Destiny nodded. “Yes.”
“Then pull it together, girl.” She grabbed Destiny’s hands and yanked her up. “Let’s go to the mall for some retail therapy. Afterwards, we’ll seriously start that bonfire and have a good cry while we say goodbye forever.”
Destiny drew in a deep breath, then let it out. “Thank you. I do need that.”
“Dad,” Jessica called. “Destiny and I are going out shopping.”
“I heard,” he called back.
Jessica rolled her eyes. “Nice, Dad.”
He came into the room. “You two have fun.”
“This isn’t about fun. This is a man-purge.” Jessica took Destiny’s arm. “We’re getting over the creep.”
Des nodded, although not as enthusiastically as Jessica would have liked. Whatever. She’d work on her. She waved to her father, then grabbed her purse and headed to her car. Destiny followed.
After she started the engine, she turned to her cousin. “Any man who would cheat on you is not worth it. Okay?”
“Yeah. You’re right.” Des pulled on her seatbelt. “Let’s do this.”
Jessica turned up her classic rock station and they jammed out to “Bohemian Rhapsody” as she drove to the mall. The dinner crowd was starting to surge and parking was hard to find. She had to park in back where the streetlight was busted. At least the mall was well lit, and the sun hadn’t yet set. They climbed out of the car and walked to the entrance.
“Want to eat first? Or shop first?” Jessica asked.
“Eat. I’m starved.”
“Our usual?”
Destiny smiled, and for the first time, it felt like old times between them. “Yeah.”
They got in line at Chipotle. Jessica loved their rice bowls, and Destiny always got the burrito. Jessica ordered a water with her bowl.
“Your dad said you’ve been working out.” Destiny grabbed her tray and snagged a seat. “What’s up with that? You’re, like, pencil thin.”
Jessica joined her on the opposite side of the table. “Science project.”
“Oh, right. Who are you paired up with again?”
“He’s a senior. You don’t know him.”
A frown indicated Destiny wasn’t satisfied. “I know a ton of seniors. What’s his name?”
Nope. Not going there. Even if they were friends again, there was no way she would risk the possibility of her father finding out. But she also knew Destiny would bug her until she folded. “His name? It’s...” She tried to think of someone. Anyone. Her gaze landed on the restroom sign. “John.”
“John who?”
“John...Johnson.”
“Yeah, I don’t know who that is.” Des waved her hand and dismissed it.
“Told you.” Jessica shoved a big bite of rice and beans in her mouth. Maybe Des wouldn’t ask any more questions. After she swallowed, she said, “Who do you have for Algebra?”
Destiny didn’t answer. She was staring at something, her eyes wide. Jessica turned around to see what caught Destiny’s attention.
Jack was walking toward them.
Chapter 6
Jessica stared as Jack sauntered up to them. His hair was longer since the last time she’d seen him. He was letting it hang into his eyes. She reluctantly admitted it looked good on him.
He ducked his head a bit when he saw Jessica. Good. Let him be embarrassed. “Hey, Destiny,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. He didn’t acknowledge Jessica.
“What are you doing here?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
“I need to talk to Destiny.”
“I don’t think you do. She knows you’ve been lying to her. Cheating on her. So, you can just go.”
Destiny’s cheeks turned pink and she stared down at her burrito. Coward.
Jack’s mouth dropped. “I’m not cheating! Des, listen to me. I swear.”
Destiny looked up at him with a gaze that said it all. She was still into him. And she was wavering. Jessica stood in an impulsive move. “Jack. You had your chance. And you blew it.”
“Wait,” Destiny said, grabbing Jessica’s arm. “Maybe I was wrong.”
“Yes, you’re wrong. I wouldn’t do that,” Jack said.
Jessica seethed. “You wouldn’t cheat? Like you didn’t make eyes at her while you were dating me?”
“Jess, I didn’t—”
“Save it. You flirted with her—” Jessica pointed to Destiny. “Right in front of me.”
“Maybe now isn’t a good time,” he said, backing up. “I’ll call you later, Des.”
He turned, but Destiny jumped out of her seat. “Wait. I want to talk now.” She faced Jessica. “I’ll be back.” Then she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and rushed to Jack.
Jessica’s mouth fell open as she watched them disappear out the door she and Destiny had come in. She plopped back down in her chair. Unbelievable. Betrayed by Destiny again. What a super turn of events. She took another bite of her meal, but the taste had soured. She forced herself to eat several more bites before she tossed the rest in the wastebasket.
So much for their shopping therapy. Now she was stuck waiting around for her cousin to come back. What was she supposed to do? Just sit there all alone in the food court? She leaned against the wall and watched people come and go.
She took out her phone and played a game, watching the clock tick. Twenty minutes later, with no sign of her cousin, she decided that was enough. She tapped Destiny’s name and placed her phone to her ear. The call went to voice mail. Nice. She texted.
Where are you?
When no answer came back, she had no choice. She had to go find Destiny. If she’d made up with Jack, then he could take her home.
She crossed the space and pushed the bar on the door. The sun had gone down and darkness greeted her. She peered out into the parking lot, searching for Des, but there was no sign of her. She must have walked around the outside of the mall with Jack.
