Jace watched me with a hungry need, as Tru’s gaze was much softer and loving. I swallowed the hard knot that was lodged deep in my throat. How stupid to come to this ridiculous dance—to suffer the night split between two great guys—all the while knowing I was hurting them. I closed my eyes and shuffled over to where Tru was. As I moved, Jace’s face grew menacing and his eyes took that dark sinister look he got when I was near Tru.
“Hey, good looking,” I spun to see Jolon smiling at me.
“Hello,” I grinned gratefully.
“Would you be the first of many girls to dance with me tonight?” Jolon asked.
“Sure, why not,” I murmured with a smile shrugging. We started dancing to a fast-paced song. I started to think I really wasn’t wearing the right dress. “So, Jolon,” I began. “It’s kinda strange seeing the J without the P.”
“Na, not really,” he grinned. “I mean if we came to dances together, what do you think our friends would say?” He pointed out loudly so I could hear him over the music.
“Good point,” I giggled.
We continued to dance our crazy jumping, swaying movement: I was trying to look graceful, and Jolon was just trying to keep a beat. I laughed and laughed at him. He was trying so hard to dance, but failing miserably. It was too funny. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun around to see Nikko smiling mischievously. I scrunched up my nose and raised my eyebrows at the way he was looking at me.
“What’s going on?” I asked suspiciously.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough time with him, Charlie?” Nikko smiled.
I smiled back, rolled my eyes, and turned around to look at Jolon. I was still giddy from dancing with him and clumsy me. I almost took a nosedive. Mercifully, Jolon put a hand on my elbow to stop me from face planting on the dance floor. That would have sucked!
“Easy there, Charlie. I know you’re much better at this dancing then me, but you don’t have to show me up with whatever move you were about to do,” Jolon laughed.
I shoved him backwards. He just smiled and spun me around to face Nikko.
I said, “Well, I guess so. Why, do you want to dance?” I asked knowing that was a dumb question.
“Yes, I do, that is if J’s cool with it.”
Nikko grinned and Jolon pecked me on the cheek, handed me over to Nikko, then without haste Jolon started dancing with a cute blond. Wow, that was fast. I guess Jolon was right. I was the first of many girls to dance with him that night.
“So, are you having fun?” Nikko asked as he moved in and put one arm around my waist and one hand in mine. The next song came on. It was a slow song.
“I am. And you, Nikko . . . are you having fun?”
“Yeah, it’s fun and more so now that I get to dance with you, might I add the prettiest girl here,” he murmured with a smile.
I disregarded his flirting as simple banter like he’d done the past two weeks. We were just friends, and we both knew it. Plus, I was more intrigued with my two guys to say anything back. Normally, I would have leaped at the chance to flirt with Nikko. Flirting, I’m good at! We would start what I now call our little flirtatious game. First, Nikko would say something flirtatious to me, and then I would say something much more flirtatious to him. It would go on and on until I would hit him with a really hot juicy comment, one that would be too hot for Nikko to come back with a reply. So much so, that it would send Nikko into Simon-Jones-shy mode. I thought it was too cute! Still, right now I couldn’t concentrate enough to say anything flirtatious to Nikko. I was too distracted. My eyes kept flicking between Tru and Jace. I hardly paid him any attention, and I know that was wrong, but I just couldn’t stop from looking at the two hottest guys there.
And what they were wearing . . . man! Both of them were smoking hot. Jace was wearing a black T-shirt with a brown leather jacket and sharp black slacks. My sexy bad boy! I smiled at the thought of Jace being a bad boy. Tru was wearing a white dress shirt hanging out over his black slacks and a green tie to bring out his wonderful eyes. My sexy good boy! I smiled at that thought, too.
“So,” Nikko started. “Pretty good music, eh?” Still I watched Tru and Jace, wrapped up solely in them as Nikko continued to talk. “I, for one, am immensely enjoying myself with you.” I watched with intensity as Jace took a step toward Nikko and me. Poor Nikko, still oblivious, or so I thought he was oblivious, kept on talking. “I feel this year the principal picked out a good DJ. He’s doing a really exceptional job, don’t you agree?”
