The food I am in the process of swallowing gets lodged in my throat. My fork clatters to the plate then falls to the floor. J starts pounding on my back until I can finally breathe again. Surely it’s just a coincidence? There is no way my ex-boyfriend Zack could be in Alabama, not a small town in Alabama anyway.
“Cass, are you alright?” J asks from beside me. I nod, saying that I am, but I’m far from it. Tentatively, I take a sip of my tea.
“Where is he from dad?” Bo asks.
“He’s a yankee, like you, Cassie. Indiana, I think.”
My heart slams against my chest. Just another coincidence, right? After all there could be two Zack Daniel’s from Indiana.
“Cassie.”
But what if it is him? My parents would flip and then we’d have to move and they’d blame me for it.
“Cassie.”
Zack would tell everyone back home and the drug dealers would get wind of where we are and come kill us.
“Cassie!” J’s concerned voice pulls me from the panic state I was in.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I mutter quickly before running to the nearest bathroom and violently emptying the contents of my stomach into the toilet.
This can’t be happening.
“Here, Cass.” J held out a damp cloth for me to wipe my face with. “Feel better?”
“A little,” I say to appease him. J leads me out of the bathroom to the living room and instructed me to lie down on the couch. Should I tell him about my parents? If I did we’d move and I didn’t there is a chance we could be killed. I don’t want to leave, but I don’t want to die either. Would telling J and his family help? Sooner or later, J would find out that Zack is my ex-boyfriend. What if Zack doesn’t recognize me, though? It’s been two years and people can change a lot in that amount of time.
“Cassie.” J snaps his fingers in front of my face. “You’re scarin’ the livin’ daylights out of me.” He reaches up and caresses my cheek.
“I’m fine, I just don’t feel good.”
“Are you sure that’s it?” Crap…did he put two and two together?
“Yes, it just hit me all of a sudden.” I hate lying to J, but if I tell him about Zack it will lead to other questions I can’t answer. J and his family can’t be involved in my situation.
“Okay.” He plants a kiss to my forehead. “I’ll be right back. Do you need anything?” I shake my head no and he walks back towards the kitchen.
A few minutes’ later J returns with a blanket, a bottle of water, and a movie. After he pops the movie in he lies down on the couch with me and drapes the blanket over us.
The movie is playing though I’m not paying attention. On the outside, I look fine, but on the inside, I’m freaking out. I should’ve stayed away like I decided to do in the first place. Maybe then, I wouldn’t be freaking out so bad. Sure my heart would be hurting, but eventually I’d be okay. Now if things go like I think they will my heart will be shattered into a gazillion pieces. J and his family will hate me and heart will never be the same again.
****
I didn’t go to school on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or even Thursday. J showed up every morning at seven-thirty as usual. Mom was more than happy to turn him away. I told her to tell him that I had the stomach virus. I wasn’t totally lying. I was nauseated by the fact that my world is about to start crumbling down. Mom and dad never question my excuse to my relief.
Even after missing four days of school, I want to stay home and mope about how my life sucks. I still wasn’t any better today, but I had to force myself out of bed this morning. I couldn’t miss any more days. Besides, you can only have the stomach virus for so long.
At precisely seven-thirty, J pulls in the driveway. I’m already waiting on the porch for him. I missed not seeing him the last four days, but I knew he would see right through me and know that I was not being truthful about being sick. I put on a brave face as I make my way to his truck. His mouth curls into a grin when he sees me, and I can’t help but smile in return.
He meets me halfway, engulfing me in his arms. “I missed you, Cass. I’m so glad you’re feeling better.” He places his hand on the small of my back, ushering me to the passenger side of his truck. He helps me in before jogging around and jumping in the driver’s seat. J grasps my hand and brings it up to his mouth, kissing it.
“Are you sure you’re feelin’ all right? You look a little pale,” J asks once we were on the road to school.
