Page 27 of When It Reins
For a moment, or maybe a few, we stare at each other, and I try to process what’s going on, why my chest is hammering so hard, why my palms suddenly start itching, and why I don’t think I can hold myself back any longer.
Just as I’m about to lean forward, saying fuck it to everything I’ve held back, she twists her wrists out of my hold and pushes me back gently, but still enough to make a point.
She doesn’t say anything else as she marches out of the bathroom. I take a second to breathe and then follow her out.
We aren’t done.
Not even close.
Stomping out after her, I try to paste a reasonable look on my face so I don’t scare the little kids running around. I can’t help that this woman is making me cranky enough to storm around like I am pissed at the world.
I am frustrated. Irritated. I want to throw her over my shoulder, take her home, and never let her leave my side.
That…is probably the wrong answer.
I spot her heading out the door and follow, wanting to get one more word in before she disappears with the douche lord. She looks like she’s searching for someone, and it makes my blood boil to realize who it is. Of course she is searching for him. He is her boyfriend.
At least, to the outside world.
Now that I know what she’s doing—even if I think it’s stupid—I feel this pull to do something about it.
“Juniper,” I call out, knowing that if I use that nickname that’s so casually slipped from my lips in recent days, someone around here was bound to hear it and make it into something it wasn’t.
“Not now, Mitch.” She throws over her shoulder, bounding down the steps and onto the newly green grass. Spring is working its way out and summer is right around the corner, making it possible to abandon jackets and run out of the house to get away from me quicker.
“Juniper, we need to talk.” Finally, I get close enough to grab her hand just as we come around the house and spot David.
He looks over, casually tucking his phone into his pocket and pasting on what I know is—because I can see right through his bullshit—a fake smile. But that smile morphs as his eyes trail down, and he catches sight of my hand wrapped around hers.
“Of course.” His head shakes, and he starts a performance. One I’m not falling for, so I don’t let go of her hand. I have a visceral feeling to keep hold of her, to not let her go anywhere near this piece of shit.
“David…” Juniper starts, but even her voice is halfhearted. She’s too good, too sweet, and too innocent to do all that acting she was saying she was going to do. Twisting her hand, I seewhen she decides to try to salvage this moment. “What are you doing?”
He lifts a mocking brow at her, his eyes shifting between the two of us in wonder. I really don’t like this guy.
“Juniper.” His tone is condescending, and he looks at her with almost pity. “I know something is going on between you two. You need to tell me now.”
Her hand pulls from mine. “No. There’s not anything going on between us.” Though I know she is trying to keep up a façade, the monotone way she spoke the words sends a creepy chill down my spine.
I hate how they sound coming out of her mouth. They shouldn’t be the words spoken at all.
“Right. I just happen to go looking for you after your sister comes back alone and you come outside. Holding his hand.” He gestures to me, but his eyes don’t leave Juniper’s. This little fucker was playing mind games.
“I’m sorry, David. He was just telling me something.” Her feet carry her toward him, and I see him change his expression, his sad shifting into acceptance.
He is…manipulating her. Making her feel bad for something she didn’t even do when he is the bad guy here.
“Juniper.” My voice is low and hard, and I want to march over to them and beat the shit out of him. How can she not see it? How can she fall for his words so easily?
“Thanks, Mitch. I think we’ll head out.” Juniper’s tone sounds off, and when I look at her face, I see her first flicker of fear before she’s able to mask it.
David takes her hand, and they start walking by me. I’m coiled so tight that I’m ready to pounce, and…Well, I’m not proud of it, but there is no fucking way she’s leaving like this.
My hand reaches out just as they go to pass us, and I grab his arm. He turns to face me, and his true emotions show on his face. Fear.
Good.
I yank him toward me, the effort I have to exert being next to none, and he trips over to me, letting go of her hand in the process.
