Mayhem (Trailer Park Girls Duet Book 1) Read online

  Contents

  Mayhem

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Author

  Mayhem

  Mayhem

  Trailer Park Girls Duet, Book One

  Cala Riley

  Copyright @ 2021 by Cala Riley All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, except brief quotes used for reviews and certain other non-commercial uses, as per copyright laws. 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.

  Mayhem Cover Photo by: TakeCover Designs

  Editing by My Brothers Editor

  Formatting: Books and Moods

  To the bad boy. Because it was never a phase.

  Prologue

  You know, in movies they show one pivotal moment that changes the character’s life. One decision they made that irrevocably alters their path in life.

  It always seems so minor at the time, but turns out to be the catalyst for some huge event that transforms their perception of the world.

  I never believed in these moments. They were always cinematic views on what the world should be like.

  I never believed it.

  Until it happened to me.

  One

  As the sunlight filters through the dingy windows, I slowly open my eyes. Snores from the bedroom flow out into the living room where I am sleeping.

  Last night was a good night compared to normal. I was able to come in and catch a few Z’s for a couple of hours in peace.

  My mother turned her tricks early enough to score some smack and pass out by two in the morning, giving me a solid four hours of rest. Well, if you call tossing and turning and waking at every noise, sleep. But beggars can’t be choosers, and I rather have a night of tossing and turning than waking up to a stranger’s touch.

  I shiver thinking about it.

  I get up quietly, making my way to the bathroom. I give myself a whore’s bath, not willing to wake the dragon this early. Nothing good would come of that. At least she’s in there alone. The nights she’s not, I end up sleeping under the stars. During the summer it’s all right, but in the fall and winter, it gets too cold.

  After I clean up, I rush out the door. Once outside, I take a deep breath and relax. I have about twenty minutes to change my clothes and get something for breakfast.

  I make my way to the back of the trailer park, looking around before slipping through the small hole in the fence. I used to hop the fence, but then this hole showed up. I avoided the area for a while, worried someone else would find my hiding spot, but after a while, I realized no one else comes back here.

  Anyone would be crazy to come back here.

  The woods behind the trailer park are owned by the Rockfords. No one has actually seen their house back here, but we all know it’s here somewhere. Anytime anyone goes down their driveway, they are met with a shotgun to the face before they can even get to the house.

  That’s why I stay on the outskirts. No one ever bothers me, and I never get close enough for them to know I’m here.

  It’s the perfect place to hide my bag with my clothes and my box of food. After years of hiding out here, I’ve got the perfect little setup.

  Lifting myself up into the tree, I pull my box of food from the branches. I hide my items up here so no one can see it, but it also offers it some semblance of protection.

  I pull out a honeybun and a bottle of water. Not much, but the shelter only gives out what they can. When I was younger, I would get more because they felt bad for the young girl coming in to get food all by herself. Then I got older, grew a chest, and they started giving me less. I guess when you look old enough to get a job; they expect you to get one.

  The one problem with that is no one wants to hire a girl from the trailer park who has no ID or social security card, and well, they can’t legally hire me.

  My mom won’t help me get what I need, so I’m stuck in limbo until I turn eighteen. Then I can apply for all that stuff on my own and get a job the next town over. I can save up and get out of this shithole.

  If only.

  Mom would say I’m lost in daydreams. She seems to think I’ll never leave this place, but I’m determined to prove her wrong.

  Not everyone wants to end up living in a dump and following in their mother’s footsteps.

  Leaning back against the tree trunk, I close my eyes and eat. I listen to the birds chirp and the leaves rustle, giving me a sense of comfort.

  After finishing my breakfast, I pull out a T-shirt. I switch it out for my current shirt and stuff it back in the bag. My jeans should be good enough for now. I sniff the shirt to make sure it smells okay. It still has a use or two before I’ll have to sneak change from the trailer to wash them.

  Putting my items back in their hiding spot, I jump back down and look around. I didn’t expect to see anything, but I still check every time.

  Then I rush back to the trailer park and to the bus stop just in time. It has just pulled up as the trailer park kids load on.

  I get on last, sliding into an empty seat.

  Resting my head on the window, I tune out the rest of the bus as we make our way to school.

  Just another day in paradise.

  All day I go through the motions. One class after another. Biting my tongue every time someone looks at me the wrong way. Even with all the bullshit I put up with here, it’s better than being at home.

  No matter how sick I am or how much I don’t want to be here, I never skip.

  “That’s it for today’s class. Don’t forget to write down your assignment. I expect the chapters to be read,” Mr. Kendall calls out as the bell rings, signaling the end of the day.

