by W. J. May
“What?”
“Where’s the guy who promised to bring me coffee? My head feels like there’s a thunderstorm in it.”
“I didn’t know somebody was getting you coffee.”
“Not just somebody. An angel. The caffeine angel.”
I almost laughed at her, but I didn’t feel that would be appropriate. “You’re so wasted.”
“Really, a blue-eyed angel offered to bring me a cuppajo. Blue eyes like Heaven, where he comes from.”
Wait…light blue eyes? Maybe….periwinkle eyes? My heart began to thump in excitement that I hoped wouldn’t be for nothing.
In the next second, she turned to a guy and smiled. “You’re back…and you really did bring me coffee. How sweet. Thank you.”
When I could muster up the courage to glance up at her hero, I found myself staring right into the eyes of my own, the one from the forest. My heart pounded a symphony all its own as I stared into his intense, vivid blue eyes. I couldn’t pull my eyes away from his high cheekbones and that sharply chiseled face. I’d never seen such a beautiful face before, such a masterpiece of strength, contours, and beauty, like something off the cover of a romance novel or some dapper leading man in a classic romance movie. This time, he was wearing a white shirt, dark blue jeans, a well-worn bomber jacket, and I immediately began to envy that cotton, denim, and leather.
He held out his hand and smiled. “Hi. I’m Jesse.”
“Taylor,” I said, unable to put a whole sentence together.
“Nice to officially meet you. Mind if I get your picture?” he asked, holding up a camera.
“Um…sure, okay. But…why?”
“To prove to my friends that angels do exist.”
It was a ridiculous line, like one some cliché some sleaze-bag idiot would say in a bar, but coming from his lips, it seemed sincere. I couldn’t help but smile at his blatant flirtations, and the heat in my blushing cheeks scorched my skin. With him, it wasn’t just a pick-up line. He was trying to break the ice, and it worked; again, I was absolutely melting.
“Well, in that case, I need to take yours too,” I said.
“You’re more than welcome,” a buddy nudged, “but he doesn’t show up on film.”
Jesse nudged him back. “Stop it! You’re talking crazy.”
“Am I?” the guy said walking off.
Jesse looked back at me. “That’s Tom. Once he’s had a few beers, he talks all stupid. So just ignore whatever moronic stuff he comes up with.”
I laughed again.
Another slow song began, and Jesse casually took off his jacket and smiled. The fabric of his long-sleeved shirt clung to his broad shoulders and muscular chest, and the white cotton made his shoulder-length hair stand out even more. “Would you like to dance?” he asked like a gentleman, offering me his hand.
I grinned. “I’d love to.”
He shot me his leading-man smile and wrapped his arms around my waist as I placed my arms on his shoulder. My heart jumped into a new rhythm of excitement, dancing to the music drifting around us as we stared intently into each other’s eyes. I was nervous, but at the same time, I felt comfortable and safe; scared but happy. I’d never felt such a strange mix of emotions before, and I couldn’t stop smiling. There was a thrilling, rushing, euphoric something going on between us, and for that one timeless moment, everything in my life seemed perfect.
We swayed back and forth to the music, slow and close, and I rested my head in the crook of his neck. I never would have imagined myself dancing with someone like Jesse, someone so beautiful. I couldn’t believe he was holding me. I felt I was walking on air. I’d always laughed at that cliché before, but for the first time, I suddenly knew what it meant.
Some of the guys I’d been chitchatting with at the party didn’t seem to be fans of his, and I could feel the tension like daggers in my back as they shot me glares. As much as I wanted to be with Jesse, I didn’t want to cause any trouble, so I thought it was best that we head back to Julie’s house. I had a nice buzz, but I wasn’t trashed like she was. When I glanced over, I noticed that she was drinking a second cup of coffee, so I hoped that would sober her up enough to drive us home in one piece.
“I hope she’s okay to drive,” I said to Jesse.
“If not, I’m sure you’ll get her home safe and sound.”
“Do you live around here?” I asked.