Perfect. Jessica wrapped her jacket around her tighter. The last of the warmth had gone with the sun, and now it was chilly. She started down the sidewalk that followed the perimeter, guessing which direction they might have gone. When she got to the turn, the darkness totally enveloped her. “Des?” she called.
A movement caught her attention. A figure of a man. Was that Jack? Was Destiny with him? She took a step closer but tripped when the sidewalk suddenly ended, her foot twisting sideways on the soft soil. She managed to catch herself but not before a stabbing pain went up from her ankle. “Ouch.”
“Hey, what do we have here?” a male voice said.
Jessica froze. That wasn’t Jack. Her heart pounded as the male figure walked closer. “What’s your name, sweet thing?”
She took a step back, but the pain from her twisted ankle almost made her fall. “Get away from me.”
He grabbed her arm. “Listen, now. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Contrary to his words, his fingers dug into her skin. She tried to yank her arm away, but he was too strong. “Let go!”
“Come on, girlie. Don’t be like that.”
Fear ripped through her and she panicked. She jerked, trying to get away from him, but he wouldn’t let go of her arm. She couldn’t breathe. Her knees buckled and she thought she might pass out.
“She said, let her go.” Christian stepped into view, and tears of relief sprang to her eyes.
“This doesn’t concern you,” the man said, pulling Jessica close to him. His breath smelled of cigarettes and stale beer.
Christian pulled her free, then charged at the man. He shoved him against the brick of the building, Christian’s arm pressing on his throat. “This does concern me.”
Christian’s voice was low. Menacing. And his muscles bulged under his leather jacket. He was powerful. Dangerous.
“Sorry, man. I didn’t know she was your girl.” The man held his arms up.
Christian stepped back but kept his fists up, ready to fight if he was challenged. “I suggest you walk away.”
<
br /> “Okay, okay. Take it easy.” The man waved his hands. “Don’t hit me.” He stumbled back and disappeared into the darkness.
Christian turned to Jessica, and she flung her arms around him, her body shaking. She couldn’t stop the tears from coming. He wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her close. He was warm, and she melted into him. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
She buried her face into his chest, unable to stop shaking. “How did you—Where did you come from?”
“I saw you leave the mall,” he said, his voice husky. “I wanted to make sure you got to your car okay. I know this side of the mall is dark.”
She closed her eyes, squeezing out more tears. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” He held her close until she pulled back.
She took a step and sucked in a breath, wincing at the ache from her ankle.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No. I twisted my ankle.”
With one swift movement, he lifted her, carrying her as he cradled her to his chest. “Let’s go inside and take a look at it.”
Jessica clung to him as he walked around the corner and toward the mall doors. She suddenly felt stupid. Why had she come outside, alone, to the dark part of the parking lot? She knew it wasn’t a great idea. So dumb. If Christian hadn’t followed her outside...she stopped herself there. She didn’t want to think about what could have happened.
Christian entered the mall, and the light and warmth made Jessica feel immediately better. Even so, she still couldn’t stop shaking.
He walked to a table and pulled out a chair, then lowered her into it. “Let me see,” he said, kneeling down.
She lifted the leg that had been hurt, and Christian untied the shoe and gently pulled it off. Then he pulled down her sock and tenderly probed her ankle. “Does this hurt?”
“Not so much,” she said, surprised. She moved her foot in a circular motion. It hurt but not badly. “It’s feeling better.”
“Doesn’t look broken. You probably just wrenched it.”
Now she felt even more stupid. She wiped at her face. “Thank you.”
He replaced her sock and slid her foot back into her shoe. As he tied it, she heard Destiny call out. “Jessica! Where were you? We’ve been looking all over for you.”
Jack and Destiny walked up to her, and Jessica’s heart stopped. Christian finished tying her shoe and stood up. Destiny raised her eyebrows. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing,” Jessica said quickly. “I just twisted my ankle, and this kind person was helping to see if it was broken. But it’s not.” She let out a nervous laugh. “So, thank you. You can go now.” The second her words left her lips, she was plagued with guilt. He’d just saved her, and this was how she treated him? But she clamped her lips together. Destiny couldn’t figure out who he was. She’d get locked in her room forever.
He stepped back and his expression shuttered. “Yeah. Everything looks good there.”
Destiny crouched down. “Oh, my gosh. Are you okay? How did you hurt your ankle?”
As she gushed, Christian slipped away. Jessica brushed back her hair and took a calming breath. “I’m fine, now. See?” She wriggled her foot to show her cousin it was okay.
“Good. Because Jack and I have some good news, too.” She stood and took his hand. “We’re back together.”
“Oh...yay.” Jessica clenched her teeth to stop herself from saying anything else. If Destiny was stupid enough to take him back after he cheated, they deserved each other. Jessica stood, the weight on her ankle making it throb. At least the stabbing pain had subsided.
“It was all a misunderstanding. See, Jack was planning a surprise for my birthday and...” Destiny gushed on about the mistake and how, in an effort to surprise her, Jack had kept secrets from her. But as she talked, Jack grew distracted. His gaze wandered to a group of girls standing in the Chinese food line.
