The Best Thing for Me

by Lauren Jackson

  "Oh?" I asked, tilting my head to side, as if I was concentrating hard on something. "But, I also have a secret on you too."

  He snorted, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure you do. As much as I love this foreplay, get off me now."

  The corners of my mouth twitched as I fought off a smirk. "Foreplay. Huh. I didn't think Britney was the type to share."

  He froze underneath my foot and stared at me, his face shocked momentarily. He took a couple of moments before replying. "I don't understand."

  "Oh but you do." I said nodding, as though I was speaking to a child. "You know all too well."

  "I'm not following..." he trailed off, baffled.

  "The question I'd like to ask you would be..." I said, pressing my foot down a little harder. "If you two are so in love, even though are technically related, why do you want Britney to be with Jason so badly?"

  He let out a startled gasp, his eyes popping out. "W-what...?"

  I smiled sweetly down at me. "I told you I knew your secret."

  "How... How do you know?" he spluttered in bewilderment.

  "I have my ways, Daniel. Just as you do. Since we both have something on each other, I'm sure we could work out some way to sort out an agreement..."

  "You've got to be joking." he groaned.

  My grin stretched. "Dead serious."

  His body became less tense and his eyes closed again. I squatted down eye level to him and his eyes snapped open. I reached down and slapped his face gently. "Now, you either leave me alone, or everyone will know. Got it?"

  Since the pressure off his chest was removed, he slowly got up and pinched the bridge of his nose. He sighed deeply.

  "I guess."

  "Good to hear it!" I sang in a cheerful voice. I slapped his shoulder enthusiastically. "Come on now. We're already late for Geography."

  He shrugged my hand off and stood up, glaring at me. "This isn't over, Ross."

  "Sadly, I think it is." I smiled. "See you in class."

  And with that final statement, I turned on my heel and began my trek to my classroom. I couldn't believe that I, Emma Maree Ross, just did that! A year ago I wouldn't have been able to even string a sentence together in front of these people. Now, I'd punched the main 'It' girl and was currently black mailing the main boy...

  It was horrible, but after what they'd made me suffer through, I felt as though I wasn't completely taken over by the dark side. I didn't want to hurt anybody! That had never been my intention. But, when it comes to mine and my family's life... action needed to take place. I pushed my long hair out of my face as the slight breeze whipped it behind me. It was like a tremendous weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

  I felt as though I could breathe again...

  51

  Jason Mayor

  I watched with a sour expression as Chase was grinning and charming the pants off coach. My fists were clenched and my teeth gritting against each other. The impulse to punch him was getting stronger and stronger by the minute.

  I was absolutely seething.

  He glanced over at me momentarily, our eyes connecting. He smirked at me, which almost had my blood boiling. My eyes narrowed into slits and my upper lip curled in anger. I wanted to hear the satisfying crunch of my fist connecting with his nose.

  "You'll be fine." Alex's voice snapped me out of my mental rage. I flickered my eyes to him, trying to reposition a calm and collected look.

  "Hmph."

  "You're blitzing anyway. You just gotta relax-"

  "Breathe and focus. Got it." I said through a clenched jaw, trying to maintain my easy-going facade. Usually I was, until it got down to something I really wanted. I've always wanted to be on this relay team for years and now it's practically official and this goose comes along, trying to sabotage it.

  I wonder how good he'd go if his kneecaps were accidentally broken...

  "Chin up." Alex said, giving me a lop-sided grin. "Think positive."

  He clapped my back, which seemed to be a regular thing these guys did, causing me to flinch slightly. I needed to go relax. With a deep sigh, I padded over to my bag, in search of my phone. I quickly texted Emma to come and meet me here if she wasn't busy.

  I needed her presence to help calm me. I got a reply instantly, telling me that she was on her way. A small smile crept onto my face and I dropped down onto the bench, leaning back. I closed my eyes and shifted, trying to get comfortable. I felt a shadow flick over me and with a frown, opened my eyes.

  Chase beamed down to me. "Hey there Jase."

  I re-adjusted my position and stared up at him. "Chase."

  "Jase and Chase. They rhyme."