“Yes, here in Big Bear Lake.”
Excitement flooded through me when I discovered he wasn’t merely a tourist who’d be taking off anytime soon. I smiled up at him, then glanced down and noticed a bracelet on his arm, leather woven with silver beads and decorated with weird symbols. “I love that,” I said, nodding toward it, “but what do the symbols mean?”
He shot me the most beautiful grin, a movie star smile. “You’ve gotta get to know me better before I can tell you all my deep, dark secrets,” he said. He smiled when he said it, but I got the feeling he wasn’t joking.
I gave him my best flirty smile. “Is that a promise?”
“You have my word…and my word is my bond.”
I smiled again, then nervously fidgeted with my hands like some silly little middle-schooler. I really had no idea how to keep up the conversation with such a hot guy, and every word was a struggle. “How old are you?” I finally asked, since I couldn’t think of anything else.
“Seventeen.”
“Really!? Me too.”
“So is this a new school year for you?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe we’ll be in some of the same classes.”
“Nah, I’m homeschooled. Like I was telling you a while ago, my mom is a bona fide control freak, and—”
“Taylor!” Julie called. “I feel sick. I think I’m gonna pass out.”
When I glanced over, she was teetering. I rushed over, but before I could reach her, she swayed to the left and toppled over. She tried to grab a side table on the way down, but it didn’t help; she crashed to the floor, knocking a huge vase over in the process.
“Oh my gosh! Julie!”
The alcohol was one thing, but I couldn’t understand why blood was gushing from her neck, trickling down onto her shirt.
Chapter 4
When I ran over to my friend and looked down at her wounds, I assumed the shattered vase shards must have cut her during her fall. I only hoped she wouldn’t need stitches, because she was bleeding pretty profusely. Someone handed me a kitchen towel, and I applied pressure to the wound. “She needs a hospital or a doctor or maybe some stitches and—”
“No!” said a woman who was suddenly standing over me, looking down at Julie. “It’s a shallow cut, nothing a bandage and some peroxide can’t fix.”
I looked up. “Are you sure? I mean, she’s bleeding really bad, and—”
“Positive,” she said, cutting me off. “I’m a medic. Let me go get my medical kit from the car.”
I squeezed Julie’s hand. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes fluttered open. “I-I think so.”
“Just lie still and hold on. There’s a medic here, and she’s going to help.”
“A medic? Wow. Lucky for me. I drank way too much, huh?”
“Yeah, that’s putting it lightly. Do you remember me cutting you off?”
She offered a half-smile. “Yeah, but I still sneaked drinks behind your back.”
Knowing it was important to keep Julie awake, I engaged her in conversation until the woman came back.
“Can you give me a hand?” the woman said to Jesse.
“Sure,” he said.
She then went to work to cleanse the wound and put a sterile white bandage on it.
Once Julie was all fixed up, Jesse and I helped her back up to her feet.
“See? Good as new,” Julie slurred.
“It’d be best if she gets some rest now,” the medic said.
“But I-I can’t drive,” Julie stuttered. “I’m toasted…and now wounded from a pissed-off vase.”
; Jesse pulled me to the side. “Can you get her home?” he whispered.
“This is so embarrassing, but her car’s a stick shift, and I’ve got no idea how to drive one. I probably can’t drive any safer than she can right now.”
“Lucky for you, I can.”
“But then how will you get back?” I asked.
“I can walk.”
“No, it’s way too far, Jesse.”
“I’ll be fine.” He bit his lip and looked down at Julie as if he was worried. “It’s best we sneak out of here.”
I furrowed a brow. “Sneak out? Why?”
“You see that guy she was dancing with?”
“Yeah. She told me his name, but I forget.”
“It’s Jonathon, and he’s an absolute psycho. I’m afraid he might follow her home if he sees her leaving.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “Are you sure? That’s insane.”