“Yeah, I’m not a hundred percent, but I feel fine.” At least that’s the truth.
“You know we can just go to my house and skip school,” he offers.
“As tempting as that sounds, I’ve missed too many days already.” Sooner or later, I’d have to face Zack so I might as well get it over with.
“Okay, but if at any time you want to leave, we’ll go,” J replies as he parks in his normal parking spot.
As we walk through the parking lot, I can feel someone’s eyes on me. I keep my head down and my hand clasped in J’s as he leads me toward the entrance. Bo and Jess meet us at the side entrance to the school.
The guys slap hands while Jess and I hug Jess. I didn’t dare look around the parking lot for fear of who I might see. I step closer to J and he slinks his arm around me protectively.
Hey darlin’, feeling better?” Bo asks me.
“Yeah.”
“J here has been all out of sorts with you being at home the last few days.”
“Well, we’ll just have to make up for it this weekend won’t we?” I smirk, winking at J.
Bo groans. “Some things you can’t un-hear Cassie.”
J and I laugh and walk past them to our lockers. We stop to gather our books before heading to my first-period class. J gives me a long hug and kisses my cheek before walking away to his class.
I walk in quickly and sit down in my seat. The ball drops as soon as class starts because Zack is introduced to the class. Zack has changed a lot since I saw him last. He is no longer the preppy fifteen-year-old boy who made sure he always looked perfect. He is now more rugged looking like he didn’t care what he looked like anymore. His hair, which used to be combed perfectly in place, is now a messy mop on his head. His polo shirts and khakis have been replaced by old t-shirts and baggy jeans.
I slump down in my seat when his eyes scan the room. When his haunted eyes landed on mine, they widen in recognition.
Luckily, the only available seat is on the opposite side of the room, although that doesn’t stop him from staring at me.
I keep my focus strained to the front of the room, trying to concentrate on what the teacher is saying, but all I could think about is how my life is about to crash and burn.
As soon as the bell rings, I bolt out the door.
“Cassie, wait up!” I curse under my breath for not being quick enough. “Cassie.” Zack grabs my elbow pulling me to a stop. He walks around to stand in front of me. “It’s you, it’s really you,” he says in astonishment.
I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same question,” he counters.
Yeah, well I can’t tell you that reason. “I need to go,” I say as I try to walk past him, but he steps in front of me blocking my path.
“Can we talk, please?”
“There is nothing to talk about.”
“Yes, there is, Cassie, and you know it,” he challenges.
I opened my mouth to speak, but J has walked up behind me and wrapped his arm around my waist, resting his hand on my hip. “Is there a problem here?”
Zack’s eyes followed J’s arm around my waist before looking at me with sad eyes. “It was just a misunderstanding. She isn’t who I thought she was.” His eyes never wavered from me as he spoke, his gaze burning into my skin. I, on the other hand, am trying hard not to look at him.
When Zack walks off, J leans down and kisses my forehead. “What was that about?”
I shrug my
shoulders. “I’m not sure,” I lie. The guilt is already knotting in my stomach.
“If he gives you any problems, let me know, Cass. There is something about that guy that rubs me the wrong way.”
I just shrug it off. Zack is harmless. Having him here in Alabama, at the same small school does worry me. I have so many decisions to make my head is spinning. I don’t even know which problem I should deal with first. Should I worry about my parents finding out Zack is here? Should I be more worried about J finding out who Zack is or rather was? Or should I worry about the drug dealers being able to find us? Ugh! I hate my life. At times like this, I wonder if my life will ever return to normal. Even after I break free from my parents and move off to college, will I still be constantly looking over my shoulder?
J gently shakes my shoulders, pulling me from the trance I am in. “Cassie. Are you okay?”
I look up at J, his eyes assessing me. “Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“You just…I don’t know, seem sort of off.”
I wave him off. “Sorry, I’m still not feeling one hundred percent.” Lying to J breaks my heart, but right now it is the only way. I can’t have him know any of the bad stuff or he could be in danger himself and that’s the last thing I want.
