Love & Hate (Book One: Hate) Read online

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  Published by J.J. Dorn

  Copyright 2014 J.J. Dorn

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Author does not own any rights to music mentioned in this book.

  Cover Design by Mayhem Cover Creations

  Formatting by Mayhem Cover Creations

  DEDICATION

  To my Grandma Moo who always told me love and hate are two horns on the same bull.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  About The Author

  Excerpt from Love & Hate Book #2 - Love

  What's Next From J.J. Dorn

  PROLOGUE

  “Hurry up Paige. We are going to miss Luke Bryan! I can’t miss meeting my future husband!”

  One of my best friends Lacey is attempting to prod me along through the horse barns at the county fair. Lacey is stunning. She is your classic pretty country girl, skinny, blonde, blue eyes and energy for days. She is boy crazy and sometimes just plain crazy, but I love her. I however, am more reserved and very content just looking at the horses.

  Lacey is at least twenty feet in front of me and is trying to maneuver through the ever growing crowd. I start to walk more quickly but am still focused on the horses. I should have been watching where I was going because I run smack into something hard. I look up to see what I hit and I come face to face with ice blue eyes and the wickedest grin I have ever seen. They belong to none other than Cutter Daniels, local bad boy extraordinaire. He is gorgeous to say the least. He’s a local farm kid. He has the most delicious natural dark tan from being in the sun all day. It complements his sun bleached hair that is spiked perfectly into a faux hawk. He is wearing jeans hung low on his hips with a plain navy t-shirt that accents his skin and eyes perfectly.

  “I’m so sorry I wasn’t watching where I was going. I was distracted.” I attempt to retreat quickly but a large hand grabs my wrist. The moment he touches me I feel a jolt like I have grabbed a hot wire fence. Whoa, what the heck is that about?

  “You’re Paige, right?” He looks at me quizzically. Like he didn’t already know who I am! Of course he knows who I am. I am infamous in this stupid small town.

  I was just about to croak out a yes and hope to hell he releases me when I hear from down the barn aisle my worst fear come to life. “Cutter, what the hell man! Why are you talking to the Piggy Princess?”

  That of course is Cutter’s older brother, Cooper Daniels. He is the devil incarnate. He has the most obnoxious red hair and thick freckles. He looks exactly like the mean boy from A Christmas Story, minus the raccoon skin hat.

  As soon as I hear my lovely nickname I stiffen and begin to walk away swiftly without looking back. Cooper loves to make me cry and I am not going through that today. I refuse to ruin a perfectly good Luke Bryan experience due to that angry red head.

  I finally catch up with Lacey and she is talking to some local boys. I know the guys go to the same school as her. Lacey attends public school and has lots of friends. I go to private school in the city and have a private tutor to accompany me at the horse shows. I am reluctant to approach them because I recognize the guys as friends of the Daniels brothers and any friend of theirs is for sure not a friend of mine. As I approach them I can hear Lacey saying “I’m only coming if Paige comes.” Oh great, what is Lacey getting us into now.

  Lacey and I have been friends for years. Her Dad works at our farm training horses. Lacey and her family live in a house on our sprawling compound so I see her every day. We ride horses together when we get home from school and we attend competitions together. Lacey is a really talented rider, I think she is more talented than her Dad, Titus Cunningham. I tell her this all the time but she doesn’t seem to believe me. Lacey is fearless. She will just jump on a wild young horse and go for it, no hesitation. She is always telling me to stop hesitating that it’s going to kill me one day. She’s probably right. I’m just more cautious than her. She is wild and I am well, just plain boring.

  “Great you’re here, finally!” I know she is upset I took so long looking at the horses, but I don’t really care.

  “We are going to the river party tonight. Drake and Tripp just invited us.” She knows I am going to say no but I refuse to have this conversation in front of the guys so I just smile and nod okay.

  Drake and Tripp are good friends with Cutter. This alone makes me want to run in the other direction. I know they are only allowing me to come along because they want Lacey to be at their party. I know that should sting but years of their distain has frankly just made me numb.

  “Great. We will see you tonight.” Drake says before the guys wonder off to find their seats.

  Lacey turns to me with a look of seriousness. “Before you say no, I will remind you that it’s my Birthday and you agreed to do whatever I want. And I want to go to the party so we are going.” Great, she has me by the lady balls on this one.

  “Okay we will go, but the first sign of drama and I am out.” I state sternly.

  “I will be right behind you Chica. This is going to be great! What are we going to wear?” Yeah, I was totally screwed. Thank God for some Luke Bryan therapy before I dive head first into what I know is sure to be an epic fail.

