“Yeah, well.” He drops his arms at his sides, then lifts a hand to rub the back of his neck. “What about it?”
“Tell me more. About this gang, and how he’s involved.”
“What’s to tell?” Merc grumbles. “It’s a gang. They hang around trying to look cool, and sometimes steal things and sell drugs. They’re bad guys, Gigi. You should stay away from them.” He frowns. “Away from Jarett.”
I turn away and take a deep breath. He’s right, of course. It’s exactly what I’ve been telling myself.
But I’m here to understand something, and I think maybe I got it.
Drugs. Sydney is looking for drugs. Jarett may be a member of a gang dealing drugs.
Is that the connection I’ve been missing? The reason why Jarett is always around when Sydney gets into trouble?
“You don’t even know if it’s true that he’s in a gang,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral. “It’s all hearsay.”
“Look…” He gets up and comes to stand beside me. “His brother is in a gang, I know that for sure. A small gang, sure, relatively new, but word on the street is that they’re trying to move on to bigger things. Worse things.”
“Like what?”
“Bigger drug deals? Selling guns? I dunno for sure. But I heard that they’re at every rave party and every bar and club where drug lords hang out. And Jarett goes wherever his brother goes, and that alone, sis, is fucking bad news. Those are dangerous people. I don’t want you hurt.”
“I won’t be. Don’t worry.” So here, then is the connection. Drugs, like I thought. I slump against the wall. But God, why would Jarett go wherever his brother goes? His brother’s an asshole, and I just can’t…
Can’t accept Jarett’s the same.
And that’s exactly my problem. I like Jarett way too much, so I can’t accept he’s bad news. I equate good looks with kindness, and integrity, apparently.
Awesome. It’s a common mistake. One Merc is trying to make me see, and avoid.
But what he doesn’t know is that it’s too late. I made that mistake three years ago, and I still haven’t found a way to break away.
At the car honk from outside, I step out of the house and quickly close the door behind me. I run down the porch steps and around Sydney’s car.
She grins at me as I climb inside the passenger seat and blow on my hands to warm them. “Ready?”
Am I? I’m wearing a sexy dress and my high heels, and I spent way too much on my hair and make-up. I feel like a high-school girl going to the prom.
Ridiculous.
What sort of person does it make me that I’m excited to go out with Sydney, even if it means she’ll go looking for drugs and trouble, on the off chance I might see Jarett?
That I care less about the fact she’s looking for drugs and more about the possibility of Jarett being around?
Sick. This is sick. And I should stop.
But I can’t, can’t stop the way I feel, the way my heart is racing and my face gets hot, the way my belly tightens with desire at the thought of seeing him again.
“Where are we going?” I glance outside the car window, not seeing anything, as she drives back toward the city. “Another frat party?”
“No.” She seems focused on the road, but her eyes flicker, as if she’s in deep thought. “Not this time.”
Great. “I trust you. You know that.”
She glances quickly sideways at me, mouth quirking in a faint smile. “I know.”
“But Syd… when will you tell me more about what’s going on?” At her silence, I plunge on. “You know I love you like a sister. I worry about you.”
“You shouldn’t worry.”