Broken: Sierra Cove Series, #4

By Lyssa Cole

Broken features Holden & Lennox's story, an opposites attract friends to lovers romance!

 

Parties, hookups, and nonstop fun. That's what I wanted from college. Preparing for my future? No thanks. Pretend it's not happening? Sure thing.

 

Because when life breaks you apart and gives you more baggage than you care to cart around, you take control however you can. For me it's in the bedroom, backseat, kitchen counter, or wherever I want. I am the one in control. If I want to have a few drinks and party my way into some hot guy's pants, so be it.

 

Holden can judge me all he wants. Just because it isn't his way of taking control, doesn't mean I have to change mine. I mean other than that he is a pretty cool guy, even though he's kind of nerdy. And sexy. And somehow irresistible…

 

Then one night, my carefully constructed house of cards comes tumbling down and who is there to catch me? Holden…

 

And as luck would have it we end up at the same job on campus. Who knew the party girl extraordinaire would start falling for the hot nerdy guy? But can he see past my history, fight his own demons, and want me for who I can become? Or in the end, are we just too different?

 

All books will be standalones, and while the series will be more enjoyable if read in order, the books can be read as complete standalone stories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyssa Cole Books
• Release date: Jul 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215038062

Lyssa Cole

Lyssa Cole has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Escaping into a story is her favorite pastime. Wanting to be a writer for a couple years, she is now crafting her own stories. She loves to write angsty & sexy romance with lots of heat and some suspense to keep you guessing and wanting to turn that page! She lives in Southeastern Mass with her boyfriend, two children, three cats, and two dogs. Lover of coffee, all things chocolate, & always the avid reader, you can keep up with Lyssa Cole by subscribing to her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/NLsignuplyssacole. You can also find her at www.lyssacolebooks.com or www.facebook.com/lyssacolebooks.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lennox

September of Freshman Year

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The party is in full swing when we arrive, and the beach has crowds of people. Local college students from the surrounding area mix in with the Sierra Cove University crowd, and boom, it’s chaos along the shore. I guess they weren't lying when they said the first party of the new school year is huge.

I’m here for it.

First up, drinks. Then finding a hottie. I scan the crowd quickly and find no shortage of hot boys around. This is gonna be fun. I relish in the zap of delicious energy as it rushes through my stomach and lands between my legs.

Damnnnn, my new roommate and friend, Everleigh, says as we take it all in. Her eyes are huge, and her mouth hangs open.

Have you never been to a party before, chick? I laugh and jump up and down like an excited preteen at a boy band concert. I’ve been to my fair share of parties in high school, but nothing as large as this. The town I grew up in has a local community college, and there was always a house party happening, yet they were half this size. Let’s find some shots. I grab her hand and pull her toward the crowd, but she resists, her feet planted in the sand.

Uhh, Lennox, I hate to tell you this, but I’ve never actually done a shot befor⁠—

Her words are cut off by a stampede of people running by us, all of them screaming and cheering, red Solo cups in their hands. Chug! Chug! Chug! they all shout. I can’t help but laugh and cheer them on, and when I see the two girls I met from the dorms earlier taking up the rear, I need to join.

Everleigh! Let’s join! I tug on her arm, and she doesn’t fight me this time. We laugh and chant along with the rest of the group. Plastic cups and Jell-O shots are shoved in our hands as we weave through the crowd. I ignore every warning firing off in my brain and drink whatever’s offered to me.

Wooooohooo! I shout when Everleigh takes her first shot and then another. The girls from my dorm, Chloe and Madison, do more shots with us, and soon, my head is spinning and a warm sensation fills me, reaching my cheeks and setting them on fire. Probably as red as my hair.

The train of partiers slows down and starts to dismantle, and my friends and I hang back and gather around a table full of more alcohol and shots. Seriously, where does it all come from?

Back at home, I’d pay the homeless guy behind the liquor store to buy me whatever I wanted, and damn, did it get pricey, considering my part-time job at a local ice cream shop wasn’t exactly lucrative.

But here? It’s all included in the entry price of ten bucks. Let’s just hope the police don’t come and break it up.

After more shots, we grab drinks and walk over to a nearby bonfire. I slide my arm around Everleigh, and we both stumble and giggle. I can’t believe you’re drunk for the first time ever!

She clasps a hand over her mouth and snorts while nodding and averting her eyes. I dissolve into more laughter, and we almost trip and fall into the sand. Chloe and Madison aren’t any better, and before we make it to the bonfire, a group of guys has surrounded us.

I recognize them from freshman orientation earlier. Madison introduced everyone, but shit, if I remember any names. One was her brother, I think…

There’s too much going on. I can’t focus. Who are these guys again?

I laugh at myself, and my eyes land on the one standing right next to me.

He’s cute in a nerdy sort of way. But something about him is also sexy…

I need to find out his name.