“I heard him claim her, and I heard some of the other guys claiming you. They may look like your average drunken frat boys, but they’re beyond dangerous, Taylor. The nice guys are outnumbered here. I’ve got a couple of buddies here, but we’re no match against the others. They’ll jump us, and I’m not sure I can protect you.”
“Wait…claiming people? Just what kind of party did she bring me to?” I muttered to myself.
“A dangerous one,” he retorted, overhearing my conversation with myself. “My buddies will distract them while I sneak you two out the back door.”
“Great idea,” I said. “Maybe they won’t see us leave.”
“That’s the plan.”
Jesse wrapped his arm around Julie and helped her walk out the back door of the cabin. Gripping my purse tightly, I followed. A cool breeze blew through my hair, and I shuddered, wishing I’d worn a coat. I couldn’t believe the extreme temperature change; earlier that day, I’d been sunning on the beach, and now Mother Nature had invited Jack Frost over for a nightcap.
“How much did you have to drink?” Jesse asked Julie.
“She’s had way too much,” I answered for her. “I bet she’ll puke all over the truck.”
“Hey!” Julie said. “I can answer for myself.” Her gaze turned to Jesse. “Mr. Gorgeous, Handsome Prince, I had lots of beers, a Long Island iced tea, beers, and some shots,” she answered. “Oh, and there was this one bubbly purple thing the color of that dinosaur on the kids’ show and—”
“Do you remember where the keys to your truck are?” he said, cutting her off before the confession could continue.
“Hmm. Maybe you’ll have to frisk me, Officer McHottie,” she said in a flirty tone.
I rolled my eyes, mouthed an apology to Jesse, then reached into her pocket and grabbed them. “They’re right here.”
“Hey!” she said. “I didn’t want you to frisk me!”
“This isn’t the time for games, Julie,” I said. “We have to get out of here and back home.”
“I’m freezing!” she retorted. “Who turned on the air?”
I reached in the back seat and handed her a blue sweater. “Wear this.”
She put it on and smiled. “Mmm…so warm. Gosh, I’m so drunk. Thank you though.”
Jesse helped my intoxicated new best friend into her pickup. She sat between us and laid her head on his shoulder, and when he glanced at me questioningly, all I could do was shrug and apologize again on behalf of my drunken friend.
“I guess she had a little too much to drink,” I whispered.
“A little?” He laughed.
Julie tapped him. “Are you Prince Charming?” she asked.
“What?” he asked, turning the key in the ignition. “Because I helped bandage you up?”
“Are you the hot guy from the woods?” she asked. “The hero who saved Little Red Riding Taylor from the big, bad mountain lion?”
My cheeks blushed. “Julie!” I said.
Before he could answer, she continued, “You have black hair and eyes like that crayon. Taylor told me all about you.”
My cheeks grew even hotter with embarrassment, and I suddenly wished with all my heart that my life had a rewind button.
“And Taylor was right,” she continued. “Your eyes are gorgeous, like the sky.”
I cleared my throat and glanced at him awkwardly. “You do have pretty eyes,” I admitted.
He grinned back at me. “And so do you.”
I couldn’t stop grinning from the compliment as we sped along the road, until something jerked us forward.
“What the heck?” Julie said, stunned.
“Feels like we blew a tire,” I said as we came to a jerky stop.
“That sucks,” Julie slurred. “I don’t have a spare.”
“We can just walk,” I said. “I don’t think we’re that far away.”
Jesse shook his head. “Absolutely not. I’ll call somebody.” He flipped his phone open and began talking to one of his buddies.
“Julie,” I said, “how are you feeling? Are you doing okay?”
“I’m fine. I forgot to tell you I drank a Long Island iced tea. Do you know how much liquor they put in those things?”
“Yeah, you told me already. How’s your neck?”
“Fine, but that stupid vase nailed me real good. Wanna know the worst part though?”
“What?”
“I didn’t even get the blond’s phone number. He was so hot.”
Jesse cut in. “Trust me, you don’t want that guy’s number.”
“Yes I do.”
“He’s way too dangerous.”
