“Why don’t you all just leave?” I thumb the stubble on my chin. “Why stay?”
“We don’t have a choice. He’s left us without one. If we want our trust fund, which is our way out, we can’t leave until after graduation. Talon is losing his, I know he is. But, that’s ok. I have enough to take care of both of us. I just have to get through these next couple of months.”
“Is the money really worth your sanity?”
“If it means that I never have to look at either of those people again, and I can escape the secrets of that house. Yes. It’s worth it. Besides, if I’ve learned one thing from my parents, it’s that money buys a lot more than just stuff.”
I don’t know what to say. I pull her into me as she rests her head against my shoulder, inhaling her hair. “So, the nightmares? What are they?”
She remains a crutch under my arm, grasping me tighter. Feeling my protection. “Just a really bad time. I witnessed something as a child that no child should ever have to. An image that I’ve never been able to escape.” She leaves it at that. And I let her.
B opened up to me tonight. She came to me instead of Knox. I’m slowly knocking down her walls and gaining her trust, a road not many go down with her.
The next thing I know we’re waking up to the sound of my alarm buzzing in my ear with B curled up against me. I give her a nudge, hoping that Dad and Val didn’t notice her absence in the spare bedroom.
It’s confirmed that they did when I walk downstairs after both of us get ready for school.
Dad shakes his head with a cup of coffee gripped tightly in his hand. “Not cool, Jasper. Not cool at all.”
I chuckle. “We didn’t do anything. She had a bad dream, so I helped her through it. It’s not a big deal.”
“There are rules in this house. Do I need to remind you of them?”
“No parties, no sleepovers with the opposite sex, no drinking. Oh, and no leaving our shoes at the door.” I wink and give my fingers a snap.
“This isn’t a joke. I expect you to follow the rules from here on out. And, it’s in your best interest to listen to what I said before. Steer clear of that girl.”
My eyes shoot behind me when I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. I know she heard him. There is no way she didn’t.
She casually ignores his command, “Good morning, Coach Scott.” Her eyes shoot to me and her lips coil. “Jasper.”
Dad grabs his lunch off the counter. “Remember what I said.”
And he’s gone. I lean back with my elbows on the center island and look B up and down. A black mini skirt that could stand to be an inch or two longer and a baby blue tee that shows a fraction of her stomach.
I know exactly what she’s thinking without her even speaking. She’s holding onto the memory of me between her legs last night.
“Wanna ride with me?” I ask her, as I peel back the skin of a banana, tossing one to her. “You need to eat.”
“Don’t you have practice after school?”
She’s right, I do. Damnit.
“I’ll see you in first period.” She pushes the skinless banana into her mouth, seductively, while watching me, tearing off the top and tossing the leftover at me.
I catch the slippery mess and gape at her as she walks away. Once she’s out the door, I finish off both bananas and head out the door.
The first thing that hits me is the chill in the air. The second is Dad’s work truck that’s still parked in the driveway. I walk over and look inside—his coffee and lunch are in the center console. Where the hell is he? I glance around the yard, taking a step closer to the Porter house when I hear voices. Dad’s voice—followed by the high-pitched tone of Mr. Porter, standing nose to nose between two large pillars on the front porch.
I step closer to hear what they are arguing about but watch as Dad throws his hands in the air and walks down the steps. I stroll casually back to his truck and lean my back against the driver door until he rounds the corner.
“What was that all about?” I gesture toward the Porter property.
“Nothing. I gotta get to work.” His words are an attempt to get me to move. Only my feet remain firmly in place. I cross my arms over my chest, taking a stance until I get answers as to why he’s already battling it out with our delightful new neighbor. “Jasper, come on. I’m starting a new project, and I’m already running late.” He glances at his wristwatch. Not an Apple Watch or a Fitbit, a good old fashion analog from Costco. Dad is old fashioned in that way. Also, because we’ve never been able to afford the glam and lavish that people like the Porters bask in.
“Just tell me everything is okay? Is it Blakely?”
He pushes me to the side and I lose my momentum as he opens the door. “Do me a favor, stay the hell away from her. I mean it, Jasper.” He closes the door and shifts into reverse. I squint my eyes in confusion.
Why is the world so against us?
Chapter Twenty
Blakely
The school week went by uneventfully. Practice in the evenings. Stealing kisses at night. After the night Jasper and I slept together, I returned back home—or to hell rather. I’d love nothing more than to wake up to Jasper every morning, but knowing that his parents were aware of us sharing a room that night, I figured it’s best to play it safe and follow the rules. Val is like a mom to me. She and Knox are two of the small group of people who have earned my respect and decency. Although, Knox has been extra protective lately. Constantly nagging at me for my choice of companionship. I’ve made it clear to him that Jasper and I are nothing more than friends, but I don’t think he’s buying it—I’m beginning to lack the credibility to back up my words.
“Hey there, beautiful.”
I turn around to find Levi in uniform. The clock is already lit up for our last away game of the season.
“Hi.” I grimace. Levi made it pretty clear that his time is much better suited when accompanied by Petra. If ditching me for hoco wasn’t enough, I saw them making out in the gym after lunch. At first, I felt gutted, then I got over it. A lot quicker than I thought I could.
“You going to Chloe’s tonight?”
“I am. With Jasper.”
Levi lets out a noise that resembles a laugh but sounds more like he’s gasping for air. “With that Raven wannabe? You sure like sticking it to Petra, don’t you?” His helmet hangs freely from his left hand as he swings it back and forth.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Petra and Jasper barely know each other.”
His head twists and nods to the left and my eyes follow suite. “That’s not what I hear. Or see for that matter.”
On the last row of bleachers, Petra is standing over Jasper as he sits.
“Control your bitch.” I shove past him as I move toward Jasper, but I stop myself and turn back around—walking toward my squad.
“She’s not mine to control.” Levi cups his mouth and shouts as I walk by him.
When I reach the girls, they are already in line. Petra jogs over, followed by Jasper who gives a me a wink on his way to the sideline. I give him a roll of the eyes, and he changes his direction to come back to me.