Loyal Heir Read online

  Copyright © 2020 by M.A. Heard.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical reviews and various other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  The resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Designer: Sybil Wilson, PopKitty Design

  Cover Model: Lucas Loyola

  Photographer Credit: Wander Book Club Photography

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Dedication

  Songlist

  Synopsis

  Loyal Heir

  Family Tree

  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

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  The Heirs

  Trinity Academy

  Enemies To Lovers

  Connect with me

  About the author

  Acknowledgments

  Dedication

  To Dillon.

  You’re the bravest boy I know.

  I hope I get to meet you in person one day.

  Songlist

  Click here - Spotify

  Synopsis

  A fake romance.

  Nothing but an imaginary relationship.

  But after a while of pretending, it starts to feel real.

  It’s too easy convincing the students at Trinity Academy Aria Chargill is mine.

  It’s too easy playing the role of my best friend’s boyfriend.

  And the lines blur until I no longer know where the fake romance ends and the real one begins.

  The problem with our fabricated love is that the lines started to blur.

  And now I want more.

  Aria and Forest walking around campus

  K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

  First comes a hug.

  Then comes the kiss.

  Then come the lies and the heartbreak.

  Feeling numb,

  Their friendship ends.

  All because one of them forgot to pretend!

  Loyal Heir

  THE HEIRS

  Book 4

  College/New Adult series of interconnected STANDALONES.

  “I’ve met your demons. They do not scare me. I know they’ll be angels once they learn to fly.”

  ― Andy Grammar & Elle King, Best of You.

  Family Tree

  FOREST REYES

  ↓↓

  Falcon ReyesLayla Shepard

  FatherMother

  Godmother: Kingsley Hunt

  Godfather: Mason Chargill & Lake Cutler

  Best friends: Aria Chargill & Carla Reyes

  ARIA CHARGILL

  ↓↓

  Mason ChargillKingsley Hunt

  FatherMother

  Godmother: Layla Shepard

  Godfather: Falcon Reyes & Lake Cutler

  Best friends: Forest Reyes & Carla Reyes

  Aria and Forest walking around campus

  K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

  First comes a hug.

  Then comes the kiss.

  Then come the lies and the heartbreak.

  Feeling numb,

  Their friendship ends.

  All because one of them forgot to pretend!

  Chapter 1

  FOREST

  “Hell no,” I growl as my eyes land on my cousin and my best friend. “Go change. You’re not going out dressed like that.”

  “What’s wrong with how we’re dressed?” Carla asks, her eyebrows shooting up while she glances down at her way-too-short dress before looking at Aria’s.

  I swear they do this on purpose, just to drive me insane.

  “If the two of you go to the party looking like that, I’ll spend the entire night having to fight off guys. I’d like to have fun as well.”

  Carla begins to pout. “All the girls will be dressed like this.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t care.”

  Aria, who’s been my best friend since we were in diapers, moves closer to me and taking hold of my hand, she gives me a pleading look. “Come on, Forest. We’re going to be late if we have to change now.”

  My eyes drop to her legs, tanned, toned, and… yeah, way too sexy with those heels on.

  “Come on.” She grins as she nods toward the front door.

  Damn, they’ll be the death of me one of these days.

  I let out a sigh. “So not fair,” I grumble as I turn to leave.

  Just then the door opens and Uncle Mason, Aria’s father, who’s also my godfather, comes in. He’s best friends with my father, and our families go back four generations. He takes one look at the girls and instantly shakes his head. “Over my dead body.”

  “Daddy.” Aria tries the same pleading look on her father.

  “No.” Uncle Mason looks at me. “You were going to let them go out dressed like that?”

  I shrug. “I was outnumbered.”

  He shoots a glare at the girls. “Either you change into something that covers a hell of a lot more skin, or you’re not leaving this house.”

  The girls let out huffs, but at least they go back upstairs.

  Turning my attention to Uncle Mason, I say, “Thanks. They never listen to me.”

  Uncle Mason throws his arm around my shoulders and pulls me to the living room. “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back.”

  I let out a chuckle, and as we sit down to wait for the girls, Uncle Mason asks, “Are you going to the end of summer break party Aria mentioned?”

  “Yeah, we figured we’d go say bye to all our high school friends.”

  “Are y’all moving to the dorms tomorrow?”

  “We’ll probably take our stuff over on Sunday. Aria and Carla want to get some last-minute shopping done.”

  The three of us are starting at Trinity Academy this year. Where Carla and I are doing our MBAs, Aria is getting her degree in art. With her older brother, Hunter taking over Uncle Mason’s position at our company, CRC Holdings, they’re okay with Aria following her passion. She’s fucking good at painting abstract scenes, and I can already picture her owning a gallery one day.

  Uncle Mason nods, then asks, “Are you speaking at the welcoming ceremony?”

