Addicted To Him Read online

  Addicted To Him

  Monica Murphy

  Contents

  Playlist

  In the beginning…

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Now

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Meant To Be Sneak Peek!

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  Did you know?

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Monica Murphy

  About the Author

  Playlist

  “Addicted to My Ex” - M City JR

  “vicious” - Tate McRae, Lil Mosey

  “stunnin” - Curtis Waters, Harm Franklin

  “Pretty Girls” - iann dior

  “Mo Bamba” - Sheck Wes

  “Just Friends” - Audrey Mika

  “Dissolve” - Absofacto

  “Slide Away” - Miley Cyrus

  “minor” - Gracie Abrams

  “Steel Birds” - Slow Pulp

  Find the rest of the Addicted To Him Spotify playlist here:

  https://bit.ly/ATHplaylist

  “Being bad feels pretty good, huh?”

  – Bender, The Breakfast Club

  In the beginning…

  Prologue

  Two years ago

  There’s an angel sitting in the stands.

  I pull my helmet off and shake my head, tiny droplets of sweat flinging from my hair as I stare into the distance. Going completely still, I watch her in utter fascination, wondering how I was able to spot her so easily, considering she’s in the stands on the opposite side of the field.

  Blonde. Cute as fuck. With a permanent smile on her face. Sitting next to a dark haired girl and no one else around them. They’re on the opposing team bleachers, so I know I don’t go to school with them. They’re Badgers.

  Our enemies.

  “Hey.” I slap the chest of one of my teammates standing next to me, and point toward the stands where she’s at. “Do you know her?”

  He squints into the sun, trying to find her. “Who the hell are you talking about?”

  “The pretty one,” I say, assuming he thinks she’s pretty too. “The blonde,” I add, in case he’s blind.

  “Ah.” Jose starts laughing. He’s a senior. Kind of a jackass. Treats me like garbage despite me being his QB. But I’m only a sophomore who stepped in after our senior quarterback was injured. They still don’t have their full trust in me that I can actually do this. Coach Watson says, ‘you gotta earn respect before you get it’. None of these guys respect me.

  Not yet.

  “You can’t touch that one, Bennett,” Jose says with a shake of his head.

  “Why the hell not?” I retort, annoyed. I can touch whoever the hell I want. Including pretty blondes who looks straight out of a fairytale.

  Meaning she’s got a serious Disney princess vibe going on.

  “I mean, if you want to, go for it. Give it a shot. Work your magic. Just know the Callahans will end up having your skinny ass on a plate when you’re through with her.” Jose laughs and smacks me on the back, sending me stumbling forward.

  Jose is not only a jackass, he’s as big as a house and strong as an ox. He’s also our best defensive lineman.

  I’ve been conditioning nonstop since last spring, trying to bulk up. I’m almost six feet but I still don’t have a lot of muscle on me. The seniors love to make fun of my ass, always telling me I suck. They wouldn’t give me shit if my brother was here. Ryan had all their respect, despite only playing with them for a year.

  Me? They all think I’m a punk ass kid.

  I catch another glimpse of her bright golden hair, the setting sun glinting off it and making it shine. “What do the Callahans have to do with—oh.”

  I see her then. Fable Callahan making her way up the stands, sitting right next to the blonde. Her daughter. The resemblance is strong. My princess is a replica of her mama.

  “Ava Callahan,” Jose says with a snicker. “Jake’s younger sister. Coach Callahan’s baby girl.”

  Right. The baby sister. The one no one ever really talks about. Why is that? She’s hot.

  I want her.

  Not like she’s a toy I can claim, but damn. Wouldn’t that be nice?

  Ava smiles at something her mom says and they all three start laughing. I can’t help but smile with them, my gaze locked on her face. My heart flips over itself and I rub at my chest, wondering why I suddenly feel so hollow.

  Empty.

  Maybe she snagged my heart at that exact moment.

  “She’s untouchable,” Jose reminds me with a nudge. Why isn’t he on the field right now? Oh, that’s right. He’s injured. Benched for this week’s game. “You even look at her wrong, and her brother will have your balls in a sling.”

  Jake Callahan is a loser who’s still on the JV team. At least I’m already on varsity. His ass can’t get past their current QB, Asher Davis. That guy is phenomenal.

  And I’m actually playing against him tonight. Yeah, they’re beating our asses, but it’s almost an honor, Ash is so damn good.

  I forget all about Davis and losing when my princess happens to look in my direction. I stand up straighter and smile at her. Lift my brows. Eager for a reaction.

  She smiles faintly in return before her friend distracts her and she pulls her gaze from mine.

  “How old is she?” I ask, my gaze never straying from where she sits.

