“Ya know. You said you probably wouldn’t come back here again, but I think you should reconsider. Say, tomorrow night?”
I nod because I can’t process anything he’s saying right now. Do I push him away or slap him?
No. I want this. I want him to kiss me, because as much as I thought I hated him, I know his bullying is the work of Neo Saint. Deep down, Jagger is nothing like that jerk.
His lips part slightly, so I do the same with mine. When his tongue slides into my mouth, I welcome it.
I’ve never kissed a boy before, but this is exactly how I’d imagined it would be. It’s perfect.
Jagger is the first to break the kiss, but his hand stays on my cheek. “First time?” he asks, a softness to his tone.
I nod, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks. “That obvious?”
He shakes his head in slow movements. “Not at all.”
“Whoa. What’s going on here?”
Jagger jumps back, and I do the same.
I eye the newcomer. “What are you doing here?”
Neo smirks from the ladder. “Just checking in on my friend, but it seems you’ve got him occupied.” His attention shifts to Jagger. “What? Are you two hanging out or something?”
Jagger looks from me to Neo, then back to me. “No. Came here for some privacy and Scar was already here.” He climbs to his feet, slouching beneath the low roof. “I was just leaving, though.”
Neo laughs as he goes back down the ladder, but as he descends, his phone begins ringing. He drops to the ground and takes the call, while Jagger joins him on solid ground.
“Wait. What?” Neo says, his tone frantic. “No! Tell me what happened? Okay. I’m on my way.”
He ends the call, and I crawl over to the opening. “Is everything okay?” I peer down at them on my hands and knees.
Neo looks at me, then Jagger. “It’s my mom. Something happened. I have to go.”
I gasp. “Is she okay?”
I’ve never seen Neo this worked up. The worry in his eyes is apparent and my heart aches for him, and Maddie, too.
“I’ll go with you,” Jagger tells him. He gives me one last look, swallowing hard while his throat bobs. Then, without a word, they both disappear down the trail.
Right now I need to find Maddie because if something happened to her mom, she’ll need me. But I’ll be back here tomorrow. And every day Jagger asks me to come, because now that I’ve had my first kiss, I want more of them—with him.
ChapterOne
SCAR
Present Day
This can’t be happening again.
I’m running as fast as I can, dodging sticks on the ground, and skirting beneath branches hanging in my way.
Is he still there?
I don’t stop. My feet keep moving, carrying me quickly to The Square, or anywhere with witnesses.
I can see the roof of the sports complex. I’m almost there.
It’s been almost two weeks since my stalker left the note in my bag, and I haven’t seen or heard from him since. I thought this was over. That his sick games had ended. There’s finally been a bit of tranquility in my life and I got comfortable in it. Far too comfortable, because it’s not over. I’m not sure what the endgame is with this psycho prowler, but I’m really fucking scared. Has this person been watching me all this time when I thought he had actually left?