I don’t know, but he sure smells good…I lean closer to try to get a better whiff, but I’m pulled backward. Everleigh’s loud, infectious laughter fills my ears, and all thoughts rush out of my brain. She falls onto the soft sand and takes me with her. I’m too drunk to even care at this point, and I laugh so hard I can’t breathe. Everleigh is on her side in the fetal position, her body shaking with uncontrollable giggles.

What the hell is happening right now? Madison half shouts, half laughs as she offers her hand out. Lo! Mase! Can you help?

Chloe and the dude I think is Madison’s brother appear before us, and hands float in front of my face. It only makes me laugh more.

Maybe I should’ve rethought that eighth shot…

Ah well. Fuck it.

You got her, Mason? Madison says as the same dude standing above me clasps my hand and pulls me upright.

Aha! I shout and point at the sky. I knew he was your brother, Madison. Seeeee… I slur my words and tap my finger on the side of my head. I remember some stuff.

What’s his name, then? Everleigh taunts, her eyes dancing, and I shrug.

Marshall?

Everyone bursts into laughter, and Madison introduces everyone again, but if she thinks I’ll remember any of them? Yahhhh, okay. I don’t know what it is, but if I had to remember people’s names to save my life, I’d be dead. One hundred percent.

You got all that? Chloe asks with an amused look on her face.

Ha! Of course I do! I say with all the fake confidence I can muster.

Good. Quick, pop quiz. What’s his name? Madison points at one of the guys in the group, the one I noticed earlier. The sexy nerdy boy.

I try to remember, but my mind spins, and I come up blank. Let’s go dance! Don’t you guys love this song? I do. Threading my arm through Everleigh’s, I wiggle my butt and nod my head toward the group of people dancing.

Someone is avoiding the subject. Chloe grins. It’s Holden, by the way.

Hell, I’m lucky I remember Everleigh’s name, and she’s my damn roommate. My words slur, and a cackle escapes my throat. Eight shots later and there’s a pop quiz? Fuck, I’ll just take the F now, I declare with a huge shit-eating grin. Now, can we please dance? I beg, sticking out my lower lip like a child.

Okay, we’ll lay off you. Just don’t forget our names, Madison says as she takes Chloe’s arm, and the four of us walk toward the group of people dancing.

We join up with more girls from the dorm, including one I recognize from across the hall. Everleigh reminds me that her name is Maia, and I try to store it in my head. Soon, we’re all dancing and giggling in a large group, more boys and girls weaving their way in and out.

With the alcohol coursing through me, my body moves to the beat of the music, and I get lost in the waves of bodies dancing beside me, arms swaying and heads bobbing. I don’t realize at first when a pair of hands land on my waist and move with my hips to the beat. But I'm suddenly aware of everything when the fingers grip a little harder.

I quickly spin around, needing to see who this person is, who just put their hands on me without permission, and hope it’s a cute boy. But first, I need to gain control back.

As soon as my eyes adjust and my brain processes the face mere inches from mine, I stumble back, a small yelp escaping my throat. I almost lose my footing in the sand, but there are too many bodies to bounce off.

Len? Are you okay?

I faintly hear Everleigh’s voice, but I need to get the fuck away from here and quick. My heart pounds in my ears, and panic grips my stomach. Instantly, I feel less drunk, more aware, and fuck, I can’t breathe.

Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to get some air. I push through the crowd, focusing on getting as far away as I can from that group of people.

Want me to go with you? Everleigh shouts from behind me.

I turn around and give her a hug so she thinks I’m okay. No, I won’t be long. You enjoy yourself, party girl.

Everleigh laughs, and the sound makes me feel slightly better. Okay. Come get me if you need me, though. And don’t leave without telling me.

Aw, you’re such a mom.

Everleigh makes a disgusted face. Ew, I so am not.

Love you. I blow her a kiss.

As I turn to walk away, I catch his evil face, the gross expression he carries around like he’s some sort of gift from God to women.

I’m going to be sick.

I walk down the beach until the party is far behind me. Until there’s only sand and sea and no people. I constantly look over my shoulder and check that no one is following me. All of my memories come flooding back, reminding me of the hell that was high school. The years of torment and pain. Of keeping my mouth shut for fear of the repercussions he threatened me with.

He wouldn’t dare do anything in public. There might not be many people around here, but there’s still enough. If I screamed loud enough, I’d be heard. And believe me, I’d scream until my throat bled if that’s what it takes to keep that asshole away from me. Then precious golden boy might lose his perfect reputation, and I know he won’t risk that. His perfect, stupid, useless, rich life will go up in flames. Boo-fucking-hoo.

It won’t happen, and I’m not wasting any more energy trying to will it into existence. Karma will come around eventually.

Boardwalk lights shine down on the shore, and I find a spot between two cast in darkness. I plop down in the sand and stare out at the dark water. The vast Pacific Ocean stretches for miles, and I let the tears I’ve been holding in spill down my cheeks and drip onto my shirt. I don’t even feel drunk anymore, and that sucks.

Seeing him was a total downer and ruined my whole fucking night. Why is he around here anyway? He was supposed to be going to school in Washington State. If I find out he’s going to Sierra Cove, I’ll leave. I can’t be at the same school with him.

