Page 33 of Protect

I smile all the way back to my car. Thinking of every single thing she said tonight as I drive to Max’s across town to meet Jacob. The drive passes in a blur of her lips, the smell of her hair,her voice, the way I almost came in my fucking pants when she did. I can’t think of any time I’ve ever thought of a girl like this, or ever felt this way, and now I’m getting hard again.Fuck.

When I pull into the driveway, I see a white Toyota I don’t recognize. I get out anyway and text Jacob asking him where he’s at.

Jacob:Can you come in?

Me:WTF dude, if this is a prank I’m gonna kick someone’s ass.

He doesn’t respond, and when I get to the porch, the door opens before I can even knock. I blink, it's not the face I expect to see. It’s not Jacob, it’s not Max, it’s Kyleigh Miller in a barely-there pink tank top and a jean skirt.

“Come on in,” she purrs, reaching out to touch my chest. I swat her finger away, then push past her to get in the door.

“Where’s Jacob? What are you doing here?” I ask her. She just smiles up at me.

I turn to see Jacob and Max sitting on the couch in Max’s living room. Jacob is bouncing his knee and he looks scared shitless. I turn back to Kyleigh.

“What the fuck is going on?”

Jacob is the one that answers. “I fucked up, man. Big time. And I need your help?—”

“He sure did, but don’t worry…” Kyleigh cuts him off, smiling sweetly. “I have a proposition for you.”

Fuck me.

AGE 18

Outside Mr. Shoebottom’s Biology class.

I look down at my phone for the tenth time in twenty minutes.

Nothing. Just like the last nine times I checked.

I blow out a breath and glance down the hall, willing Rowan to show up. It’s been three days since our beach make out session and him asking me to prom. It’s also the longest we haven’t talked in over a month. He knows our bio teacher is posting the grades at three o’clock today. Mr. Shoebottom is very old school and refuses to do anything online, even though lots of teachers are starting to do that.

There’s about ten of us standing outside the door, waiting to see our marks a half hour past the end of the school day. The majority of kids will wait until tomorrow to find out, but I just had to know. I’m not worried about my grade, just Rowan’s. I know how important it is that he gets a good grade in order to graduate. Not that he seems as invested as me right now, since he hasn’t even bothered to text me back. I know he’s had intense practices for the rugby championship and Jacob assures me he’s fine, but I’m not sure I believe Jacob—he’s been weird the last few days too. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t panicking a bit. I mean, what are the odds I’d find the most incredible guy in my brother’s best friend, and admit to myself that I’m falling for him only to have him drop me? I’d be lying if I said my insecurities weren’t going crazy. I’ve never had anyone touch me like he did… Did I do something wrong? The same familiar sting creeps in as my eyes start to tear up. I’ve gotten too attached to him. I should know better.

Just as I’m about to head to the nearest bathroom I see him round the corner. He wears the familiar royal blue and yellow fitted shorts and T-shirt of our school’s varsity rugby uniform. His matching socks and cleats aren’t dirty yet, which tells me he’s about to head to practice, not coming from it. My breath hitches as I wait for his eyes and that lopsided smirk I think I might be in love with. A few seconds pass before I get those blue eyes. When his gaze lands on mine I expect to relax, but something about the way he’s looking at me makes me feel unsettled.

He moves in slow motion toward me with his long easy stride, catching the eye of every red-blooded girl in the hallway.

“I wasn’t sure if you were going to make it,” I manage to get out when he closes the distance between us, looking down at me and pulling all the air from my lungs.

“Hey, sorry…I’ve had some stuff and practice has been, uh?—”

“It’s fine,” I say, looking away, not wanting the awkward excuse I can already feel coming.

He looks around and then grabs my arm, pushing me away from the crowd so we’re standing almost right in front of the bio door.

“No, it’s not, I have been busy…but, I’m just, uh, I’m going through something. Something I didn’t expect.”

“What?” I challenge.

He closes his eyes “I can’t tell you. It’s not my story to tell.”

“Mm-hmm,” I manage to get out. I can feel my palms starting to sweat and the tight feeling in my throat begins to take over.

“The prom…I am so sorry, Violette, but I can’t take you. I have to help someone with something.”

“Who? Why?” I ask

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