Page 35 of Shadow and Skulls

Nodding, I give her a side hug. “I’m always quiet, Mom. I’m fine. It was just a little rough patch. Lexi can have him.”

Her mouth falls open. “She didn’t …”

“She did, but it’s fine.”

“She’s your friend.”

“No, Mom. I don’t think she was ever my friend, but that’s okay. I have true friends in the club.”

She smiles at this. “That’s true, and I’m sure you’ll make lots of new friends at college next year.”

I nod, forcing a smile on my face. “I’m sure you’re right.”

Chapter Ten

Kelsie

My dad called early this morning to let us know he was on the way home. Mom didn’t give any indication that he’d murdered anyone, but then again, would he tell her? I guess if Tank isn’t with them, I’ll know JD told him everything.

I drop my head onto my steering wheel, trying to pep talk myself into facing JD. Thank god there was a stupid assembly today, and I was able to slip away without anyone noticing. As embarrassing as this is, I have to do it.

The little tune that raps on my window puts a smile on my face. It’s JD. I don’t know why I was worried. Yesterday isn’t going to change anything between us. I trust him. I lift my head as he opens my car door.

“Everything okay?”

I stare out the windshield, letting my head fall back against the seat. “Yeah, sure. You know, besides the fact that my mom’s best friend caught me completely naked. Not to mention getting offover the phone with the VP of the NorCal Chapter. Besides that, everything is fine.”

Sighing, I cover my face with my hands. It sounds so much worse when I say it out loud.

He reaches for my hand to pull me out of the car, and I can feel his gaze bouncing over my face as I continue to hide from him.

“You said he was helping you,” he fires off right away.

“Yeah, helping me get over Jason.” The lie rolls easily off my tongue. He doesn’t know that I’ve been over Jason for a long time.

“Kelsie,” he groans, pulling my hands away from my face.

“This is embarrassing, okay? It was nothing. I’m nineteen, and only two months away from being twenty. Can we just let it go?”

“He’s a club member and like, what, twenty years older than you?” His voice gets louder with each word that leaves his mouth.

“He’s not twenty years older than me.”Is he?

“If you don’t tell your mom you’re messing around with him, then I will.” The way his eye twitches tells me he’s bluffing.

“Then tell her,” I challenge, jutting out my chin. I’m not sure where my bravado is coming from, but I should have known it would be short lived. I just don’t have it in me to defy authority. It’s been my downfall for my entire life.

JD grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Kelsie, I’m going to tell Dan. I don’t want to humiliate you, but it’s better than letting Tank get away with disrespecting you.”

“He’s not disrespecting me. He’s helping me!” I yank my face away from him, stomping my foot.

The rumble of Kat’s engine draws our attention to the end of the driveway as she pulls in.

“Fine, you win. I’ll tell Mom and Dad myself,” I say quickly, not wanting him to bring Kat into our conversation.

“I mean it, Kelsie. Do not test me on this.”

His right eyebrow is cocked high to let me know how serious he is. He lowers it before he waves to Kat. This is definitely a side of JD I’ve never seen. He’s usually laid back and quiet.

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