I try to get him to release my hand but he just tugs on it harder and gives me no choice but to walk with him. “Are you crazy? Everyone is going to be watching us?” I whisper- yell at him.
“Candice are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
“Jasper you know that’s not it, I like to stay invisible, I can’t stay invisible if I’m walking with you.” He just smiles at me, “Who needs invisibility when you have me at your side? I would never let anything happen to you, now stop talking and let’s get to class.”
I am standing in front of my English class. I didn’t notice anyone looking at me, or whispering about me. Maybe Jasper is right. Maybe I need to give him a chance?
In first period English the teacher allows us to pair off to help each other with our essays due on Friday. Izzy turns her chair around, “Last night was complete insanity. You had two beef cakes fighting over you. Jasper who has never dated anyone from this school, and Liam the one guy that can give Jasper a run for his money in the looks department.” The look on her face is enough to make me laugh.
“What time did you leave the hang out last night?”
“Well you know it was either head home and listen to my mom talk about hippie stuff, or sit around and people watch all night. So I obviously people watched.”
Lunch has never been something I look forward too. As soon as I walk in the doors. I feel like everyone is staring at me. That is why I try to be the first one there, and the last one gone. Leaving Chemistry five minutes early I’m sure I will be the first one this time. I’m stepping out of the doorway and trying to zip up my bag, when I run into a solid chest. Jasper reaches out to help me catch my balance and I’m sure my face is bright red with embarrassment. Not wanting him to see me like that, I keep my head tucked into my chest and try to walk past him mumbling a quick hello.
Of course he doesn’t allow me to get away, he stops me, “Look at me Candice.” I hate that I follow his command without a thought. It is like my body is telling my mind to take a hike.
“Don’t try to hide from me.” He grabs my hand and starts rubbing small circles on my knuckles with his thumb, “I will always find you.”
Those words should scare me, but they don’t. They give me hope for a happiness that I gave up on a long time ago. We walk to lunch hand in hand. Jasper sets me down at our table and goes to get lunch. He brings back one turkey, and one ham sandwich telling me to pick. I choose the ham, while telling him he didn’t have to buy me anything. He gives me a look telling me to shut up while putting Cheetos and an orange soda in front of me as well. I bet he has always been good at taking care of others. I imagine his mom and dad love that about him so I ask, “Did your mom teach you to be so gentlemanly?” I immediately know I have asked the wrong question because his eyes grow dark.
“The only thing she taught me was to tie a rubber band around her arm while she shoots up.” Not being able to stand the look on his face anymore, I do the only thing I can think of. I slowly raise my hand to rest it on his cheek. This is the second time I initiated the touch, he seems to appreciate it because his eyes lighten and that smirk I’m growing to love is back.
Just then K.J. and Dalton show up and sit down. This time Dalton sits on the other side of the table across from us. He is looking back and forth between me and Jasper and I just know he is about to ask questions. I peek over at K.J. and he is setting in the same spot, I can only see the right side of his face. There on his cheek right by his jaw line is a light shading. I’m not brave enough to ask so I just turn back toward Dalton.
“So I guess the two of you are a thing now?” Dalton asks.
“No” is my reply but at the same time Jasper says “Yes.”
“Well you never called dibs dude, and since she said no, maybe she’ll give this stud muffin a chance to show her who the better man is.” He says this gesturing at himself and biting his lip like he is trying to pose sexy. Jasper throws a chip at him, and tells him to fuck off. I have a feeling if it was anyone else who said that, he would become the same possessive beast I saw last night.
“The rumor mill is turning, they say you and Liam are going to fight for Candice in that octagon in December. Last night is definitely going to make this fight even bigger.”
Jasper looks over at Dalton and states, “She’s not Liam’s” with a look of finality on his face.
“I talked to him after you left to take her home. He claims he is not going to tell anyone you gave him that black eye. Says he is going to blame his sparring partner. You got lucky, next time remember that so we don’t have any more messes to clean up.” K.J. states this in between taking bites of his apple. I don’t know why he likes those things so much, but to each his own.
This conversation is making me a bit uncomfortable so I get up to go use the restroom. Jasper looks at me expectantly, and I tell him to relax because I’ll be right back.
The bathrooms at this school are plenty big, with seven stalls and four sinks. There is no door, you just have to walk in between the two walls that form a small walk way. Once you reach the end you just turn right and it opens up. I go to the third stall and right when I’m finished and walking out, I see London walk in. This time she doesn’t have all her friends with her. It is just her and Bethany. I know she sees me, so there is no point in trying to go back in the stall to hide. I just look at the ground the whole time I’m walking to the sinks. If I give her no reason to acknowledge me, she will leave me alone. While washing my hands, I feel her come up behind me and I know whatever happens is not going to be good. I turn around hoping to just walk by her and make my retreat but she steps in my way not allowing me to leave. Bethany is standing close behind her, she looks nervous and that just makes me more anxious.
