someone like Jaron can figure out things in my life so easily.
Without a second thought, I slide from the table and head towards the door. I hear Jaron yell something to me but I don't listen. Once I'm outside, I head for the field across the street. When my feet hit the grass, I take off through it, not giving a shit about ticks or snakes or anything else for that matter.
The hot wind hitting my cheeks as I start to sprint feels good against my skin, even more so when tears start to break from my eyes. Jaron hit a spot no one ever has before with me, and that is without even doing anything.
With the tree line in sight, I feel a pull on my arm. My body whips around and becomes enveloped in large arms that are both comforting and terrifying. I can't allow this to happen. I can't allow him into my life. I've been strong for so long, and he's breaking me in less than twenty four hours of knowing one another.
I can't allow this to happen.
Squeezing my shoulders with his hands, he pulls me away from his body, causing me to look him square in the eyes. They're intense. "Don't push me away, Ravyn." The seriousness of his voice has me taking several deep breathes. Inhale, exhale, I remind myself. Blinking away the tears, I nod my head, as if to tell him I'm not going to run. At least not right now. "I'm sorry if I upset you."
"You didn't," I quickly tell him.
"Bullshit."
We both stare at one another. How did I get into this situation with him? What's his fixation with me? Why?
"You didn't," I repeat after a few minutes of silence. This time my tone isn't nearly as harsh as before. My body isn't as tense. I've already given up on this fight, because I'm weak.
Jaron's arms drop to the side and he looks past me. "Where were you heading anyhow? Swimming?"
"No."
"You weren't going to make it very far then."
"Wasn't planning on escaping, I was planning on..." I can't even answer that because I didn't have a plan. I don't know what I was going to do. I don't have much money saved up nor a vehicle to get from here to there. I have no food or clothes with me. Basically I ran from the dinner to get free, even if for a moment.
"I should have minded my own business. I'm sorry." Jaron's apology hits me hard. I can tell he is sincere in his words, not like when Kyler apologizes for giving me a black eye. Even though he says he's sorry, and I honestly am not angry with him, I can't find the words to speak. I don't know what to say.
When I don't say anything back, he continues. "I have a fucked up past, too. Shit I don't want to share with the world either. So how about we keep our secrets just that, and we stay friends?"
"Friends? We're not friends." My words are full of bite but they don't seem to effect Jaron any.
Running his hand through his hair, he turns to look back to where the diner is. It's barely visible from where we stand. "We can be."
"I... I can't be friends with you."
Walking around Jaron, I head back to the restaurant. This lunch is going to be awkward but I know he's not going to let me escape his presence. Not getting more than a few steps away he adds in, "It'll be our little secret."
For the first time, it's a secret I don't mind keeping. I only pray it doesn't get me in serious trouble.
Chapter Four
"The food was incredible, thank you," I tell Jaron when he pays the tab. I feel guilty having him pay for my meal too, however he ordered it all. I doubt I could afford it anyways. I feel even guiltier that he hardly touched his portion of the food.
"My grand dad used to bring me here when I was a kid. I haven't ate a meal here in about sixteen years."
"You mean you used to live here?"
He grins at me like he's holding in one of those secrets, and now I find myself wanting to know his story even more. "I told you, I've lived a little of everywhere. Plus, I had to visit my dad once in a while."
He hands me the helmet when we get back to the bike. I stare at him for a few minutes before placing it
AKB eBOOKS Ashok K. Banker