Crazy Deadly Beautiful Love

By Kelly Croasmun

Devin Black's charm makes Hailey look past his eerie & unnatural abilities. Her home life is beginning to fall apart, & Devin is the only one helping her pick up the pieces. As Hailey's undeniable attraction grows for Devin & his secrets are revealed, her fear becomes all too real that Devin isn't like other boys. He is part of a vengeful plot that may not only cost Hailey her heart, it could cost her something much more precious.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Croasmun
• Release date: Mar 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370313969

Book preview

In my rush toward the kitchen, something launched off of my foot and skidded across the kitchen floor. The sound of shattering glass filled the room as I cursed under my breath and fumbled for the light switch. The jagged remains of a vodka bottle glittered in the incandescent light. Sighing, I shook my head and stared at the mess momentarily while my toe throbbed. Wide-eyed and wheezing, my eleven year old sister Wren appeared beside me.

Hailey! Are you all right? Wren's breathing sounded even more labored than usual.

Where's your inhaler? She raised her eyebrows at me while holding the inhaler up in front of my face. You might want to consider using it, you know.

Wren rolled her eyes at me like I was being ridiculous. I'm fine. I opened my mouth to contradict her but she interrupted me. What happened? I heard something break.

I tried to feign indifference. Oh, I tripped, that's all.

Wren peered around me to see what had broken. When she saw the bottle on the floor, the disappointment was clear on her face. It's hers from last night, isn't it?

Why don't you go get dressed while I clean this up, okay? Then I'll make us some breakfast. I've got to go to the high school and have them fix my schedule before tomorrow so you'll have to come with me.

I can stay here, she offered.

I glanced at the shards of glass littering the floor, then back at Wren. No you can't.

Shouldn't we at least check on her?

I'll do that, you just go get dressed. Wren agreed and disappeared to change from her pajamas. I cleaned the glass from the floor, dumped it into the trash and then replaced the broom and dustpan. My mother's room was down the hall. I opened her bedroom door and flipped the light switch. She was sprawled out on the bed still wearing the clothes she'd had on last night. Her makeup was smeared, her mouth was hanging open but her chest was rising and falling normally—not dead. I turned off the light and ventured back into the kitchen.

Upon retrieving the orange juice carton from the refrigerator, I noticed it was nearly empty. Hurrying toward the sink, I ran some water into the carton then replaced it before Wren noticed. I readied breakfast as Wren walked in. Eggs again? She complained.

It's all we have left. You ate the cereal last week.

Wren frowned at me. Aren't those eggs expired?

I waved my hand like it was insignificant. Only by a few days—they're still good.

She gave the eggs a look of disgust as the plate was placed in front of her. I raised an eyebrow and she heaved a sigh, shoveling in a mouthful as her face pinked. Sorry. I just wish we had some more food.

I know, me too. I spent a lot on your school clothes so I don't have too much extra money right now. Maybe we'll pick up a few groceries on the way back from the high school, okay? That seemed to lift her spirits and as she dove into her eggs, I scrambled a few for myself. We finished our breakfast then Wren washed the dishes while I got dressed. As we exited the house, I made sure to lock the door behind us. Mother's dodgy friends made a habit of showing up whenever they pleased, and past history told me not to trust any of them. When you didn't have much, it was easy to notice when things went missing.

∞

I was nervous the entire walk to the high school. I needed first and second period study halls so I could get Wren up and on the bus for school and have time to get myself to school. Mrs. Young, our guidance counselor, used to be a complete pain in the ass. The years hadn't changed her very much. I clenched and unclenched my fists as she tapped her pencil on the desk. Ms. Marshall why is it so important that you have both study halls in the beginning of the day?

The truthful answer would be that my mother is a hot mess whose children are forced to fend for themselves...but I couldn't tell her that. So of course I lied. My mother has to be at work and there is no one else to get my sister on the bus. It sounded noble enough, though the only thing my mother ever worked on that early in the morning was her hangover.

So you want me to switch your schedule the day before classes begin so that you may be a babysitter? That's not a valid enough reason for a schedule change. I tried to remain calm but I wanted to shake her until her eyes rattled in her head. She had no idea how badly I needed that schedule change. We went back and forth for some time, all the while me getting more and more desperate.

It is not your job to raise your mother's child! I wanted to laugh in her face and disagree, for how little she knew. The verbal exchange with Mrs. Young reached a fevered pitch. Wren cleared her throat a few times to get my attention, but I ignored her.

Is this going to take all day? A male voice sounded from behind me but my gaze didn't budge from Mrs. Young's.

Might be a while, I said over my shoulder. "I'm just trying to get both my study halls early but someone is giving me a hard time about it."