Even though Nikko was talking, and I could clearly hear him, my attention was totally locked on Jace’s every step. My heart pounded and I started to get sick from the thought of Jace dancing with me while Tru watched—sick to know that Tru would dance with me while Jace watched.
“Meanwhile,” Nikko added. “I need to tell you something shocking.” I glanced at him, and then back to Jace. Nikko cleared his throat, “Your Mom hit on me today while you were off getting your bag. She asked me if I would, um, you know . . .,” Nikko’s voice went low and mysterious, “Sleep with her,” he whispered. “Don’t worry, though, your dad knows and he’s fine with it.” I almost laughed, but I decided to see how far Nikko would go in getting my attention. “I also thought about cross-dressing. I just wanted to give you a heads up. Anyway, when you see me Monday in a dress, don’t freak out, OK?”
My eyes went wide as Jace was now standing right behind Nikko. He smiled while Nikko yammered on about sleeping with my Mom and how he was now a cross-dresser. How embarrassing. Nikko was going to feel horrible. I needed to stop him from saying anything more embarrassing than he already had.
“Nikko,” I shouted, and pointed to let him know Jace was right behind him.
Nikko looked alarmed. “Hey, hold up,” Nikko demanded, throwing both of his hands in the air. “Your mom really didn’t ask me to sleep with her.” I was shaking my head with my hands over my mouth in horror. “I was just kidding, Charlie. Man! I was just trying to get your attention. Err, not that your mom isn’t a very attractive woman for her age, but I swear . . . there is nothing going on, Charlie! And FYI, I’m not really going to cross-dress. You know that, right?”
Jace smiled, shook his head as he tapped Nikko on the shoulder. “You’re too funny, Nikko, now go away and let me show you how this sexy Fox should be held.”
Nikko grimaced at Jace’s smile, knowing he had heard everything. Nikko shook his head and shot me a glare. I shrugged. He murmured something I couldn’t quite hear. Without another word, Nikko handed me over to Jace. I smiled not sparing Nikko another glance and stepped into Jace’s arms, like I’d been doing it all my life. He put one hand on my cheek and slowly caressed it, sending shivers down my spine.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he whispered into my ear. “You look beautiful. Is that the dress?” Jace asked. I nodded not knowing if I could speak. This had to be hurting Tru, but it felt so good. “Wow,” Jace whistled. “Maybe I should be worried.” Jace paused looking me over. “With taste like that, this mystery guy knows what he’s doing.” Still I didn’t say a word. Jace spun me on the dance floor. Then abruptly Jace whispered, “Fox, do you know what you’re doing to me? How you make me feel? Your smile! Your eyes and how soft your skin feels.” To prove his point Jace’s hands slid up and down my arms. I shivered. It felt good. It felt too good. He felt good. “It all makes me feel a high that no one, no drug could compare.”
I swallowed hard and pressed my head to his chest, feeling his heartbeat increase and loving the wonderful feel of Jace’s body against mine. I could have stayed this way all night and would have been happy doing it. Jace tilted my head up toward his, brushed a single strand of hair out of my eyes and looked at me with hunger and passion in his eyes. I felt the warmth of his gaze as the music faded and everyone disappeared. It was as if he and I were the only two people at the dance. We were the only ones who mattered.
Jace grinned and in a husky voice said, “Fox, give me this. I want to kiss you like you’ve never been kissed befor
e. Just one kiss. Say yes. Please.”
I was about to give in, about to kiss him when someone bumped into me making me break eye contact with him. I looked behind me to see who it was. In that second I happened to glance over at Tru. His face said betrayal. I knew I couldn’t kiss Jace with Tru looking at me that way. When I turned back to look at Jace and tell him no, he saw the look in my eyes and knew what I was going to say.
Jace shook his head with sadness on his face. “Charlie, I don’t understand. I don’t like it, but I . . . what can I do?”
I felt sick. How could I be so cruel to someone who was so sweet to me? We finished our dance with me looking in his eyes not saying a single word, as he looked into mine with disappointment written deep in the depths of his blue ones. I turned away from Jace, telling him I was going to get some punch.
As I was leaning down for the punch Tru, approached me. “Hey, C,” Tru said his eyes averted from mine.
