In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (25 page)

Jake watched Kin’s teary-eyed family and then darted towards his car as he called the Emergency Services. He didn’t know what exactly happened or whether she was alive or dead, he just gave them a location and tried to reach to her as best and as fast as he could. “God, I’m so sorry. I don’t have the heart for this.” He pounded his hand against his steering wheel as he sped towards the scene. “I don’t want you in my life, but this isn’t the way I want you to go either.” He cried.

Heath and I were in the water, soaking up the sun, as the waves crashed over our heads. I grabbed onto him, wrapping my legs around his waist and sinking my head into the groove of his neck as he waded through the water.
Splash!
The waves crashing onto my back as he moved towards it. We were laughing hysterically and I refused to let go of him. The sun was low and the air was cool. Things were calmer. Heath dipped into the water with me still attached to him, his eyes locked to mine as I palmed his cheek. Water dripping down our faces. A small smile on his lips. He then kissed me. “My little Reese’s Pieces.” He joked, his lips still against mine.

“Quit it.” I retorted.

“Never.”

Jake pulled up to Kin’s smashed in car and spotted her limp body a few feet away. He rushed to her side and checked for a pulse. She was alive – barely, covered in a lot of blood and unconscious. “Kin, Kin. Can you hear me?” She didn’t respond.

He ran over to the vehicle, the front completely wrecked. He removed the broken fender and reached the bent tyre, spotting the tightly wound wire. He pulled the pincers out of his jeans pocket and began clipping the wire free.

The ambulance arrived a few minutes later, along with a few police officers and a fire truck. She was loaded into the ambulance and rushed to the hospital. Jake followed the ambulance to the hospital and called Kai and Joey when he was in the waiting room. He discreetly told them what had happened, and how he had felt awful because she called him and he was on the phone, and it was just too unbearable.

“Jake, she is the same bitch that wants to kill Reese. She’s a psycho. Stop sympathising with her!” Kai scolded Jake.

“Yeah, what the fuck, Cavanaugh. Don’t let that bitch live. She has ruined your life and your relationship, she gotta go!” Joey agreed. “I loved Reese for you man. She was an ideal woman.”

“Yeah, forget this manipulative motherfucker.” Kai yelled and hung up.

Jake stood there, unable to move. Thoughts flooding through his mind as he gripped tightly onto his phone. He began remembering all the awful, unlawful and devious things Kin did. She was no Angel, but a devil in disguise. She was a liar, con artist, thief, murderer and blackmailer. How in God’s good graces could he feel sympathetic towards her? She was a nuisance and needed to go!

He returned to his seat in the waiting room, beginning to hope that she wouldn’t recover, that she would die and let him live in peace. How awesome would it be for her to never be a problem again? It was a horrible thing to say, but she was a horrible person. She put him through so much misery and now he may actually be free.

Her family rushed towards the waiting room. “Jake, a wah gwan with Kin?” Her sister who looked like an older, taller version to her asked.

“She got into a terrible accident. The doctors haven’t said anything yet.” He said with tears in his eyes. Every bone in his body was insanely happy, but he couldn’t show it. He had to fake it for the family.

Jake waited for hours in the waiting area, his head laid back against the wall as he dozed off a little into a light sleep, still very aware of his surroundings. He heard the doctor’s Jamaican accent and sprung up immediately to hear any news that would be good for him. His eyes a faux-worried look as his ‘in-laws’ all surrounded him and the doctor.

The doctor’s eyes were apologetic, like he was about to give some bad news. “Mr. Cavanaugh, Kin’s condition has been stabilised, although it is very critical. She had some internal bleeding, a few broken ribs, and fractured collar bone. There also has been some damage to the lumbar region, which may or may not affect her ability to walk. We won’t know until she’s awake. Right now she is still comatose.”

“Wow.” His eyes welled up and he turned to her family.
His acting skills were better than Heath’s!
“How long do you think she would stay like that?”

“Depends on how strong she is. I really can’t say. Could be weeks, or months.” Her sister gasped and began to cry. Her cousins tried consoling her but couldn’t contain her.

“What? I can’t stay in Jamaica that long. I have to go back to work the following week.”

“But Jake you rich. Wah work you a talk ‘bout?” Kin’s sister, Raina, sobbed.