Did he find out I was going here and decided to follow? How will he survive without his douche posse trailing his every move?

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I open Facebook and find the group of seniors from my high school I graduated with. They created this Facebook group to document our senior year and all of the events. Most people posted their college plans in there. A quick search of his name pulls up all the posts he made or commented on.

Aaron Moniz: Washington State University here we come! was one post where he tagged all his buddies back in January.

And then nothing. So why the fuck is he here?

I dig more by searching his socials and finally find some info.

Luke Evans: Bro! I can’t believe you’re not going to WSU with us! We’re gonna miss ya.

Sophie Laser: What happened? I thought the whole crew was going…

Ben Pina: Bro got wait-listed

Aaron: They just didn’t have enough space for all my greatness. *winky face* Northern Cali State won’t know what to do with me.

Northern Cali State, huh? Well, thank fuck it’s not here. But no wonder. That college is only a ten-minute drive from here. He’s close. Too close.

Especially being at these parties. Maybe it’s time I just tell my parents and stop having this shit hang over my head. Perhaps it’s time not to be scared anymore. Maybe…

Lennox?

The deep voice startles me, and I quickly swipe at my cheeks. When I look up, I see it’s the sexy nerd from our group of friends. I already forgot his name, surprise, surprise. He has piercing blue eyes, and I feel like he can see into my soul. Even in the dark moonlight, their color is so vivid. How did I not notice them before?

Hey, I say as he sits down next to me. I try to remember his name, but of course I come up empty. Did Everleigh send you to find me?

Huh? He gives me an odd look. No. Why would she?

I laugh it off. Just a girl thing, I guess.

I took a walk. I needed a breather. There are a lot of fucking people. He laughs, and for some weird reason, the sound soothes me. I ignore it.

Not used to big crowds?

Nah. I come from a small town in Oregon. And there weren’t many parties. Not like this.

He looks so innocent, and I find it endearing. It also makes me curious. What kind of parties were there?

His shoulders lift and fall in a shrug. I couldn’t really tell you.

You’ve never been to a party before, have you?

Birthday and family parties count, right?

I laugh, my mood lifting. I mean, yeah, but not really. I’m talking a fun party with your friends and no adult supervision. I wink, and his gorgeous blue eyes dance in the light from the moon. Like this one.

He grins, but it disappears slowly. He looks away as if he’s shying away from me. He stares out at the water, and I can tell he’s relaxed from his body language. Did I embarrass him?

He grows even cuter right along with my curiosity. Who is this sweet, shy, sexy, nerdy boy from a small town in Oregon? Nice company if nothing else.

Don’t tell anyone. I can’t risk my cool factor plummeting, he says with a chuckle.

Pinky swear. I hold out my pinky, and he loops his around mine, and we shake.

No. I haven’t. Let’s just say my dad is strict.

Damn. No sneaking out, then?

I tried. Twice. Both times I was caught. Then he installed cameras.

Shit. You at least had the time of your life both times, though, right?

Got drunk as fuck with my buddies. A huge smile stretches across his face. Worth every minute of scrubbing the toilet with a toothbrush and puking my guts out.

Oh no, not the scrubbing a toilet with a toothbrush. Your dad really was strict.

You don’t even know the half of it. He grows quiet again, and when he turns his head, we lock gazes. Damn, those eyes. Deep like the ocean yet calm and inviting. His eyes travel up to my hair and back down to my face, like he’s drinking me in. He opens his mouth to say something, and I wait with bated breath. Why I care so much I don’t fucking know. Red hair, green eyes, and lots of freckles isn’t for everyone, but for some reason, I want to know his thoughts as much as I don’t. His sandy-blond hair and blue eyes are nothing short of sexy as fuck, but I’m not about to say a damn thing. So do you hate crowds, too?

No. I love parties and lots of people, the vibes and energy they give off. But I think I might’ve had one too many shots.

He starts to respond when a loud screech stops him. Everleigh and Maia stumble toward us, both of them laughing hysterically. There you are, Lennox! Maia slurs. Everleigh falls onto the sand in front of us, bringing Maia down with her. Both giggle uncontrollably.

We couldn’t find you, Len! Everleigh slurs. But Holden did, hmm? She wiggles her eyebrows, and we all laugh at her ridiculousness.

Holden. So that’s his name.

Holden, Holden, Holden.

Commit to memory.

He’s a nice friend.

He made me forget, which is exactly what I needed.

The crowd has thinned out back at the party with the talk of off-campus house parties. I don't want to drag Holden into what was going to be a shit show for the rest of my night, so I distance myself from him and the guy group and find the one thing I need—alcohol. I take shot after shot to numb the pain and make me forget who I saw earlier and the shit reel of memories he brought. I keep scanning the party, hoping the evil prick is gone, which only leads me to more shots. When I finally feel nothing, I drag my girls to dance with me. At some point, most of our friends leave, and I tell my girls I have business to take care of and I’ll see them back at the dorms.

Within a few minutes, I find a cute boy to have some fun with. I tell him