Page 8 of Right Place, Right Time (Second Chances)
Chapter Three
Kate
“It’s after midnight,”on a school night. But I don’t say that last part out loud because I don’t want to sound like a complete dork.
Jay rubs the back of his neck, and I am beginning to realize it’s a nervous habit for him. It’s that vulnerability again. It’s actually kind of nice to see that in a big, tough guy.
“I didn’t really think that through. I was just hoping to talk to you some more.”
“There’s a park near my apartment,” I suggest, shrugging my shoulders like I couldn’t care less what we do.
“Okay…I’ll follow you?” I nod in agreement, eyeing his motorcycle. “I’d offer you a ride,” he says, motioning to his bike, “but I only have the one helmet.”
I look up and meet his intense stare. “It’s okay. The idea of riding on a motorcycle kind of terrifies me. The number of injuries one can sustain from a motorcycle accident is utterly insane. The fact that you made it across the country unscathed is incredible.”
“They’re not that unsafe,” he scoffs, and I narrow my eyes. “It’s mostly careless or reckless driving—often on the part of people drivingcars,” he looks at me pointedly, “that leads to those kinds of accidents. And besides, I’m very careful.”
“Could be debris in the road,” I mumble, still trying to make my point.
He smiles. “You’re right, there could be.”
I point to my car—the only one left in the lot—and tell him to follow me. He nods and then puts on his helmet, securing the strap beneath his chin. He gets on his bike, then lifts the visor on his helmet and looks at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Are we going?” he asks me, his voice distorted from his helmet, and, even though I can’t see his lips, I can tell that he’s smiling. He gets these little wrinkles in the corner of his eyes. It’s adorable, and kind of sexy. He should smile more often.
Shit.“Yes,” I say, hurrying off to my car.Shit. Shit. Shit.He totally caught me ogling him! And then I continued to ogle him!How embarrassing. I get in my car and quickly start the engine. I pull out of my parking space and move slowly through the lot, allowing Jay to get behind me.
I watch Jay’s lone headlight as he follows a safe distance behind me. I can’t believe he’s here. I can’t believe I’m spending time with him. I can’t help but remember the last time we saw each other and the hurtful things he’d said.
“What are you doing here?” Jay asks, his cold, silver eyes are like icy daggers, piercing into me.
“Thanks for seeing me,” I say with a smile, choosing to ignore his irritation.
“You don’t belong here.”
“I graduated yesterday. I wish you could have been there.”
He scoffs loudly, startling me. “Why?”
I don’t want to tell him the truth…that I don’t have any friends…that my own parents weren’t at my graduation. I don’t want him to realize how pathetic I am. How he’s my only outlet these days, even though our communication has only been through letters. Until today.
“Would have been nice to see a friendly face,” I shrug.
“You think my face is friendly?” he laughs.
He’s mocking me. I’m not stupid or naïve. Far from it, in fact. He’d been so nice to me the day we met and the days that followed…I don’t know why he’s being a jerk now. His eyes were kind that day on the side of the highway. The letters he used to write had been kind, too.Hewas kind.
“I’m moving next week. To California…to Stanford.” This information seems to disrupt the cool façade he’s displaying. His eyes go soft and his smirk twitches, but only for a moment. I knew he was in there somewhere. I knew this was all an act. He’s playing the tough guy…he probably has to around here. See? I’m not stupid.
“Good,” he says, cold demeanor back in place. “That means you won’t be coming by here again.”
“I can still write. Maybe I can call you every once in a while? Or you can call me?”
I jump as he slams his hands down on the table. “Don’t you fucking get it? I don’t want to hear from you. I don’t want to see you. And I sure as hell don’t want to talk to you. I don’t even read your letters anymore, so stop wasting your time. You’re no one to me. Nothing.”
My eyes well up with tears just thinking of that day. I thought I’d put it behind me, and I guess I had, but then he showed up again. Out of the clear blue sky. Across the country. Almost as if…as if he’d followed me here.
