“Remember when we used to come up here all the time?” she says softly. Reverently.
My eyelids slide shut. Sometimes—lately—I wish I could forget. I need to not be so focused on her. It hurts to be so focused on her.
“Yeah, I remember.” Understatement of the world.
She lies down next to me, looking up at the stars.
Man, I could do this forever. It’s like I can hear her heartbeat. Like it’s beating as hard as mine.
“Remember we used to play that game?” Now I can hear her smile. Clear as day. “What we would do when we were big and sixteen?”
I nod. “I remember.”
“You were going to be the school football hero.”
“Score,” I whisper.
(I’m the school’s football hero.)
She says teasingly, “Yeah. I hear you always score.”
“Not with you,” I murmur, giving her a little peek.
With a playful smile she says, “’Cause you know I have awesome kung fu skills.”
“Right.” I close my eyes. “I’m afraid of you.”
“You know,” she says matter-of-factly, “When we used to play our game up here you promised me you’d give me your first high school trophy.”
I smile. “Yes. I know.”
“Well, where’s my trophy?”
Without opening my eyes, I tell her, “It’s in my room.”
“Right.”
“Jazz, it’s in my room.”
She sounds disbelieving. Probably because we were like, ten when I promised her the trophy. She says skeptically, “You promised it would be engraved and say: ‘To my best friend, Jazz. I won the game for you … just like you won my heart.’” She laughs. “Remember? You promised.”
“Jazz, it’s in my room.”
She gapes at me. “Na-uh.”
I gesture towards my window. “It’s in my room.”
CHAPTER 21
Okay, so now Jazz is in my room, and the first thing she sees is our comic book, since I’d left it open on my desk.
Her eyes light up. “Our book!” she gushes all happy and excited. “I can’t believe you still have it!”
I watch her look through it. Her face is pink and her eyes are all sparkling and eager. My heart is like a sludge hammer whamming against my chest, since she’s looking through the book like it’s the Holy Grail.
Silently, I slide the trophy to her, across my desk.
Distractedly, she cuts her happy gaze from the comic book to the trophy. Then she blinks, like she can’t believe her eyes.
She touches it, like caresses it, then swallows and tries to read the engraved inscription aloud. But her voice keeps hitching with emotion. “To my best friend, Jazz. I won the game for you … just like you won my heart.”
I tell her kind of shy, “I always keep my promises.”
She looks up at me like she’s going to cry.
I clear my throat. “It’s a year late—only because you dated ten thousand different guys last year, so it always seemed a little awkward to give it to you.”
This information does not stop her from looking like she’s going to cry.
Suddenly, she grabs me by the collar and we’re kissing. Like in my dreams. Hot and open-mouthed and passionate and wild. Like animals.
Oh my gosh!
I’m on fire, kissing her like there’s no tomorrow.
But then—I jump away.
Cuz I have a girlfriend.
Tracing my lips, I squeeze my eyes shut. “Don’t take this wrong, okay?” I tell her. “I loved the kiss. But … I have a girlfriend.”
Before I do what I want and grab her for more of that delicious kiss, I leave.
I got to break up with Gia.
Right now.
CHAPTER 22
As I’m leaving my house, I hear a phone. It’s coming from the bottom of my tree—our tree. Jazz’s and mine.
I pick up the vibrating phone, knowing it’s Jazz’s. She must have accidently dropped it when she was climbing the tree to my roof.
There are two unread messages on the screen. One from a ‘J’ telling Jazz he left her a ‘gift’ in her mailbox—not in her bedroom. (The clarification is perplexing—and disturbing. Why would a guy tell her that? It sends a chill through me.)
The other message sends a chill through me too. It’s from Gia. It says: “Luke is MINE, wench. So keep AWAY from him or you’ll be soooo incredibly sorry, troll!!! He doesn’t even LIKE you. He just feels SORRY for you because your one and only friend moved away. You’re pathetic and delusional if you think he likes you as more than a stray DOG. He’s MY boyfriend—not yours—and I’m not giving him up, EVER!!!!! STAY AWAY!!!!!!!!!!”
