Her Best Mistake Read online

  Evernight Publishing ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2015 Jenika Snow

  ISBN: 978-1-77233-253-7

  Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  Sometimes mistakes aren’t mistakes at all, but exactly how things were supposed to happen.

  HER BEST MISTAKE

  Not Just Friends, 1

  Jenika Snow

  Copyright © 2015

  Chapter One

  High school

  Shoshanna adjusted the backpack on her shoulder, pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, and stared at all the students heading into the building. She hated high school, wished that this eighth level of hell were over with already. But as a senior now she had only this last year of feeling like she had some kind of deformity, like she was this abscess because she wasn’t thin and popular like the majority of the girls at this shithole. She kept to herself, did her work, and kept her nose out of others’ business. But it wasn’t just because she liked being a good student and getting good grades. Her mother kept on her, made sure she was the overachiever she was, and because of that it was just engrained in her that she never fail. After four years of being teased by the snotty bitches, ignored by the popular jocks, and looked at like she was nothing more than a geek, she was ready for this to be over with. High school was not the end of the world, wasn’t the last stop for anyone. It was a speed bump, one she was having a hard time getting over, but would eventually. She was ridiculed because of her weight, because she did extra schoolwork, and even though they were almost adults she was still made fun of. Yes, high school was definitely the bowels of hell, and she was the center of the torture, had been for her entire life it seemed.

  She made her way toward the front doors and away from the school buses and student parking. The rest of her senior class seemed to have their own transportation in the forms of crappy little cars that were used or hand-me-downs. But Shoshanna’s parents had money, and because of that, because she was dropped off in her father’s Mercedes, she had also been called an uptight, rich bitch.

  The deep drawls of voices pierced her thoughts, and she glanced to the side. Her heart stopped beating for a moment when she saw who leaned against the side of the high school. Toby Mason, the school bad boy, all-star jock, and town man-whore, started laughing at something one of his asshole friends said. He pushed off the building and strutted up to the school where he met up with Marilyn Pierce. Marilyn, the school’s most popular girl, and perfectly gorgeous styled cheerleader, and a female that made it no secret she put out for her gorgeous boyfriend whenever he demanded, had been with Toby since the ninth grade. They were perfect for each other, perfect in general, and it nauseated Shoshanna.

  “Excuse us.” Marilyn said it her in a sour, snappy way. Shoshanna moved out of the way and watched as they headed up the stairs. God, at only eighteen years old Toby was built with thick muscles, and had several tattoos on his back, as was evident when he removed his shirt for football practice. He even had the cockiness to go along with knowing he was gorgeous. He looked over his shoulder, and she swore their gazes locked for a second. But Shoshanna knew that couldn’t be the case. They might have grown up in the same town and gone to the same school, but to Toby she was invisible. She was just the chubby geeky girl that probably stared at him too often.

  He turned around almost as soon as he had looked at her, and just like that the connection was broken, or at least the connection she had felt. She headed inside, ready to finish the day and it hadn’t even begun. After putting her bag in her locker she heard the bell for first period, turned with her books in hand, and slammed right into a hard chest.

  Her books fell and scattered across the floor. Shoshanna muttered an apology without looking up, and bent down to grab her books. She pushed her glasses up, having not been able to find her contacts this morning, and hating that the frames gave her the typical stereotypical appearance of nerdy. A thickly muscled and tattooed arm reached out and picked up her economics book, and she stopped. Slowly moving her gaze up the black t-shirt that was stretched across the hard chest she stared into Toby’s blue eyes. His black hair was short, kind of spiky around his head, and he smirked at her.

  “I’m sorry,” she said again, this time in a softer voice.

  “I’m the one that wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  They stood at the same time, both holding the other’s gaze, and then finally Shoshanna turned her stare to the lockers behind him. This was weird, awkward, and she knew he was probably scrutinizing her. Hell, she was wearing a plaid shirt tucked into her khaki skirt, and a pair of brown flats that did nothing to accentuate her ankles. She was also feeling extra bloated today, and the one time she would have loved to bump into Toby happened to be on a day she felt like shit.

  “You’re in my algebra class, right?”

  She shook her head. “No, biology.”

  He smiled, all straight white teeth and a dimple in his cheek. God, how could one guy look so good?

  “Toby, are you coming to class?” Marilyn’s voice came through like a crack of a whip. Shoshanna straightened and looked over Toby’s shoulder. He breathed out as if he were annoyed when he tuned and faced Marilyn for a second. After a moment he looked at Shoshanna again. Marilyn moved up beside Toby, slipped her arm in the crook of his, and glared at Shoshanna. She was surprised when Toby moved over a step, disengaging Marilyn from him. The cheerleader huffed out and rolled her eyes.

  “We’re going to be late,” Marilyn said in an annoyed voice to Toby, but kept her gaze on Shoshanna.

  “I’ll see you around,” Toby said to Shoshanna, and she nodded.

