I get out of there as quickly as I can without looking back.
Jake
I burst into the back lounge of Maddox and Ryder’s bus at the sounds of Cara’s screams.Remembering how she screamed and sobbed a few weeks ago and again only this morning play on repeat in my head.
Rage roars in my ears as I take in the scene.Cara’s helpless form being held in placeby two men Iconsider friends. My hands clench at my sides. I’m two seconds from killing them both.
Until Dane strolls in beside me, telling them to let her go. Minutes later, I watch her retreating formrunning from me for the second time in less than an hour. AndI have no doubt it’s me she’s running from.
“Close the goddamn door, Jake,” Maddox bellows behind me.
I inwardly flinch at the anger in his voice.Now that I can think clearly, I knowI crossed a line. Even without saying a word, what I thought was happening was written clearly in my body language and expression.
I do as he asks – orders – knowing an argument is about to ensue. Hell,the way I burst into that room, I deserve nothing less than a punch to the face.
“I should knock the holy hell out of you,” Maddox grunts, echoing my thoughts.
“It’s my turn when he’s done.” Ryder’s eyes narrow in disgust.
“I deserve that.” I hang my head in shame.
“Whoa! Hold on.” Dane steps between the three of us. “First, no one is hitting anyone. Second, why the hell would anyone want to? What the hell happened?”
“You didn’t see his reaction when he walked in here?” Ryder jerks his head toward me.
Dane turns to me, confusionblatant on his face. He didn’t catch anything but Cara, Maddox, and Ryder. “What reaction?”
“Let’s just forget about it.” I grimace as I recall what I just thought.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Maddox moves a few steps closer to me. “You don’t get to look at us like we’re attacking her then say forget about it. Really, Jake? You don’t know us better than that?”
“Fuck,” I hiss.Of course, I know they would never hurt her. They love her. Which sends my mind in another direction now. I bite back thecoals of jealousy beginning to ignite in my belly. I’ve got to get my shit together. “I know you’d never hurt her.”
Dane’s eyes grow widewith disbelief and shock. “Wait. You thought…seriously?” I wince again, knowingexactly how out of line and ridiculous it was. “Are you crazy?”
“Maybe.” I scrub my hand over myunshaven face. The truth is I am absolutely losing my mind over this girl.Because every day I want her more. Watching her with Lyra is just making it worse.But there was a reason I reacted the way I did, as irrational as it may have been. “You weren’t therethis morning when she was flailing and fightingin her sleep. You weren’t there when she sobbed over and over,‘No. Please stop.’”
“Shit.” His hand moves to his hair.It’s always been his go-to move when he gets stressed. “I thought those stopped.”
“As far as I know, this is the first one.” I try to reassurehim. Last thing I want is him to feel guilty.
“Wonder what’s causing them?” He says it aloud, but you can tell he’s really questioning himself.
“It’s stress,” Ryder tells us with hesitation.
“All she was doing was watchingSleeping Beautywith Lyra in the bunk.” Why would that stress her?
“It’s the tour. I knew it would be too much for her.” Dane worries his lip. His guilt over his sister pours out like a flood.
“It’s the tour.” Ryder nods. Then he gives me a strange, knowing look that I don’t completely understand. And I have a feeling I’m not going to want to hearit.
Then realization strikes. I don’t need to hear it. I know exactly why he’s pointed thatlook at me. My stomach clenches because the reason the tour is stressing her out is me. I’m the reason she’s here, and I’m the reason for her stress.
“Or rather, it’s not the tour itself but the reasonshe’s here.” He smirks at me like the jackass he is.
“Ryder, I love you, man, but keep your mouth shut for once.” My mouth falls open at the reprimand from Maddox.Not just the reprimand but the complete look of irritation that is never directed toward his best friend.
“I keep my mouth shut about plenty. You know that.”His jaw clenches as he shoots daggers at Maddox.
