by JL Paul
I froze, jaw falling to the floor. Nick? Nick who had the best build out of all of them? Nick who was so handsome? Who would bully him except girls wanting to date him?
His cheeks turned a lovely shade of scarlet and I realized I must have spoken the last part aloud. He grinned sheepishly. “I was a lot skinnier back then. And nerdier. Ask Jake.
Jake clapped him on the shoulder. “He was. We all stuck up for him as much as we could but it didn’t help a whole lot.”
Nick reached out and took my hand again. “So don’t blow this off, Iz. Okay?”
I nodded, still grappling with the thought that Nick was bullied. Nick!
“You’re asleep on your feet, Bella,” Seth said as he pulled me to his chest. I closed my eyes and fought off another bout of tears as I hugged my brother back. How much better it felt to admit all my humiliation to him and to my friends. It was like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders—and my heart.
“Why don’t you go to bed? We’ll figure this out in the morning,” he said in my hair. I nodded against his chest, not too anxious to let him go. Finally, he released me and gave me a smile. “Go on. I’ll call you in the morning.”
I couldn’t even protest at being sent to bed like a child—I was far too exhausted. It was pretty late, after all, and I needed to sleep. I cast one last longing look at Jake as I walked through the adjoining door. I changed into an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts and climbed in bed. As soon as I closed my eyes, I was out.
I woke sometime before dawn to find Jake snoring in my ear. His arm was thrown over my hip and I snuggled closer. I smiled in the dark, content, and fell back to sleep.
When I woke next, Jake was still sleeping. I noticed that he didn’t have a t-shirt on like usual and I couldn’t keep my eyes off of him. His face was soft and vulnerable with sleep yet sexy all the same. I kissed his jaw line, trailing my lips to his chin and down his throat.
“Hmm, Iz,” he mumbled, tightening his arm around me. “Nice wake up call.”
I moved my lips to his mouth and kissed him firmly. In one swift movement, he flipped us over so that I was on my back, and he hovered over me. He took my mouth with his, and my eyes fluttered shut in pleasure. He massaged my mouth softly and I wound my hands behind his neck. I pulled him flush with me, the heat from his body causing electric shocks to course through mine. I tangled my hands in his hair as I gasped for breath and he continued to kiss my neck.
I breathed his name, and he pulled back to smile.
“Morning,” he said with a sleepy smile. He moved away, and I cried out in protest. “We have to stop, Iz.”
“I don’t want to,” I pouted. I already missed the warmth from his body and the excitement from his touch.
He pressed a quick kiss to my mouth. “It’s too soon. Be patient.” He ran his fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it. “I don’t want to rush things with you.”
I nodded in understanding, my feelings for him growing. He tucked me in his arms and kissed the top of my head. Disappointment radiated from my body, and he felt it.
“It’s too soon, angel,” he repeated, whether more for my benefit or his, I wasn’t sure. He fell back to the bed with me still in his arms. “Let me just hold you for a while. It’s been too long, and I missed you.”
I snuggled into him and sighed. My heart soared straight out of my chest and right into his hands, and I was helpless to stop it.
Chapter Sixteen
Jake let Seth into his room that afternoon. He entered, cell phone to his ear and pretty brunette on his arm. She smiled, a little nervous, as Seth spoke into the phone.
“As a matter of fact, Mom, she’s right here,” Seth said, impish glint in his eye, as he handed me the phone.
So unfair. I gave him my best death glare as I held the phone to my ear. “Hello, Mom.”
“Darling, how are you? Seth says you’re at his school this weekend,” she gushed.
I caught Seth and Jake whispering in the corner of the room, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. My mother went on about how wonderful it was that Seth and I remained so close and decided to hang out together this weekend. I grunted positive little sounds whenever she stopped to take a breath. Jake pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number as he walked out the door.
I furrowed my brow at Seth who just shrugged and stepped out in the hall with Jake.
“So Seth says you’re dating that rock guy, Jake,” Mom said.