  She knew they wouldn’t see each other around, because this was the longest conversation she’d had with him since she knew what his name was. She watched Toby and Marilyn turn and head back to class.

  “I don’t know why you’re talking to her, Toby. She’s at the bottom of the totem pole here,” Marilyn said tightly, like maybe she had a pole up her ass and couldn’t form the words correctly.

  “Shut the fuck up, Marilyn,” Toby said in a clipped, angry voice.

  When they were about to head into the classroom Marilyn turned and flipped Shoshanna off. She had to smile at the fact a snob like Marilyn, with her cheerleading outfit and her perfectly painted on face, flipped her off like a crude thug. Shoshanna stood there for a moment, still feeling the little tingle of where Toby’s fingers had lightly touched hers. She was ridiculous for even allowing herself to feel anything for a guy like him. But there were some things in life that just couldn’t be helped.

  ****

  The bell for the end of the day rang, and Shoshanna grabbed her books and headed out of physics and to her locker. The feeling of a cold draft raced up her spine, and she looked over her shoulder to see Marilyn and two of her friends, Bethy and Amber, standing right beside her.

  Shoshanna stood there, not sure what to say, or why in the hell Marilyn wanted anything to do with her. No, you know why she’s here. She’s pissed because you were talking to Toby. The thing with Marilyn was she was one possessive bitch of the star football player of the school. Although Shoshanna could feel her on that, because if she had a man like Toby, hell, maybe
a guy in general, she’d feel the same way.

  “What?” Shoshanna asked, grabbed her bag from the locker, and shut it. She stared at the perfect blonde, at the way she had thin curves and perky little breasts. She was the total opposite of Shoshanna in every way, and it was annoying, yet still had Shoshanna jealous.

  Marilyn smiled, but it was far from pleasant. “I know you want Toby, know you have for a while now.”

  Shoshanna didn’t say anything in response.

  “And I don’t even care about that because I know you don’t have a damn chance with him.” Marilyn took a step closer. “But I want to make it clear that playing the nerdy little victim, making him feel sorry for you in any way because you’re so damn pathetic, will only piss me off.” Marilyn leaned just her face in a bit closer, and the scent of her perfume filled Shoshanna’s head. “I can make your last remaining year here hell, Shoshanna, absolutely hell, even worse then what it is now.” Marilyn moved back. “Remember that when you want to ‘accidentally’ drop your books and want my boyfriend to help you.” Marilyn lifted a hand and picked at the plaid shirt Shoshanna wore. “For all the money your family has, you dress like you live under a bridge.” Marilyn curled her lip, looked at Shoshanna in the eyes again, then turned and walked out the front doors. The sound of her little posse giggling filed the hallway.

  Shoshanna curled her hand around the strap of her bag. She hated that bitch. God, she’d never hated a person before, but Marilyn was an exception. She turned and slammed her locker shut hard enough she felt the vibrations through her arm. Closing her eyes and bracing her open palm on the cold, hard metal, she breathed in and out. The sound of students moving past her, talking and laughing because the weekend had officially started, filled her head. Her weekend would be consumed with books, boring, silent dinners with her mother and father, then starting the cycle all over again come Monday.

  The side doors closest to her locker slammed open, and she lifted her head and opened her eyes to watch as a few football players strutted in. They were filthy, sweaty, and their uniforms were plastered to their hard bodies. Toby was behind them, his focus on his cell, and his eyebrows knitted. He looked pissed, and that was verified when he tightened his hand around his cell and cursed.

  “What’s up, man?” His friend and the linebacker of the team, Deacon, said to Toby.

  Toby waved off his question, then cursed again when he stared at his cell. “Marilyn is really pissing me off,” he said under his breath.

  “Who cares how big a bitch she is. She puts out and has a smokin’ hot body.” Deacon started laughing, which caused the other guys to do the same. They started to pass by her, and she saw the way Deacon slowed his steps, turned fully to face her, then leaned in and braced a forearm on her locker over her head. “It’s Shoshanna, right?” he said and looked down at her chest.

  He was a good-looking guy, but a total arrogant asshole. He was also a dirty man-whore that had slept with nearly all the girls in the school.

  “I like the glasses.” He lifted a hand and ran a finger along the side of her frame. “I bet you play one hot fucking naughty schoolgirl, especially with the plaid and preppy little attitude you carry around.” His voice was lower. “I bet you have a tight little virgin pussy—”

  His words were cut off when Toby grabbed him by the neck and pulled him away from her.

  “What?” Deacon asked and grinned. He lifted a hand and rubbed the back of his neck.

  Toby looked even more pissed as he stared at Deacon.

  Shoshanna swallowed, ran her hand over her skirt to wipe away the sweat, and felt the need to turn and just get the hell out of here move through her.

  “Don’t be a fucking asshole to her. If you want to stick your dick in something go find one of those sluts you bang behind the school,” Toby said in a harsh, annoyed voice.

  Deacon glanced at her, his amusement fading. “What the hell ever. Don’t take it out on us because Marilyn has your balls in a sling.” Deacon slapped one of the players on the chest, and they left. Toby stayed behind, though, and turned to look at her.