“A bad boy, huh? I like that.”
“Not a bad boy. He’s a bad man—a real bad man—and like many of the guys back there, he’s nothing but trouble,” Jesse said. “You two had no business being at that party out in the middle of the woods with a bunch of older strangers.”
“Yeah? Well, I guess we were lucky you were looking out for us,” Julie said.
He smiled.
“So what can we do about the tire?” she asked.
“My friend’s coming,” Jesse said. “I’ll wait outside for him. You two stay put.”
“Why not stay in here with us?” I asked.
“Because I have to make sure the big, bad wolf doesn’t come and eat you.”
“Ooh. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” Julie slurred.
I laughed as he slammed the door shut.
“He’s cute,” Julie said, “and funny too.”
“Yeah, but if that party was so dangerous, what was he doing there?” I asked.
“Maybe he’s just as dark and dangerous as they are,” she said in a creepy voice. “Boo!” she said as she grabbed my arm.
I jumped and screamed, “Julie! Stop that!”
She began laughing like a crazy person. “Oh, man! You…Taylor, you shoulda seen your face! Priceless.”
“Ha-ha. Very funny.”
“I’m sorry the party didn’t work out, but at least you found Prince Charming. Wasn’t that the important thing?” She shot me a sly smile as she gave me a fist-bump.
Grinning, I bumped her back.
“Look at you, all lust at first sight for our bad boy.”
“There’s definitely a connection, but I don’t think it’s lust…and I don’t think he’s a bad boy.”
“That’s too bad. But anyway, it’s obvious that you’re attracted to him like there’s no tomorrow.”
I smiled and couldn’t possibly deny it.
“You’ve got it for him big time, don’t ya?”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“Then why are you sitting in here talking to me when he’s out there all by himself, glistening in the moonlight?”
“I’m sure girls throw themselves at him all the time. I don’t wanna be like that.”
“Going out there and saying hello would not be throwing yourself at him, unless you intend to take your top off while you do it,” she said, then winked.
“Very funny,” I said, then laughed again. “Okay.”
She grinned as I hopped out of the truck.
Outside, Jesse was sitting in the truck bed, his gorgeous black locks blowing in the wind.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey.”
“Need some company?” I asked.
His eyes twinkled in the moonlight. “I’d love some.”
I jumped into the cab and sat next to him. “Keeping us safe from all the wild animals out prowling around?”
“Lots of dangerous predators hunt at night.”
“Like the bobcat? I know they’re nocturnal.” I smiled, then gazed into his eyes.
“I almost didn’t come tonight,” he said. “Now I’m glad I did.”
I smiled, nervously tossing my hair to the side. “If you knew it was dangerous, why did you—”
Before I could even get the question out, he turned to the left and glanced into the towering woods. “Taylor, get back in the truck and lock the doors,” he said.
I smiled, thinking he was joking. “Why? Are we being stalked? More mountain lions?”
He didn’t laugh, though, and his face remained stern. “Please get back inside the truck.
Knowing he was dead set on protecting me and realizing how serious he was, I didn’t protest. I opened the door and climbed in.
“What’s going on?” Julie asked.
I tried to get a glimpse of some hungry wildlife, but I saw nothing. “He thinks something’s out there.”
“Like what?”
“Like a wild animal.”
She blew out a breath and glanced out the window. “He needs to get his butt inside too. I don’t wanna watch him get torn to shreds!” She rolled down the window. “Jesse, get your butt in here.”
While we looked out at Jesse, who was pacing the road and staring deep into the dark woods, I began to get really creeped out. Where the heck is this friend of his? I wondered, knowing we needed to get back on the road and get home before Julie’s mom did. She had worked the nightshift at the hotel, but she would be home by eight a.m. at the latest. If we didn’t make it home before she did, my own mother would find out, and I’d be grounded for weeks.
BANG!
Suddenly, something shattered the driver’s-side window of the truck. I ducked as flying glass sprayed everywhere. Disoriented, I glanced up at my friend.