“Yeah. He’s a nice guy. You’ll like him,” I said absently as I watched the door.
“Invite him over for a weekend. Your father and I would love to meet him,” she suggested.
“I will when he’s done touring,” I mumbled, waiting for Jake to return.
She quizzed me about school and other things parents frequently question their children about, and I answered best I could, still distracted by Jake’s disappearance. Finally, Jake opened the door, still whispering to my brother, and I took that as my sign to terminate my conversation.
“Mom, I really need to go. Tell Dad I love him and I’ll call you later.”
“Of course, dear. We love you, too. Take care and call more often.”
I promised I would and hung up the phone. I hurled it at Seth’s head but he expected it and ducked in time. He picked it up off the floor and laughed. “Problem?”
“What’s the deal with calling Mom to distract me, huh? And what’s with the secret conversation in the hall? What are you two planning?” I demanded.
“Nothing,” Seth said, attempting to look angelic. He failed miserably. “We went out in the hall so we wouldn’t disturb your conversation.”
“You’re such a sissy, mama’s boy,” I snarled. Jake snorted.
Seth just rolled his eyes. He’d heard it all before. “This coming from the spoiled little princess of a daddy’s girl?”
He had a point but I wouldn’t admit it now. So what, anyway?
“Okay, children, enough,” Jake said, stepping between us. He motioned toward the brunette. “Did you meet Haley?”
“No, my rude brother didn’t introduce us,” I said petulantly.
Seth blushed and introduced me to his mysterious girlfriend. Once the introductions were finished, Jake ushered us out of the room to meet the others.
***
The show was just as awesome as the New Year’s bash except Seth and Haley were just off stage with me. Also, I managed to squeak out a ‘hi’ to Rob Ross when he greeted me this time. Ronnie and Matt still succumbed to a fit of laughter, but I ignored them.
“You really got to do this New Year’s Eve?” Seth yelled in my ear as Controlled Environment took the stage. I nodded, huge grin on my face. “Didn’t I tell you to dump Lance for Jake a long time ago?”
I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Jake. He was dressed in his usual torn jeans and t-shirt and his hair was styled in that messy sort of way that I loved. A fire erupted in my stomach; the flames spread throughout my body as his raspy voice filled the Hall. My hands began to shake so I shoved them in my pockets. When he glanced my way, his crooked grin adorning his face, I was certain I’d melt into a puddle of mush Seth would have to mop.
Controlled Environment’s set finally ended, and I was able to wrap my arms around Jake again. It amazed me how one little touch could ignite so many emotions, each one stronger than the last.
Everyone followed us to Jake’s room, much to my dismay, and stayed even after Jake pushed me to my room and ordered me to get some rest. I frowned at him, wanting to stay by his side even though my eyelids were heavy, and I had a difficult time framing coherent sentences. He kissed me chastely and guided me to the connecting room, promising quietly he’d join me once he got rid of everyone. I nodded tiredly and changed into one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts. I crawled into bed, planning to wait for him to join me, but fell asleep instantly. I didn’t wake until early the next morning and he was already sitting on the side of the bed, talking softly on his cell. He�
��d slept without a shirt again so I crawled behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He placed a hand on top of mine, and I kissed his bare shoulder. He shuddered under my lips and it emboldened me. I kissed him a few more times; under his jaw, on his throat, along his collarbone. He ended his call and squeezed my hand.
“Iz,” he said, his voice hoarse and his eyes filled with fire. “We have to get ready to go.”
I rested my chin on his shoulder. “But I don’t have to be back at school until tonight. Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“Not at all,” he said turning to face me. “Seth is coming up now. You better get in the shower. I’ll meet you back in my room.”
After my shower, I packed my bag as slowly as I could. I wanted to prolong my weekend as long as possible. But it didn’t take long.
I wandered back to Jake’s room. He’d already showered and was talking quietly to Seth. They both shut their lips and smiled at me a little too quickly for my liking. I kept my eyes on them both as I sank to Jake’s bed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked my brother.
“I came to say goodbye,” he said, avoiding my eyes.