  “Freshman. Baby, remember?” Jose laughs. I glare at him.

  Jose’s right, though. She’s young. A baby. A cutie who’s probably completely sheltered and thinks dicks are ugly and sex is gross. Meaning, she won’t be interested in me.

  But she’s adorable. I bet when she’s older, she’ll be stunning.

  Maybe when she’s older, I’ll get my chance.

  And make her mine.

  One

  Ava

  Summer

  First of all, I didn’t want to go to the football camp in the middle of nowhere.

  It’s bad enough that we live in a small town, full of small-minded people. I would give anything to move back to the Bay Area. To live in suburbia with people who think more like me. Who want to live more like me.

  But I’m here. Stuck. I’ve been here for a long time, and I’ve come to terms with it.

  Sort of.

  The clock is ticking, and I’m getting closer and closer to graduation. AKA, getting out of here. I’ve got two years of high school left. I’m going to work my hardest to obtain an internship the summer before I start college at a non-profit that helps women and children, somewhere, preferably, out of the country, and then I’ll leave. I don’t care
where I go. I just want out.

  Back to why I’m here. We’re in the Sequoia National Forest, at a facility that hosts a giant football camp every summer. High school teams from all over the area come to this elite camp, and, this June, Dad and the rest of the coaches brought our varsity football team.

  Dad also brought us—Mom, Jake, me and Beck—because he thought it would be like a vacation. That’s exactly how he sold it to us. Mom was all for it. So was my older brother, Jake—but, of course he was, he benefits from this the most.

  Our little brother, Beck, is thrilled at the idea of swimming in the lake for the next four days. Or going fishing. Or boating. Or playing in the dirt. Or eating ice cream.

  Me? I just finished my sophomore year, and all I want to do is hang out at my pool or at the lake with my friends.

  Instead, I’m stuck at this camp, at another lake, in another forest, surrounded by boys I don’t care about, and without decent cell phone service or Wi-Fi, supposedly to bond with nature and hang out with my family, minus my big sister.

  So jealous of Autumn right now, who’s spending the summer on the beach in Santa Barbara—where she goes to college—with her boyfriend, Asher Davis. I’m jealous of the beach time and the Ash time. Her boyfriend is so freaking gorgeous, and so madly in love with her. If only I could find someone like that.

  If only.

  We arrived at the camp about an hour ago, and we’re staying in a large cabin that sits right by the lake. The temperature is much cooler, since we’re at a higher elevation, and while I see why Dad wanted us to all go with him, I’m kind of bored.

  And we only just got here.

  “I’m going for a walk,” I call out to my parents, as I open the front door of the cabin.

  “Stay close,” Mom yells from the bedroom they’re staying in. Dad’s in there with her, and I’m pretty sure they’re unpacking all their stuff and getting settled. “There are bears out there.”

  “There’s bears at home,” I call back.

  “They’re meaner up here!” Mom starts to laugh, and I can’t help it, so do I.

  “See ya,” I say, as I open the door.

  “Dinner is in less than an hour.” Mom approaches the door of their bedroom, her gaze meeting mine.

  I check the time on my phone, frowning. “But it’s only five o’clock!”

  We always eat late at our house. Everyone’s so busy, so it’s hard to get us all around the table at the same time.

  “We have to be at the dining room by five forty-five,” Mom explains, exiting the bedroom to smile at me, clutching a sweatshirt in her hands. “If you want, just meet us there. You remember where it is?”

  “Right next to the office where we checked in.” I open the door, leaning on it. “I probably won’t be gone long. I’ll just meet you back here.”

  No way am I going to the dining hall alone, surrounded by about a bazillion teenage boys. I mean, that’s every sixteen-year-old girl’s dream, I suppose, but not mine. The last thing I want to do is gain their attention, especially since I’m probably one of the few girls here their age.

  How embarrassing.

  “Have fun.” She offers me a little wave, before she turns and goes back into her bedroom. “Bye, honey!”

  “Bye.” I shut the door behind me and stay on the wraparound porch, breathing in the pine scented air. The lake isn’t too far. I can walk along it for a while, most likely with no one else around. All the guys are off participating in football things. Jake’s not in the cabin. He took off with his friends, Diego and Caleb. I don’t even think he’s staying with us at our cabin.

  At least he has something to do.

  I skip down the stairs and head along the dirt path that takes me to the lake. A breeze washes over me, making the water ripple, and I can hear the pine trees sway in the wind. Birds are chirping, wild flowers are still in bloom and scattered everywhere. All I can see is blue sky, blue water, green grass and towering trees. No humans in sight.

  It’s actually kind of nice. Peaceful.