  “Thanks,” she said, and went to move passed him, genuine with her gratitude because all those football players seemed to be pigs.

  Why is he noticing you now, helping you pick up your books, and defending you from the jock asshole?

  Shoshanna wasn’t going to even worry about all of that. She didn’t care, or at least she told herself that.

  “Wait,” he said, and she looked at him. He walked up to her, ran his hand over the back of his neck, and shook his head. “Those guys are just horny bastards and will hit on anyone.”

  Wow.

  “Okay, thanks.” She was insulted now and shook her head in disgust. Turning away from him again, she stopped when he grabbed her arm. It was a gentle, but firm hold. She turned back around and looked pointedly at her arm. Today was worse than most, and she was ready for it to be over with. She didn’t need this shit.

  “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re beau…” He didn’t finish that, and she could imagine what he might have been about to say, but she told herself that no way could Toby think she was beautiful. He let go of her arm and took a step back. “A party is happening tonight. I’d like you to come.”

  She looked right at his face, surprised and guarded at why he’d be asking her to come to one of his parties. “Why?”

  He looked a little taken aback.

  She took in the beads of sweat that covered his face and neck, and the fact he still wore his football uniform. He wasn’t wearing any pads under his shirt, and she made out the lines and ridges of his muscles, and saw the tattoos lining his arms.

  “Because I’d like you there, that’s why,” he said strongly, genuinely almost.

  “Is this some kind of sick joke?”

  He knitted his brows. “What? No, why would you think that?”

  Seriously? He’s seriously asking that? “I don’t think I really fit in with that crowd.”

  “Who the fuck cares what anyone thinks, or if you don’t ‘fit in’?” He smiled. “You think I haven’t noticed you, but I have, Shoshanna. I’d like you there because I think you’d have a good time, and it’s our last year in this shithole.”

  “That’s probably not the best idea. I have a lot of work to do at home anyway, but thanks for the invite.” She smiled, feeling unnerved by standing in front of him, hearing his invitation, and knowing that she’d never fit in with the people he hung out with. It would be doubly awkward for her. Turning once again and heading toward the front doors, she heard him call her name. Looking at him, she saw the way he watched her: intently, determined.

  “If you change your mind I’d love to have you there. It’s a laidback party.” He cocked the corner of his mouth, and she swore she felt her uterus drop just a bit at the sight. “Twenty-Five Lake View Terrace,” he hollered out. “Just in case you change your mind.” He turned and left, and she stood there just staring at his retreating back.

  Toby Mason had just invited her to a party, a party that was for the popular students at school, even one where college kids showed up. There was a part of her that wanted to go, but the rational part said it wasn’t realistic to want to hang out with a crowd that tormented her because she wasn’t one of them. Things most definitely wouldn’t be smooth sailing if she went, but she also wanted to say fuck it, like Toby had put it. She wanted to say screw everyone. This was her last year, the last year she’d have to put up with everything, right? It was tempting to go and join the fun, but she wasn’t a fool, and knew that she’d never fit in, therefore she was putting it behind her and focusing on things that mattered.

  Chapter Two

  “A party?” her mother said in her prim and tight voice. “I don’t think you going is a good idea, Shoshanna. You have studying to do.” Her mother looked down at the invitations she had spread across the table. “Darling,” she said to Shoshanna’s father. “Do you think these are too cheap looking for the garden party next
month?” Her mother lifted the invitation to show her husband, but her dad was busy looking at something on his laptop.

  “Whatever you like, dear.”

  Shoshanna left the sitting room because she knew the conversation was over between her and her mother. When she got to her room she silently shut the door and stared at her closet. She didn’t need her mom’s permission to go to a party. She was eighteen, could do what she wanted, even if this boldness and wild streak was so not like her. But Shoshanna was sick of being a nobody, was tired of not being noticed, and when she did have attention on her it was to be classified as a geek.

  She went over to her closet, pushed through all the cardigans and skirts, khakis and blouses, and finally found a shirt that was semi-decent for a party. She grabbed one of the only pair of jeans she owned, and a pair of ballet flats. When she was dressed she went over to the mirror on the back of her door and looked at her reflection. Her long, dark hair was flat and lifeless, so she grabbed an elastic tie and put it in a ponytail. Her glasses were the next thing to come off, and she grabbed the new set of contacts her mother had ordered for her this afternoon. Once she was dressed, and had gotten rid of the geeky frames, she stared at her reflection once again, she felt a little tingle of excitement and fear move through her. She was actually going to do this, and whether it was a horrible idea or not was still let to be determined.

  ****

  Toby pushed his way through the throng of people that filled the house. Students from the high school and also from the local college were piled in the small house of one of the football players. A drunken girl stumbled out from an empty room with Deacon all but fucking her right there in front of everyone. She pushed him away and shook her head, and Deacon left her to grab the next available girl that walked by. She giggled and pressed her tits into his side.