Page 22 of The Second Kiss
“You can’t prove that.” Any hint of sincerity melts away.
I cross my arms tight against my chest to keep from slapping him. “I don’t need to prove anything. I know what you did. Hasn’t anyone ever told you, the score doesn’t count if you cheat?”
Now his grin is more of a sneer. “Can’t we just forget all of that? I could make things good for you again, or I could make your life a living hell.”
“You already did that. That’s why I broke up with you.” I turn to walk away.
He grabs my arm and spins me around to face him. “You’re not listening to me. I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t go around telling people lies about me.”
“Brad, let go of me. That hurts.” I struggle against his grasp. The look in his eyes and his grip on my arm scares me.
He pulls me closer, leans his lips against my ear, and whispers, “I’m not done with you yet.”
“Take your hands off her.” Jacob is standing less than two feet behind me.
I look down at the ground, my face hot with humiliation.
Brad doesn’t let go. “I don’t think this is any of your business.”
Jacob moves next to me. “I said, let her go.” His voice is calm and deadly at the same time.
Brad pushes me aside and turns his full attention to Jacob. He’s taller than Jacob, with the build of a football player, but Jacob doesn’t look like that phases him. Neither moves. They stand a couple of feet apart, sizing each other up.
The tension gets to me. “It’s not worth it, Jake.” I put my hand on Jacob's arm.
“That’s right, Jake,” Brad parrots. “She’s not worth it. Trust me.”
Jacob takes a step towards Brad.
Brad stands his ground. “I’m not afraid of you, soldier boy.”
I’m still holding onto Jacob. The muscles in his arm stand out like ropes twisted from iron.
“You need to go, Brad.” I pull on Jacob’s arm, trying to get him to walk back to my car with me.
Brad rakes his eyes over my entire body and then smirks. “I guarantee she’s not worth it.”
Something snaps when he says that. I lunge for Brad. Jacob grabs me around the waist and pulls me back, still struggling. I want to get my hands on Brad’s thick neck. I don’t care if he outweighs me by eighty pounds. I’m going to kill him.
Jacob moves me behind him and gets right in Brad’s face. “You need to watch your mouth, kid.”
This time Brad takes a step back.
“And you need to leave. Now.” Jacob’s voice is commanding, but calm. I wish he wouldn’t sound so calm. I changed my mind. I want Jacob to lay Brad out flat.
Brad takes a couple of steps back and turns his attention to me. “You just made a huge mistake, Jess. You will regret this. I promise.”
“You’ll stay away from her if you know what’s good for you.” Jacob’s lips are tight, both hands balled into fists.
“Like I said, I’m not afraid of you, soldier boy.” Brad answers, but he heads for his truck. “See you at school, babe.”
As soon as Brad is in his truck, I run for the barn. I can’t let Jacob see me cry.
I jerk the barn door open, go inside, and lean against the wall.
Jacob follows me, but stops in the doorway. “Jess, are you okay?”
I can’t look at him. “I’m fine.”
