Page 14 of Love Lies Bleeding

He grins and holds his hand up as he pulls back. “Now, don’t go soft and fall in love with me. I told you we can only be friends.”

I smile, my pulse beating faster, laughter bubbling inside me. “I’m pretty sure I said that.”

“Tomato, tomahto.”

I shake my head feeling happier and more carefree than I ever have before as he stands to collect our food. Jake gets me, he gets my need for control, my desire for someone to make the effort and show me I matter.

I’m falling for my new friend and it’s fucking terrifying and exhilarating.

5. Jake

The late morning sun is on my back as I stare down at the text I just sent to Cherry, a smile trying to fight its way onto my face.

Jake: I know I haven’t seen you today, but I just know you look great.

I watch as the dots jump and bounce as she types. I never know what I’m going to get with Cherry. She can be sweet, but mostly she’s sarcastic and snarky and it makes those moments when she reveals her heart that much sweeter. I never tire of being around her because she doesn’t give a fuck who I am, she’s just herself and I’m low-key obsessed with her.

Cherry: Of course I do, when do I not?

I shake my head, a chuckle moving through me as my fingers move over the screen.

Jake: True story. You always look sexy as fuck.

Cherry: Are you flirting with me, Casanova?

Jake: Always.

I smirk, imagining her smile as she reads the last one, the roll of her eyes, but the pleased look that makes them twinkle with delight. She’s breathtaking and she has no idea just how much she consumes me. Since Cherry and I became friends, the one thing I’ve learned is that her walls are a mile high. She likes me, she wants me, and our connection is something I’ve never felt before and it scares her to death.

Cherry: Dream on…..

Jake: Every night and twice in the shower.

Cherry: Really, Jake, you’re a sex addict.

That’s hilarious because if she only knew I hadn’t laid a finger on anyone else since the day we met. In fact, if this continues, I’m going to get a repetitive stress injury in my wrist from jerking off.

Jake: Correction, I’m a Cherry addict.

Cherry: Go to your lecture. I have a paper to write.

Jake: I’ll see you later?

Cherry: Maybe. Depends how this paper goes.

Jake: Then stop slacking and get to work, Blossom.

I turn my phone to silent and slip it into my pocket as I adjust my rucksack on my shoulder. Time to put on a show and hopefully, while I’m at it, have a word with a few people about the attitude I’ve seen toward Cherry. I know Lorelei is behind it and it’s time they realized she’s under my protection and they’ve fucked with the wrong girl. If I have to get my hands dirty and crack a few skulls, then so be it. It’s all part of the game.

Head up, I move through the hallways of Langdell Hall as I head to my next lecture. I get head dips in greeting from some, and others avoid my eyes. The respect I get around here is still so strange to me, but it’s a role I play and one I’m damn good at. Power is a delicate balance and every day there’s someone waiting to shift it to their favor, to challenge mine and Hunter’s position here, but one I work twice as hard to keep while he’s away dealing with his broken leg.

Name alone isn’t enough in this new world, it requires a balance of respect, fear, and adoration. I keep my circle incredibly small. In fact, until Cherry, I’d say the only person I trust in this place is Hunter. Everyone else seems to want something from me.

A favor, prestige from being seen with me or Hunter, and some just have this weird hero worship which I’ll never understand, but I play the game and I play it well. People move aside as I stride down the middle of the hall before slipping into the lecture hall.

I stop short as the room falls silent, excited murmurs falling away as I look at the boy sitting in my seat. It’s a dumb thing but nobody sits there, it’s where Hunter and I sit and every fucker knows it or is told. I lift my chin, slowing my gait as I walk up to the kid who’s smirking and joking with his friends.

I don’t know him, so he’s probably a transfer, but that’s no excuse. He knows what he’s doing, and he fucked around so now he’s going to find out. There are no second chances or giving someone the benefit of the doubt. That’s just a weakness in our world, and I’ll never let myself be weak again.

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