Page 14 of Giving In

“You better not say his name in my presence, Sam,” Jake cuts him off. “That would be a very stupid mistake.”

Samkeeps the smug smile on his face. “If he could see you right now. He would turn around in his grave.”

Rose freezes for a split second then her deep blue eyes almost turn black. “Fuck off, Sam. I’m serious, you’re not getting back into our lives.”

Jake quickly adds, “Make this the last time you try to get in touch with us. Let’s go, Ozy.”

I quickly duck all the way down behind the wall and sit down, my back against it. My heart is racing a hundred miles per hour.

Who is this Sam guy?And why are Rose and Jake so angry about him being here? I’ve never seen him around. Stoneview is not too small but you usually have an idea of who’s who, especially if he shows up to school. I place a hand on my chest to try to calm my nerves and wait.

I hear one car leave and wait until I hear the sound of the other before standing back up. I lean over to grab my bike, still trying to get my head around what I just saw despite the fact that it has nothing to do with me.

As soon as I am back up a hand clasps around my mouth and drags me back until I hit a hard chest.

It all happens so fast I drop my bike without a chance to scream for help. After a beat of realization, I try to scream but the sound is muffled by the big hand. I attempt to break free, fight, kick but my size against what feels like a giant behind me is leading me nowhere. This has to be the guy they were talking to. He looked dangerous, he caught me watching.

My nails are scratching against the hand on my mouth and I suddenly feel a breath against the side of my face. I close my eyes tight as the guy’s other arm snakes around my waist, holding me tight. Just as I try to push the arm away from my waist, I recognize a smell. That mix of spice and deep, dark forest. Automatically my body half-relaxes as if it isn’t in danger anymore. Before I can put my thoughts together, Jake’s deep voice is reverberating in my ear.

“Did you enjoy the show, Jamie?” The same words I heard playfully earlier in the hallway send a chill down my spine as they take a threatening turn.

What is he playing at?

I try to reply, to justify myself but my words get stuck behind his hand on my mouth. I shake my head trying to show that I need him to move his stupid hand if he wants an answer. He doesn’t.Instead, his voice resonates around me like darkness falling onto me.

“Listen to me real close. If you talk toanyoneabout what you’ve just seen, I’m going to turn your life into your own personal living hell.” He pauses and tightens his grip around me making me squirm under his touch. His anger is palpable and right now he is not the popular guy everybody knows. No, right now it’s that side of him everyone thinks he hides, and I feel like he could break my body in two if he wanted.

“You won’t be able to go to work, school, or a party without having me on your back ruining your life. Hell, I’ll even torment you in your own house if I have to. I don’t want you to tell your bestie, your parents, or even your pet. Clear? Nod if yes.”

I struggle for a few seconds before he brings me closer and tighter to him, enhancing his threat. My heart is beating so hard in my chest I’m scared it’s going to break my ribs and jump out of my body. His breath is hot on my ear, his scent destabilizing and his strong arms around me are making my lower belly tingle.

“Isaid,” he’s now talking through clenched teeth, “Am. I. Clear?” I nod a few times. What else can I do? I’m in no position to negotiate right now. “Good girl. Now go home and forget what you saw.”

He releases me and takes a step back, the sudden lack of warmth from his chest against my back sends a shiver down my spine. I hurry forward and away from him before I turn around. I’m breathing fast from the adrenaline and the closeness we just shared.

“Are you out of your mind?!” I pant, trying to catch my breath.

He simply smiles back at me, lips tight.Who is this guy?He looks devilish and his threat is still ringing in my ears.

“Go home, Jamie.” He turns around and walks away, hands in his pockets as if not a care in the world.

I take a moment to catch my breath and process what just happened. Jake White is one scary guy, that’s for sure, and I can’t believe I’ve just let him terrorize me like that.

I realize Rose’s car is gone, as I thought. I did count two cars leaving the lot. Jake must have stayed behind. I get on my bike as quickly as possible and head out of the parking lot. A few blocks down I see Jake getting into Rose’s car. She left to fool me into thinking they were gone, and he stayed to give me a freaking heart attack. The two bastards.

If they really think they can scare me into keeping my mouth shut they’ve got another thing coming. I wasn’t even thinking of telling this to anyone. Maybe Emily, since we share literally every single thing that happens in our lives and because I was curious to see what she thought. But I wasn’t planning on sharing their weird interaction with the whole school. A random scary guy talked to them. So what?

CHAPTER 4

‘You picked a dance with the devil

And you lucked out’

Swim – Chase Atlantic

Jamie

In the evening, I keep replaying the events of the afternoon in my head. I hate that I keep doing that. I should just let it go but I’m just not the kind of person wholets go.I’m lying in bed thinking of that stranger, ‘Sam’. What did he want and what is his business?

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