Run Like Hell (8 page)

Jack’s hands thread through my hair, brushing back my bangs as he looks at my scraped forehead. “It went well; I think we’re prepared for tonight’s game.” Tonight’s game is against the Otters, a neighboring Pennsylvania team. “How was everything last night after I left? Did you sleep well? How are you feeling?”

“I’m managing. I went to sleep right after you left.” Closing my locker, I grab his hand and walk to class. “Oh, did you know Carlos and Traci are seeing each other? They met at the party Saturday night. He surprised her in homeroom this morning with a teddy bear and rose.”

“Really? I barely talked to him this morning at practice but I’m happy for Traci. Carlos is a great guy.”

I hope Carlos is as nice as he seems because Steve, Traci’s ex-boyfriend, was a complete jerk. It took months for her to regain her confidence after he dumped her and I don’t want to see her destroyed again.

“Tonight’s game starts at six. Do you want to meet in the gym? I’ll be there early for warm-ups.”

“Sure. Traci and I are going together so we’ll be rooting for you in the stands.” Several girls give Jack the once-over and whisper to one another as we approach. Their eyes narrow as I stare at them but they’re not intimidated. Their cattiness doesn’t surprise me. Since we’ve been dating he’s drawn attention from the girls at our school. I pull him close and kiss his mouth then shoot them a warning look. They glare at me and turn away.

“You’re planning on coming over to my house after the game tonight, right? We can celebrate your big win against the Otters.” Whispering in his ear, I hint at the fun we’ll have tonight. I pray Rory has to work late tonight. Despite my injuries I’m feeling the zest I was lacking yesterday.

“It’s all I’ve been thinking about,” Jack murmurs.

“Save it for the game and for later,” I tease, sensing his spike in testosterone.

“Fine, fine. I’m getting used to handling it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Morgan, I didn’t mean it…”

“How did you mean it?”

Jack gently pulls me aside so we’re not standing in the middle of the hallway. “I meant we’ve had several times recently when things were hot and then we got interrupted. But as a guy, I was still turned on….” Jack looks around to make sure no one is listening.

“I’m sorry, Jack,” I whisper. “I know things haven’t gone as planned but I think about being with you too.”

Jack sighs. “I know. Tonight will be different. No interruptions.”

“No interruptions. I promise.” The butterflies flutter in my stomach and his gaze makes me wish we could sneak away to my house now. But we’ll wait until tonight.

Jack gives me a lingering kiss. I care for him and our decision to be together is the right one. He grabs my hand and we stroll to class but my mind is on tonight. How many other girls would love to be in my position? The thought catches me off guard and I suddenly wonder if I’m pushing myself to take this step with Jack to ensure he’ll stay interested in me. He hasn’t indicated he’s unhappy in our relationship but I can only imagine the conversations he’s had with his friends. Most of his friends are on the basketball team. Does Carlos know Jack and I haven’t slept together yet?

The warning bell rings. Reluctantly, I release Jack’s hand at the entrance to his classroom and continue down the hall to my own. A chill travels down my spine. Am I being watched? I quickly glance over my shoulder. No one is paying attention to me. Several steps later, the chill returns and I spin around. I catch the gaze of a small kid with glasses. He looks away and disappears around a corner. There’s no time to follow him as the bell rings and I step into my classroom.

By the time lunch rolls around my stomach is loudly grumbling. The waffles I’d eaten at the bus stop held me over until an hour ago. I’d love a large order of fries and a burger but I join Traci in line at the salad bar and load up on chick peas, cherry tomatoes, and sliced turkey.

Traci confides that Carlos kissed her under the stairway after second period. It was their first kiss. Her eyes are dreamy and she holds up the line for a few minutes while she describes how wonderful he smelled. She laughs as she admits she had to tilt her head all the way back to kiss him because he’s so tall.

We set our trays down at our usual table in the cafeteria. Before I sit, Carlos appears beside her.

“Mind if I sit with you two?” His grin is disarming and we nod our heads mutely.