“Raina, rich or not, you know my job at Dillcaster is very important to me. Is there any way she could transfer to the US?” Jake asked the doctor, hoping for a negative response. And his wish came true.

“It’s not advisable, her condition isn’t at its best yet.” The doctor replied.

“Jake, don’t worry. You gwan back to America. Kin wouldn’t wah you miss work.” Kin’s mother, Penny, consoled him. “We will let you know how she doing.”

“I’m sorry, Penny, I’m truly sorry. I will pay for the best medical care possible and when she is able to transfer, I will handle it.”

“Thank you, son.” Penny replied.

“Can I go see her now, doctor?” Jake asked and the doctor nodded.

“This way.” The doctor led Jake to Kin’s room. She had lots of tubes running in and out of her and her eyes were closed, badly bruised and swollen. Jake gasped at the sight of her. His face grim. He wanted to finish her off, but no, it would be too suspicious. He held onto her almost cold hand. “Kin, I’m so sorry.” He whispered. He sat on the chair beside her bed and laid his head down and fell asleep.

The next morning, he woke beside Kin’s bed, his hand still holding onto hers. The doctors and nurses were doing their Rounds and came into the room with him. “Are you the patient’s husband?” A nurse asked him and he cringed internally at that question. He wiped his face and readjusted his eyes.

“Soon to be.” He replied, barely audible.

Spring break was over, and I was back home at Dillcaster. I was considerably darker than when I left – you could definitely tell I was in the Caribbean sun. Heath and I really had an amazing vacation and it allowed us to bond in a new way. I was incredibly sad to leave Sal and Adrien, especially to return to the chaotic reality on this side of the world. We had one more day to school and I was jetlagged. Heath went to San Francisco to meet with his dad, so I was alone.

I got a bottled water from the fridge and put on the TV, Bates Motel was on, and oh how I loved that show. I sipped on my water as I watched it. I laid my head back on the armrest of the sofa and looked up at the ceiling, watching as the fan spun around and around and around. My mind drifting and flashing back to my run in with Jake. Why did things have to be so complicated? I loved the simplicity of my life before any of this.

“Reese!” I heard my name being called along with a knock at the door. The knock was frantic and it startled me. I darted toward my door in a panic and frowned upon the site of Jake and Kai. “What are
you
doing here?” I spat.

“There is something he has to tell you.” Kai interrupted before Jake could reply. I watched him with infuriated eyes.
How dare these two show up unannounced like it’s a bloody family reunion?
“Is Andrews here?” Jake asked, his eyes zipped toward the stairs.

“No. And you shouldn’t be.”

“Just give me a chance, Reese.”

“This better be good.” I clenched my jaw.

“It is.” Jake pursed his lips, “It’s about Kin.” I scoffed, rolled my eyes and was about to slam the door on them at the mention of her name, when Jake stopped it with his foot. “Reese.” He grabbed my arm. “Just please listen.”

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes and let them in. Jake made his way straight to the living room while Kai looked around the apartment in amusement. Jake and Kai sat on the sofa as I sat on the loveseat adjacent to them, waiting to hear his story.

“The truth is, Reese, I was never in love with Kin.”

“Okay, that’s enough. I’ve heard this sob story before.” I got up from the loveseat but held onto my hand in attempts to stop me.

“Just hear me out, please.”

“Fine.” I sat back on the loveseat. He had me rolling my eyes so hard, something I don’t usually do.

“Um…” He stuttered. “Reese, uh, remember I told you about my past?”

“What about it?” I asked in an I-don’t-give-a-shit kind of tone.

“I told you I worked my way through college?” I raised a brow anticipating the direction in which this conversation was going. He took a deep breath before he continued.

“I never told you what I actually did, and how I met Kin, and why I left you for her.”

“Is all this really necessary, Jake?” I exhaled in frustration.

“It is, Reese.” Kai answered. “Just hear him out.”

“Why should I trust you? Didn’t he send you to mess with me?” I asked Kai.

“What? No. I didn’t even know you were the girl he’s so madly in love with.” My eyebrows furrowed.
Madly in love with? Yeah, right!

“Fine, proceed.” I turned to Jake.

“I was a drug dealer.” Jake blurted.
I couldn’t believe a damn word of that! Him? A drug dealer? Hell no!

“A what?” I asked and burst out into laughter. “Are you guys fucking kidding me right now?” I shook my head in disdain, and was about to get up again when Jake grabbed me.

