Rebel Soul: (Rebel Series Book 1) ((Rebel Series)) by J.C. Hannigan Page A

before turning it off. Another downside to trailer life was that the hot water tank was ridiculously small.
    I left the small bathroom, wrapping a towel around my waist, and made my way to the bedroom. My clothes were still tucked away in suitcases. There was no sense in unpacking; I had nowhere to put it anyway. I pulled out a pair of well-worn jeans, a white t-shirt and a plaid button up shirt. It was still warm out, although as soon as the sun faded, it would get chilly.
    “What the fuck am I doing?” I muttered, staring at the clothes I’d laid out on my bed. Was I actually considering going to this concert? Was I actually considering putting myself right in front of temptation again? Temptation in the form of someone completely off limits?
    But what if he’s there? I thought, thinking about that piece of shit asshole that had attacked Tessa last night. 
    My hands clenched into fists with aggravation. I felt responsible for it, in a way. If only I’d trusted my instincts about that guy. If only I’d trusted Hunter’s instincts about him. Hell, if only I had allowed myself to do the one thing I desperately wanted to do, talk to her. Claim her as mine. She would have never been put in that situation. I could have protected her better if I wasn’t so busy trying to ignore her existence.
    Hunter whimpered from his spot beneath the kitchen table, almost encouraging me with those yellow eyes.
    “Fuck it,” I sighed, tearing off the towel and stepping into a clean pair of boxer briefs. I dressed quickly, pulling my jeans on and sliding into my boots. I pulled my shirt over my head as I walked out the door. Hunter followed me, dutifully walking over to the chain wrapped around the tree. I always tied him up and left him water when I had to go somewhere without him. If I didn’t, he’d tear the inside of my trailer apart. My next project would be a kennel for him once the cabin was completed, but for now this was enough.
    I clipped the chain to his collar and patted him on the head before I turned around and walked to my truck.
     
    * * *
     
    The fairgrounds were packed; it seemed like everyone in town was there to see the concert. I found a parking spot and locked up, joining the stream of people heading towards the brightly lit stage. I kept my head down and my hands in my pocket, regretting my decision to come with everything I had. It felt like everyone was staring at me.
    I wasn’t an idiot; I knew the town gossiped about me and my family. We were that family in town, the family from “the wrong side of the tracks”, the family that had never really fit in. My father was an alcoholic that couldn’t hold down a job, and we were the kids that couldn’t stay out of trouble growing up. If something bad happened, a Miller was likely nearby. 
    I just took it to a new level with ex-convict on my resume.
    Before I could turn around and give up on this stupid plan, I heard someone shouting my name. I looked around, catching sight of red hair. Melanie Clayton sauntered up to me, wrapping her arms around me in greeting. I froze, my body tense. She didn’t let go for several long moments. When she finally pulled away, I exhaled with relief.
    “Hey, stranger,” she said, her voice dripping with flirtation. “Grady and Braden said you might show up tonight! I haven’t seen you in forever!”
    I bit back the cold responses I longed to fire out at her, like No shit, I’ve been in jail – remember?
    “Yeah, it’s been a while,” I said instead.
    “You look good,” she told me, her eyes lingering on my chest before they slowly made their descent downward. I inwardly sighed. Melanie was one of the first girls I’d slept with, and she’d made her way through every last one of my friends. I definitely didn’t want to go down that particular road again.
    “Well come on, everyone’s waiting for you,” she said, reaching for my hand. She led me through the crowd to a cluster of people.
    Everyone turned out to be