Page 49 of Blade

With my hands on his chest, I shoved with everything I had. He stumbled back enough for me to bring my knee up to his groin.

I slammed my knee into his junk with so much force I lost my balance and fell to the ground with him.

Scrambling to my hands and knees, I tried to crawl away, but he grabbed my foot. Rolling over onto my butt, I kicked my legs. My foot connected with his head, and he fell back. It was just the moment I needed to get to my feet and run back to the restaurant. He must have realized he couldn’t catch up to me because I heard him yell.

“FUCK!”

I heard his car start just as I reached the door to the restaurant.

I watched him peel out of the parking lot and took a moment to consider my options. If I went back into therestaurant, they would call the police. Did I want to report it? He didn’t actually rape me. Assault charges wouldn’t be enough. He likely wouldn’t even face jail time.

My other option was to call someone.

Someone I knew would come. With my mind made up, I stepped into the shadows of the building and removed my phone from my pocket. Surprised it was still there, given the state of my dress.

Oh God, how did this happen?

How could I have been so wrong?

My hands were shaking so badly I could barely hold my phone. He gave me his number and told me to call anytime, and he would come.

No questions asked.

I scrolled through my contacts until I reached his name. Pressing the call button, I leaned against the brick wall of the building, trying to settle my nerves.

As the phone rang, I thought about the nice dinner I had with a man I thought was a friend. What he said made no sense. We, he said, not I. Did he misspeak or was he working with someone else? And what did it have to do with me? And the land? What land does he need back and who has it?

The most confusing of all was when he said he couldn’t have me. Talking about prom night, I assumed he meant the boy that held my heart. He could never have me, just as I couldn’t ever have him. He was gone forever. Nothing would bring him back.

None of it made any sense.

The call picked up, and I heard his voice.

“Beck? Is that you? Are you ok?” All at once my heartbeat slowed, and a sense of peace and safety consumed me knowing he kept his word. He answered.

With a shaky breath that gave me away, I whispered,

“Jack, I need you.”

Chapter Twelve

Blade

Why was I torturing myself? I didn’t need to see Becca go out on a date with Grant Nicholson. Jack and I went for a ride before we headed over to Grams for dinner. As we pulled into her driveway, it occurred to me, we should have dropped our bikes across the street at the clubhouse. The petty side of me wanted Becca to hear us pull in, so she knew we were here.

Swinging my leg over my bike, I headed to the side door, Jack following behind me. Walking into the kitchen, I was instantly hit with the aroma of pot roast, my favorite.

“Smells amazing in here, as always,” I greeted, leaning over to kiss Grams on the cheek.

“Stop it, you, I made your favorite. No need to kiss my ass.” She chuckled and swatted me with the dish towel she pulled from her shoulder. “Hi, Jack, glad you are here.”

“Glad to be here. Where else can I get dinner and a show?” Jack joked, with a grin as wide as Texas.

Jackass.

“She still up there getting ready?”

She must be. Grams had dinner ready for five-thirty, knowing Grant was picking Becca up at six.

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