“Hi, Tru. You look good.”
“And as do you! Um, I was wondering if the bell of the ball would like to dance,” Tru asked hesitantly.
“Of course,” I said.
I could only imagine what everyone was saying. I know they had to know by now that I liked two guys. Grr! Tru tenderly pulled me to him, placing my head on his chest. I felt his heart skip from the contact. I almost melted at the thought of Tru’s heart skipping for me. We danced not saying a word. I looked up into his green/gold specked eyes and knew what I wanted to do. I leaned up on my tiptoes and kissed him. Our lips connected. I felt the sky open and knew this was where I needed to be—right here in Tru’s arms kissing him. But I still felt sad over Jace and wanted to kiss him in the same way just not as much as I wanted Tru. I know, right! I was freaking screwed up in the head. But the consequences could be damned. I heard Jace curse and then he pulled Tru off me. I knew then that I had screwed up big time. Jace swung a punch, hitting Tru squarely in the mouth. Tru swung, hitting Jace in the gut. I stepped back shocked at what was taking place. Nikko came over to my side as did Tammin while Tru and Jace fought.
“Charlie girl, what’s going on?” Tammin asked.
Not saying anything I just stood there.
Nikko nudged my arm. “Are you OK, Charlie?”
I just stood there dumbfounded.
“Nikko, could you tell me what might be going on? Does Charlie girl like both of them? What kind of predicament did she get herself into now?” Tammin drawled.
Always fun and easygoing Nikko, had to come up with something. He looked at Tammin grinning, he said, “Well the thing is, Tammin, secretly she might be dating Tru and Jace, but she’s in love with me.” I dug my elbow into Nikko’s ribcage and glared at him. He grunted but grinned sheepishly.
I turned my gaze back to where Tru and Jace were still fighting and knew deep down that this was my entire fault! I was sick at what was taking place. This blows. The teachers finally came over to put a stop to Tru and Jace’s fight. That was all I needed to see. I was out of here. I turned away and headed out the door—out of the school—out of the parking lot and started walking. I was too mad to think about what I was doing— mad at my stupid self for letting this Tru/Jace thing get out of hand. I’d been walking for a while when I heard a noise. I was scared now and ticked at myself for leaving the dance to go walking down a dark road were anyone could get me.
Woo-what a stupid, stupid girl I was.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Crispin
He watched her from the shadows. It was time to start his plan. First he would throw a little jealousy in the air, mixing up the emotions of her two companions. That would lead them into fighting. All the while she would be left alone feeling abandoned, hurt, uncertain, and confused. Once that was set in motion, he could move on to the next step in his wicked little plan. Crispin knew it would work.
“It is just too damn easy,” Crispin murmured.
And of course her two young men where smitten with her. Therefore, making his job that much simpler. Who could blame them, he thought. However, she was his and his alone. Once Crispin had caused enough trouble, he leaned back and watched the fireworks explode. Finally, his other half grew tiresome of her two pathetic suitors and stormed out into the night, falling right into his capable hands.
“Just what I predicted,” he smiled. “Run, little sheep. Run. For soon, the big bad wolf will have you right where you belong,” Crispin whispered as he manifested out of the school.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Don’t You Want To Play a Game
“Hey there, pretty thing, whatcha doing out here all by yourself?” A sick voice called from the shadows.
I gazed around. My eyes locked on three guys who had just stepped into my path. You could smell the stench of alcohol coming off them. It was overwhelming, and a little disconcerting. Alcohol was basically oozing out of their pores. I closed my eyes briefly and hoped that this was a bad dream! But hell, this was all too real. I studied them closely. I’d say they looked to be around the mid-20 mark. One guy was short and stocky with sandy- brown hair and looked like he was about to be down for the count. One tequila, two tequila, three . . . ugh, just fall down already! I swallowed. No time to be joking and brought my attention over to a red curly hair guy with an average-size body. He leered at me and staggered just a little. However, he was nothing compared to the most disturbing one—the one with that sick voice—the one who looked stone cold sober. He grinned and ran a meaty hand through his greasy black hair. As he moved, his shirt rolled up showing that his jeans barely contained his beer gut.