“Okay, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
Chapter Twenty- Six
J
I don’t know who this new guy thinks he is, but he obviously has his sights set on the wrong girl. This is his first day here and he is already making enemies. I can tell by his accent he is the new kid Dad mentioned.
Every time I see him, his eyes are on Cassie. He is just asking for trouble.
I grab Bo by his shirt and yank him forward so only he can hear me. “Keep your eye on, Zack. If he so much as breathes in Cassie’s direction, I want to know.”
“Bro, I agree something is fishy about the guy, but will you let go of my shirt?”
I release my grip and step back. “Sorry,” I mutter.
Bo straightens his shirt and grins. “Cassie got you all wound up,” he teases.
I shove him backwards. “Shut up,” I grumble.
Bo slaps me shoulder. “Seriously, man, I got your back. He won’t steal your girl.”
Damn right he won’t. This is one battle this outside won’t win.
The final bell rings for the day and I couldn’t be more grateful. Since I ain’t going to practice today, I get the pleasure of driving Cassie home.
Cassie needed to make a pit stop at the bathroom, and since Jess was with her, I told her I’d meet her at my truck.
What I didn’t expect was for Zack to be leaning against his car several spaces down, glaring at me. But then, I notice what kind of car it is and the color of it.
Instead of getting in my truck like I should be doing, I walk toward the car I’m pretty positive ran me off the road last week.
The new guy doesn’t move, doesn’t stand, nothing. I think he was expecting me to walk over to him and say something. He doesn’t seem intimidated by me, and guess what, I’m not afraid of him either. If it comes down to it, I will fight hard for Cassie. She’s mine, not anyone else’s.
“Can I help you?” he asks as soon I stop a few feet away from him.
“Yeah, you see, I have two problems. One, I don’t like the way you look at my girlfriend. Cassie is mine so back off. And two, next time you’re driving, you need to be careful. You don’t want to force somebody to wreck because of your careless driving now would we?”
A sly smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe you shouldn’t be driving that thing on the road. As for Cassie, I’ve known her a lot longer than you have. Tell her I said it was nice seeing her again.”
What? Seeing her again? What does he mean by that?
He turns to get in his car but stops. “Oh, and tell her that her parents invited me over for dinner tonight so I will see her later,” he smirks. My fist clenches at my side. This guy has some freakin’ nerve. He gets in his car and leaves, leaving me wondering what Cassie is keeping from me. I plainly asked her earlier what the thing between her and Zack was earlier and she said ‘nothing’. Clearly, it’s something and I’m about to find out.
Blood simmering with anger, I walk back to the truck, preparing to get answers. She knows him. Dad’s words come back to me. “He’s a Yankee. Indiana, I think.”
And the way Cassie reacted after that. It all clicks now. Well, shit.
Cassie is already in the truck waiting for me when I climb in. Too occupied with these new developments, I crank the truck and drive away, not acknowledging Cassie at all.
“J, is everything okay?” she asks tentatively.
No, everything's not okay. She lied to me.
Keeping my eyes strained forward, I ask her, “The other night at dinner, when Dad mentioned the new kid, and you got sick. You weren’t really sick were you?”
I hear her sharp intake of breath. She pretty much just gave me her answer. “No,” she whispers.
“How do you know him, Cassie?” I hardly ever call her by her full name, but I’m so pissed right now.
“We dated for six months before we moved. I haven’t seen or talked to him since we left Indianapolis.”
I grip the steering wheel tighter. “So what did I walk up on in the hallway? What was that about since you lied to me earlier?”
“He said we needed to talk and I told him there was nothing to say. I have no idea why he’s here, but honestly, I don’t feel the same way about him as I did two years ago.”
I let out a grunt. “Yeah, okay, that still doesn’t change the fact that you lied to me.”
