Before I started second guessing myself. I shoved my books back into my locker, slammed it shut, and hurried down the hall. My eyes immediately found Jason’s sleek Dodge Charger across the parking lot. He stood propped against it with a smirk plastered on his ridiculously handsome face.
“Your chariot awaits,” he said with a hint of amusement as I reached him.
“Do I get to know where we’re going first?”
“Not a chance.” His smirk grew. “If you want this you have to trust me.”
“Just like that?” My brow rose, my gaze hardening despite the butterflies stroking my stomach.
“You either want him to make things right or you don’t.”
“I’m scared,” I admitted, unable to meet his eyes.
“That’s not a bad thing, Mya,” Jason replied, the softness in his voice making me look at him again. “If you weren’t scared it would mean you don’t care. And we both know that’s not true.”
“Okay,” My lip curved a fraction. “Let’s do this.”
“Thank fuck, I thought I was going to have to kidnap you.”
Rolling my eyes, I climbed into his car, clutching the note like it was my lifeline.
“Ready?” Jason said.
I nodded, too nervous to speak.
“Relax,” my chauffeur said. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
But we both knew he was lying because this was it.
This was the moment me and Asher moved forward together or walked away for good.
“Okay, this was not what I was expecting.”
Jason’s car rolled to a stop outside my aunt’s house. “Are you sure he told you to bring me here?”
“I’m only the driver.” He flicked his head to the door. “But there might be someone waiting inside for you.”
Hope swelled in my chest as I hopped out of the car and hurried up to the house. But when the door swung open to reveal Aunt Ciara standing there, my heart sank.
“Don’t look so disappointed.” She chuckled, ushering me inside. “Your boy left you something.” Aunt Ciara pulled another white note out of her pocket and handed it to me. “I love you, Mya, and all I want is for you to be happy. Lord only knows you deserve it. And I can admit when I was wrong about someone. I’ll see you later, okay?”
With a wink, she disappeared down the hall and left me standing there in disbelief. My hands trembled as I opened the note and read Asher’s handwriting.
* * *
Here marks the spot I first called you beautiful… and it’s true, Mya. So fucking true. You’re beautiful inside and out and I’m so thankful I let it slip out that day. Because if I hadn’t, maybe we wouldn’t be here now.
* * *
But this is only the beginning…
* * *
Now you must go back to the start
To find out when you stole my heart
The clue is home to Milton and Shakespeare, Steinbeck too
Hurry though, Mya, because I’m waiting for you
* * *
Swiping a rogue tear from my eye, I folded the note back and stuffed it in my pocket. “I’ll see you later,” I called out to my aunt before slipping back outside, relieved to find Jason still waiting.
“So?” he asked when I climbed into the car. “What did it say?”
“He didn’t tell you?”
“It was a need to know basis,” he grumbled. “Apparently, I didn’t need to know everything.”
Stifling a snicker, I handed him the note. “What the fuck does it mean?”
“It means we’re going back to school.”
Because I knew exactly where the next clue was.
“The library?” Jason gawked at me. “What the hell does the library have to do with anything? Wait a minute…” His eyes lit up. “Did the two of you get freaky in the stacks?”
“Jason!” I groaned. “You can stay out here for that.”
“Oh, hell no. I have chauffeur rights. Let’s go.”
“Fine but stay quiet.” The last thing we needed was to upset Mrs. Hegarty.
The library was almost empty, and I had no problems locating the chairs me and Asher had sat at all those weeks ago. “Crap,” I whispered when I realized a couple of guys were studying there.
“What?” Jason asked.
“That’s where the clue will be.”
He puffed his chest dramatically. “Have you learned nothing from being with Asher? Come on.” Stalking up to the guys, Jason glared down at them.
“Hmm, can we help you?” One said quietly, glancing nervously to his friend.
“Yeah, I need you to mov—”
“Jason,” I interjected, offering the guys an apologetic smile. “Sorry about my friend, he has no manners. I’m looking for something. You didn’t happen to see a white note lying around, did you?”
“This white note?” The other one grinned, plucking the note from his piles of books. “A friend asked us to look after it.”
“He did, huh? Well tell your friend, thanks.” I snatched the note from him and headed for the door.
“You’re no fun,” Jason protested.
“I’m plenty fun. Now back up so I can read it.”
* * *
I wanted to kiss you so badly that day… I almost strangled Mrs. Hegarty when she interrupted us! Do you remember? The words were right there on your tongue. You wanted me to kiss you because you felt it, Mya. You felt the connection between us.
* * *
And when you forgive me and we make up, I’m thinking we should probably revisit the library and make up for that day.
* * *
But that can wait because it’s time for your next clue…
* * *
I drank too much because life got hard
But you were there like a shining star
You held my hand and comforted me
And soon you became all I could see
* * *
“Got it,” Jason said, snapping his fingers. “It’s his house, right? The night he got wasted.”
“Dude, back the hell up.” I looked over my shoulder, frowning at him.
“I’m right though, aren’t I?”
“You’re annoying.”
“But you need me, so come on, Hernandez, let’s get this show on the road.”
My stomach was churning by the time Jason pulled into Asher’s driveway. I’d only been here once since the incident; the night of the party when all people had been thinking about was celebrating Asher’s good news. But now, in the harsh light of day, it seemed wrong to be here.
“Hey, you okay?” Jason asked, his eyes burning into the side of my face.
“I’m not sure I can do this.” The memories of that night strangled my voice.