  “No, Fallon will be speaking on our behalf,” I answer.

  “I haven’t seen her in a while. How is she?”

  Fallon, my sister, is only a year older than me. She was in an accident a couple of months back and gave us one hell of a scare. Luckily, she and her fiancé, Kao, have fully recovered.

  “She’s doing well.” I smile at Uncle Mason. “Kao and Fallon finally found a house, so she won’t be living in the dorms with us.”

  “Mila, Hana, Jade, and Noah will still stay in the dorms, right?” Uncle Mason asks.

  “Yeah, it will be the seven of us.”

  “At least the girls will have you and Noah,” Uncle Mason lets out a sigh.

  “We’ll look after them,” I reassure him.


  Aria and Carla come down the stairs again, this time dressed in matching red silk blouses and jeans. Even with heels on, Aria’s still a head shorter than Carla, who’s wearing boots.

  “That’s much better,” Uncle Mason says, a relieved smile spreading over his face.

  Aria goes to press a kiss to her father’s cheek. “Bye, Daddy. Don’t wait up. We’ll probably sleep at Carla’s place.”

  Uncle Mason looks at me. “No drinking.”

  “Of course,” I chuckle. Uncle Mason reminds me every time we go somewhere. Not that we always listen, though.

  Walking out of the house, I say, “Everyone from school will probably be at the bonfire. Don’t disappear from my sight without telling me.”

  “Yes, Forest,” Carla says, rolling her eyes at me.

  Aria gives me a smile. “Aww… it’s just because he loves us.”

  “No, it’s because your fathers would kill me if something happened to the two of you.” And yeah, it’s because I love them, especially Aria. She’s the other half of my soul.

  Aria shakes her head, and before she climbs in the car, she grins at me. “I know it’s because we’re your two favorite people.”

  Yeah, she’s not wrong. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for the two of them.

  I hear Aria’s laughter above the music, and it instantly brings a grin to my face.

  My eyes scan over the dancing bodies on the right side of the fire until I find her and Carla doing what looks like a chicken dance.

  Shaking my head at their antics, I take a sip of the beer I’ve been nursing for most of the night. Seeing as I’m driving, there’s no way I’m overindulging in anything tonight. My priority is making sure my friends get home safely.

  “Hey, Forest,” a girl says as she comes to stand next to me where I’m leaning against a tree. When I just stare at her, she spurts out, “Kimberly. I’m a junior.”

  I lift an eyebrow to tell her to get to the point.

  “Ah… I just wanted to say hi,” she squeaks before running off.

  I shake my head and take another sip from the beer.

  I’ve only had one girlfriend, Kennedy Quinn, but her family moved to Europe during our junior year when her father got a better job abroad. Things ended between us, and since Kennedy, I haven’t been interested in any of the other girls at school. They don’t seem to get the message, though. Every day I’m faced with a girl trying her luck. It’s annoying as fuck.

  Right now, I’m focused on starting at Trinity, and the last thing I have time for is a new relationship.

  My gaze searches for Aria and Carla. When I see a group of guys dancing with them, I keep watching to make sure they’re okay. That’s the problem with having two gorgeous girls for best friends. I’m constantly swatting idiots away like flies. Plus, Carla and Aria have already had too much to drink.

  Carla can usually handle herself pretty well. Actually, I’ve seen my cousin knee a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer. It’s Aria I’m more protective of. She’s petite, the top of her head barely reaching my chest. I tried to teach her to punch once, and honestly, she wouldn’t make a dent in a marshmallow. It also doesn’t help that she has big, innocent blue eyes. One glance from Aria and men flock to her.

  When I notice Julianne and Kristen walking my way, I let out a sigh.

  God, I strongly dislike the two cheerleaders. They never get the damn message I’m not interested. They’re typical socialites in the making, hoping to land a guy who will up their status. My family name draws the likes of them by the dozens.

  It’s tiring as fuck and also one of the reasons I don’t date. You never know if they’re only interested in your family’s wealth or if they actually give two fucks about you.

  “Why are you standing all by yourself?” Julianne asks. She reaches a hand up and runs a finger down the length of my bicep. “Want some company?”

  “I’m good, thanks,” I mutter. “I’m waiting for the girls.”

  Julianne glances toward the dancing crowd. “They look a little preoccupied.” A seductive smile curves her lips. “Come on, we can have fun.”

  Kristen hooks her arm through Julianne’s. “We’ll definitely put a smile on your face.”

  I let out a heavy sigh. “Not interested.” For the millionth time.

  Julianne tilts her head, her eyes narrowing on me. “Did Kennedy break your dick before she left?”

  What the fuck?

  “Because you haven’t dated since she moved away. People are wondering why.”

  I really couldn’t give a flying fuck.

  Wanting to get rid of Julianne before I do or say something I’ll regret, I glare at her. “You’re welcome to fuck off now.”