I hear her sniffle. Crap, hearing her cry is not helping. “I’m sorry, J. I didn’t know how to tell you.”
I swallow hard, hoping she answers the next question honestly. “And you’re sure you don’t have any feelings for him?”
“None at all, babe. I love you.”
And I love her, that’s why this hurts as much it does. I feel betrayed, pissed off, and hurt. I never expected this from her.
I stay silent, trying to gather my thoughts as I turn into her driveway.
“J,” she murmurs sadly.
Placing the truck in park, I finally look at her. Her eyes are sad, tear-filled. She is on the verge of crying.
Grabbing her hand with mine, I bring it up to my lips, lightly kissing it. “Cassie, you lied to me, and it really stings. I don’t know why you needed to hide the fact that you two used to date. Maybe you’re confused.”
Cassie shakes her head. “I’m not confused about how I feel, J. I love you, only you. It’s just, we left so abruptly that I never had a chance to say goodbye to him or any of my friends, and my first thought when seeing him was ‘Oh no,” because I knew we left things unresolved and I wasn’t sure how he had taken things.”
“Please, don’t lie to me again, Cass. I freakin’ love you to death.”
Cassie launches herself across the seat, slamming her mouth to mine. I kiss her slow, like the Mississippi River, and deep, like the sunset sky.
“Cassie, dang, babe, you taste sweeter than Muscadine wine. So intoxicating, so sweet,” I murmur, my lips grazing hers.
She wraps her arms around me, holding me like she never wants to let go. “I wish I could go home with you.”
I hug her tighter. “Me too, Cass. Especially since my new enemy will apparently be here later.”
She pulls back, shock covering her face. “What? He will be here?”
“According to him, your parents invited him to dinner.”
“How do my parents know he is even here?”
I think she meant to ask herself that.
“Just text me later, all right?”
“I will, J, promise.” She gives me another heart-stopping kiss. “I will text you when he arrives and when he leaves.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t stay long.”
“Yeah, hopefully.”
Cassie
I slam
the front door closed and search for my parents. “Dad! Mom!”
I’m so mad right now. How could they invite Zack, of all people over here? What happened to laying low? What happened to not being in contact with people from back home?
“What?” Dad’s voice booms from the kitchen.
Marching in the room, I realize I need to be careful on how I scold them. I don’t want my time with J to be taken away again.
My parents are sitting at the dining table, looking at me expectantly when I breeze into the kitchen.
“Please, tell me this is a joke!”
They glance at one another like they have no clue. Typical.
“Zack lives here now, but I assume you know that already since you invited him to dinner!”
“Cassie,” Dad says smoothly. “Of course we knew.”
“I thought the rules were to not talk to anyone from back home? Isn’t that why you took my phone away from me?!”
“Watch your tone,” Dad warns.
“Well, isn’t it?”
“We make the rules, you just follow them.”
“Why is Zack here?”
Dad shrugs. “You will have to ask him.”
Doesn’t that look suspicious to you? I swear, my parents are walking contradictions.
“I don’t understand you two at all.”
“Cassie, just go get ready for dinner,” Mom snaps.
“Fine,” I retort, spinning around and marching to my room. They are nothing but hypocrites.
I hope tonight does not turn out to be as bad as I think it will be.
Zack arrives around seven. I’m so nervous, I think I’m going to puke. He wants answers, answers I can’t give him. He better not be the cause of us leaving so soon.
Walking into my closet where I keep my phone hidden, I sent J a text letting him know Zack is here.
Taking a deep breath, I open my bedroom door and gasp, jumping back.
“H-Hi,” I stammer.
“Hey Cassie. Mind if I talk to you for a moment?”
“Sure.”
Zack walks my room, looking everything over. What is he doing?
“What do you want, Zack?”
“It wounds me that you don’t seem happy to see me. Why can’t you at least smile at me, you know, like you used to all the time? Until now, I hardly ever saw you without a smile on your face.”
Safe with You Page 15
