I stared down at the sidewalk as Jase walked beside me.
For some reason—despite recent events—I felt safer knowing he was right there… even though he probably wanted to kill me, too.
Honestly, I found comfort in his presence sometimes—from people who want to hurt me—even when he’s probably dangerous, too.
But I had to accept the fact… I didn’t think Jase was the one who tried to hurt me yesterday. He might’ve been cool, closed off, and secretive, but he didn’t seem the type to jump out at me and strangle me with senseless violence.
He just… didn’t seem the type for outbursts either.
Let alone… I punctured the guy in the eye, and he looked completely fine.
So I knew for a fact that it wasn’t Jase.
As if he sensed me looking at him, he glanced down at me with a smile. “What?”
“Just thinking…” I said.
“About me?” he prompted. “Tell me, do you dream about me?”
“No,” I responded, “last night I dreamed of an ice cream truck.”
“Your imagination is bland.”
I shoved him, and he chuckled, stumbling a little. “Asshole.”
He smirked down at me.
Almost a second later, my phone came to life.
My lips parted, and I gazed down at it.
I picked it up and pressed it to my ear. “Hey, sis.”
“Mom and dad said their plane cancelled again,” she stated in annoyance. “They—in fact—said that all flights and ways to get here have been cancelled for the next couple weeks. Buses, trains, planes, even cars. The highways around New York are closed. I think we’re fending for ourselves for a while. Mom said she’s going to send you some money for groceries.”
“Peachy,” I said, not surprised in the least with all the luck I’ve been having. “Anything else?”
“Buy more Froot Loops,” she told me, “after that exam, I need another sugar high.”
I chuckled. “You got it.”
I closed the phone, gazing back up at Jase.
“What did wise old Elizabeth say?” he asked me.
“Apparently, mom and dad’s flight canceled again. And they can’t find any other ways to get here from New York.”
Jase nodded, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully. “It’s a shame.”
“You don’t look surprised,” I stated suspiciously.
He gazed down at me. “I mean… are you surprised at this point?”
I just shrugged then, staring back forward.
He suddenly stopped behind me. “Emma.”
I glanced back, turning around.
His lashes just lowered. “Are you going to tell me what happened here?”
He pointed to his neck.
“Mugger,” I said flatly.
He just lifted his brows.
“Why would I lie about that?” I said defensively, throwing my hands up.
His eyes scanned me for a moment, and he just stepped forward before walking past me, and I followed after him.
“Jase,” I said then, and he glanced back at me, “what do your tattoos resemble?”
I pointed to his chest, signifying the black inky lines covering his upper chest, shoulders, and a little over his neck.
He just smiled down at me. “If you aren’t honest with me, I’m not honest with you.”
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxYD56SIVD
31Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bsZoeOWEm
