Blurring Lines

By Chloe Walsh

"The stars will have to wait, I need you on the ground with me."

I was supposed to protect her.
I didn't.
She was taken from me, and subjected to crimes that made me sick to my stomach.
Three years later, she's back in my life.
Beautiful. Haunted. Tempting. Disturbed.
I know she's sick. Different. Broken. Fractured. I know what she wants from me is wrong. But she's determined to take back control of her life.
To take control of me.

Warning: This is a dark book and not for the faint-hearted. It contains scenes of an extremely upsetting nature. Strictly an 18+ read.

Author’s Note:

This fictional story focuses on the lives of high school students and contains graphic scenes of sexual violence, promiscuity, bullying, physical violence, excessive bad language, self-harm, rape, abduction, child abuse, and substance abuse. Some scenes in this book may be extremely upsetting for some readers and, due to its explicit content, Blurring Lines is recommended for mature readers of eighteen years old and above.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chloe Walsh
• Release date: May 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781910817230

Chloe Walsh

Chloe Walsh is the USA Today bestselling author of the Boys of Tommen series. She has been writing and publishing new adult and adult contemporary romance for a decade. Her books have been translated into multiple languages. Animal lover, music addict, TV junkie, Chloe loves spending time with her family and is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness. Chloe lives in Cork, Ireland, with her family.

Book preview

PART I

THE BEGINNING

SUMMER 1997

AGE 10

CADE

June 23 rd, 1997

Cade, sweetheart, come downstairs, I heard my Mom shout out. Dee and Mitch from next door are here, and they’ve brought Mackenzie over to play with you.

Yuck.

I was playing a really important game and I didn’t have time to play with girls. Especially a girl whose name sounded like my Dad’s car: Mackenzie Benz.

Snickering to myself, I continued to march my soldiers over Stink Bomb Mountain.

Get under cover, men, I ordered, as I covered the soldiers on the front line with my hand seconds before the enemy blasted a super-huge exploding ball of fire towards us.

Water… I chanted, covering my soldiers. We need water, men … man down …

Why are you breaking your toys? I heard her ask … and I hesitated – her stupid voice caused my whole body to tense and my belly to flip. I lost my concentration and the enemy’s fireball blasted into my men.

Game over.

I let out a growl and turned around. My eyes narrowed on the small blonde girl standing in the doorway of my bedroom. She was wearing a yellow string top and light-blue cotton shorts. Her skin was tanned from the sunshine and she had a really cool scab on her left knee that wasn’t there last week. Her hair was longer than that of the other girls in my grade and yellow like the sun, tied back in a braid. Mackenzie Moore had been wrecking my summer since she moved into the house next door three weeks ago. I had tried ignoring her; I had tried being rude; I had tried telling her no, but she just didn’t seem to get the hint.

I think her brain is a little broken …

You just cost me the war, I told her in my angriest voice.

Mackenzie’s huge green eyes danced with amusement. Like Helen of Troy?

Exactly, like stupid Helen of Troy, I shot back. I didn’t want to hang out with Mackenzie. I wished she would get the hint.

Mackenzie giggled and the sound of her laughter wrapped around me, making me feel light and warm. See, that’s why I didn’t want her near me. She made me feel strange inside. It was confusing, and I didn’t like it one bit.

The face that launched a thousand ships, she added. I grimaced, and her face broke out in a huge smile. Her smile was pretty and pure, and my belly flipped at the sight.

Damn it …

Skipping over to where I was sprawled out on the mat, Mackenzie dropped to her knees beside me.

Cool.

"Cool? What’s cool about being responsible for destroying a city?" I was trying to stay mad at Mackenzie, but it was really hard to stay mad at a girl who made the corners of my lips turn up.

Paris lost the war for Helen, Mackenzie explained.

I raised my brow.

Oh, yeah? I wasn’t dumb. I’d learned all about Paris and Helen in school.

Picking up one of my defeated soldiers, Mackenzie trailed her small fingers over its green plastic body. Her hands were small and girly and looked incredibly breakable.

You lost the war for me.

"I didn’t lose the war for you, I muttered. Plucking the plastic soldier out of her hand, I tossed it back in the pile with the others. I lost the war because of you."

It’s the same difference. Mackenzie shrugged and the strap of her string top slipped off her shoulder.

"No, it’s not. It’s completely different."

I stood up, shaking my head in frustration, and gaped at the little girl kneeling on my bedroom floor.

Are you ever going to be nice to me, Cade? Mackenzie asked, climbing to her feet. She was a good three inches shorter than me, even though I knew we were the same age. Because I was hoping we could hang out—

Listen, I don’t know what my Mom has told you, but I don’t hang out with girls, I snapped, taking a step backwards. I was flustered and nothing about this girl calmed my nerves.

