Jared is waiting for me outside, leaning against a tree.
“Hey, babe.” He loses his smile when he sees my face.
“Whose ass do I need to kick?” I smile, pressing my lips against his. I sigh at the contact.
“All I need is your hands all over me.” I continue to kiss his lips and he pulls me flush against him and I moan in his mouth. We make out like we’re the only two here on campus, and I love it.
He pulls back and I whimper.
“Come for a ride with me… I have my bike.”
“Okay,” I reply, and walk with him to toss my books in my car but I can’t find it. “Where the hell is my car?” I screech.
I continue to look around the parking lot. That’s when Jared hands me a set of keys.
“What’s this?” I question, and he gives me a smile.
“These are your new keys and this is your new car, baby.” He points to a beautiful white Audi parked beside his bike.
“No fucking way, Jared.” I shake my head back and forth. “You did not just buy me a car!” My face begins to heat with fury because I hate charity. I used to be the girl who had everything,and now I’m barely scraping by. It’s embarrassing. I start to walk away because I’m furious with him right now.
“Where are you going?” He follows me in confusion.
“Anywhere but here. Shit, Jared, you could have talked with me first, you know.”
“Babe, that car was a death trap, and you’re my girl now. I need you in something safe.” When I spin around I glare at him, but he still has that sexy stupid grin on his face like he finds me funny.
“Come on, don’t be upset with me.” Jared pulls me into his hold. I go willingly because I love him and I know he means well.
“Where is my car?”
“It’s sold; now stop your complaining and check it out.”
“It is beautiful, Jared, but it’s too much,” I argue, and he kisses my cheek.
“You have been through so much and I know you have had a taste of luxury before and I want to give it back to you. I want to share my success with you, baby. You are my fucking life and I need you safe.” I sigh and nod because the way he says it makes me feel better as tears well in my eyes. He’s being thoughtful and I’m just being stubborn.
“Now, I want you on the back of my bike. You can drive your car when we get back.”
I hop onto the back of his bike and he takes my hands to wrap around his middle. The feel of his toned stomach through his shirt makes liquid pool between my thighs. I hope I always want him the way that I do. We drive for a while and eventually pull up to a secluded area. There’s a lake and a dock for fishing. We make our way over to the dock, hand in hand. The sun is shining on my face as I take a deep breath and inhale the fresh air. I still can’t believe I am this lucky to have this man in my life.
We sit down at the edge of the dock in silence for a couple of minutes, just enjoying the landscape.
“I promise I will protect you, Erica. Now that Antonio and his crew have been eliminated, you at least don’t have to worry about them.” He’s still gazing at the lake.
“It’s my fault that man attacked you.” His face contorts in pain.
“What do you mean?” The worry on my face is palpable. Jared grabs my hand and I let him.
“When Jayden hurt Shannon we found out he worked for Antonio and his crew. The Irish and the Italians were working together. Then word got out about you still being alive and I just knew the Irish were coming for you. I should have been more careful, and I’m fucking pissed at myself for keeping that from you. I failed you both, and I’m sorry.” His confession makes me blink back the tears forming in my eyes.
“You’re saying you knew this entire time that Jayden was working with Antonio and you didn’t tell me?” My voice cracks.
“Shit, Jared, that’s fucked up. You lied to me! What else have you been lying to me about?” The anger bubbling up inside of me is making me sick.
“We were waiting for the right time to strike. I had no idea the Irish would plant some sick fuck at your school.” I let go of his hand.
“He could have killed me, Jared.”