She went on to call Jazz a bunch of swear words.
Man, we are so done.
Before I go, I want to check Jazz’s mailbox. But I resist. Because I’m not a stalker.
I leave her phone on the middle of my doorstep so she’ll see it when she leaves my house. If she leaves my house. (I sort of hope she doesn’t.)
Man, what’s in the mailbox?
CHAPTER 23
I break up with Gia so easy. She opens her front door and I just tell her flat out, “We’re over.”
She looks all shocked and hurt, her pretty eyes welling with tears. “What?! Why?”
I jut my chin. “Let me see your phone.”
She shakes her head. “W—why?”
“Because you said some really evil things to my best friend.” I glare cold as ice into her eyes. “How long have you been sending her those nice texts, Gia?”
“I was just mad,” she cries.
“Well, now I’m mad. Don’t ever text her again. Or me again.”
I leave her standing at her front door, crying. She keeps begging me to come back, to come into her house and ‘talk it out.’ But I get into my car and drive away.
Easiest break up ever.
CHAPTER 24
I knock on Jazz’s door.
She opens it looking tortured.
“You just kind of sprang the kiss on me,” I tell her.
“I know. I didn’t know I was going to do it. I’m sorry.”
Her stepsister, Renee, gasps. I swear, she popped out of nowhere. “You two KISSED?!!!”
Jazz looks up at the ceiling the tiniest of moments, like she’s counting to ten (and imagining strangling Renee). Taking my hand, she pulls me into her house and drags me up to her room. (Okay, she didn’t exactly have to twist my arm.)
She shuts the door behind us so we have privacy.
“I’m so sorry,” she tells me.
I smile. “It’s okay. Really.”
(The kiss was awesome.)
“No it’s not okay!” she says. “You’re not a cheater. I screwed up. I’m so sorry.”
I put my palms on her shoulders, wait until she finally looks into my eyes. “Jazz, it’s okay. I swear. I just had to make it official—more than just in my heart. I had to break up with her. I had to before I could get something going with you.” I shoot her a hopeful glance, “I mean, if that’s what you want.”
She blows out a breath. (So adorable.) “Well, I kissed you.”
“Yeah. But you’ve had ten million boyfriends, Jazz. It’s not like you’ve been pining for me.”
I tilt my head. “—have you?”
She gives me a dubious look. “Would it make a difference?”
I nod slowly.
She seems to be holding her breath. “Would it make you want to be my boyfriend?”
My eyes pop open wide with surprise.
Now I’m holding my breath. Slowly, I raise my eyebrows. “Try me.”
She exhales. Then grounds out, “Yes, I’ve been pining for you.”
My smile is so big. And dopey. It must look as shocked as I feel though too, because she grunts. “You’re so BLIND!” she informs me. “The only reason I’ve had ten million boyfriends is because the only one I really, truly ever wanted was you—idiot.”
/> I blink. Dramatically.
My heart is soaring and so filled with wonder. And freakin’ butterflies. I swear—I might pull one of her tricks and faint. (I kid you not.)
She huffs at my shock … like I’m an idiot. She explains, “What I couldn’t have in quality, I tried to make up for in quantity. So, ‘pining’ for you? Yeah, I guess you could call it that. Or dying for you.”
Obviously, I want to take her into my arms and get back to that kiss we were enjoying earlier. But I’m a tiny bit distracted. She has some “interesting” stuff in a heap in the corner of her room. Stuff that I have trouble keeping my eyes off of. I don’t ask her about it though. I don’t think I want to know. But I wonder is that stuff the “gift” that was in her mailbox???
Holy smokes!
My confused eyes flick back to her as she says softly, “I was just afraid,” she tells me. “I mean, you’re my best friend. I don’t want to mess with that. I don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper “—you were the one that left me.”
She tilts her head, question marks shining in her pretty eyes.