Traci pulls out the chair beside her and indicates for Carlos to sit down. Jack joins us soon after, carrying a tray with a turkey sandwich, an orange, and small bag of chips. I steal a few of his chips while we discuss the game this evening.

“Maybe we can all hang out after the game,” Carlos suggests.

Jack and I exchange a glance.

“Morgan and I have something planned tonight but we can probably hang out over the weekend,” Jack explains between bites of his sandwich.

Traci raises an eyebrow at me but I ignore her and pop a cherry tomato in my mouth.

“Well, then I’ll have Traci all to myself tonight,” Carlos teases, grabbing Traci’s hand affectionately. “Are you free tonight?”

“Not anymore,” she laughs and runs her hand along his shoulders.

Carlos is incredibly good looking with buzzed dark hair, thick eyelashes, dark eyes, and his build is tall, lean and muscular. He resembles Jack but his complexion is darker, he’s several inches taller and his upper-body is more muscular than Jack’s. And, as Traci likes to remind me, he’s a senior. I think she’s already planning her dress in anticipation of going to the prom with him next month.

The guys finish eating and then join their teammates at another table. Traci and I scoot our chairs closer together after they leave so we can talk privately.

“So, what do you think?” Her long black hair cascades down her shoulders. “Isn’t he great? He’s so sweet and nice.”

“I’m happy for you,” I tell her as I lean in and hug her, happy to have the old fun-loving Traci back. Tonight will be fun rooting for the guys at their game.

Her greenish-yellow eyes sparkle as she continues to discuss Carlos and the sexy way he pulled her aside and into his arms earlier.

After lunch we walk outside and Traci points to the large tree in the front of the school. A lone boy is seated beneath the tree with his back resting against it, a book propped against his bent legs. “Morgan, do you know him? He was staring at you in the cafeteria. I meant to tell you earlier.”

He’s not recognizable. As if he senses my stare, he glances from the pages in front of him and looks directly at me. Do I know him from somewhere? I can’t place his name or face but he seems familiar.

Traci spies several of our friends and ushers me over to them. I forget all about the boy beneath the tree. As the day progresses, talk of Chelsea’s party continues and the stories become increasingly ridiculous. For instance, one guy says Trent Wren, the lead singer of a popular band called Dirty, was there. A girl in my biology class insists she made out with Billy Worthington, a Hollywood actor. I know Chelsea is popular but I highly doubt her party was A-List, and if it was, then it really sucks that I missed such an awesome party.

By the end of the school day, I’m desperate to go home, eat, walk the dog and take a nap before the basketball game tonight. As I shuffle toward my bus, someone calls my name. It’s the boy from beneath the tree. I stop short. How does he know my name? He unlocks his bike from the rack and motions for me to come over. Hesitantly, I glance at my bus and then back at him. My curiosity gets the best of me.

“You’re Morgan Butler, right?”

He appears to be really young, like he belongs in junior high, not high school. His finger pushes his black rimmed glasses higher on the bridge of his nose. I have him beat in height by several inches.

“Yeah, why?” I ask, eyeing my bus so I don’t miss it.

“You met my brother this weekend,” he states.

What’s he talking about? Is his brother the kid lurking around my house last night?

“I don’t know who your brother is.”

“Wow, you really do resemble his ex-girlfriend. Scary similar, actually,” he breathes in amazement.

“Whose ex-girlfriend?” This kid is weird and he’s going to make me miss my bus.

“My brother’s. Listen, I don’t want to hold you up but I need to talk to you. You’ll be at the basketball game tonight?” He swings his skinny leg over his bike, ready to pedal away. “Maybe we can talk there.”

“Yeah, but what do we have to talk about?”

“My brother,” he says, as if I should know what it’s regarding.

My bus’s engine roars to life, sputtering exhaust in my direction and alerting me it’s time to leave. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about and I have to go.” I back away. He opens his mouth to say something but remains quiet. I shrug and dash to catch my bus. Before the door closes, I jump aboard and find a seat. Through the window I spy him pedaling away.