Gross! One too many cheeseburgers, ah, buddy?
All three of the guys were dressed in black, as if all along they planned for something dangerous. My skin crawled. My hands shook. But, I was not going down without a fight. If these jerk-wads thought they were going to get frisky with me, then they obviously picked the wrong girl. And could someone please tell me how to get myself out of this? The only thing I could think of was to run, but maybe . . . if I took it slow and eased my way out of this mess. . . I might get out with everything intact. I stopped and turned slowly around. Then, I headed back the other way.
“Hold up. Don’t ya wanna play a game,” the greasy black hair guy asked with a slight drawl as he stepped into my path.
“N-n-no. I’m-I’m, I’m sorry I can’t. I must have taken a wrong turn. I’m heading to the school dance, so you see I have to go,” I said with a trembling voice. I took a slow, awkward, measured step around the black-headed guy. Slow enough that it looked like I wasn’t even moving.
Hello, this was bad so, so bad. I was dealing with drunk, crazy guys. I shook my head and took off running. However, clumsy me lost my footing and tripped. To my misery, the drunken idiots laughed at me. Yeah, yeah, join the club. I looked up as they surrounded me. The redhead leaned down and clasped my arms, roughly forcefully pulling me to my feet. He yanked hard, wrenching my hands behind my back. I felt a sharp sting and heard a snap. My shoulder blazed with fire. I let out a scream and tears welled behind my eyes. The guy who’d been doing all the talking gripped my chin. I assumed he was the leader of this twisted party. He put a hand over my mouth, silencing me.
“Oh. C’mon, pretty girl. I like it when ya scream.” The leader breathed into my ear.
I spat as good as I could on his hand. He jumped back glaring. I said, “Funny. You like it when I scream? Yet you cover my mouth!” I laughed then winced.
“Stupid bitch,” he seethed, back handing me.
Quick note, ix-nay on the flippant-tay! Okay, not my best Pig-Latin, but you get the point. Wow, that hurt. The other two guys just chuckled as if this was all a joke, like my life was some kind of funny joke. I was pissed, and, dammit. I wanted to hurt them, so I kicked out and ended up hitting the redhead in the shin. The sloppy drunk guy gripped me firmly. He squeezed my upper arms hard. I let out an involuntary squeak—yay—I temporarily disoriented him. As he fumbled to get a hold, I took that opportunity to strike. I whorled around
and kneed him in the balls. He went down like the “Titanic.” Yes, score one for the girl. The leader wrapped his fat—gross—hand around my mouth again. I hated what I was about to do . . . but hell, I did have mouth wash. I bit the leader’s hand hard. Nasty! Nasty! Nasty! His blood poured into my mouth, copper and very foul tasting. I let him go and spit. Ooh!
That was bad. Yet, now that he didn’t have the use of both of his hands, he was pissed and so he punched me in the gut. I reeled and dropped down to the ground, making my whole body jar from the impact.
“Awww!”
I scraped my knee and ripped my dress. I started to rise up once again and run for my life. Screw the fighting. I was so out of here. However, the leader kicked my side, stopping any movement I may have taken. I heard a snap and felt a suffocating pain that I could not seem to breathe through. Had he broken one of my ribs? I bit back a cry of pain and glared at him. The leader picked me up again, pressing his lips to my cheek and snarling he said, “You stupid slut. I’ll show you how it feels to be kicked and bitten.”
I bit off, “Go to hell.”
That wasn’t the brightest idea. “Well, ya are about to be there.” He grinned and shoved me back down. I crouched there, gasping for air on my hands and knees. I turned my head to spit on him again, but before I had a chance, the redheaded guy pulled his foot back and kicked me in the ribs for the second time that night. A harrumph of air escaped out of my chest as I sprawled face first on the road. Pain! I was choking, hacking, and then coughing up blood that was in my mouth. I started to feel a little dizzy. I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths, painful breaths. When I thought the coughing fit was over, I threw up. I was in too much pain to even say anything now. I just wished this was all over—I just wanted to die. This must be some cosmic reprimand for how I handled things with Tru and Jace. Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought this might be what I deserved for leading two great guys on.
A Spark Of Magic: Chosen Saga Book One Page 19