Breathless (158 page)

“And who is she?”

“I’d prefer to keep her out of this. He had his facts wrong. I have no interest in her.”

He watched me carefully for a moment. “Fair enough. Now, here is my problem. There are two of them—”

“Three. There were three, but one ran when he figured out that his friends weren’t doing too well.”

“Who was he?”

“I have no idea.”

“I see. Well, if Todd and James both say they were the only two involved, there’s nothing I can do about the third one. Anyway, here is my problem. There are two of them and one of you, and I’m sure they will have the same story. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“Two against one, so I’m automatically the bad guy. Why did you even ask me what happened? What I say doesn’t matter anyway.”

“It always matters, but in this case, it won’t be enough. Was there anyone else around?”

I shook my head. “Nope. They waited until we were completely alone.”

“This looks bad for you. You’re here on a scholarship, and you fought with two private-pay students. Both of those students are on the varsity football team, and they have never been in any kind of trouble.”

“Look, I know I’m in trouble. Just tell me what my sentence is,” I said, not bothering to hide my anger. I didn’t see the point in staying calm when I was going to be persecuted anyway?

He stared at me. “You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“I believe you, but it doesn’t change anything. Todd’s father gives several generous donations a year, and the board will have my head if I don’t punish you. I’m going to suspend you for a week.”

That wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. I’d walked into this room assuming that I would be expelled. I could live with being suspended for a week.

“Thank you,” I said.

“I just suspended you. Most students don’t thank me for that.”

I laughed. “We both know you could have done a lot worse. Will either of them get in trouble?”

He shook his head. “Doubtful. I’ll have to talk to the board before I do anything to either of them.”

I’d assumed as much, so his words hadn’t surprised me. I stood and walked to the door. There was no reason for me to hang around here. Maybe if I were lucky, Rick would give me a few extra hours at the shop since my schedule had just opened up.

“Jesse…” Principal Thompson called as I opened his door.

“Yeah?”

“I grew up in the same park where you live in now. Don’t let your roots control where you end up in life.”

I was speechless for a minute.
The principal was from my trailer park?
I didn’t see that coming.

“Thanks.”

I kept my head low as I walked down the hall. There were students everywhere, and they were all giving me the same cold glare. I ignored the whispers as I walked by. I knew they were talking about me, but I really didn’t give a fuck. I’d never belonged here, and this just solidified it to everyone. I walked outside and down the sidewalk to the parking lot. I tensed as I heard footsteps approaching rapidly from behind me.

“Jesse!” Emma called.

“Go back inside, Emma.”

“What happened? Everyone is saying that you attacked Todd and James.

I told them all that they’re wrong. You wouldn’t do something like that.” “Just go back inside!” I yelled as I turned to face her.

“Kiss my ass! I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what happened.”

“Fine. You stay right where you are, but I’m out of here.” I walked to my Jeep and got in.

She ran to the passenger door and jumped in beside me. “Oh no, you don’t!”

“Emma, just let it go.”

“Please talk to me. I want to help,” she pleaded.

“Fine. You want to know what happened?” She nodded.

“Todd and two of his buddies attacked me. I won, but it’s my word against theirs. Of course, they’re going to lie, so I’m suspended.” “Why would they do something like that?” she asked. “Apparently, Todd doesn’t like the way I watch you.” “
What?
”
she shrieked.

“Yep. They attacked me over you.”

“Oh my god, I don’t even know what to say. You’re okay, aren’t you?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’m so sorry, Jesse. I have no idea why Todd did that.”

“Because he wants you.”

She looked down at her lap. “I didn’t know. I mean, I think I knew he was interested, but I never thought he cared enough to do something like this.”

“I don’t know how you missed it. I even knew it.”

“It doesn’t change anything with us.”

“Who said there was an
us
?” I asked. I winced at my words.
That was harsh.

“Do you want there to be an
us
?” she asked.

