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Book excerpt # 3
Chapter 7
True love may cost a price
The following Friday night Jason and I were in the family room
eating pizza. After we finished eating we decided to watch a movie. I had never
seen the Underworld series before, and now he had me hooked. We were on
the sofa, watching the fourth movie. He had me lying across his chest. Jaden
came into the room and seemed surprised to see us.
“Hey, Jaden.”
“What’s up?” Jason said to him. Jaden rolled his eyes, didn’t
reply, and walked away. Jason lifted us up on the sofa. “I will be back in a
second.”
“Okay.”
He followed Jaden. I was going to stay put until I heard Jason’s
voice rise. I bolted up and went into the kitchen. Harmony was in there also.
Jason was in his face and looked pissed. Jaden appeared concerned, like he was
trying to convince him to do something. None of them saw me.
“What’s your problem?” Jason asked, gritting his teeth.
“I don’t think you should have her around with everything that’s
going on,” Jaden replied.
Were they talking about me?
“She doesn’t have anything to do with this,” Jason said.
“I think you are taking it too personal. He doesn’t mean any
harm,” Harmony said to Jason.
“It’s not right to involve her further, and you know it,” Jaden
interrupted.
“We don’t even have all of the facts,” Jason countered.
“We know enough. You are just too blind to see it.” Jaden threw in
his face.
They were talking about me, but why? None of it made sense. The
last statement Jaden said pushed Jason over the edge. He shoved Jaden in his
chest so hard he flew back into the refrigerator and slipped to the ground. He
got up fast and pushed Jason back.
“Guys, stop!” I yelled, frantic. Jason pushed him again and tried
to get him in a wrestler hold. Thank goodness Harmony rushed into the crossfire
and somehow managed to separate them. She had both of her arms extended, one
hand on each of their chests.
“You guys better cut it out right now! Don’t make me tell you
twice!” She commanded.
They stopped struggling against her. Did she have a black belt in
karate that they obeyed her so readily? Jason looked at me, frowned, and bit
his lip. He seemed embarrassed by his actions. He walked toward me and pulled
me from the kitchen quickly. In the hallway he said, “I’m sorry about that. Do
you mind if we go back to your place?”
“Sure, but what’s going on?”
“Let’s talk about it in the car.”
Jason gathered my things and had me out of the house before I
could blink. He didn’t want me around his siblings; that was clear. He had
picked me up from my house so we were in his car. He blew out his breath, and
his forehead was furrowed. He was deep in thought and didn’t seem like he
wanted to talk.
“Are you going to tell me what that was about?”
“We are having some family problems.”
“Yeah, that’s obvious. What does it have to do with me?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not what your brother thinks.”
“My brother doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Well, your sister seemed to agree.” He didn’t answer. “Why does
your brother dislike me?”
He looked at me apologetically. “Mel, my brother and sister like
you just fine.”
“Why did you push your brother then?”
“We have been bumping heads for a while. Things just added up.”
“I don’t buy it.”
“Mel, you’re being paranoid. You are reading too much into this.
My brother and I have argued before. We are both hotheaded, so sometimes things
get heated.”
“I think there’s more going on than you are telling me. It’s clear
you don’t want to share. Just drop me off. I don’t want to talk about it
anymore.” I crossed my arms against my chest and looked out the window.
“Mel,” he said, pouting. I ignored him, and he sighed.
At the next stoplight, he put the car in park. What was he doing?
He undid his seatbelt and lunged at me. I was shocked at his aggressiveness. I
was worried, irritated, and scared, but all of my emotions unraveled in the
kiss. It was explosive. He pushed his tongue into my mouth and the watermelon
substance expelled. He kissed me like his mouth was made for mine. Within
seconds desire pulsed inside every vein in my body. I kissed him back fiercely
and pulled his hair. He moaned, and then several people started to blow their
horns. The light was green. He pulled back, breathing heavily, and drove on
through the intersection.
“Are you talking to me now?” he asked.
I still felt high from his tongue of ecstasy. Why was I mad
again? “I’m talking, but I don’t like you keeping me in the dark.”
“My family and I will get it sorted out, okay. But I don’t want
you to think you are the cause of the problem. That’s not the case. Are you
really not going to let me come in?” he asked, pulling into my driveway. A few
minutes ago I would have said no, but after the way he kissed me, I couldn’t.
He kissed me that way on purpose just so he could have his way with me.
* * *
I was in the cafeteria talking with Ebony, and some of our other
friends before school started when I saw Jason arrive with the gang. Ebony
poked her mouth out. Jaden had been to the police station a couple more times
with Ebony, and they talked often. But she was disappointed; Jaden seemed to
only want to be friends. Jason smiled, and motioned for me to come over.
“I’ll check with you later, Ebony,” I told her.
“See yah,” she replied.