She stepped towards me, determination evident in those jewel-green eyes.

Why not, Cade?

I took another step away from the little blonde hellion invading my bedroom – my personal space – and held my hands up to ward her off.

Because girls are weak and whiny and annoying as hell.

Cade Mathews, Mackenzie folded her arms across her chest and scrunched her pretty nose up in distaste. "That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. I am not weak."

I let my eyes trail over her delicate frame. Shuuuure you’re not, I drawled.

Her eyes flashed with challenge.

I bet I can pitch a tent faster than you, Mackenzie said, poking me in the belly with her small pointy finger. I bet you I can run faster than you and climb a tree higher.

The competitive streak inside me roared to life.

You really think you can beat me?

Uh-huh. Mackenzie smiled. One hundred percent. But you have to promise you’ll be my best friend for life if I win.

Really? Something fluttered inside of my tummy. You want to be my friend that badly, huh?

I have a good feeling about you. Mackenzie smirked, and extended her hand to me. So, do you accept the bet, Cade?

I took her hand and shook it firmly.

Yeah, I do.

MACKENZIE

See. I chuckled as I waved down at Cade who was three branches below me. Told you I’d beat you.

Cade’s brown hair was sticking out in all directions and his face was set in a deep frown as a bead of sweat trickled from his brow.

Yeah, he grumbled, climbing slowly. You forgot to mention the fact that you’re a freaking monkey.

Carefully, I lowered myself onto the branch above Cade and grinned.

I beat you at climbing, I told him smugly. And I beat you running.

Cade’s cheeks turned red as he clung to the branch he was perched on.

You were lucky.

Wrapping my legs around a thick branch of the old oak tree in Cade’s back yard, I locked my ankles together and let go of the branch with my hands, allowing my body to dangle upside down.

I knew it, Cade muttered, staring at me with a look of pure astonishment. Reluctant admiration crept into his eyes. You’re a ninja monkey.

You lost the bet, Cade. Cade’s face looked funny from upside down. His blue eyes were wide and locked on my face. You know what that means, right?

My best friend is now a girl, Cade stated in a tone of disgust that made me laugh.

Yep, I teased. BF’s for life.

You moved from Phoenix? Cade asked me later that night. To a town the size of a shoebox?

Uh-huh. I was leaning out of the windowsill of my bedroom talking to Cade. My bedroom window was opposite Cade’s. My parents were having some problems in Phoenix, I explained. I wasn’t supposed to know about Mom and Dad’s issues of course, but it was hard not hearing the arguments – especially when they happened in the bedroom next to mine. They decided to move to Alabama for a fresh start.

Cade was quiet for a moment as he contemplated what I’d just told him. I hadn’t told anyone about this before, and I think Cade realized that.

That … sucks, Cade finally said, and his tone was gentle. His brown hair was dark and shiny and his eyes looked almost navy as he leaned out of his window, with his gaze locked on my face. I’m sorry you had to move because of your parents. That’s really shitty, Kenz.

It’s not so bad, I said cheerfully, thrilled that Cade had called me Kenz.

Cade smirked and the dimples in his cheek deepened. Oh, yeah?

Yeah. I had a good feeling about Cade Mathews the minute I laid eyes on him, and having spent the whole day with him, I was stoked to discover that my feelings were right. Cade was special. I won myself a best friend for life, remember?

Cade laughed and his voice sounded much deeper than other boys. You tricked me into thinking you were a weak little girl, but you’re not weak, are you? he teased. You’re a freaking ninja monkey …

A door slammed. Cade paused mid-sentence and I flinched.

I’m not doing this again, Dee … Jesus Christ—

Well, I can’t live like this either, Mitchell. I’m miserable …

Clenching my eyes shut, I tried to block out the sound of my parents arguing. I knew Mom and Dad loved me, but I didn’t think they realized just how bad their fights and hurtful words cut me. They didn’t have to be aimed at me in order to hurt me. I was a reflection of my parents and what hurt them hurt me.

She is the only reason I’m still here, and I’m beginning to resent her for it.

How can you say that?

Because I don’t love you anymore, Mitchell, and she’s the reason I’m stuck here – with you!

Hey. A warm hand covered mine and I opened my eyes.

Cade was perched on a limb of the old oak tree between our bedroom windows and he was holding my hand. Are you okay? Cade’s blue eyes burned into mine.

I shook my head, because I wasn’t okay.

It hurts, I confessed.

Cade let out a heavy sigh before saying, Scoot over.

I stepped back from the window and watched as Cade climbed through.

Nice jammies, he teased, when he was standing in my room.

I’m not ashamed of liking Barbie, I told him.

You should be, Cade shot back with a scowl.