  I didn't reply, instead gave him an impassive stare.

  "Why so cold?" he asked in a sweet voice, rocking backwards and forwards on the balls of his feet. I made a face at him.

  "Because I don't like you."

  "Harsh words."

  "Get out of my face."

  "Why don't you make me?" he challenged, quirking an eyebrow. His lips tilted into a smirk. "I dare you."

  I rose in one fluid moment, my hand literally shaking, dying to swing out and lash at him. My arms were trembling as I tried to refrain from hitting him. The tension between us two was so thick, that in the back of my mind, I was wondering if any of the other team mates could see it. Or feel it.

  "Why don't you just go back to where you come from?"

  "Hit me. See how long Emma's still with you after that. Or, how you will go being on the relay team when you're suspended."

  My whole arm was quivering as I fought to keep myself under control. Just one hit... that's all I wanted. I never really was violent man, until it came to my father. I never got in punch ups or anything. But things change. First, Daniel. Now...

  "Might be worth losing the relay team so I can rearrange your face."

  "But Emma?" he pressed, leaning closer to me. His breath fanned my face and his chest bumped mine, causing me to step back slightly. He was a little too close for comfort. Having him so close, but that I couldn't hit him made me want to scream. I just had to hit him. My hand twitched and just as I went to move, I heard footsteps.

  "Hey!" Emma greeted. She walked over and pressed her lips to my cheek. "How was your swim? Hey Chase."

  "It was okay." I said, my lips hardly moving, my eyes never leaving Chase. A grin broke out on his face and he wrapped his arms around Emma, lifting her feet off the ground. She squeaked at the sudden gesture and my vision was beginning to tint red.

  "Emma, my lovely!" his American accent boomed. "How are you baby?"

  "Don't. Call. Her. That." I choked out, my face flooding with heat. Emma's eyes widened as she took in my shaking body. Her eyes flickered between us both. Sharing a brief look with me, she stood in between us, hands on both of our chests, pushing us away from each other.

  "Let's go for a walk." she suggested, looking me in the eye. She looped her arm through mine and practically dragged me away. Once we expanded the distance, I let out a deep breath. She halted, turning to me, giving me a baffled expression.

  "Okay... what was that?"

  I just shook my head, running a hand through my hair in irritation. "Distract me."

  She stood up straight a saluted to me. "Aye, aye sir."

  I rolled my eyes and threw my arm around her, drawing her close. I grabbed her upper arm and tugged her after me. I began running, causing her to stumble after me. She tried to stop, but I kept going.

  "Why are we running?" she panted.

  Without a verbal answer, I stopped, having reached my car. I slammed her up against the door and she gasped, her eyes wide. I smashed my lips to hers. My anger pouring through my kiss and altering into lust. My hands began roaming. I hooked her leg up around my waist and she responding by pressing her body against mine.

  I broke, and began to kiss trails down her jawline. I moved to her lip, to the bottom of her earlobe. I nibbled at it and she sighed, causing my mind to go into over drive. I lifted her, so that her la
gs were wrapped around my waist and carried her to the hood of the car. I hungrily began running my hands through her long hair, getting them tangled.

  Her tongue met mine and I almost completely lost it. I laid her down on the hood, fumbling at my shirt. She broke, completely breathless. I moved back in, but she turned her head.

  Her chest was rising and falling. "Wow."

  "Why'd you stop?" I asked, panting. My eyes were dilated, my lips slightly parted. I wanted her. All of her.

  "Uhm..." she said, biting her lip. "You have to realise we're in the pool car park?"

  I blinked a couple of times, slowly shifting back into reality. I was literally not going to stop. I wasn't even thinking. I looked back up and she was studying me curiously, a crinkle creased her forehead. I sighed and pressed my forehead to hers, mingling our breaths together so they were became one.

  "Sorry."

  "No, it was great. Unfortunately the wrong place."

  I breathed out a laugh, leaning back and cupping her face with my hands. I just took a moment to stare into her beautiful, green orbs. She was gorgeous. Slowly, I brushed my lips against hers gently. She sighed into me and I almost went crazy again.