Mrs. Young's jaw was set. I'll not change your schedule just so you can be a babysitter. You'll need a better excuse than that.

Fine then! Would it make you happy if I said that I'm a late sleeper and need the extra time to prepare for school? Or how about the fact that there is no bussing for high school students and I have to walk every day in varying weather conditions to get my state-mandated education?

Mrs. Young's eyes narrowed. Sorry. Study hall's full second period.

You didn't even look! I snapped, pointing at her computer.

Give her the damn schedule change. Mrs. Young and I both gasped simultaneously. I turned around to look up into the bluest pair of eyes I'd ever seen and forgot to breathe for a moment. The young man looked to be eighteen like me, and he was tall with a lean, muscular build. Our eyes locked and he studied my face, cursing under his breath as if in shock. Neither one of us looked away.

I hate to break up this little moment you are having here, but I do have work to do, Mrs. Young sniped.

The young man raked a hand through his dark hair in frustration, then pushed past me, storming up to Mrs. Young's desk. He was leaning across the desk as he told her exactly how my schedule should be, and also ordered her to be nicer to people from now on. He even smirked as he said it, but the way that he stared into her eyes was more than unnerving. Mrs. Young typed a few keystrokes on her computer, printed out a paper and handed the boy my new schedule. He promptly turned and handed it to me while Mrs. Young sat in a daze.

How did you—

I believe 'thank you' were the words you were looking for.

Thank you, I stammered.

Don't mention it.

Okay.

He moved uncomfortably close to me. I mean it. Don't. The boy then took me by the shoulders and stared into my eyes. You won't remember this happening. You arrived at the office and the counselor changed your schedule without incident. You never saw me. I was so stunned at his behavior, I couldn't form any words other than to repeat what he'd said.

I never saw you...

He smiled and then released my shoulders. Precisely. Wren had made a noise and that captured the boy's attention. He strode over to her like a man on a mission and the scene was eerily similar. The boy got into her face the same way before returning to Mrs. Young's desk. He made a few schedule demands of his own to Mrs. Young and then without even looking back, he strode out of the office. His footsteps echoed down the hall until they faded away. Mrs. Young snapped out of her trance and glanced over at Wren and me.

Did you ladies need something?

Umm, no. I think I'm all right now. C'mon Wren. I jerked my head toward the door and Wren rose from her chair to join me.

You ladies have a good day! She called out behind us as we exited the office. I glanced back through the door and she smiled at me as if we hadn't just had a verbal battle royale ten minutes ago. A shiver ran through me as I hurried down the hall with Wren and out the exit.

∞

Why won't mom let you use the car? Wren asked as we walked our way back toward town. Though I had a driver's license, my mother never let me use her car unless she needed me to drive her somewhere.

I guess she didn't need a designated driver today. Wren sensed the bitter tone in my voice so I forced a smile. Besides, the weather is pretty today and walking is good for us, right?

I guess, Wren sulked.

Do you feel all right?

I'm fine.

Let me know if you get out of breath, okay?

I said I'm fine.

I know, I just worry. I am allowed, right?

No. She frowned at me.

Well I don't need your permission. I can worry all I want. I stuck out my tongue at her with as much attitude as I could muster. With that, the tension between us melted and we both laughed. When the giggles died down, we'd finally made it to the grocery store. Wren and I wandered the aisles searching for the few items I could actually afford.

Can we get cereal? Pleeease? I rolled my eyes and reluctantly agreed. She immediately selected a box of five dollar cereal.

Wren, we can't get that! Get the bagged version of it, it's cheaper.

The bagged stuff doesn't taste the same! I don't want poor people's cereal.

News flash—we ARE poor. It's the bagged stuff or nothing.

She put the box of cereal back, pouting all the while as she grabbed a bag of cereal from the bin. I could tell she was in a mood now, so I tried to make conversation to distract her.

So how'd you like that guy in my counselor's office? Weird, huh?

Wren stopped walking and frowned at me. What guy?

The guy that got my schedule changed for me.

Wren shrugged her shoulders. Huh! I guess I didn't see him. Now I stopped walking.

"He spoke to you, Wren. You looked right at him."

If you're joking it's not funny. From the set of her jaw and the snap in her eyes I could see that she really had no memory of the boy in the office. I decided to let it go.

I must have been mistaken. I conceded, though my mind was racing. How is it possible that I could remember and she could not?" Did I imagine the whole thing?