Coming from the boy who plays with army dolls. Clamping my hands on my hips, I glared up at this dark-haired boy whose voice made my tummy tingle.

Whatever, Cade muttered, stepping around me. So, you take the top and I’ll take the bottom. Deal?

I shook my head in confusion. Um …

Cade rolled his eyes. The bed, he clarified, before pulling back the covers and climbing onto the bottom half of my bed. Don’t kick me.

I won’t, I promised before climbing onto the top half.

I’m so glad I won that stupid bet ...

Settling under the covers, I was careful not to poke Cade with my feet, even though he wasn’t showing me the same courtesy. His foot was a couple of inches too close to my face than I’d care for it to be.

I like you, I whispered, making sure not to speak too loudly. I didn’t want my parents to hear and take this boy away from me. I didn’t know much about Cade, but I knew I would miss him if he were gone. It sounded weird, but something inside of my heart had wrapped itself around Cade Mathews – clinging to him like ivy on a drainpipe – and I wouldn’t give him up easily.

Shut up, Kenz, Cade grumbled, as he twisted onto his side. That sounds so ... girly.

Newsflash, I am a girl, I chuckled quietly.

Don’t remind me … Cade shot back in a grumpy tone before saying, what the hell is that?

What?

Sitting up, Cade stretched forward and grabbed the stuffed toy from my arms. That, he deadpanned, holding the yellow rabbit like it was diseased.

That’s Robbie, I explained, taking it back.

Robbie Rabbit, Cade stated flatly.

That’s right. I smiled to myself.

Oh, God. Flopping onto his back, Cade threw an arm over his face and sighed. You’re such a baby.

SUMMER 1998

AGE 11

MACKENZIE

July 23 rd, 1998

I wasn’t sure if it was because Cade smelled so good or because he looked so pretty, or the fact that my palms got all sticky when he held my hand, but I had been crushing on my best friend all summer.

None of the other boys at school looked as nice as Cade. They didn’t have dimples in their cheeks or long thick eyelashes that were black as coal. None of the other boys could kick a football over the telephone mast at the end of our road, or swim across the entire creek without stopping once. Cade always smelled so good, like fresh cut grass and clean soap. And he brushed his teeth everyday too. He was rough and playful and gentle and kind all rolled into one, and lying with Cade in my bedroom made my heart flutter like a caged bee.

I felt so nervous and excited and afraid and curious …

CADE

Tell me a secret, Kenz whispered, and it was the most ridiculous thing she had said all night.

We were camped out on the floor of Mackenzie’s bedroom; it was really late, and Kenzie wouldn’t close her eyes – or her mouth.

I don’t keep any secrets from you, I replied honestly. I told Mackenzie everything, even the things I wasn’t supposed to tell her. I told her my secrets. I told her my friends’ secrets – everything.

I have a secret, Cade, she said in a quiet tone of voice, and I twisted my head to face her.

You do? That surprised me, because Kenzie usually told me everything too.

She nodded her head. Yeah.

Well, tell me already, I grumbled, feeling curious as hell.

I have a crush on this boy, Kenzie told me, and a sharp pain hit me directly in the chest. It was so painful that I couldn’t answer her. I couldn’t say a word. All I could do was close my eyes.

Cade, Mackenzie said after a pause. Did you hear me?

Yeah, I croaked out. I heard you, Kenzie, but I really don’t want to hear anymore.

SUMMER 1999

AGE 12

MACKENZIE

May 25 th, 1999

Cade was kissing Emily.

Cade Mathews was inside Ian Keller’s closet kissing Emily McAllister, and I was about to choke on my anger. This was the worst night of my entire life, and it just so happened that my five best friends in the whole world were here to watch it unfold. Rita, and Cade’s male best friend, Ezra, looked as uncomfortable as I felt – Rita’s face had turned as red as her hair – but Ian was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Damn that stupid bottle for landing on Cade.

Damn the stupid closet for ever existing and damn Ian Keller for thinking up this stupid game.

‘Seven Minutes in Heaven’.

What a joke. It should have been called seven minutes in hell, because that’s how I was feeling right now.

I loved Cade. I knew that sounded hollow coming from a twelve-year-old, but I didn’t care. I loved him so freaking much, and I’d had a crush on him for years. I wanted to be his first kiss. Me.

Reviews for Blurring Lines

[beshoahmed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The best part was the end when she decided to leave that's what she had to do since the first day she get back. She shouldn't stay in this toxic environment, she doesn't deserve to feel that way.
I liked the story but it's broke my heart ?

[rkaye · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

No. Just no. After everything she went through, he’s screwing around with another girl while telling her he’s always loved her?

I don’t think so. She deserved better - someone with loyalty. He didn’t have any. At least, not for her.