“You went into that coma—you left me, and I was terrified.”
I take her hand, link my fingers through hers. I don’t give her my usual speech/warning, that I’m not a good boyfriend. Because this is Jazz—my best friend, my soul mate. I’ll be a good boyfriend. I’ll be so frickin’ good she’ll think she’s dreaming. ‘Cause actually, this is my dream, finally coming true.
Jazz is mine.
I crash my mouth on hers. If she goes in another coma, we’re going together. ‘Cause she ain’t going anywhere without me. Never again.
Jazz is my girlfriend.
And I’m in love.
Yay everything.
**********
*Note about this story: Jazz’s best friend, Ally, from this story who transferred schools (and states), and left hockey playing Griffin (The Grief-Master) heartbroken and fighting on the ice to distract his tough, poor broken heart, is from the series, His Kiss. (Jazz is in that series as well.) This story takes place during the time-span of the books GRIFFIN & GRIFFIN #2, but read the books His Kiss and High School Boys before you read those. (The first few pages of His Kiss are included next.) (The book is only a dollar right now.)
*ALSO NOTE: the characters (Ally and Griffin) were also in the other story you read in this book, Please Love Me Back. However, they are the stars of the book, His Kiss.
*ONE last note: Jazz’s version of this story is called, HIS BEST FRIEND. (You find out what the “secret” is Jazz is keeping from Luke.) Right now the book is only a dollar.
**NEWEST BOOKS by this author:
-Jane’s Air
-Even When I Sleep
-Smokin’ Hot (Accidental) Kiss
-Heartbreaker Hanson
-Love Liam
-Kissing Kade
-Ex-Boyfriend
-Want To Hate You … Too Bad I Love You
-The Tough Boy’s Tender Kiss
-My Brother’s Best Friend
-Dearest (Hot) Enemy
-The New Boy
-My Stepbrother’s Kiss
-My Forbidden Heartthrob
**Right now each book only costs a dollar.
**Or you can read them for free if you have Unlimited.
UPDATE: after the note from the author on the next page there is peek at her book His Kiss and a list of all her books. Thanks for reading!
A note from the author, Melanie Marks
I hope you liked the story.
Jazz’s version is called, HIS BEST FRIEND
(You find out what the “secret” is Jazz is keeping from Luke.)
Right now the book is only a dollar.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-Friend-Young-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B00UY07HNY
Note: on the next page is a peek at His Kiss (about Ally and Griffin).
Summary of
His Kiss
Ally’s world was totally on track: the right boyfriend, the right school activities, the right plans. But then she is bribed into kissing the school “bad boy.” (Griffin Piper.) Now nothing is right. Nothing! Because all she can think about is … His Kiss.
(His Kiss is available now)
http://www.amazon.com/His-Kiss-Young-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B00631JXEO
Summary of
HEARTBREAKER HANSON
By Melanie Marks
Three hot guys, one girl. Sounds dreamy, right? … Well, not if you’re one of the hot guys.
BROOKE WATTS: To be fair, there are only TWO hot guys. And they are both off limits. One of them is my friend’s ex-boyfriend, and the other is a heartbreaker (I call him Heartbreaker Hanson—but his name is Rider Hanson). He was my kindergarten boyfriend. He dumped me and broke my heart … and then went on to make a career of it—breaking girls’ hearts.
RIDER HANSON: Hey, I’m NOT a heartbreaker. When beautiful Brooke owes me a favor she offers to help convince the girl of my dreams that I’m not really a heartbreaker (though apparently it’s written on the girls’ bathroom walls that I am) (Brooke wrote it). But sure, I’ll let Brooke help me get my dream girl. Brooke just doesn’t realize SHE’S that girl. Definitely Brooke, help me out.