“Reese, I’m serious. I was a major distributor back in New York, running a massive illegal drug trade. Kin got me into the lifestyle, and after I tried moving forward, she didn’t want to, so I left her behind.”
What?
“She has made my life miserable ever since. She was the one calling me on private all those times. After your birthday, when I went home, she was there. She threatened to kill you and bring me down if I didn’t leave you.”
What the fuck?

I paused, trying to register all the information that was coming in all at once.
Kin? Drugs? Murder me? What? She blackmailed him? All this time it was because of blackmail? Why wouldn’t he let me know about this?
“What the fuck, Jake?” Is all I could say.

“I’m sorry.” He replied. “You remember when you asked me why I didn’t want to be known as Cave Ink’s owner?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, she’s the reason. I didn’t want her to know where I was. I left New York and came to Dillcaster because it was the quietest town with the best school I could find.”
Okay, that makes sense, I guess. What the fuck, still. I can’t believe this shit! That crazy lifetime bitch!

“Where’s the bitch now?” I screeched and shot out of my seat.

“Jamaica.” Jake bent his head.

Tears welled in my eyes and I began to breathe heavily, panting uncontrollably. My chest pained, the room was spinning.
Oh God, no, I am having a panic attack
. “Reese, Reese?” Jake yelled and he caught me as I nearly fell to the floor. He led me back to the loveseat.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” I yelled.

“Because I was in drugs and…
murder
, Reese. It’s not something I was proud of.”

“Murder?” I asked in astonishment.
Wow, who is he? Oh my God, who is he? And why couldn’t he just tell me!

“Exactly, I was scared. I didn’t want the past to haunt me but it did, and this psycho…I’m so sorry.” He held onto my face.

“You could have told me.” I whispered and wiped the tears away. “Knowing the truth is way better than me thinking you left me for her, Jake. What the fuck.”

“Told you.” Kai singsong and Jake gave him a hard stare. Kai shrugged his shoulders, “What? You know it’s true.”

“So, what do we do, about Kin?” I asked, staring into those familiar blue eyes, they weren’t cold anymore, they were warm and loving – the way I had remembered them to be. And then they turned.

“It’s already taken care of.” He answered in a clipped tone.

“What do you mean?” I asked afraid of knowing the answer.

“Joey and Kai took care of her, she’s in the hospital right now, barely alive.” My mouth widened and I gasped, the shock froze me like 10,000 volts vibrating through my very body.

“What’d you guys do?” I could barely formulate the sentence.

“Tampered with her brakes. Hey, it was to save both your lives.” Kai replied ever so nonchalantly, pointing at Jake and me.

“Yeah, she was going to kill you, Reese. And I know her, it’s not a bluff.” Jake assured me, his eyes filled with fear. I bent my head trying to process everything.
What the fuck kind of woman was he with? And what the fuck kind of man was he? Drugs? Murder? Was everything else a lie, too?

“But you’re just a teacher at Dillcaster, how could all this even be possible?” I questioned, trying to make sense of everything.
How could I not know, how could he even be?
All this was too insane for me. I just didn’t understand. I couldn’t understand!
Murder and drugs? He was so perfect and now, wow! I, I don’t even know what to say anymore.

“Reese, talk to me?” Jake pursed his lips.

“Was everything else you told me a lie? Your father? What he did to your mother? Us? I mean, was anything else real?”

“Don’t go there Reese! I’ve never ever lied to you about my feelings or about my parents. I just omitted certain details.” He held onto my face, trying to meet my bewildered eyes. “I love you! Okay? Do you hear me?” I was stunned.
I still loved him though. Does that make me just as messed up? Or am I simply being human?
“I love you!” He reiterated.

“I love you, too.” Was all the words I could muster, despite all of this, I still did. And with that, his mouth spread into an immaculate all-white smile. He hugged me tightly and kissed me.
Whoa! Wait! Heath!

“Jake.” I pulled away.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m with Heath.” My voice shaking from the surge of emotions. The tears kept spilling unto my cheeks.

“Heath? Reese, it’s me. Forget Heath. I love you.”

“Jake, really? Heath spent weeks putting the pieces of my heart back together, how could I do the same to him as you did to me? That would destroy him. He is too good for that.”

“Oh, and you’re just going to forget all the months you spent pining over him as he ignored you?” Jake flared up.