  Pulling my phone out of my shorts pocket, I take a few photos of the scenery, wishing I could post them on my Instagram story because this place is gorgeous. But there’s no service out here. The lack of bars on my phone screen confirms that fact. I literally have no internet, and I’m a teenage girl.

  I’m totally thinking like a spoiled brat, but this feels like a death sentence.

  I walk around the lake for a while, but eventually get bored. Pretty sure this is going to be my weekend mood.

  Good times.

  I’m about to head back to the cabin when I hear something.

  Like footsteps.

  Pausing, I turn around, but see nothing.

  I keep going, following the dirt trail that leads directly to our cabin. That’s when I hear a voice.

  “Hey! You play football or what?”

  Stopping, yet again, I glance over my shoulder, squinting, since the sun is shining directly in my eyes.

  There’s a boy about twenty feet away. He’s tall. Lean.

  Vaguely familiar.

  “No, I don’t play football.” I turn to face him fully, holding my hand over my forehead, so I can shade my eyes. He’s still standing there, watching me, and I see recognition dawn on his face.

  “I know you.” He points at me.

  “I know you too.” Tilting my head, I try to place his face. He has sunglasses on, so I can’t see his eyes, which would probably help me recognize him. I know, for sure, he doesn’t go to my high school. Maybe our rival high school? Yeah, I think that’s it. He’s…

  Oh. Shit. I know exactly who he is.

  “You’re Ava Callahan.” He saunters up the walkway, pushing his sunglasses up, so they rest on top of his head. His eyes are hazel. He has a bit of a baby face. Sparkling eyes and full lips.

  He’s super cute.

  And my brother’s worst enemy.

  “You’re Eli Bennett,” I tell him, turning up my nose because hello, I can’t talk to the enemy. Jake will flip.

  His smile is dangerous. As in, seeing it makes my belly flutter. “My reputation precedes me.”

  “More like my brother hates you,” I remind him.

  He laughs, completely unfazed. “It’s just a fun rivalry.”

  “If you say so.” I cross my arms, studying him. He’s a good football player. Not as good as Jake, though. They’re both quarterbacks, just like my dad. Just like Autumn’s boyfriend, Ash. In my life, I’m constantly surrounded by cocky, arrogant QBs—though Dad isn’t cocky or arrogant. Maybe he was when he was younger.

  I can tell the boy standing in front of me certainly is.

  “Why are you here?” he asks.

  “I came with my dad.” I wave my hand toward the cabin behind me. “My whole family is here.”

  “I thought I saw some of the guys from your team around.” He shakes his head, scratching his jaw. It’s razor sharp and very attractive. “Huh. This changes everything.”

  “So, your team is here, too?” Oh man. Jake is gonna be so pissed.

  “Yeah. This is the best camp around. Is your dad speaking?”

  “I think so.” I take a step back when he takes a step forward, uncomfortable with his nearness.

  More like, uncomfortable with my reaction to him standing so close to me.

  “Your dad is an inspiration. I wish he coached us at our school, but then I wouldn’t be the QB.” He shrugs, a smirk on his face. “Gotta give the position to daddy’s boy.”

  Oh. Those are fighting words. “Pretty sure my brother earned his position.”

  “If you say so.” He throws his words back at me.

  Ew. I kind of hate this guy.

  “I have to go.” I turn and start toward the steps that lead up to the cabin, my heart hammering. He says nothing, but I can feel his gaze on me. Assessing me. Sizing me up.

  I’m tempted to look back, and I tell myself not to. Don’t do it. Don’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that you’re cur
ious.

  But it’s like I can’t help myself. I stomp up the stairs noisily, glancing over my shoulder at the last second to find him standing in the spot where I left him, his gaze on me, a smile curling his full lips.

  “See ya around, Ava Callahan,” he says.

  I offer a halfhearted wave like a complete dork and bolt into the cabin, slamming the door before I lean against it and release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  Well.

  That was interesting.

  Two

  Ava

  We enter the dining hall together as a family—minus Jake—and it’s just as intimidating as I thought it would be. The dull roar of hundreds of teenage boys yelling and talking fills the air, and it grows semi-quiet when my dad enters the room.

  Reverence for the former pro football player. They idolize him. I spot Jake at his table already, surrounded by his friends and teammates, and he’s smiling. Looking proud.

  Then I hear someone call out, “Callahan, you’re the man!”

  Everyone starts laughing, and when I realize I recognize the voice, I’m disgusted.

  It’s Eli, of course.

  He’s sitting at a table not too far from my brother’s, and they’re all wearing their team colors of black, purple and gold. I can tell Eli is their leader, the one they all listen to. Just like my brother. Those two are very similar.