  "I need to let you go or I won't stop this time." I murmured, caressing her cheek with my thumb. Reluctantly, I let go of her and stepped back. We just stared at each other for a second, before I was locking lips with her again. I spun her so that she was on my lap and I was the one sitting. I pulled back for a second, trying to catch my breath.

  "I think my house is free."

  She rolled her swollen, red lips into her mouth and looked up at me. "Let's go then."

  Emma Ross

  "If you ask me to lift another photo frame for you, I think I'm going to go into cardiac arrest." I huffed to Mel, folding my arms across my chest.

  She rolled her eyes. "Fine. We'll move the lounge..."

  I groaned and collapsed onto the floor with a thud. So far, we'd been moving for hours and being the unfit person I was, I was struggling.

  "Come help me." her voice successfully pulled me out of my thoughts.

  "Please don't make me."

  "Come on." she urged, clapping her hands with enthusiasm, grinning at me. "Or I'll tell your Dad about you and Jason.”

  "Okay, okay." I grumbled, getting onto my knees and painfully rose to my feet. My muscles were aching from the strain of lifting. I dragged my feet to the lounge, a sour expression on my face. Mel smiled sweetly at me, absolutely loving my torture. I mock glared at her, trying to act tough and defensive.

  "You love me."

  "You're lucky I do." I said haughtily, earning a smirk from her.

  "Need any help?" Jason asked. He entered the room and the corners of my mouth twitched. A thin, sheet of sweat lined his skin, his blond, floppy hair messily stuck up. I bit my lip upon seeing him. He was so attractive. He was closely followed by Luke. I sighed in relief, letting go of the lounge like it was poisonous.

  "Yes please!"

  "Oh man up." Mel snapped, but the amusement was clear in her eyes. I noticed her check Luke out briefly.

  "You should be thankful I'm helping in the first place!" I protested.

  She stuck her tongue out at me and I narrowed my eyes. She obviously didn't realise how much of a cool friend I was. (Not really). But still, I was giving up the beach and my daily dose of Vitamin D to help her move in with my brother.

  "Now, now girls." Luke said, coming between us, trying not to smile. He loved a good cat fight. "Let us men do the heavy lifting, okay?"

  "We're quite capable, thank you." Mel retorted instantly, poking his upper arm roughly. She gave me a pointed look. "Well, I'm capable."

  "You're more than encouraged to do the lifting!" I grinned, causing Mel to frown at me. She didn't like being stereotyped as a weak girl, even if she was pregnant. (She was given the okay the move objects as long as she wasn’t too hard on herself). I didn't care today. I was too tired. My whole body was sore. I just wanted to go take a nap in the sun.

  My throat was burning, indicating that I was in need of some water. I pivoted and marched to the fridge. As I was chugging down some water, my eyes fell upon a figure, jogging down the beach. I studied them, before it became clear who it was. I placed the bottle back in the fridge and pushed open the door. I skipped down the stairs and ran after him.

  "CHASE!" I called out.

  He kept going.

  "CHASE!" I tried again, picking up the pace. He didn't respond, again. With massive effort, I notched up my pace and pushed my legs under me. I finally fell in step with him and slapped his arm, making him aware of my presence. His head whipped to mine and his eyes widened. I ripped his earphones out of his head and came to a stop, his chest rising and falling. His eyes were dilated as he doubled over, hands on his knees.

  "Emma?"

  "Chase." I said, panting. "I want to know what happened back at the pool today."

  "Nothing," he shrugged, rising to his full height. Sweat glistening on his forehead and he wiped his upper lip on the back of his hand. He planted his hands on his hip, completely out of breath. I looked into his eyes with determination.

  "Don't." I shook my head, folding my arms across my chest defiantly. "Don't lie to me."

  He bit his lip and averted his eyes. He glanced back up and I frowned at him. I made a gesture with my hands to go on and he sighed, pinching the skin between his eyes. He pursed his lips at me. I raised my eyebrows, expectantly.

  "I'm trying out for the relay team."

  "Oh, that's great!"

  "For the free style position."

  My smile dropped as well as my stomach clenched. My eyes drifted closed. Of course he was. That's why Jason was all riled up. He's wanted that for ages! Of course, the first chance he actually got to get it, someone else comes along.

