lonely souls found a friend in each other, or is it something more? Colt Darling I pull up to Willow Heights well after the last bell. School’s been out for hours, but I’ve been having too much fun flirting with the new girl to keep track of time. “Back to Life” runs through my head, and I whistle the tune under my breath. Back to reality—too fucking true. I used to run this place, to sit on the proverbial throne with my cousins, with all the entitlement of an arrogant king who thought he was a god. Then the Dolce family moved to town and showed our family that even the most powerful king bows at the feet of that cruel bitch, Fate. Gods don’t answer to anyone. Now, this place is my living hell. “This was fun,” I say, shutting off the wipers. “Next time you want to make a dude cum in his pants, remember, I’m your guy.” Harper laughs, and the sound twists down into my chest, boring into me with a mixture of pride and sorrow. I used to make girls laugh. I used to make girls cum. I used to make girls scream my name. Now girls laugh at me, not my wisecracks, and they’d scream in horror if I came near them. I’m the school’s pariah, untouchable in the worst ways. The only girl I’m allowed to talk to is Dixie, and dumbass that I am, I just cut things off with her—for good this time. I know it’s better this way. I’m a lone wolf. I’m not meant to be tamed. “Thanks for the clothes,” Harper says. “And smoking me out, and the sandwich… Damn, I’m starting to think I really do owe you a BJ. At least a hand job.” “I mean… I’m not gonna argue with that logic,” I say, flashing her a grin so she knows I’m not turning down her offer of a BJ, but I’m not holding her to it either. She’s too new to know all the rules, and too defiant to obey the ones she knows. That’s why she hung out with me today. I’d rather have kept her all night than coming back here, or better yet, taken her and blown right the fuck out of this town and never looked back, like my sister did. But Harper wanted to get her bike and go home, and I’m not quite psycho enough to kidnap a girl, no matter how hot she is. I leave the truly criminal acts to the Dolces, and maybe my cousin Preston. Hell, he’d take her just to piss off the Dolces. Not only is