Weird. I text Traci about my cryptic conversation with lunch-boy. She confirms he’s creepy and probably wants my phone number.

At home I’m anxious to crash. Tiger roams in the backyard while I make myself a snack in the kitchen and flop on the couch to watch TV. An Oprah repeat lulls me to sleep and I awake to Tiger barking on the deck. The house is eerily quiet and I realize Traci will be arriving to pick me up soon. I clear the dishes from the coffee table and dump them in the sink, then let the dog back inside. After showering and changing, I’m ready for my night with Jack. No word from Rory either.

Rory has never been a constant in my life. She flutters in and out sporadically. She’ll visit for a holiday or family event, but will then miss the next one. Mom often complains about Rory’s lifestyle to my father. Ever since she started working at the law firm several years ago, she’s matured. Her days and nights are dedicated to the firm. She’s told me before that she’s trying to turn her life around.

Through her hard work and overtime she’s eliminated all her financial debt and she’s currently saving to buy her own house. Plus, she likes to travel to warm, exotic locations when she’s not working and that leaves little time for her to visit. I’m not surprised that she’s not checking in on me. Being responsible for her seventeen-year-old niece isn’t something she’s familiar with.

Traci honks when she pulls into the driveway. I finish feeding the dog, then lock up as I leave. Having forgotten to text mom and dad as promised, I send them a message while Traci drives us to the school. I attach a photo of myself in the car with her, saying we’re off to the basketball game. Dad responds by telling us to have fun. Two more days until Mom and Dad return and so far I’m in the clear with Saturday night’s events.

Our school’s basketball team always draws a large crowd. The parking lot is full and students wearing the team colors, red and black, file into the gym. Several friends wave to us as we enter and indicate for us to join them in the stands. Winding through the crowded bleachers I catch sight of Jack and he smiles at me. His smile is infectious and I return the same goofy grin, both of us thinking of our plans later. I haven’t told Traci about my post-game plans with Jack. I don’t want to jinx our plans since we’ve been up against enough obstacles.

The horn blares and the game begins, with Carlos first to put points on the board. Jack skillfully runs across the court and manages to put double digits on the scoreboard. It’s an exciting game. If our team wins, we advance to the district championships. I know Jack’s been anxious about tonight’s event even though he hasn’t admitted it.

I’m so enthralled with the game that I’m not aware I’m being watched. Across the gym I spot the kid who was talking to me after school. Our side of the bleachers is packed with fans so he’s forced to sit with the fans from the opposing team. He’s not the only one sitting on the opposing side. A splattering of black and red is intermingled with the Otters fans. He waves when I catch his gaze. Oh, brother.

The horn blows, indicating halftime. Jack and the team are downing water and sports drinks while their coach talks to them on the bench. I excuse myself to the bathroom. Traci remains with our friends. Despite the pep talk from the coach, Carlos’s attention is fixed on her. I bet she wants to stay behind with our friends so she can stare at him as well.

The line for the women’s restroom extends into the hallway. I’m relieved when it’s finally my turn. When I exit the bathroom the wiry kid is standing in the hallway waiting for me.

“Morgan, do you have a second to talk?” he asks, looking hopeful.

“I guess I have a minute.” Might as well find out exactly what he wants to talk about.

“Can we talk over there instead?” He indicates down the hall, away from the crowd milling about the hallway talking. I relent and follow him to a quiet section.

“What’s up?” From what I recall, I’ve never noticed this kid at school before. He must be a freshman based on how young he looks.

He hesitates but finally speaks. “My brother mentioned he picked you up Saturday night.”

The blood drains from my face as I stand before him. His brother is the guy who picked me up, the one who threatened me and returned my driver’s license? His brother is the lunatic, whose face I’ve been trying to forget?

“What’s your name?” I whisper. The sounds from the gym have gone silent. In fact, I can’t hear anything around me. All I’m focused on is the small boy standing in front of me. My attacker’s brother. That’s why he looked familiar. He has the same eyes and similar facial features. But he’s so much smaller than his brother.