My cheeks burn. I’m sick of everyone ignoring me or using me.
I glare at David and navigate the remaining stairs before barreling up to the group. “You asshole. Don’t even think of speaking to me again.”
I don’t wait for a response or an apology. I simply run to find Rachel, desperate to head to her house.
She’s making out with a random guy in the corner.Great.
I bolt outside, hoping fresh air will calm me down. I need to get away from all these people and this stupid party.
As I plop down on the porch, a familiar voice calls out, “Jessi, is that you?”
CHAPTER 5
JACK
Shannon invited me to Jessi’s birthday party a few days ago, personally, of course. It gave me great satisfaction to decline, especially after all her flirtatious attempts to persuade me. The party was for Jessi, but as Shannon spoke, I got the hint that it was more for her than for her stepdaughter.
The music rumbles the house again, causing me to rethink my decision to go to bed early.God damn. I’m sure Austin’s on volume control duty.Sighing, I roll out of bed and head downstairs.
Before going to the garage, I squint into the backyard, trying to catch a glimpse of the party over the fence. Thank fuck I turned down the invite. I can’t imagine what those people would think if I came walking over in my riding boots and black leather vest withHighway Ridersscrawled across the back. My motorcycle club’s cuts are sacred, and most of us members wear them everywhere. They’re all different depending on the club, but they are almost always a leather vest of some sort. They are earned and they demand respect. It’s a far cry from the penguin suits these rich assholes are in. People like Shannon piss me off the most. She views people like me as an attraction. She wants to stare and take a ride, but she thinks she is above me. Not that Icare, because I would rather let my dick fall off than burry myself in someone as plastic as her, but they’re all the same. So, I stay on my side of the yard.
In moments, I’m out front, eyeing up my latest bike project and getting to work.
A door slams, causing my attention to jump next door. Someone’s coming out of the house. I think it’s Jessi, but it can’t be. The girl’s short skirt and tight shirt are not Jessi’s style. Whoever she is, though, she’s gorgeous.
When she sits down, I try not to ogle her legs. But damn, she’s hot. And then I freeze. ItisJessi. I recognize her sad eyes and brown-blonde hair.
To be sure, I yell over, “Jessi, is that you?”
Her head snaps up. “Hey,” she says with a wave. A very familiar wave.
Fuck. Why the hell is she dressed like that? There is a house full of Austin’s friends over. Friends that have openly spewed sexist remarks her way. Who is looking out for her? It sure as shit isn’t Austin. Maybe she is giving Shannon a big fuck you? Or does she have a rebellious streak in her?
Her next words send shock waves through me. “Mind if I come over and hang out for a while?”
We have never said more than a few words to each other, so why she’s being neighborly now puts me on high alert.
“Sure.” I cough. “Is everything all right?”
She has lived next to me for over a month, but I’ve seen more of her stepmother than her in that time. Shannon uses every excuse she can to come over and bat her eyelashes at me. Seriously, that woman cannot take a hint. I understand why Jeremy leaves all the time. I’ve seen Austin a lot too, mostly throwing a football with Jeremy or his friends. But Jessi, she’s a stranger. She doesn’t spend much time with anyone and keeps to herself. Whenever I see her come and go, I say hi. We makesmall talk. I ask if she’s okay. My gut still alarms me about Austin and his treatment of Jessi. I really don’t like her sharing a roof with him.
My eyes wander as Jessi saunters over. Is she trying to be sexy? Because goddamn, she is. Her eyes are stunning, green with gold flecks. As I catch them, I hope to God she hasn’t noticed me checking out every inch of her.
“Hi,” she says. “Thanks for letting me come over.”
I clear my throat and try to brush off the power she has over me simply by standing next to me. “Not a problem. Is everything okay?” She keeps her gaze lasered on the ground, and when she brings her eyes back to mine, I see familiar sadness flash behind them. She nibbles her bottom lip, and I try not to wonder what she tastes like.
“Yeah. The party got a bit stuffy for me, too many asshole football players and people with fake small talk and money.”
I laugh. “You decided to leave your own birthday party? That’s awful.”
“You wouldn’t know it was mine, really,” she says. “Shannon’s doing a great job of drawing attention to herself. She did have everyone sing, though.”
“How nice of her.”
“And she called me a whore.”
I stare at Jessi. “Did you tell your dad?”