Jessica couldn’t believe it. He was leering at those other girls while standing next to Destiny. The creep. She wanted to slap him upside the head but refrained for Destiny’s sake. Maybe she’d talk to her later about it. Destiny giggled and snuggled into Jack.
Or maybe not. Some disasters you just couldn’t avoid.
Chapter 7
Christian slipped outside and shoved his fists in his jacket. Jessica was fine now. And she made it clear she didn’t want him there anymore. She pretended they didn’t even know each other. He swung his leg over his motorcycle. Whatever. What had he expected? That she would introduce him to her friends?
He wasn’t the kind of guy Jessica could be with. He knew that. He had no delusions about their relationship. He was a means to an end, and that was it. She needed a good grade. And he was the one who could help her get it. Period.
It wasn’t late, and he had no desire to go home, so he turned and headed toward the park. He sped up, the wind stinging his neck and fingers. He knew he liked Jessica more than he should. It was stupid of him, but he couldn’t help it. He liked her spunk.
He needed to forget about it. Purge her from his mind. Tonight just proved that.
He pulled into the parking area and shut off his engine. The park didn’t close until midnight, but after dark, the number of people dwindled. He liked to walk through the gardens and look at the sculptures. It gave him time to think.
His phone vibrated and he pulled it out of his pocket. He was surprised to see a text from Jessica.
Can I stop by? I need to talk to you.
He replied. I’m not home.
Where are you?
Rockford Park.
What are you doing there?
He sat down on a park bench under a streetlamp. Nothing.
Can I meet you there?
Christian stared at her text. What did she want? She’d made herself clear at the mall. She didn’t want anything to do with him. He didn’t owe her anything. And yet, he was curious to find out what she wanted. All right. Meet me by the entrance to the garden.
I’ll be there in a minute.
Christian pocketed his phone and stood. A zing of anticipation shot through him and he shook his head. Stupid. She probably only wanted to talk about their science project.
He headed over to the garden. The sidewalk twisted and turned around pools of water, lights shining under the surface. Large goldfish swam amongst the water lilies. Soon the temperatures would fall enough they would have to drain the pools for winter.
He walked to the entrance by the parking lot and leaned against the brick retaining wall. A couple walked by him, holding hands. He waited until he saw headlights pull into the lot. He recognized her car. Jessica cut her engine and stepped out of her vehicle.
As she walked, he could tell she was favoring one foot. When she got near enough, he spoke. “How’s your ankle?”
“A little sore. I’m sure it will be fine.”
He folded his arms and appraised her. The lamplight reflected off the purple in her hair. She peered up at him, her blue eyes clouded. He couldn’t read the expression on her face. She didn’t say anything else, and his curiosity grew too strong. “What do you need, Jessica?”
She shifted her weight. “I need to apologize.”
He raised his eyebrows. “What for?”
“For the way I acted. Like I didn’t know you. I’m sorry. I just can’t let my cousin know we’ve been seeing each other.” Her cheeks flushed. “Not that we’re seeing each other in that way.”
Christian hid a smile. Why was this girl so intriguing to him? He shouldn’t like her, but he couldn’t help himself. He took a step closer to her. “You don’t need to apologize.”
“Yes, I do. You were there for me, and I treated you so badly. I’m just worried about my father. He can’t know...he can’t find out—”
Christian took hold of her arm. Her skin was softer than he expected. She swallowed and stared up at him. Something passed between them, something intangible, but it affected him.
“There’s nothing going on between us.”
He said the words, but even as they came out, he knew they weren’t true.
“I know. It’s just—” She looked away. “You don’t know my father.”
“I do, actually.” He knew her father better than he wanted to. He knew the stakes.
Jessica raised her hand to her mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I just meant...he’d kill me if he found out I was here. With you.”
He could see the conflict in her eyes. The fear. Was she afraid of him? Or her father? He wanted to know. “What are you doing here with me?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper.
She licked her lips and glanced toward the garden. “Why are you here?”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
Her gaze returned to his. “So are you.”
He let out a soft chuckle. “I like to come here. To think.”
“Isn’t it creepy at night?”
He motioned. “It’s well lit. Come on. I’ll show you.”
JESSICA SHOULD HAVE said no. She shouldn’t have come to the park at all to see Christian. But something inside her wouldn’t let go. She craved to know more about him. To unlock the mystery that was Christian. Why was he such a dichotomy? She nodded to him. “All right.”
He put his hand on the small of her back as they walked down the garden path. His hand was warmer than she expected. It made her insides feel like Jell-O.
Christian was right. It was well lit in the garden area, and every once in a while, another couple passed by them. She could see why he liked to come here. It was peaceful.
They came to a water fountain lit with red, blue and green lights. A stone bench sat across from it, and Christian motioned. “Want to sit?”
She sat down, her thoughts in a jumble. She stared at the fountain and tried to think of how she could ask the question that plagued her.
He sat beside her, a silence settling in between them. She drew in a breath, gathering her courage to speak. “I want to ask you something, but I don’t want you to get offended.”
His gaze landed on her, a knowing look on his face. “I won’t get offended.”
Don't Fall for Trouble Page 4