We purchased a few more groceries and walked home slowly. By the time Wren and I had arrived at home, our mother was already gone. The stale scent of her cigarette smoke still hung in the air, so I knew she hadn't been gone long. Muttering under my breath about our selfish and ignorant mother, I put the few groceries away. How many times did I have to remind her not to smoke in our house? It was bad enough she would attempt to smoke with Wren around, but I worried about her passing out and burning our house down as well. She was rarely sober any more. Our house wasn't much to look at, but it was better than sleeping in our car again. I wanted to keep Wren out of the house a while until the air cleared.

Let's have a picnic! I suggested to Wren. We can walk to the park and spend our last day of freedom there. Would you like that? She agreed. Though summer was coming to an end, it was a gorgeous sunny day in Northeast Ohio. We packed a sparse lunch, walked to the park together and enjoyed the day in the fresh air. I pushed her on the swings and climbed all over the jungle gym with her though I got a few strange looks for it. Day turned into evening too quickly and we began the walk back home. As we passed the library, a frequent haunt of ours, I remembered that tonight was Video Games and Pizza Night for teens and tweens. Wren and I both ate our fill of pizza, which served as our free dinner, played a few video games together and then barely crawled home we were so tired. Our mother was still gone, and that was fine with me. Wren and I both got our things ready for school, and went to sleep in a quiet house. It was a good day.

CHAPTER TWO

I was thankful for the two study halls. Wren made it to school without a hitch and I would be able to finish out my senior year. I didn't need any more trouble in my life. My mother was off the rails again, my sister's asthma was getting worse and I had to work every spare hour I had to help put food on the table. The plan was to keep my GPA intact, get a full scholarship and take my sister away with me. My mind was so preoccupied that I nearly yelped in surprise when I hit a warm and solid wall. A pair of familiar blue eyes looked down upon me.

Oh! Hello again. He frowned at me in confusion. To my horror, my mouth opened before my brain could stop me. Thanks again for the help with the schedule.

His eyes grew wide and his mouth opened slightly. "You...remember that?"

Well it was just yesterday. I laughed, though he did not. A feeling crept over me like I'd said something I really shouldn't have and my smile vaporized. His expression hinged between shock and anger and he stood there like a stone.

Ummm...I have to go. I moved to my left as he moved to his right. I then moved right as he followed my lead in this mortifying dance.

He grabbed my arm and there was a weird tingling sensation where his hand remained. Marianne?

What? No, my name is Hailey.

Sure it is, he said, though he looked as if he didn't believe me. His hand tightened around my arm. Let's go, I want answers. My mouth opened and then closed into a frown of confusion. Someone in the hallway called out and he turned his head. I wrenched my arm free and hauled ass to the nearest stall in the girls restroom. Once I realized that I hadn't been followed, I exited the stall and splashed some cool water on my face. Staring at my reflection, and still out of breath, I tried to play it cool as other girls walked in and out of the restroom. I swept aside my hair from my face, which was now flushed red instead of its usual pallor.

Rosie Melendez walked in with a group of her friends, so I tried to be nonchalant to no avail. She laughed and called me an albino freak, much to everyone's amusement. I turned around to flip her off, but caught myself. I said to Rosie You DO know that albinos have red eyes and white hair, right? Though I was very pale, my wavy hair was auburn and my eyes were chestnut brown.

Maybe you're a freak among albinos too, she offered, which made her entourage laugh.

I rolled my eyes and pushed a few gawkers out of my way. I don't have time for this, I muttered, hoisting my backpack further on my shoulder and walking away. Though putting Rosie in her place would be great, fighting would screw up my chances of a scholarship and completely screw up my plan for Wren and me. Rosie wasn't worth it—no one was.

Thankfully I left when I did. I made it to my homeroom right as the bell rang, still stewing over what Rosie had said. I couldn't help it if I was pale. I worked at the local diner as often as my boss would let me. When I wasn't working, I was maintaining my scholarship-level GPA or watching after my sick sister. That didn't leave much time for languishing in the sun. As I sat down and took out my book, I wanted to forget about Rosie and her stupid comment. Try as I may though, I could not forget about the strange boy with hair the color of a wild horse and eyes as blue as swimming pools.

The rest of the morning was relatively calm. I'd encountered a few whispers and stares from people but chalked it up to being the new girl. Half of these kids probably didn't even remember me. Come lunchtime, a girl walked up to me to prove just how wrong that assumption was. She looked back at a table of her friends, who goaded her forward.

Do you need something?

My friends want to know if you are really Hailey Marshall.

Why?

My friend said that you OD'd & died, but I said she was wrong. I glared at the table of jocks & their snotty girlfriends as they elbowed each other and snickered. I decided to have a little fun at this girl's expense. I leaned in closer to her and whispered.