I did not trust him. I did not trust him at all. And for good reason, too, because as I sat there staring at him, waiting for him to break under my gaze, Jake opened the door and allowed Nick, Matt and Ronnie inside. I transferred my gaze from Seth to Jake.
“Gee, I didn’t know I was getting such a big send off.”
Jake dug my keys out of my coat pocket before holding it out for me. “Not a send off, angel. I’d call it more of an escort.”
I froze, one arm halfway in a sleeve. “No. Oh, no way!”
“Put your coat on, Bella,” Seth ordered. He picked up my bag and walked to the door. “I need to get going. I have to come back here some time tonight.”
“So stay here,” I shouted, slamming my hand through the arm hole of my coat. I glared at all five of them equally. “This is so totally not necessary.”
“Yeah, well, we’ve wanted to go on a road trip for a while,” Ronnie smirked.
Was he serious?
“What the hell have you been doing the past few months?” I asked. I didn’t expect an answer, luckily, because I didn’t get one.
Jake took my arm and ushered me to the door. “We have to get on the road, Iz.”
I sighed and allowed him to manhandle me out the door. “We better be stopping for junk food on the way,” I grumbled.
***
The drive back to school was mostly silent. I fumed for the first half, not really angry, just worried. I didn’t want Jake or Seth or the others getting into any kind of trouble, especially for me and especially over Lance and his idiot friends.
So I pouted, alternating my stare between the passing scenery out my window and Seth’s SUV in front of me. Jake kept his eyes on the road and gave me the space I needed to calm down.
But I could last only so long being next to him and not touching him. I reached across the console and took his hand. “Jake?”
He glanced at me, crooked smile on his lips. “Yeah, angel?”
“What exactly are you guys planning?”
He lifted a shoulder and puckered his lips in thought. “Just a little tour of your school.”
“But you’ve been there before.”
“I talked to your Dean yesterday and told him I was a friend of yours, and that I was thinking of holding a charity concert at your school. Imagine the good press.” He smiled and I rolled my eyes. Again. “He said to have Miss Ames escort us to the Admin building for our guest passes and we could stay in the guest dorms. You’ll be excused from classes tomorrow to show us around.”
“Liar,” I muttered as I turned my head back to my window. “Let me guess, Seth gave you the number?”
“Of course he did,” Jake said a little too cheerfully. He was enjoying himself far too much. He squeezed my hand. “Aren’t you excited?”
I groaned and banged my head against the cool glass.
We arrived at my school, and I retrieved their passes from Admin. They all annoyingly followed me back to my room, and my eyes automatically darted to Annie’s bed. A soft smile graced my face as I noticed the box was missing. Jake appeared at my side and took my hand.
“Iz, do you think you have enough concert DVDs?” Ronnie asked as he eyed my collection.
Seth joined him and gasped. “I don’t remember you having this many.”
“Jake gave them to me for my birthday,” I said, my eyes on him. He pecked my cheek and released my hand. He plopped on my bed as Seth dropped to Annie’s. I grabbed Ronnie’s arm as he headed to my bathroom.
“What?” he asked with as much innocence he could muster. I narrowed my eyes. “I have to use the restroom.”
“I don’t believe you,” I said, enunciating each word.
His grin was irresistible as he chucked me under the chin. “Come on, Iz! I’m not going to get in your feminine products or anything.”
A chorus of ‘oh man, that’s gross’ echoed off the walls, and I shook my head helplessly. I released Ronnie’s arm so I could check to see what the others were up to. Matt was seated at my desk, scribbling on what looked like my Calculus homework.
“Do you even know what you’re doing?” I asked.
“He’s a math genius,” Jake answered absently. He had a picture frame in his hands, studying the photo carefully. I sat on the edge of the bed, peeking over his shoulder. The picture showed Jake smiling at me with his arms wrapped possessively around my shoulders. Nick had snapped it New Year’s Eve and had emailed it to me. “Where did you get this picture?”
