Page 63 of The Second Kiss
I don’t let him finish. “Maybe you haven’t noticed, but I’m not a little girl anymore. If you want something from me, step up to the plate and tell me what it is. Otherwise, let someone else have a swing at it.”
He opens his mouth as if he’s going to say something. No words come out. I slam my earbuds into my ears and head for my car. After about ten yards I turn back around and face him.
“By the way, based on last night, I’d say Nate hasplentyof experience with girls.” Let him figure out what I mean by that.
Jacob stands there looking shocked. Matthew and Tyler stop midway from the shed. I think they heard me. Nate is right behind them. I catch his eye for a second and then turn away. I wonder if he heard me too.
I climb into my car, twist the ignition, and slam my foot on the gas, revving the engine. I don’t hear the door open and don’t realize anyone is there until he sits down. I jerk the headphones off my ears. “What do you want now?”
“Do you mind if I come with you?” It’s Nate.
“Come with me where?” I ask stupidly.
“You're going running, right?” He smiles.
“Aren’t you supposed to be working on the house?”
Nate gestures to his brothers, both standing dumbfounded in front of our old rental house. “They can handle it. I think it’s time I got to ditch work to hang out with a girl, don’t you?”
I glance at Jacob. My anger flares again. “Absolutely.”
He squeezes my hand. “Give me five minutes to change.”
It’s a beautiful day. I run hard, ignoring the pain in my heel. I don’t care. I try to block everything out, but it takes less than a mile to realize that I’m not really mad at Jacob.
I’m mad at myself.
I glance at Nathan, easily matching my stride, a satisfied smile on his face. How could I have been so stupid? Why did I kiss him? I don’t want to hurt him. I wasn’t intentionally using him. Or was I? I’m suddenly confused about my own motives. What if Jacob is right and I’m just playing games—stupid, childish games to get his attention?
I stumble, and Nate catches my arm. “Are you okay?”
“It’s my foot.” I look down at the spot of blood on the side of my shoe.
“I forgot about the cut,” Nate says.
“Yeah. Me too. Can we walk for a while?”
“Actually, if you're bleeding, we should head back.”
“Probably a good idea,” I admit.
He wraps his arm around my waist, and we turn around. As we do, someone slides down the slope from the bridge over the trail.
“You have a new running partner?” Brad's eyes are hazy. I press closer to Nate. He tightens his grip on my waist.
“Are you okay?” Brad moves in closer. He must have noticed I was limping. “If you need a ride, my truck’s right up the hill.”
“No thanks. We’re parked just up the trail.” Nate moves so he's between me and Brad.
Brad looks Nate over, like he's sizing him up. Finally he shrugs. “Your choice.” He backs away. “Have a great Christmas, Jess. I’ll see you soon.”
As soon as Brad leaves, I let out a long breath I didn't realize I was holding.
Nate turns to me, his expression tight with concern. “Let me guess, that was your jerky ex-boyfriend, the one Jake told me about."
“Jacob told you about Brad?”
“Yeah.” Nate glances over his shoulder. “Do you run here a lot?”