Do I?
I had no clue. I just didn’t want to leave this beautiful girl alone. I wasn’t even sure if I could.
Didn’t I try to ignore her at first?
For some reason, I couldn’t, and that worried me. I didn’t want to get attached to her.

“Your silence says everything that you aren’t,” Emma said as she started to open the door to get out.

I leaned over and grabbed her wrist. “I don’t know
what
I want. I don’t do
this.
”

“What is
this
exactly?” she asked.

“Fuck. I don’t know.”

“Are you scared of me?”

I shook my head. “No, I’m not scared of you. I just don’t get close to people.”

“You’re afraid to get too close because you don’t want me to hurt you. Let me tell you something though—I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Maybe not on purpose.”

She shook her head. “Nope, not even by accident. For some reason, we’re under each other’s skins, and I want to find out why. I think we should try this and see where it goes.”

“What is
this
exactly?” I mocked her.

“Dating.”

“How do you plan on
dating
if we can’t even tell anyone about us?”

“I’ll figure that out later. I just want to know that when you leave here, you’re not going to go to some other girl. I want to stake my claim on you.”

What the hell am I supposed to say to that?
If I agreed to this, I was sure that we would crash and burn eventually. How could we not when there is so much against us?

“Emma—” I started.

She stopped me by leaning over and kissing me. She always let me take control when we kissed but not this time. Instead, she palmed the back of my head and held my mouth against hers as she slipped her tongue between my lips. When she flicked her tongue against mine, I growled. I’d actually growled.
Fuck it. She’s mine.

I pulled away. “Damn it, Emma.” “What?” she asked innocently.

Innocent my ass.
“Fine, you want to stake your claim on me? Go for it, but it works both ways. If I see Todd touch you, I’ll break his arm.”

She grinned. “Fair enough. I’ll deal with Todd, I promise. He won’t bother you again.”

“We’ll see about that,” I grumbled.

The guy was an ass, and I knew he wouldn’t leave her alone just because she asked.

Ten-Emma

“I need to go,” Jesse hinted as I stared at him.

“Right. Of course. I’ll text you later,” I said as I stepped out of his Jeep.

He waved as he backed out of the parking spot, and then he drove away.

This was a mess. Jesse was suspended, and it was all my fault. Todd had attacked him over me. I had no idea what Todd had thought he’d gain from that, but it sure as hell had backfired. I was going to kill him the next time I saw him. Although, from what people were saying about the fight, I wasn’t sure that anything I would do was going to matter. Jesse had knocked James out, and Todd’s nose had been broken. I knew I should feel bad for them, but I didn’t. They’d brought this on themselves.

Since we only had one class left for the day, I decided to just skip and go home. Hopefully, my mom wouldn’t be there, and if she were, I’d just drive around for a while. I pulled out of the lot without anyone noticing me.

***

When I arrived home, I was relieved to see that my mom’s car wasn’t parked outside or in the garage. I parked my car in the garage and walked up to my room.

I powered on my computer to give it time to start up as I changed out of my school clothes and into something more comfortable. After sending Lucy a quick text to let her know that I was “sick” and wouldn’t be at cheer practice, I sat down in front of my computer. I checked my Facebook and Twitter accounts first before signing into my email account. A huge grin stretched across my face when I saw an email from my dad.

Emma,

I talked to the label, and they have no problem flying you out. My pilot for my personal plane is on vacation this month, or I’d have him do it.

Anyway, you know the drill. The plane is at LAX, and your flight is scheduled for eight in the morning on Thursday. I know that you’ll miss a day of school, but I want to have enough time with you. Plus, I’m sure you’ll be jet-lagged when you arrive, and you’ll need a good night’s sleep.

I told them that you would have another passenger with you as well.

I have a show that night, but I have a car scheduled to pick you up and take you to your hotel room here in London. The room has already been paid for, and it is in my name.

If you have any questions, call me. I’ll see you Friday morning.