“Nick,” I told him, taking the frame from his hands. I stuck it back on my nightstand and shouted. “Ronnie! Let’s GO!”
Ronnie emerged from the bathroom wearing a smirk that frightened me. I grabbed Jake’s hand and tugged him out of my room, hoping the others would follow. I was about to show them to the guest dorms when I noticed they had no luggage.
“Ah, we’ll get them out of Seth’s truck in a little while,” Nick said when I voiced my concerns. “We want to take a look around first.”
My nerves were shot, simple as that. No other adjective could describe them. So I ignored it, momentarily. “What do you want to see first?”
Seth draped his arm around my shoulders. “How about if we show them the Student Center, sister dear?”
His smile was as false as my grandfather’s teeth. I smiled back, equally as false. “How about not?”
Seth knew as well as I did that the Student Center was usually crowded, especially on a Sunday night.
“Oh, but Iz,” Jake purred, lifting my hand to his lips. “We all really want to see this Student Center. I didn’t get to see it when I was here last time.”
I froze, feet glued to the ground. I couldn’t move a single muscle.
“I’ll show you,” Seth offered. I would have punched him if I was able.
I fumed the whole way, unable to shake Jake’s grip on my hand. He only released me when Nick, who had produced a pair of drumsticks and was drumming on every available surface—including human, tried to spin them and sent one flying. It hit Jake in the back of the head and when he turned to chastise Nick, I took that second to step inside the Center and scout out the situation. Big mistake on my part for all heads turned toward the door and Dean had to open his mouth.
“Look, the Meridian Valley tramp has returned,” he announced.
My head dropped as all the feelings of shame and worthlessness returned ten-fold. Jake, Seth and the others crashed through the door as my face reddened. Seth pushed me out of the way and grabbed Dean by his collar, shoving him against the wall.
“Listen to me,” he spit out, fury overtaking his handsome features. “Keep your mouth shut about my sister, got it? This stops now!”
Dean didn’t speak; I was fairly certain he couldn’t. All he did was nod, his eyes frozen in terror. I moved closer to Jake, reaching for his arm. I opened m
y mouth to beg him to stop my brother, but his muscles bunched under my hand and his head whipped around the room. I followed his gaze where it fell on Lance and Kimberly huddled together on the sofa. Jake gently unlatched my arm and shoved me to Ronnie who caught me deftly and wrapped his arms around my waist. Nick followed Jake as Lance rose from the sofa.
“I didn’t touch her, man,” he said, hands held up in mock surrender. “Ask her.”
Jake stopped right in front of him and I squirmed in Ronnie’s arms, trying desperately to get loose. He held tighter and whispered softly in my ear. I gave up and hid my face in his chest.
“He won’t do anything he doesn’t have to, Iz,” Ronnie assured me. I peeked out to watch.
“You did enough. Now, I’m willing to overlook the disgusting bet you made, only because you lost because Iz is far too good to allow scum like you to touch her. But I know how this sort of thing works.” He glanced in my direction, frustration marring his face. “It’s like a …Caste System. You don’t exactly have to partake in the harassment at all. You let your minions do that part. And they do it to please you.”
Lance snorted and took a step back. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Jake grabbed Lance’s shirt and slammed him against the wall. I squeezed Ronnie’s arm so tight I was certain he’d have a bruise the next day. I was a wreck, terrified an adult would walk in and have all five of them arrested. I peeked over my shoulder and found Seth still clutching Dean with Matt right behind him. Jake had a hold of Lance and Nick had his back. Ronnie was assigned Iz duty. Nice planning, guys. Ever consider a career in the military?
“She’s nothing but a frigid virgin anyway,” Lance said. Not an intelligent remark, in my opinion, and obviously in Jake’s too, for he slammed Lance against the wall again. Matt grabbed Seth as he charged towards Lance but Nick’s reflexes were a little slower.
Jake’s face was so close to Lance’s it almost seemed as if they were locked in an embrace. “Stay away from her. Leave her alone. Don’t come near her again. And call off your sheep. Do you got me?”