A huge truck slows down and then completely stops. The door opens up, and a big body steps outside. I don't look at his face because my eyes are trained on the asphalt in front of me. I think if I look up, I'll lose it.
"Kayla, are you okay?" Mark's low voice sounds concerned.
“Go mind your own business.” Jake hisses.
Mark ignores him and asks again. “Kayla?”
I sniffle and wipe my eyes with my sleeve. “Yeah.”
“Get out. It’s like all the trailer trash got together in one place. Fuck.”
"Shut your mouth," Mark growls, and I know he doesn't care about being called names, but he doesn't want Jake saying it about me. "Kayla." He steps in front of me, grabs my chin, and lifts it up. "What happened?" His eyes dart between mine.
My lower lip trembles and more tears pour out of my already swollen eyes.
“Get out of here. It’s none of your business.” Jake just doesn’t know when to stop.
Mark drops my chin, steps around me, and hisses at Jake. “Right now. One warning. Go. Now.”
“Or what?”
I turn around just in time to see Mark grabbing the front of Jake’s uniform. Oh fuck, this can’t be good. I don’t want him to get in trouble, so I jump on Mark, tugging him by his hand, the one holding Jake, and say, “Can you drive me home?” He slowly moves his attention to me. “Now, please.” I tug on his arm, and he lets go.
Wrapping his enormous hand around my shoulders, he pulls me into his massive body and walks me to his truck, where he opens the passenger door and practically shoves me in.
"You won't get away with it," Jake says.
“Can’t wait to see what you got.” Mark throws back and climbs into the driver’s seat.
“You shouldn’t have done that. He’ll be an asshole to you now.” I murmur, staring at the steaming Jake.
“He always has been. Nothing new. Don’t worry.” He pats my knee. “Wanna tell me what happened?”
I violently shake my head, fighting a wave of tears.
“Okay.” He takes a deep breath. “But are youokay? I mean physically. Did something… that you didn't want to…" He inhales soundly, "happened?" It pains him to ask, his jaw is clenched, and his words are just a note above a real growl.
“No. Nothing like that.” I shake my head again.
"Okay. But you would tell me if it had. Right?" He sounds like a person talking to a child.
“Yeah.” I sniffle.
“Kayla.” His voice is stern.
“Oh, for fucks sake, nothing happened with me. He didn't force himself on me or something, if that's what you're assuming. I just walked in on Justin sleeping with another woman. Happy now?" I yell.
“That stupid fuck.” He grips the wheel. “Fuck him, Kayla. You’re better than him anyway. Never thought he deserved you.”
“Yeah.”
"I'm serious." He glances at me while keeping his attention on the road. "He doesn't. Though I'm confused, I've seen you with him around town and... never mind."
"What?" I ask, but he keeps his mouth shut. "What, Mark?"
"I mean, I thought he was into you. Likereallyinto you. At least, it looked like that to me. Are you sure, though, about him cheating?"
“I just saw a naked chick on top of him. Both soundly sleeping. So yeah, I’d say I’m pretty sure.” My voice is drowned in sarcasm.