Love,

Dad

I frowned. With Jesse getting in trouble today at school, I seriously doubted that his mom would let him come with me. I needed to think of something fast, or I’d be flying to London on my own. As I sat there, trying to figure out a way to get him to London, my bedroom door opened, and my mother walked in.

“Emma, I saw your car in the garage. What are you doing home already?” she asked.

“I wasn’t feeling well, so I left early.”

“I completely understand.”

I gave her a confused look. “Understand what?”

“Todd’s mom called and told me what happened today. I would have left early, too. I’m sure you were upset over that.”

I rolled my eyes. “I wasn’t upset because Todd got his nose broken.

Actually, he deserved it for starting that fight.”

“What are you talking about? He didn’t start the fight. That horrible scholarship boy did. I told the board that it was a mistake to create that scholarship program, and look, I was right.”

“Why was it a mistake? It gave kids who can’t afford tuition a chance at a better education. It’s the best thing that the school has done in a long time.”

“We don’t want our children associating with those kids. They don’t belong there. Of course, the board still won’t listen. They refuse to kick out those kids,” she said with a sour look on her face.

“How are we even related?” I asked.

I had no clue how this woman could possibly be my mother. We had nothing in common, and we never saw eye-to-eye on anything.

“Don’t get smart with me. I have no idea where you get your opinions from—probably that father of yours. He could never understand why I would get upset when he would sign autographs and such when we were out. We are better than those people.”

“Are you even listening to yourself talk? We are not better than anyone.

Everyone is equal, regardless of how much money they have.” Flames flashed in her eyes. I’d really pissed her off now.

“You listen to me, Emma. You are
not
to talk to those kids who are part of that scholarship program. If I find out that you’re friends with any of them, I’ll pull you from the cheer team.”

“So what? Do it,” I said as I returned her glare. “You might be stuck-up, but I’m not.”

I grabbed my keys, and I ran from the room. I could hear her yelling as she followed me through the house, but I had too much of a head start for her to catch up.

I was already in my car and pulling away from the house by the time she made it to the bottom of the driveway.
Screw her.
There was no way that I was going to let her push her ridiculous values on me.

I drove around town aimlessly as I tried to control my temper. My mom already hated Jesse, and she didn’t even know his name.
What would she do if she ever found out that I’m not only friends with him, but I’ve kissed him as well?

After driving for over an hour, I steered my car toward Jesse’s side of town. I had no idea where he lived, but I did know where he worked. Hopefully, he had to work tonight because I needed to be around him right now, and he wasn’t answering any of my texts.

I pulled into a space in Rick’s parking lot. After making sure that my car was locked, I walked into the shop. There was no one around, so I stood nervously at the counter. A few seconds later, a guy came out of the back.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Is Jesse here?”

He eyed me suspiciously. “No. Why?”

This guy was obviously protective of Jesse. It was nice to see someone looking out for him. He always seemed so alone and closed-off from the world.

“I’m his…I’m Emma. I go to school with him, and I needed to talk to him.”

“I sent him home early. I’m not sure where he’s at.”

“Oh.”

“I would try his house or maybe the beach. He’s usually at one of the two. The kid doesn’t get out much.”

“Can you tell me where he lives? I’ve never been there.”

He shook his head. “No can do, kiddo. If Jesse hasn’t told you where he’s at, I’m not about to.”

“Please,” I pleaded. “I really need to see him. I swear I’m not some weird stalker or anything.”

“Do you know what happened to him today?” he asked.

“I do.”

“Care to fill me in? I’ve never seen him so pissed off.”

“He got into a fight with two guys over…over me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Jesse doesn’t fight over girls.”

“Well, he did this time. Please tell me where he is.”

He sighed. “If I tell you and he gets pissed—”

“He won’t. I swear. If he gets mad, I’ll tell him I forced you to tell me.”

He laughed. “I’m sure you could force me. All right, listen. When you leave here, go left. In about five miles, start looking for signs for the Santa

Monica Trailer Park. His house number is thirty-two.”