(Heartbreaker Hanson is available now)
https://www.amazon.com/Heartbreaker-Hanson-Melanie-Marks-ebook/dp/B01GFNFKK0
Peek at: His Kiss
Summary of
HIS KISS
By Melanie Marks
(Right now this book only costs a dollar)
Ally’s world was totally on track: the right boyfriend, the right school activities, the right plans. But then she is bribed into kissing the school “bad boy.” (Griffin Piper.) Now nothing is right. Nothing! Because all she can think about is … His Kiss.
His Kiss
Griffin shut his locker, then did a double-take when he saw I was standing there, waiting for him. He tilted his head with his usual smirk. Only, it wasn’t exactly his usual smirk. He looked perplexed, but sort of happy too. It was like he was trying to figure it out, mentally scratching his head: Why would shy little Ally Grange be standing at my locker?
He cocked his head further, quirking an eyebrow. “You looking for me?”
I sucked in my breath and gave a slight nod.
His lips twitched, obviously entrained by my discomfort. “What’s up?”
I bit my lip. Good question.
Tugging at the hem of my sweater, I took a deep breath, trying to summon up a little courage. I needed it. ‘Cause Griffin wasn’t exactly considered a nice guy. In fact, he was considered a terror on the hockey rink and not much different off it. And I wasn’t exactly Miss Confident when it came to mean people. I shied away from confrontation—any confrontation—and tormentors—at all cost, but here I was, seeking out Griff the Grief-Master.
He smirked again, his eyes twinkling with a strange combination of curiosity mixed with amusement. “Just spit it out.”
“Aiden Hanks,” I blurted like a cough. “He’s my …”
When I choked again Griffin finished for me still looking curious. “Your boyfriend.”
I nodded, surprised. I didn’t know Griffin knew that. I didn’t know he knew who I was.
Griffin grinned, light dawning. He had definitely figured it out. “Oh, you’re here to beg me not to bash his face in.” He tossed his history book from one hand to the other, looking amused. “The twerp sent you?”
“No!” I rushed out my next words to stop him from getting the wrong idea. “Aiden doesn’t know I’m talking to you.”
He grinned. “Then why are you talking to me?”
“Because—like you said, I don’t want you to bash his face in.” I stared into Griffin’s twinkling eyes. “Please don’t.”
I don’t know where that came from—me being brave enough to stare into The Griff’s eyes. Maybe it was because he kept smiling at me, acting like I was fun to talk to, or look at, or something.
Griffin
leaned against his locker and wet his pink (gorgeous) lips. He gazed at me intently a moment, then up at the ceiling. Finally he groaned, letting out a breath, and looked back into my eyes.
“Look,” he said, for once sounding serious, “I have to. The punk talked trash about me in front of the whole team. It’s not like I can ignore it.”
“Yes you can!” I said, following at his heels as he started to walk away.
I said it again, all squeaky and desperate this time since he was ignoring me. “Yes you can!”
Griffin kept walking, so I kept following, like a puppy dog begging for attention, yipping at his ankles.
“Please, can’t you? Please?”
I grabbed on to his arm out of desperation. That was all, just to get his attention since he had apparently ditched listening to me. But when I grabbed onto his arm he abruptly stopped walking. I mean, he froze.
Yikes! My chest went tight. What had I done?
Griffin turned back to me and stared at my hand on his arm. I snatched it away lightening fast, terrified he was going to hit me for touching him or being annoying or something. But when he didn’t push me down or pound me to the ground or do anything but stare at me with his swoon-inducing long-lashed eyes, I swallowed finally going on with my plea while I had his attention—only now I was shaking and unnerved on even more levels. I mean, The Griff was … hot. He was. I wasn’t really paying attention to that before, since I was pleading for my boyfriend’s life, but now that Griffin was looking at me like that—well, I noticed. And it distracted me, even now while I was petrified.
Still, even though my mind reeled from that, I managed to squeak out, “I have some money—not much, but …”
Griffin smirked, then shook his head. “I don’t want your money.”
For some reason that made my stomach feel funny. I guess because of the way he said it. And the way he looked at me when he said it. It pushed my pulse into over-drive and got my heart pounding.
Please Love Me Back Page 16