“Fuck you. He has redeemed himself from that! You’re too late!”

“Prove it!” His face only an inch away from mine, anger blazing in his eyes.

“There’s nothing to prove.” I replied nonchalantly. “I love you, yes, but I’m with him. I’m sorry. You should have told me the truth.” I shrugged my shoulders, suddenly regretting everything I just said.
Who was I kidding, I was in love with Jake, more so than Heath and I was just about to cheat myself with this decision.

“Fine, Reese. I guess I’ll see you at school, then?” Jake croaked, his voice sounding almost shattered by disappointment and sadness.
What did I do? Why did he do this to me? Make my life so difficult. How hard was it to tell me the truth about his past? Speaking of which, how is it even remotely possible that he was a drug dealer. He murdered people? Sweet, prefect, gorgeous Jake? None of this resonated with me.

Jake looked at me one last time before leaving the house with Kai. Now I know that what we had wasn’t fake, it was very much real, and it brought me back full circle to where I was a couple months ago – nowhere! I’m stuck because of my love and obligations to Heath. Although it really wouldn’t be fair to him for us to be in a relationship whilst I’m in love with someone else.

What. To. Do?

I walked up the stairs and into my room, and lay spread-eagled on the bed. I stared at my ceiling. My heart literally feeling broken. My chest felt heavy, tears pooled in my eyes and in a moment everything faded to black.

I woke up next morning at the sound of that lovely Aussie accent, “Good morning, beautiful.” He hovered over me with a bright smile, making me giggle.

“Good morning.” I whispered and he pecked me on the lips. I sat up and realised that he was already dressed for school. “How come you’re dressed already?”

“I don’t know, felt like having an early morning. I made breakfast for you. So, wash up, get ready and come eat.” He smiled and left.

I sat on my bed, feeling numb. For a minute, last night felt like a dream, then I realised it wasn’t. Heath was so sweet, yet here I was contemplating on breaking up with him. I loved him, yes, but I was still in love with Jake, and now that I knew he didn’t break up with me for his ex, it changed everything. It wasn’t fair. Heath didn’t deserve this. I felt so terrible. I never felt anything like this before and it was devastating.

I took a long, warm shower, clearing my head of all things Jake and Heath. I started thinking about the days when I had just came to Dillcaster; the weirdo taxi driver that picked me up from the airport, the Palamino Hotel that I stayed in, Cathy, the plump dark skinned woman who worked at the hotel.
Oh my Cathy!
She helped me score my first apartment with a crazy pothead named Megan. Megan – that freak!

After my shower, I combed my hair into my specialty messy bun. Slipped on my camo jeans and vest and walked downstairs. I sat at the breakfast bar to a lovely breakfast - pancakes, eggs, bacon and toasted bread with a cream cheese spread. And seeing it reminded me of Jake, the first time I went over to his place and he cooked for me
. Ugh!
Why is he on my mind? Let me enjoy this moment
! I couldn’t rid myself of him and I still had to deal with him, being my teacher and all.

All the other students scurried towards Jake’s classroom as I paced idly behind, dreading to see him. Heath was a couple feet ahead of me talking to Gabrielle, a girl from one of our classes.

I entered the classroom and Jake was there writing on the whiteboard, dressed in a fitted grey dress pants, white under shirt with the sleeves rolled all the way up to his biceps and a grey waistcoat. His jacket was draped over his chair. He turned around and his eyes followed me all the way to my desk. I sat down and he did the same, looking over the brim of his glasses straight in my direction, and I returning the stare. Our gazes locked briefly until Heath walked in.

“Morning all.” Jake smiled, that beautiful one-sided smile as he raised from his chair. “So, how was Spring Break?” He beamed. “Anybody care to share?” He spanned the classroom, his eyes paused on me. “Mr. Andrews.” His head turned to Heath. Heath raised a brow. “Tell us, how was Spring Break?”

“It would have been better, if I didn’t have to see you.” Heath snapped and everyone turned back at him, then at Jake. They looked confused. You could see the wonder etched on their faces, ‘what could possibly have happened between Heath and Jake’. Little did they know it was me! Jake watched Heath with a clenched jaw, his eyes screaming ‘this is war’. The class became unsettled with the silent but very apparent rising tension between the two.

“And what did I do to deserve this hostility, Mr. Andrews?” Jake forced a smile.