  I shove the book he handed out into my bag. I’ll read the entire thing tonight, but he doesn’t know that I have nothing better to do. It’s why my grades are so good.

  Mr. Kendall and the school counselor are pushing me to apply to colleges on an academic scholarship, but I’m skeptical. Even if I get a scholarship, I’d still need to find a way to get to the college, and then there are living expenses. They say with the right one, they will pay for everything, but I’m not one to get my hopes up.

  Why would I? A poor kid from the wrong side of the trailer park? There’s no way my luck would pan out that I could actually get a scholarship. Things like that only happen in books and movies, not real life.

  “Willow, can you hold back for a second, please?” Mr. Kendall asks as he shuffles papers on his desk.

  “I have to catch the bus,” I tell him as students rush out.

  “I wonder if she’s blowing him,” someone whispers, making their friend giggle.

  “Never know,” someone singsongs under their breath as they pass by me. “Like mother, like daughter.”

  I clench my fists and bite my tongue.

  Fuc
king bitches.

  We all know if anyone’s spending time on their knees or on their backs, it’s not me.

  Mr. Kendall raises his brows as he walks to the front of his desk.

  “Relax, Willow. If you miss the bus, I’ll take you home myself,” he says as he leans against his desk, crossing his arms and ankles.

  As the last classmate shuffles out, I walk over to the desk in front of him and lean against it.

  “What’s up?” I ask as I copy his stance.

  Mr. Kendall’s gaze slides up my body slowly, making me dig my nails into my palms.

  “Sorry,” he says, clearing his throat. He rubs the back of his neck. “I wanted to ask if you’ve thought any more about those scholarships.”

  “I told you I would think about it,” I sigh.

  “Now’s the time. I can put in a word for you at State if you want. It’s a good school and it will get you out of here. Your work, Willow,” he sighs, looking out the window gathering his thoughts before turning back to me. “I know you can do it. If anyone here deserves to get out of here, it’s you. Don’t let your fear hold you back.”

  I gaze at the clock and stand. “I’ve got to go before I miss the bus.”

  As I walk toward the door, Mr. Kendall calls from behind me, “If you ever need anything, Willow, just remember I’m here, okay? I’m on your side.”

  I nod, throwing a peace sign over my shoulder.

  Walking out of the classroom, I make a beeline for the front door, not wanting to hang around any longer. While I dread the end of the school day because it means I need to go back home, it doesn’t mean I want to fraternize with my peers. Superficial assholes.

  They are more likely to gossip about you than actually be helpful. Not that anyone actually wants to be friends with me, anyway. I’m a harlot, just like my mother, or so they say.

  I make it down the front steps before someone steps into my path.

  “Jesus fucking Christ. Watch where the fuck you are going,” I growl, putting my hands out to keep the man from hitting me.

  “Why you trippin’, shorty? Chill.”

  Nate Rockford, Central High’s resident bad boy and heartthrob.

  “I’m not your shorty, Nate. Stay in your lane and I’ll stay in mine,” I tell him coolly, pushing past him.

  “Will, baby. I think you need to relax a bit. Not getting enough at home? Mom’s the only one getting laid? Come here, baby, I’ll give you a pretty penny to suck this cock,” he says, setting off my temper.

  Turning, I drop my ratty bag with my books inside and stride right up to him.

  I don’t speak until I am chest to chest with him.

  Then I lower my voice for only him to hear. “Not everyone needs to distract themselves with meaningless sex in order to fill the emptiness inside caused by their shitty circumstances. Go on, Nate. Act all big and mighty. We all know that one day you’ll end up with an STD while I’ll still be a virgin, barely scraping by. You’ll still be your brother’s lapdog while I’ll answer to no one. At least I’ve accepted my fate.”

  I watch as his jaw tightens with each word until I’m done.

  I move to walk away, but he reaches out, grabbing my arm.

  I turn back to him, slamming my fist into the crook of his elbow, making him tighten his grip slightly, but he otherwise makes no movement.

  Fuck. I figured it would make him drop my arm.

  Movement behind him catches my eye as a hand grabs his shoulder. “Let her go, brother.”

  What is he even doing here?

  Chase graduated two years ago, so he has no business being on campus.

  Nate drops my arm without hesitation. I pull away, grab my bag, and leave. I can’t help but glance back once though.

  My eyes are met by his, sending a jolt through my system. There’s one man no one ever wants to come face to face with, especially in a staring contest.

  Chase Rockford.

  He’s involved in the Chicago underworld. Everyone calls him Rocky, but I can’t bring myself to call him that, even in my head.

  So why do I feel so drawn to him?