  In an overly calm voice, I asked; "And do you really want the position or is it because Jason was applying for it?"

  He dropped his eyes and mumbled something I didn't quite catch. The wind whipped around us and I strained my ears to hear.

  "Huh?"

  "Because of Jason." he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. My hand struck out and punched him in the shoulder. He took a step back, his eyes snapping to mine. "Ouch!"

  "Why the hell would you do that?" I cried out angrily.

  He shrugged. "He can't have everything."

  "He doesn't?"

  "He has you." he stated bluntly.

  My next retort died on my lips as he gazed at me. I rolled my lips into my mouth. I gulped when he took a step closer to me. He ran his fingers up my arm. He came closer again and my breath hitched. He was so close. His scent was over powering me.

  "Emma..." he murmured, tilting my chin up. "I want you."

  "I'm not available." I said, unfortunately my voice coming out husky. He smirked at this and shifted closer once more.

  "You can be."

  I ripped my face from his grip as he leaned in. His lips hit my cheek. My breath was coming out ragged. I wasn't used to having people after me. I death stared down the beach, trying to get my mind off that fact that his lips were on my cheek.

  I know I loved Jason. He was just amazing in every way. I could never find someone as good as him. I missed him when he wasn't with me and couldn't get enough when he actually was. I had fallen hard. But I couldn't stop my hormones from reacting now. Chase was also pretty attractive. Not as much as my boy though.

  In one fluid movement, his hand snaked around my hip and his teeth grazed my neck. I'd been in deep thought, not having seen him coming. I gasped and he began to nip me. I finally snapped back to my senses and reefed my body from him. I brought my hand up and socked him in the nose.

  "ARGH!" he cried out, toppling over backwards and onto his butt. He wriggled in pain and I just stood there momentarily, dumbfounded.

  My eyes widened as he lay, cradling his nose. My knuckles were throbbing and I glanced down at them. Slowly, what I did processed in my mind. Oh my goo
dness. I just punched him! I didn't even mean to! It just... happened. Ugh, not again! He slowly removed his hands and blood was pouring from his nose. I sucked in a breath of surprise, dropping to my knees.

  "Jeeze Chase! I'm so sorry!"

  "Ow!" he protested, gingerly touching his nose and wincing. "You can sure pack a punch."

  My hands rose to my mouth as I watched in horror. I can't believe I did that! That was so uncharacteristic of me. My stomach began churning. I wasn't good with blood. I got onto my feet quickly, trying to get the sight of red of out of my vision.

  Yuck.

  "I'm sorry." I blurted frantically, my heart rate soaring into a frenzy. Snippets of blood were flashing through my mind, almost making me gag. There was so much of it. I glanced down and it dripped down off his chin to the golden sand. I was on the verge of vomiting.

  "S'okay. I shouldn't have done that."

  "Emma?" Jason's voice floated towards me. I looked over at him as he jogged over and felt a stab of pain in my heart. I can't believe I almost let Chase kiss me. Again. What type of person was I? Tears welled in my eyes and I began hiccupping, trying to not ball my eyes out. He jogged over to me, frantically checking if I was okay. "What's wrong?"

  I pointed, wordlessly, to Chase and Jason's eyes flickered to him. He blinked for a few moments, as if only just realising he was there. I thought he'd be shocked, but instead, he smirked. Amusement flashed across his face instantly. He burst out laughing. I did a double take at him. He was laughing? He doubled over and fell to the ground, literally rolling. I just blinked at him for numerous moments.

  "You - hit - him!" he gasped between laughs, slapping his knee. I glanced down at Chase, who was staring at Jason with narrowed eyes. His palm was still cupping his nose. I felt my stomach roll around and I looked away.

  "Well, I did kiss her." he smirked.

  Jason sobered pretty quickly. He sat up, his eyes going into slits. "What now?"

  "Look, nothing happened..." I trailed off as Jason crawled over to him, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. He brought his fist back and jammed it into his jaw. Chase screamed, literally, falling back to the ground. Jason clambered on top of him and began hitting him again.