“I told you yesterday, to stay away from him, you little bitch. You should have listened to my warning.” Before I know what is happening, her hand is flying through the air and the side of my face is on fire. I can taste the blood in my mouth and hear Bethany screaming
“London what are you doing, why did you hit her, you were just supposed to talk to her.” I can’t hear London’s reply because it’s no longer Bethany and London in the room with me.
Peeking around the wall of the hallway again, I see Christopher is now on top of my mom, hitting her over and over again. Her nose is broken and both eyes already swelling up with bruises. She is no longer screaming and that scares me, I do the only thing I can think of. I walk on shaky legs to the end table by the couch. Christopher never notices. I reach and feel around, when my hand finally hits something cold and hard to the touch. I pull the 9mm out of the drawer and hold it in my hands just like I have seen in movies.
“GET OFF OF HER!” I scream as loud as I can. Mid swing his fist stops, he turns his head looking at me, still straddling my mother who is not moving anymore except the slightest movement of her chest letting me know she is still alive.
“What the fuck are you doing out of your room, you little piece of shit?” He tries to move one leg up, but the sound of me putting a round in the chamber stops him. “You aren’t going to shoot me, but you will regret pointing that gun at me!” When he moves to stand, I close my eyes and pull the trigger.
I wake up in the nurses’ office, confused on how I got here. The nurse tells me she called my aunt and she will be here soon. “You passed out in the bathroom honey, we think it might be low blood sugar. Here is you some juice and a cookie.” She places an Oreo along with an apple juice in my hand. The room is not very big and I’m lying on the only bed in here, that I barely fit on. I can hear a commotion coming from outside the door and I realize it’s Jasper.
“Move” is the last thing I hear before the door opens.
I notice Dalton, Bethany, and Mr. Duncan all standing there looking at me through the opened door, with concern in their eyes. “Out” is all Jasper has to say to the nurse before she is practically running from the room.
“Are you alright?” He asks this as he sets in the nurse’s
chair, and bends down to take my hand.
“I think I am; I really don’t remember what happened.”
Just then he takes his left hand and places it on my cheek, it’s then I remember that I was in the restroom, and London came in there then slapped me.
“She hit me.” I whisper, not looking into his eyes “She told me I should have stayed away from you, then she hit me.”
When I do look up I can tell he is trying to contain his anger that he feels toward the situation. There is a knock on the door, and I hear Aunt Stacy’s voice asking me if I’m alright. Ignoring her I continue to talk to Jasper.
“You said I didn’t need to be invisible anymore. You said I wouldn’t need to be when you’re by my side.” I am yelling now because my emotions are high, deep down I know this is not his fault, but I’m too far gone to care.
“How are you going to protect me from the girls Jasper. Are you going to go after them like Christopher tried to do to me?” It’s then that I realize Jasper is letting me have my melt down, but he is also cataloging everything I say.
He is calm and collective and only ask one question,
“Who’s Christopher?”
Feeling defeated, I turn to get up and open the door, just as I am about to walk out I whisper, “My father.”
Chapter 8
Jasper
Everyone in the gym stays out of my way. It’s like they know I am unhinged and waiting for someone to take my anger out on. It’s a good thing, today, K.J. is my sparring partner. No one else could make it out of that practice octagon still walking. He not only takes my punishment, he enjoys it.
Wrapping my hands, I think about the haunted look in her eyes, when she mentioned her father. The way she became unattached, like it has been drilled into her brain to shut down, for protection against him. She is right though; I can’t go after London the same way I did Liam. I would never lay hands on that bitch, not even to whoop her ass. It’s not in me to ever hit a woman, no matter how angry one makes me. Instead I will have to come up with a punishment that will work to get her to back off Candice. K.J. already has something in the works, I just need him to speed up the process.
Just as I’m finishing taping up my hands, coach Roy walks over to inspect my work. I think he is just trying to find a way to talk to me.
“How’s school going son?” I don’t answer because I’m in no mood for small talk.
“Okay, don’t answer that, but please tell me why I’m hearing Liam Kyler is sporting a black eye from my number one fighter?” He is angry and has every right to be. He has put so much into my career, and expected nothing but my dedication and respect to the sport. Hitting Liam last night, showed little respect to the game and to this gym.
“It won’t happen again.” I say in between putting my head gear on and walking up the steps. I’ve talked enough, now it’s time to let my anger free.
Bouncing on the balls of my feet, and shaking my arms out, I loosen up my body and start to feel the adrenalin that always comes when they shut me in this cage. I wait for the bell to ring so I can march forward. This is not the first time K.J. and I have sparred. He is tough, and his punches are powerful. I have speed and precision but he always makes me work harder for my shots. We balance each other well and it makes us better fighters. He is across the octagon waiting just like me, wearing black gear with his workout clothes. Black is the only color he wears. He says it makes it easier to hide while he is waiting. I never bothered to ask what he was waiting for; he wouldn’t tell me anyway.
The bell rings and we both move toward one another, trying to feel each other out. He usually waits before throwing his first set of blows, but not today. He is already in my space, I manage to avoid his right jab, but he is in a southpaw stance and catches me on the jaw with his left hook. If he were giving me his full strength I would have been knocked out, I look up at him and he’s smirking. It finally dawns on me; he considers that pay back for last night. He is nodding his head, gesturing for me to come at him. All right asshole let’s go!