  He breaks eye contact, turning to his brother, so I take that as my chance to escape.

  Back to hell I go until tomorrow.

  Two

  I escape back into the woods once again. My mother brought home the latest fucktard, meaning I had to hightail it out of there, lest he get the idea that I’m on the menu too.

  Curling up next to the tree I have dubbed as mine, I lean back and stare at the sky. It’s peaceful out here at night. Only the sound of nature to keep me company.

  Pulling out a pack of gum, I unwrap a piece before movement from the corner of my eyes stops me.

  I freeze.

  Shit. They found me.

  My heart starts to race, the sound making my hearing go fuzzy.

  Getting into a crouch, I position myself to make my escape.

  The figure, dressed in all black, doesn’t look my way though. It continues to move past me. Closer to the house I know is somewhere secluded in these woods.

  Once the figure is past, I stand and start making my way back to where I belong.

  Freezing once again, I peek back over my shoulder.

  I really should warn them. That would be the nice thing to do. I mean, I do camp out in their woods a lot, even if they have no clue.

  Shaking my head, I take another step forward.

  Not your business, Willow. Nate was an asshole to you today. Why would you help him?

  Stopping once again, I curse to myself. All I can see are his eyes. I could let this man continue his mission, which likely means hurting them.

  Fuck. I can’t though.

  How could I go home knowing that some creepy as fuck dude is up to no good in my woods? Okay, their woods, but still. Could I in good conscience forget what I saw and live with the outcome?

  No. I couldn’t handle it if tomorrow one of them wound up dead. Blame my barely beating heart.

  Turning toward where the man went, I give him a wide berth but follow in his direction. Once I spot him, I stay silent, moving closer to the house I can just see through the foliage.

  The man stops, looking around. I freeze.

  Can he see me?

  When he doesn’t stare in my direction, I let out a quiet breath. He can’t see me.

  For the second time tonight, I ask myself what the hell I’m doing. When I see him reach into his pocket, I know it’s go time. I can’t hesitate.

  Rushing out of the woods between him and the house, I shout.

  “Hey. I see you. Get out of here. You better get the fuck off this property.”

  The man freezes, then charges me.

  Fuck. Not what I expected.

  My fight-or-flight kicks in immediately. I turn to run back into the woods. My body is like a live wire, prickling with anxiety as I run for my life.

  A couple of feet in, I feel him grab the back of my jacket. I shrug out of it and keep running.

  Not fast enough, though.

  The man tackles me to the ground, getting close to my face. Up close, I can see that he has on a ski mask, but that doesn’t hide the scar across his dark brown left eye.

  He’s so close, I can feel his breath against my face. The smell of something rotting causing me to gag.

  My breaths come fast, my heart thundering at a painful pace. Dizziness sets in as my mind races through all the possible outcomes.

  I could die tonight.

  “You fucking bitch. I’m going to enjoy you. You made a mistake stepping in tonight. Know that I’m watching you now. Wonder what I can do to you before anyone can save you,” he growls.

  He places his left arm across my throat, keeping me in place while his right hand slips up the inside of my leg.

  My body shakes as I fight the urge to puke. My nostrils flare. My muscles twitch. I try to take a deep breath in, but all I can smell is the rancid stench of his breath.

  I buck, refusing to go without a fig
ht. “Get off of me,” I gasp.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll make it quick. This time.”

  Before he can follow through on his threat, we both hear the incoming footsteps.

  “Seems our time is up, for now. Until we meet again, princess.”

  Then he’s gone.

  I suck in a breath of fresh air, letting it burn my lungs. I sag in relief, but only for a moment. His face is quickly replaced by one I never wanted to see close up.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, Willow?” Chase growls at me.

  “Hi. I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” I rasp.

  Sitting up, I bring one hand up to my throat, rubbing the ache. I hope it won’t bruise, bringing me unwanted attention. My head immediately begins to throb.

  The glare he sends my way would scare most men, but not me. I don’t have time for his shit.

  “I found a jacket,” Nate’s voice calls out.

  “Of fucking course. Listen, I’ll just take my jacket and be on my way.” I stand, but wobble.

  My head begins pounding even more. My vision becomes blurry, I collapse. Before I blackout, I feel strong arms wrap around me.

  I must only be out minutes because when I open my eyes again, I’m in Chase’s arms being carried.

  “Put me down,” I groan, reaching up to feel my head.

  He grunts but doesn’t put me down. A couple more feet and he enters a house, taking me to a couch and lying me on it.

  I try to sit up, but he pushes me back down.

  “Let me look at your head.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Stop being stubborn.”

  He leans over me, bringing with him the strong scent of tobacco.