Spencer laughs at the clueless look on my face and explains what to do. As I take the drag, I instantly start coughing, but along with it comes the laughter which is exactly what I’ve been needing, despite the way the cigarette is making my head spin.
Hell, who would have thought I’d have so much fun smoking with Spencer?
I take another drag and smile up at Spencer as he reminds me what a bitch I was when he texted me last week. I can’t help but agree, maybe I could have been a little nicer to the guy. He seems alright so far, but then, he did come on a little too strong.
I’m about to tell him that when the cigarette is plucked from between my lips and thrown down on the ground moments before a heavy boot slams down on it and puts it out. “What the fuck, Henley? You smoke now?”
My mouth drops open as I stare my past right in the face. “Excuse me?” I question with a scoff. “Since when do you care?”
Anger flashes behind Jackson’s eyes which is when I notice Jesse Ryder standing right behind him, probably wondering who the fuck I am, but from the way Kaylah pulls on his hand and tries to drag him away, I’m sure it won’t be long until he figures it out.
“I’ve always fucking cared about you. You were like a kid sister to me.”
Ouch. That stung.
I flinch at his words and it’s clear from the way the regret seeps into his features that he knows where he’s gone wrong, but I’m not about to let him keep treating me like that pathetic loser he threw away. I’m more than that.
I raise my chin and narrow my eyes on the guy I thought I was once in love with. How wrong could I have been? “Fuck off, Jackson. You didn’t think that highly of me when you screwed me? Or how about Kaylah? She didn’t care when she left right along with you. You both abandoned me. I had no one, so don’t come all up in my face pretending to care about me now.”
His eyes widen a fraction as he watches me with concern. I never once took that tone with him and I’m sure he’s probably wondering what the hell is up with me now, but months of being on my own and dealing with the shit they left behind have turned me into someone neither of them would recognize.
Kaylah watches me from behind Jesse’s shoulder looking more than pissed off. The second our eyes meet, hers drop away and I swear, I almost see guilt taking over, but that couldn’t be right. You don’t feel guilt for someone you don’t give a shit about.
I bring the bottle back to my lips, needing something more to dull the ache within my chest and watch with amusement how Jackson watches me. It’s like seeing him witness a stranger going through a trainwreck.
I look up at Spencer, unable to handle the look in both their eyes. “Take me away.”
He grins down at me like all his dreams are coming true and puts his arm over my shoulder. He begins to pull me away when Jackson steps in his way, making Jesse fall in beside him, prepared and ready to fight for the damsel just as I would expect of the guy.
Jackson’s eyes cut to mine, his brows drawing down as he tries to get a read on me. “What are you doing?” he questions, looking at me with a pity that has me wanting to throat punch the guy. No one pities me, especially not Jackson. Anyone but Jackson. “Who are you?”
I set my jaw. “Get out of my way,” I tell him, making myself grin as I realize that I still have the ability to drag out his overprotective douche side.
When Jackson doesn’t budge, Spencer moves an inch forward. “You’ve already fucked her over, man” he says, for some reason jumping into the protective boyfriend role. “You looking to do that again?”
“What? No,” Jackson says.
“Right, then move the fuck on. She wants to party.”
Jackson shakes his head, his fists clenching at his sides while his jaw clenches. Jesse hits his chest. “Come on, man. She’s not interested.”
I turn away, not wanting to hear his response. With my bottle in hand and hopefully the promise of another cigarette, we walk away from my past. I don’t bother looking back as I allow Spencer to lead me down to the back of the property where he can finally help me forget.
Chapter 15
I lay in the cool grass with Spencer hovering above me and his lips pressed to the sensitive skin of my neck. His hips sink down onto mine, letting me know exactly what he’s got to work with as he starts to grind.