Andy
Actually, it’s going to be Jackson. He was in the area! Colby and Eli are already at the farm. Sorry, bestie!
Fuck you
:( He’s nice!
I hate you for real
“So?”Jackson asks.
“Whatever.” I pause at the doorway to slip on Honey’s vest.
We go about the same process as usual. Jackson loads us into the car and then makes his way down the gravel driveway. I avert my gaze from him to avoid getting caught staring. Today, he’s wearing a maroon henley and dark-wash jeans. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him easily handle the wheel. A few times, his eyes lift to the rearview mirror to check on Honey and that does more for my heart than it should.
“Are you feeling better?” Jackson asks.
“Somewhat.”
“I don’t want to be a dick, but no one will betray your trust and tell me what’s up with you. Then you go and spin some new story each time. How do I have to earn your trust to be added to the trusted circle of those with knowledge?”
I can’t help but grimace. Here we go. Once someone knows, they pity me and look at me differently. Just like the entire town keenly watches me as if I’m going to drop to the ground witha seizure at any moment. For some reason, the idea of Jackson knowing settles in my stomach like bad takeout. I’m not ready.
“I told you already.”
The edges of Jackson’s lips tug up at the corners. “Allergies? Or the biting people?”
“Okay, I’ll tell you the truth.”
Jackson sends a hopeful look my way. “Yeah?”
“Yes,” I say sadly. With a sigh, I turn towards him in the car. I give him the biggest puppy dog eyes I can muster, letting my lip tremble slightly. Jackson’s fingers tighten on the wheel, enough to make the leather creak under his touch. “We’re both in the witness protection program.”
Jackson laughs in annoyance, his eyes sliding over to me before focusing back on the road. “I almost fucking believed you.”
“I’m telling the truth!”
“Sure, punk.”
My scowl deepens. “Punk?”
Jackson puts on his blinker to pull into the farm. “You’re a goddamn punk. You lie, you are sarcastic to the core, you refuse to let people help you, and you’re clueless about just how goddamn beautiful you are. So yeah, punk. That’s your nickname.”
“You don’t know me,” I say, suddenly a little out of breath.
Jackson’s lips curl up in a cruel smirk. “Pretend all you want, but I see right through your armor.”
“You don’t see shit.” I hop out of the car, angry, ready to fight anyone in my path. I get one foot away before Jackson’s in front of me, slowly walking me back toward the car. A gasp slips out of me when my back hits the cold metal of the door.
Honey barks in the car, clearly waiting to be let out. Jackson keeps his eyes on me, but reaches out with his left hand to open the door for Honey. With a shake of her body, Honey hops outand dutifully sits at my feet. My gaze lifts back to Jackson to find him staring intently at me, jaw tight.
“Harper,” Jackson whispers, breath ghosting across my face. Fuck. “I’m trying to be really cool here.”
“What?” I ask in confusion.
His fingers trace up my arm, leaving goose pimples in their wake, until finally, his large palm wraps around my neck, his touch exceedingly gentle. My mouth goes dry when his thumb presses under my chin, pushing my chin up to force me to meet his gaze head-on. Dark brown eyes eat me whole. His eyes are fathomless, looking into me, almost through me. For one terrifying second, I’m worried he might try to kiss me, especially when his gaze dips to my mouth. Nope.
But he doesn’t try to kiss me. His thumb just rubs gently under my chin as I stand caged between him and the car. Caught. That’s the word I’m thinking of.
