THAT FIRST BREAK (Broken Redemption Prequel 1)

Chapter 3

Lucas

The loud music and sharp smell of stale alcohol hit me as soon as we step inside. Embree, my sister, and their friends disappear into the crowd, most of whom I don't recognize, which instantly puts me on edge. Knowing Amanda, this party was probably an open invitation to anyone. It would explain why there are more bodies crammed into the space than there are students in our entire high school.

The Klines are infamous in Ruby Creek and the surrounding towns, not just because they're loaded, but because they own so many of the local businesses. Their massive mansion—all white with stone pillars that make it look like a knockoff of the White House—sticks out like a sore thumb among the modest, middle-class homes in our small town.

While their life of luxury might impress most people, to me, it feels tone-deaf and completely disconnected from what our town is really like. To be that rich, surrounded by people scraping by paycheck to paycheck, would make me miserable. If I were in their shoes, I'd feel like it was my job to help the families here do more than just survive. I'd put my money into making sure everyone had a chance to thrive.

But that's not what the Klines do. To them, offering menial jobs at minimum wage to our neighbors is as far as their goodwill extends. Never mind that half the people working for them are holding down two or three jobs just to stay afloat.

I glance up at the fancy chandeliers dangling from the ceiling and the obscenely expensive-looking furniture and decor scattered everywhere. I shake my head.

Why would anyone want this kind of life? Surrounded by stuff that doesn't matter and people who only care about you for your money. Sounds like a pretty damn lonely way to live, if you ask me.

"Guess who?" Her familiar fruity scent hits me an instant before her hands cover my eyes.

"Hi, Becks." I smile, reaching for her hands to pull her around to face me. Leaning forward, I drop a kiss on her cheek.

Becca Franks—my girlfriend of ten months—stands there in all her bright-eyed glory. Her wide smile, flushed cheeks, and that adoring look she always gives me remind me she's everything I should want.

"You came..." Her voice is soft and a little breathless. The relief in it shoots a pang of guilt straight through my chest when I realize she thinks I'm here for her.

To hide my shame, I pull her in for a hug. She knows this isn't my scene, which is why she wasn't surprised when I said no to coming with her. That she believes I'm here because of her, when the truth is I only showed up to watch over the girls, feels so damn wrong.

I swear, I'm not a dishonest person, and the last thing I ever want is to hurt anyone. It's why I've been trying so hard to build walls between the life that's supposed to be mine and the one thing I can't have. Becca is everything I should want, which is why I can't figure out why it's Embree I keep wishing was in my arms.

It's like this twisted part of me can't stop wanting what's off-limits.

Embree is family—like a cousin, almost. Her connection to my sister, the bond between our parents... there's just too much history. Too many ways this could go wrong.

Becca is what's best for me. She's the one I need to want. No matter how I feel or what I wish were different. This—right here, with Becca—is where I belong.

I drop a kiss on the top of her head, then pull back to look down at her. Her expression is soft, full of longing, when she asks, "Will you dance with me?"

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, I smile and nod, then let her lead me toward the open area set up as a makeshift dance floor. The song "You and Me" by Lifehouse blares through the speakers as we weave between a bunch of couples already swaying to the ballad.