“Hey, what’s up,” I said, rushing over to him. I was excited drama
practice had gotten canceled, and we were supposed to hang out. “We’re still on
for after school, right?”
He sighed, and his brow furrowed. “Actually Mel, I need to take
care of something with Jaden. I’m sorry.”
“Oh,” I replied, scrunching my nose. “You guys are best buds now?”
“Mel, he’s my brother. We have worked things out.”
“I understand.” But I really didn’t. I wanted him to work things
out with his family, but I also wanted him to let me back in. Over the last few
days his mind seemed a million miles away.
“I will make it up to you I promise.”
After school I was at my locker gathering my things. Simon, my
drama partner approached me. We were good friends and talked often. I knew he
had a thing for me. And he knew me well enough to know I had been a little down
lately.”
“Hey, Melanie.”
“Hi, Simon.”
“How have you been?”
“I’m good,” I replied, stretching the truth. I didn’t want to
admit I was worried about my relationship. I would never tell him that. I
hadn’t even said anything to Ebony.
“Since we don’t have practice I was going to get a bite to eat.
You want to hang with me? Whoa, he was bold. He also knew I was in a serious
relationship, but still asked. He was cute though. His hair was light brown,
and his eyes were too. But it still would probably look bad if someone saw the
two of us out together, and it got back to Jason. He would probably have a
stroke, if he found out. But at the moment I didn’t care. He’s the one who
canceled, and I didn’t want to be alone. Simon was nice, and he always made me
laugh. I was about to say yes, and take him up on his offer when Jason
interrupted. He stood very close behind me. I could feel his breath brush again
my neck.
“We already have plans Mel, remember?”
I snapped my neck around, and my mouth dropped open. Seriously?
“I thought something came up,” I stated.
“It did, but I’m rescheduling that instead. You ready?” he asked
grabbing my backpack to carry it for me. Normally, I would have been elated he
was jealous and staking his claim. But now it irritated me. He was only
canceling his plans with his brother because he had obviously overheard Simon.
He was disappointed Jason intruded. Jason and I used to be together every
second, and Simon was taking the opportunity he’d seen. Jason ruined his
chance, and he glared at him. Jason stared back as if he were nothing. Then
Jason grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. I should teach him a lesson,
and refuse to go with him, but I didn’t want to stir him up.
“Sorry, Simon. I’ll talk with you later. I guess I still have
plans with Jason.
“Bye, Simon,” Jason said dismissively. I rolled my eyes.
“Yeah, okay,” Simon replied to Jason. “See you later, Melanie,” he
added, walking away.
“You didn’t have to cancel your plans.”
“It’s your day off, and I want to spend time with you,” he cooed,
with his emerald eyes burning into mine. Ugh, why did I bother being upset with
him? I couldn’t stay mad at him for more than five seconds which was pretty
pathetic. But it was no use; my mind became foggy when I was around him.
“Let’s go,” I said, throwing in the towel.
* * *
Before third period the next day I spotted Jason and Harmony
talking in front of the stairs. They were whispering, and I couldn’t hear what
they were saying. They seemed oblivious to the people walking pass them.
“Hi, guys,” I announced. Harmony’s eyes grew wide, like she had
gotten caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Jason played it off.
“I’ll walk you to class,” he said nonchalantly.
“Hi, Mel,” Harmony said. “Talk with you later, Jason” she added,
walking off.
In fifth we had a substitute teacher, and we were talking among
ourselves while he got situated. Jason and I were talking, but his mind was
somewhere else.
“Why don’t we get our nails done after school? Scarlet red would
look great on you,” I said, being funny.
“Uh, sure. That sounds good.”
Yeah, I was right. He wasn’t paying any attention to what I
was really saying. My hopes plummeted. I thought we were back on track.
Yesterday evening he took me out to eat. Then he tortured me until I pleaded
for him to stop. Only he didn’t. He loved to make me beg. He had kissed me like
I was his life line. And when I wanted him to hold me tighter, he did.
Remembering our fervent escapade last night made the muscles down there clench,
and my cheeks flushed. At the same time my heart ached. These emotions mixed
together were conflicting. The Jason last night was the one who adored Melanie.
The Jason today was distant Jason. He scared me because he smiled, and
pretended everything was all right, but that was far from the truth.
“Hey, you okay,” he whispered; now back from wherever he’d been.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied. “I hate something is bothering you
though.”
He grabbed my hand, and squeezed it. Then he rubbed his thumb
gently across the top of my hand. “You’re so sweet. Stop worrying.” He smiled,
but it didn’t reach his eyes.
The sub began class, so I couldn’t argue. I wanted to tell him I
knew something was troubling him, but he didn’t want to share. I wish he would
tell me what was going on because I was really worried.
Distant Jason was now the going trend. We went about our daily
routine, but his mind was in another zone when we were together. Jason and his
siblings were always whispering in the halls. Something was definitely going
on. It was like they were preparing for a secret mission.
