"Oh, it's like fate," she starts energetically, "I don't know if you've met Ren … he's my high-school buddy … and he is going to marry the little blonde girl who lives here." Over my fucking dead body.
"And I know you are friends with her brothers so I tagged along. And here you are." Great. Now I seriously need to get Mel away from that asshole. Not only is he friends with Jason … he's also friends with Chloe Bear … the biggest bitch psycho predator stalker in the world.
Chloe puts her head on my shoulder, holding me so tight my arm is going numb.
"Get the fuck off me!" I shake her off. She pouts her lips. Ugh, suddenly I realize I might not be too fond of blood-red lipstick. I take out my phone and send a group message to the boys.
"S1 PSB - Chloe. " They'll understand. We have these codes. PSB is psycho stalker bitch. And S1 means seriousness level 1, in other words, it's fucking serious.
Jackson eyeballs me from across the room. One side of his lip curls up into an annoying smile. I know that smile. Fuck. He's been keeping an eye on me since he caught me that day with his sister.
Almost killed me, the fucker. The boy is even more broken than me. And way more dangerous.
I need a fucking drink. A strong one. As soon as I can escape these tentacles.
Axel is first to the rescue.
"Chloe, come with me." He grabs her arm and pulls her away. She starts to protest, but I'm already ducking out, looking around to find Mel.
Then I see her. She's talking to Aunt Betty and … my mother. She's met my mother about twice before.
I walk past the bar, grab a drink, and settle into a corner, close enough to eavesdrop. Yeah, not my finest moment. I should be here for Logan, not spy on his sister.
"So, how was your vacation?" Mom asks, her green eyes drifting over the crowd until it lands on me where I'm leaning on the table against the wall. She frowns lightly. I pull an I-have-to-do-this face and hope she understands her son. But how can she when I don't even understand myself?
All reason left that day. The 1st of March it was again. I spent a good deal of my life since then, to fathom why I feel what I feel. I still don't know exactly, but I have an idea.
That day … was a bad day for me, one of the worst. I didn't expect anyone else to be at that haunted house. So the group of kids was a surprise. I wanted to warn them … but chaos erupted before I could.
And there, between all the madness of fleeing children, a small girl stood bravely, holding her pierced arm, blood dripping through her fingers. She didn't cry. I couldn't take my eyes off her. She looked like a wounded angel trying to break out of the darkness. Perfect in any way. Our eyes met and my pain lifted. For the first time in a year, I felt alive.
Maybe that's where the attraction lies. The fact that she somehow makes it hurt less. For some reason, she's the only one who can.
"It was great. We saw so many things. I'm really glad we did it." I'm glad too. I could take the time to focus on myself. I delved into my heart and tried to fix the broken parts.
It was not easy, but I can earnestly say, I know now what I want. And I'm going to do anything I can to get it.
To protect her I shall break every rule. To have her I shall face all my demons. I shall defend her from anything, but who will protect me?
"Hey, dude," Jackson leans onto the table next to me, his eyes fixed on the same spot as mine … his sister. Fuck.
I down my drink.
But to get what I want … there lies the motherfucking problem. It's delicate, and challenging, and hazardous. I'm going to have to risk everything. I sneak a peek at the man next to me. Oh, I might make it out alive, but I am definitely gonna experience some extreme physical pain, that's for sure.
Her curse. I smirk. I started that. And now I'm going to experience it. Karma is a bitch they say.
I turn my glass around between my fingers. But I'm not backing out now.
This is probably the most important decision I've made in my life. It took me almost the whole bloody season to decide - I needed to be 110% sure. But I'm ready. It's now or never.
"What's wrong with you these last couple of months?" His blue eyes glare through my soul and into the darkest little corner of my being. No one can hide stuff from Jackson for too long - he's just that good. But I can't let him in. Not this time. Not yet. I lower my eyes to hide the truth. However, I need to say something. But what?
I can't very well say I'm thinking of breaking the rules. MY RULES. Rules I never dare to break! Rules that keep me in control.
And I certainly can't say I'm going to start dating your sister and I'm for sure going to fuck her blind as soon as she's ready.
"Are you still rattled by the accident?"
No. I'm way past that. Even my body has healed.
"Yes." I lie. I have to. Jackson is way too observant. And if he finds out now, everything will be ruined. I won't have a hooting chance in hell to come anywhere near Mel.
I can't make mistakes.
"Hey," Luke shouts and grabs my arm. My little brother is only nine but he has the jig of a future player. "Have you met this girl?" I now notice that he's holding Mel's hand.
"That's my sister, little dude," Jackson says. "Don't even think about it or I might just have to kill you." I'm not sure if he's serious or teasing right now.
"But she's so dope," Luke pouts innocently. "I mean, just look at her." Mel blushes lightly and messes up Luke's dark hair. "And she smells like candy."
He's right. Just seeing her sends a soft humming of need through my body. And she smells like fucking heaven. I want this girl more than anything else on this green earth.
From the first time I saw her, Mel shook my boat, but it was at her locker where she grabbed me by the balls, and she hadn't let go. I can't get her out of my mind. And trust me, it's not because of a lack of trying. I've been trying for 10 fucking years. I've tried everything … I tried to stay away, I tried to be a good boy, I tried to fuck her out of my mind, I tried to concentrate on my racing, I tried to grow out of it. Nothing seems to work.
I've been patient … but I think I've reached my limit.
Luke pulls Mel forward and her arm brushes against mine. It feels as if I am shocked by a cattle prodder, sparks shooting from my arm to my toes, electrifying my dick into a semi-hardon.
"Hey, Jackson," Enrique shouts from the bar, "Come drink one with the birthday boy." Logan is already a little unfit on his feet. Jackson leaves, taking some of the tension with him.
"So, how have you been? Enjoyed the year away?" Hearing the slight crack in my voice makes me cringe for a drink right about now … an extra-extra-strong one.
"I'm good thanks, yep, a year away from YOU and my brothers - best time ever." She smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. And I'm sure she accentuated the 'you'.
I lean forward, my mouth at her ear.
"So did you think of me?"