  After taking two hours to primp and get dress, we were finally in my black Range Rover headed to the river. I have chosen to go more conservative than Lacey. I am wearing my skinny jeans, my favorite Sperry Topsiders and lace top. I did my signature long blonde hair in loose waves. I was glad I had just had a spray tan done, as my Mother always says “if you can’t tone it, tan it.” Well yeah, let’s just say my spray tan lady is on speed dial. Not that I think I’m fat, I don’t. I guess I just consider myself to have some extra curves, kind of like Miranda Lambert before the recent slim down. I wish I was tiny like Lacey but I’m not, I’m just average.

  Lacey has chosen to wear a sundress with a giant cutout in the back and cowboy boots. Oh and lets not mention it is like two sizes too small for her, it is practically painted on but she still looks amazing. Something tells me I will be returning to the farm by myself regardless of Lacey’s earlier vow. She is looking to party and I am just looking to hopefully go unnoticed.

  “Relax. It’s going to be fine. No one is going to say anything to you. I promise.” Lacey gives me an encouraging smile as we drive down the
gravel road to the river bar.

  It is packed. Trucks litter the rocky shore and a giant bon fire is in the center of all the vehicles. I can see a group of girls dancing in the bed of a lifted truck next to the bon fire. Country music blares from its speakers. I am glad it is dark and packed with people. Hopefully I will just blend right in. Lacey and I head toward the party. I need to just to relax and breathe but my brain is on high alert.

  We have been at the party a couple of hours and no one has seemed to notice me. In fact, I was actually enjoying myself. I stuck close to Lacey and have been chatting with some of her friends from school. I was just starting to get comfortable when it happens. I hear the hyena type laughing first and then I see him, Cooper Freaking Daniels. He is making his way through the crowd heading straight for Lacey and me. As the crowd parts to let him through I can tell he is drunk and his little brother, Cutter is right behind him. I’m so screwed.

  “Is that Piggy Princess? What are you doing here Piglet? Who invited you?” I start walking backward as quickly as I can. Like retreating from a rattlesnake, I know better than to turn my back on Cooper. If I do he will strike and who knows if I will survive it. I look for Lacey as I retreat but can’t find her anywhere. It doesn’t matter, I just need to get to my car and quickly. “Where are you going Miss Piggy? I want to talk to you. Wait up.” Screw this, it is time to run.

  So I do. I run through row after row of trucks until I spot my Range Rover. Thank God! I know Cooper is still pursuing me I can hear him making his way toward me. I click the remote start and click the unlock button. Shit.

  There is someone leaning against my door. He has a lit cigarette hanging from his mouth. He is dressed in dark jeans and black hoodie. His dark baseball hat is sitting low on his head so I can’t see his eyes. Crap, crap, crap. What am I going to do now! It’s probably one of Cooper and Cutter’s friends making sure I can’t escape. I may have to jump in the passenger side and crawl over to the driver’s seat to avoid him.

  “Where are you running off to?” The dark stranger asks me.

  “Umm… I’m leaving, like now. If you’ll excuse me I need to get in my car.” Get out of my way asshole I will push you if I have to! This is a code red situation!

  “Why do you let them treat you like that?”

  “I don’t. They just treat me like that and I choose to not be around them.” I can’t believe this dude wants to ask me about the “why’s” of this situation right now. Can’t he tell I am like full on panic attacking right now?

  “Well you choose how you let people treat you.” Seriously! I am getting a self-esteem lecture right now, really? Who is this guy?

  “There you are Piglet!” Cooper calls out. Oh hell!

  Cooper has caught up to me thanks to Mr. Questions over here. And surprise Cooper has brought a little group with him including his hot brother. God what is wrong with me? How can I think Cutter is hot when he is practically leading this lynch mob? I am so messed up.

  “Enough!” What the heck. Mr. Questions is telling Cooper to stop, this should be interesting. “Leave her be Coop and get back to the party.” The dark stranger drawls.

  “Oh come on Jasp we are just having some fun, lighten up.” Cooper slurs.

  “I said enough, now leave her alone.” Oh crap, Mr. Questions is Cooper’s best friend Jasper Callaway. Why in the world is he standing up for me?

  Well whatever the reason is I am thankful because it stops Cooper. Him and the rest of the group sauntered back toward the party leaving me standing against my car dumbfounded. Jasper stands across from me making sure the little group heads back to the party, which is happening except for Cutter. He just keeps starring at us. He looks so angry. I can feel his hate radiating off of him in waves. He is seething and I know that is because of me. He can’t stand me.

  “You too Cutter, leave her be.” Jasper rasps. Cutter hesitates like he wants to say something but then just nods instead. To my relief he follows the others back to the party.

  “Thank you so much.” I say to Jasper.

  “It’s nothing. Just sick of hearing this shit from them. You need to stand up for yourself. I might not be around next time.” Jasper is right of course. I nod in agreement and he stalks off.

  Lacey comes rushing towards me looking concerned and pissed. “You okay girly?”

  “Yeah I survived it. But I’m ready to go home. Are you coming with?” I know she won’t say yes but I always ask anyways. I never worry if Lacey will make it home okay. She is smart and a spitfire. I honestly feel bad for the person who dares to mess with her.