My lungs are burning and my whole body throbs. This is exactly what I needed. I am able to breath better and my head is clear. K.J. and I went back and forth for five rounds and gave each other one hell of a work out. I know my body will be sore for a couple of days but it’s worth it. In order to be the best you must train hard, and K.J. always keeps me on my toes during a fight. He got in a few good body shots that I need to wrap in Ice, but other than that I’ll be fine. I look over at him and know that in a way, this was what we both needed. He keeps his monster hidden, but when we are in that cage, everyone can see it raddling that fence to come out and play.
Before I leave the gym, I take a shower, because I am planning on going by Candice’s house to check on her. I don’t like the way she left. She was defeated and doubting my ability to protect her. I had to give her some space, but now it’s time for us to talk.
When I knock on her door, her aunt answers and tells me Candice isn’t feeling up to company. She seems to think I will just walk away and come back another time. I tell her as politely as I can that I’ll just wait in the truck until she is willing to see me. She pinches her lips together and seems to think on this for a minute.
“It’s obvious you like Candice, but she is a skittish girl. She has been through way more then you could imagine, and somehow came out of it alive. She thinks she has no one in this world, but she has me. If you hurt her in any way I’ll come after you, and my husband is a damn good lawyer!”
After finishing her threat, she looks up at me, smiling as she waves bye to me while telling me she will have Candice call. Walking to my truck I laugh to myself. I really like her aunt, not many people would talk to me like that. She has just won my respect and because of that I will leave for now and text Candice when I get home.
I’ll see you at school tomorrow gorgeous. Meet me at our spot in the morning
Standing in our spot leaning against the gym I wait for her, but she never shows. She never texted me back last night, but I thought for sure she would show today. I guess I’ll have to catch her at the end of first period. I hear the bell ringing, so I start for the school. Dalton sees me coming and nods his head up, asking me where Candice is. I just shrug my shoulders and continue to my class.
Sitting in class no one talks to me, even the teacher knows not to call on me. There is no getting around having to come to school, but I refuse to participate. I do my work and make good grades, none of the other shit matters. I’m busy thinking about what Candice’s reason will be for standing me up, when I notice I have five minutes before the bell rings. I get up and walk out of class and head toward room 106 where her English class is. The teacher says nothing to me, I always leave five minutes early to avoid the crowded hallway.
Waiting by the door I see everyone leaving after the bell but I did not see Candice. I know she likes to stay to the back so I just wait.
Her friend sees me and walks over, “Candice isn’t here, I texted her and she said she is not coming today. I know what happened yesterday isn’t your fault but I hope someone gives that skank bag a lesson in manners.”
Now that I know Candice isn’t coming, I walk off. After my training I will go by her house again. Maybe this time she will see me. I don’t know what she has done to me in just the few days I have known her, but much like fighting, I am becoming obsessed.
It’s now Friday and Candice hasn’t been to school since Tuesday. She will not answer my calls or text. Her aunt tells me the same thing every day I go by there after training. She is not wanting company and she will tell her to call me. Well this shit is going to end real soon. Her friend, whose name is Izzy, has been keeping me updated and apparently they are going to the movies tomorrow night. I’ll be there and by time she sees me, it will be too late for her to try and run.
I’m already sitting at the table when Dalton and K.J. show up for lunch. They finally quit asking me about Candice this week, knowing I would become a moody dick. I
need to see her, need to look in her blue eyes and know she is all right. I go over my plan with them, and ask them for their help. They quickly agree and we make small talk for the remainder of lunch.
Finally, Saturday comes and it is time to leave and get my girl. I’ve had a few days to think about this, and I’ve decided she is mine, and after tonight she will know it. People might think I’m crazy because we hardly know each other. I don’t give a shit; she is the only girl I’ve ever craved to touch.
The movie theater is big enough for me to find several places to stand out of sight. There is a huge upstairs that is an arcade room. The bottom floor splits off with tables in the middle and counters on both sides. Showrooms one through five are on the left, and six through ten are on the right. Knowing what movie they are going to see, I walk left and decide to hang out by the picture of Will Farrell in a purple spandex outfit. I am about five feet from the men’s entrance to the restroom. Just as I look up I see Izzy and Candice walk through the front doors. She looks amazing in her tight yoga pants and loose fitting sweater hanging off her left shoulder. Her hair is down and in her face but that doesn’t stop every guy that walks by her from staring. She has no idea the affect she has on people. She thinks she is invisible, but she brightens the room as soon as she walks in.
Izzy knows the plan, so I step from the poster long enough for her to see me. They start walking this way whispering back and forth to one another. I have no idea what she is telling Candice but I don’t care because she is smiling. When they are about three feet from me I step out and into their path.
Candice stops, and whispers my name. That’s right gorgeous, I found you, just like I told you I would. She stands there with her mouth open not saying anything. Izzy has already taken a few steps back so now it’s just me and her.
Tearing Away (Fatally Flawed Book 1) Page 5