Tell your friend that she's right. I came back from the dead just so I can make her life miserable. At the mention of me coming back from the dead, I noticed a familiar pair of blue eyes staring at me. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open slightly. I wanted to crawl under the table—It was the boy from earlier. Of course he was sitting right next to my former nemesis Rosie Melendez who glared at me from across the lunchroom. I made a face at her and went back to my meal. It was fine that they had my mother's overdose confused with me somehow. The less anyone knew about my home situation, the better. Finally, the girl who was elected to torment me went back to her friends. Halfway there I thought, glancing at the clock. The school day was halfway done. I avoided as many people as I could the rest of the day and practically ran out the doors when the last bell rang. I had to meet Wren at the public library and then take her to work with me at the diner.

I cut through the cemetery to save time. It was quiet and I was able to pick my way through the stones quickly. I was near a group of trees when I spied someone in the distance. It was the boy from the hallway, though he must've changed his clothes. He stood near a giant monument that had begun to lean to one side. It was a beautiful old monument and it was a shame it would eventually topple over and break. The boy braced his hands on either side of it like he meant to push it. Though I was running late, I had to stop and see. This boy really thought he was going to move a monument weighing hundreds of pounds? I smiled to myself as I hid behind the trees. My smile dissolved, however, when in one movement he had straightened the monument. I gasped loudly, and he turned in my direction. All I could think to do was run, so that's what I did. It felt like his eyes were on me the entire time. I rushed to meet Wren.

I scanned the library and panicked. She wasn't in her usual place in the Teen Zone. I began looking down each of the individual aisles and grew more and more frantic with each empty aisle. What if something had happened to her on the way from the school? Horrible things can happen to an eleven year old girl walking by herself, but I had no choice. It was safer for her to go to the library than to stay home and risk running into one of my mother's sleazy male friends. Where was she? Had she had an asthma attack on the walk over?

There was a voice behind me, and I turned to see if it was Wren. It wasn't. As I whirled back around, I collided with a patron and books scattered to the floor. I stumbled in the process, but a hand grabbed my arm and jerked me upright before I fell. He then gasped and jerked his hand away as though he'd been injured in the scuffle.

Oh my God, I am so sorry! Did I hurt you?

When I finally looked up, I saw the familiar face of the nameless boy from the school and the cemetery. How had he gotten here so quickly? Had he changed his clothes too in that short amount of time? He stared at me, then looked at his hand as if it was going to form leprosy. You're afraid—I can feel it, he said in a daze. It was such an odd thing to say that it left me stunned for a moment, then I remembered myself.

Did I hurt you? Your hand— I reached for his hand and he jerked it away from me quickly. My jaw dropped open at his blatant disgust of me. I'm sorry, I said, wanting to get as far away from him as possible. As a courtesy though, I stooped down to collect the books I'd made him drop.

Leave them and go, he hissed. I stood up quickly and retreated from him, praying that no one had witnessed that awkward encounter. He didn't even want me touching his books—I should have known he was one of Rosie's minions. I pushed him out of my mind and went about searching for Wren once more. When I walked toward the Teen Zone again in desperation, there was a thin figure with fair hair curled up on the couch with a book in her lap.

Wren? I hurried toward her, not knowing whether I wanted to hug her or kick her. Where were you? I was in a panic looking for you!

Her large green eyes were filled with innocence. I had to go to the bathroom.

I breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that she was safe, for Wren was my world. Sorry I snapped at you but you had me scared to death thinking something happened to you. So? I smiled, changing the subject and plopping down on the couch next to her. How was your first day of fifth grade?

She shrugged, which made her look even smaller. It was all right.

Just all right? Did you make any friends? She looked at me sadly. The silence was deafening as my heart broke for her. Well, maybe tomorrow. I said cheerily. After all, it was only your first day, right? She nodded. It takes a while for people to be able to take in all of your awesomeness. A broad grin crossed her face.

Hailey... She said as her face grew pink.

What? It's true. I said, nudging her gently with my elbow.

How was your day at school? Wren asked me.

I thought back to everything that had happened. It was all right. She raised an eyebrow at me in amusement.

"Did you make any friends?"

I smiled at her to let her know she'd caught me in my obvious lie. The library clock chimed and we both looked at each other. It was time to leave for work. I couldn't trust Mom to look after Wren—my mother couldn't even take care of herself these days—so I had to take Wren with me.

We checked out at the circulation desk and as I turned my head to put my library card back in my backpack, there he was. Mystery Guy. More like Rude Mystery Guy I thought to myself as we gathered our books and shoved them into my backpack. I wondered how Mystery Guy had changed back into his school clothes so quickly, but soon forgot about it as we exited the library. It was warm and the air was ridiculously humid. I cast a worried