  Annoyed as fuck, I turn my attention back to the dancing crowd. I see Jordan Sprouse, who’ll also attend Trinity Academy, wrap his arm around Aria’s shoulders, and instantly I push away from the tree to move closer.

  Jordan’s a nice guy, which means Aria won’t be interested. Nice equals boring to her.

  As I come up behind them, I hear Aria say, “Oh, you’ve moved into the dorms already? Damn, we haven’t even started packing our stuff.”

  “I wanted to get settled and see where everything is around the campus,” Jordan explains. He looks nervous, and then he asks, “Ahhh… the last time I asked, you said you had to study… So… uhm… will you go out to dinner with me?”

  Aria freezes, and her eyes widen with panic.

  The poor guy.

  I’m not sure even Aria knows what her type is, but it’s definitely not Jordan. She’s probably panicking because she doesn’t want to hurt his feelings by rejecting him outright.

  “I’m sorry, Jordan.” A painfully awkward expression tightens her features. “I… I have a boyfriend.”

  Technically it’s not a lie. I’m a boy and a friend.

  “You do?” Surprise flashes over Jordan’s face. “Shoot, I’m sorry. I thought you were single after you broke things off with Eli.”

  God, Eli. That guy was a jerk. I still don’t know what Aria ever saw in him. I’m just thankful they didn’t last long.

  Suddenly, Aria blurts out my name, “Forest.”

  “Yeah, babe?” I say as I stop next to her. I nod at Jordan, acknowledging him.

  “Hey, Forest,” he mutters nervously. “Sorry, I wasn’t aware you and Aria were dating.”

  I lift my hand, and wrapping my fingers around the back of Aria’s neck, I pull her to me. “No worries.”

  “Prove it,” Julianne suddenly calls out, and then she pushes her way through the crowd.

  Aria lets out a huff. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah. I’ve never seen the two of you kiss.” Her gaze sharpens. “I think you’re bullshitting us. Everyone knows you’re just friends. I dare you to kiss.”

  What the fuck?

  Aria turns her body toward mine, and taking hold of the back of my neck, she pulls me down. “Let’s just kiss so they’ll back off.”

  What?

  I’m still trying to catch up to what’s happening when Aria presses her mouth to mine.

  I’m stunned out of my mind and freeze.

  Aria’s mouth lingers on mine, and my heart begins to beat faster, my muscles tightening.

  “Play along,” she mumbles against me.

  As if I’m on autopilot, I tilt my head and bringing my hands to her face, I cup her cheeks.

  When I move my lips against hers, the people around us fade away. There’s no dare. There’s nothing but Aria's lips parting.

  ARIA

  I’m overly aware of the group surrounding us, and wanting to get rid of Jordan and Julianne, I try to encourage Forest to play along.

  Damn, I’m going to owe Forest big time for this favor.

  Knowing this kiss needs to look like the real thing, I part my lips and draw Forest’s bottom lip between mine. My insides tighten in a way they never have before, and the sensation startles me. Not wanting to push things too far, I pull back
. My eyes lock on Forest’s gray eyes.

  Shit, he looks pissed off.

  Not caring about what people think anymore, I grab hold of Forest’s hand and drag him after me as I make a bee-line for the cars where we can have some privacy.

  Once we reach Forest’s car, where the music isn’t as loud, I turn to him and give him my best apologetic face. “Sorry about that.”

  When Forest just stares at me, I begin to ramble, “I didn’t want to hurt Jordan’s feelings, and I know no guy will go up against you. Julianne didn’t help either.”

  Honestly, I’m so tired of either being hit on by a total asshole or a way too nice guy who has the emotional capacity of a fish.

  A frown forms on Forest’s forehead. His voice is low and angry as he asks, “So you just kiss me?”

  “He keeps asking me on a date.” I let out a miserable sigh. “Jordan probably thinks I’m playing hard to get, and I don’t want to lead him on. The more I say no, the harder he tries, and I ran out of excuses. I didn’t think a harmless kiss between us would matter.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me he was bothering you?” Forest asks, his eyes locked on mine.

  “Come on, we’re talking about Jordan. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, and besides, I can’t run to you with every problem,” I explain. “I thought I’d be able to let him down gently without hurting his feelings by pretending we’re in a relationship.”

  Forest seems to think about something. “You’re aware Jordan will be at Trinity? We’ll have to keep up this act now.”

  Oh crap.

  “Fuck, Julianne as well, and she’s like a dog with a bone.” Forest looks pissed off again as he snaps, “Can you believe she asked me if my cock was broken just because I’m not dating anyone?”

  “What?” I gasp. I turn my head, my gaze already searching around the bonfire for the bitch. No one messes with Forest and gets away with it. I’d freaking kill for him. “I’ll slap her so hard,” I begin to threaten.