  “I’m going to stay. You should too. I heard Jasper defended you. Everyone is talking about how crazy that was. Maybe he likes you.” She nudges my arm in jest. Great, just what I need more gossip starring yours truly.

  “No thanks I’m exhausted. I’ll see you at home?” She knows I am not having any of it.

  “Okay. I love you! See you at home.” She says as I climb in the Rover.

  I get half way to the main road before the tears really start flowing. God I can’t wait until I’m out of this town, I hate it here!

  CHAPTER 1

  “You know I don’t trust him Jasp. He hates me. His brother hates me too. Why would he volunteer to help me out? I don’t trust him.” I whine.

  “I know you don’t trust him and that’s fine. You don’t have to trust him. You just have to trust me. If Cutter says he will bring your extra boxes over to school for you, then he will do it.”

  “Fine, but if he is mean to me I’m never going to listen to you again.”

  “I promise he will be on his best behavior. Has anyone messed with you in that last year?” Jasper asks with his eyebrow raised.

  “No. It’s just hard to forget how they really feel about me.”

  “They don’t even know you Paige, but I do.” He gives me a flirty smile.

  Jasper has been a great friend to me ever since that horrible night at the river over a year ago. It turns out Jasp did have a thing for me. Too bad I don’t exactly have the same feelings. Sure he is ruggedly handsome with his dark hair and dark eyes. He looks like he could wrestle a steer to the ground in two seconds flat, but for me there is just something missing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my time with him and kissing him isn’t half bad either. But there just isn’t that spark I have always assumed would be there. He is good to me though, he treats me extremely well. My parents even approve. Dad likes him so much he gave him a part time job on the farm working the heavy equipment.

  “Okay, well if you say it will be okay then I trust you.” I sigh. “I better get this horse washed up and put away so he can eat his dinner.” I hop down off my loudly colored Paint horse named Bismarck. We call him The Biz for short. He is my favorite horse on the farm. I have had him for almost fifteen years and he has taken me all of the country winning tons of awards. He was my youth show horse. He is now retired and only has to put up with the occasional ride from me.

  “Alright, I need to head home anyways. I’ll see you later tonight?” That flirty smile of his has returned.

  “Yes. I’ll meet you at your place later.” I smile back at him and start walking The Biz to the wash rack.

  It is after nine before I get myself cleaned up and in the car headed to Jasper’s house. Jasp has recently bought his own home and has been busy renovating it. He is only twenty-two but he is an extremely hard worker. He has his new little house looking great and I couldn’t be prouder of him. I should be happy to have such a reliable and sweet guy for a boyfriend, but for some reason I can’t picture my life with him.

  Maybe I have these feelings because I’m leaving for school tomorrow. I will be over six hours away from home and on my own for the first time. I have been accepted to Oklahoma University, the University of Texas and Washington State University. My parents put the brakes on me going out of state so that only left Wazzu. It is fine with me though, I have heard nothing but great things about the school.

  I pull into Ja
sper’s drive and head on into his house. As soon as I hit the entry way I can smell the cooking. He is busy in the kitchen making what looks like a feast. I then notice he has set the dining room table with candles. Oh geez, he is being romantic.

  “What’s all this?” I ask trying not to show my shock.

  “I just wanted us to have a nice quiet evening before you leave tomorrow. What? Can’t a guy be romantic?”

  “Well thank you. It all looks amazing.” Crap of all craps. I’m a horrible person.

  We finish our dinner and I started to clear the plates. Dinner was amazing just like it looked and smelled. Jasp cooked chicken fajitas, my favorite. I start thinking how sweet he is and how I will miss him while I’m gone at school. As I am loading the dishwasher I can feel him standing behind me. As I stand he pulls me against his chest and starts peppering my neck with light kisses.

  “Jasp, I should really get going. I need to get some sleep before the big move tomorrow.” I try my best to sound tired.

  “Paige we need to talk.” Uh oh, that does not sound good.

  “Okay, let’s talk.” I try to seem nonchalant.

  “I know you are leaving tomorrow and neither of us is planning on doing this thing long distance. I still think that’s for the best., but I think we should have sex before you leave for school.” What. The. Heck! Is he joking?

  “Umm well that’s not exactly what I was expecting.” I say trying to stall to give my brain enough time to catch up with this situation.

  “Look I know it would be your first time, I just think maybe it’s for the best. I don’t want you to go to school and end up losing your virginity to some drunken frat boy. I have given this a lot of thought.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you have, but the answer is still no Jasp. I understand what you are saying but I’m just not ready, okay?” Part of me has actually considered what Jasper is suggesting. Heck, Lacey has been on my ass to do the damn thing for this entire year, but it just never felt right.

  “Okay. Just promise me one thing?” Jasper asks looking at me softly.