Regretting You (Blackthorn Elite #4) - J.L. Beck Page 0,70
seats, and the professor takes the podium at the front of the room. I do my best to focus on what the professor is saying, jotting down notes, and trying to retain all the information I missed while I was gone. Somehow, it feels like people are staring at me, watching me more than usual, so I end up spending most of the class looking over my shoulder like a crazed person.
A few girls are whispering and looking my way, but I don’t catch anyone else watching me. Brushing it off to paranoia, I finish class, and when we’re dismissed, I walk down the hall and head to my next class even though I want to run back to my apartment.
Stepping outside, I spot Jackson leaning against a tree, his posture is relaxed, casual, and as soon as he spots me, he pushes off the tree and walks over to greet me.
He wasn’t lying, he really was waiting. Which disgusts me and makes me feel warm all at once. I hate that he didn’t listen to me, didn’t go away when I told him to.
“How was class?” he asks.
“Fine. You know you don’t need to follow me around, your friends are going to start asking questions if you do.”
Jackson shrugs. “I don’t really care what they ask or what they say. All I care about is you and what you think and feel.”
My mouth pops open, and I’m not really sure what I plan to say, but I guess it doesn’t matter because Crystal comes walking up to us, her shoulder slamming into mine, causing me to almost crash into Jackson.
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t see you there,” She says, chuckling beside Jackson. “Wait, I thought you…” She makes a motion of cutting her wrists and then says, “Looks like you didn’t do a good enough job if I do say so myself.”
I’m not really shocked at her words, of course, someone as selfish and heartless as her would say something like that. It’s fitting, really.
Jackson reacts before I can, grabbing her by the arm and twisting her around to face him. “What the fuck? You think it makes you look cool to say shit like that?” The anger that contorts his face is scary as hell, but a look that I’ve seen a few times myself.
Still, it’s strange to see him directing that rage at someone else, especially a girl that I know would do anything to be with him.
“Let go of me, you’re hurting me,” Crystal whimpers, tugging her arm from his grasp.
“I’ll do more than hurt you if you talk to her like that again,” he seethes, and Crystal takes a step back, her nose in the air.
“I can’t believe I ever thought of hooking up with you.” The disgust on Crystal’s face makes her look as if she’s tasted something sour.
Jackson laughs. “Like you had a chance in hell. Run along, and if you talk any more shit about Kennedy, you’ll be answering to me.”
Crystal turns on her high heels and walks away. Though it was very entertaining to see Jackson stick up for me, it changes nothing. It can’t. I can’t be with someone who hurt me like he did, who used my weakness against me. He knew how broken I was, knew how much I was hurting, and he still hit below the belt.
“You okay?” Jackson’s question slices through my thoughts.
“I’m fine.” I hold my head high, ignoring the stares we’ve earned from the little spat.
Wrinkles of worry form against Jackson’s forehead. “I’m sorry she is such a bitch.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. I’m used to being beat down and treated like shit. I’ll survive, plus, it’s not like it’s the first time someone told me to kill myself.” I smile, knowing it’s a low blow, but I don’t care. He hurt me, ripped my heart out of my chest. He deserves to feel my pain, and it doesn’t matter how I deliver said pain.
“I deserve that…” He nods as if he’s reading my mind.
“I’ve got to go to my next class,” I say, pushing past him.
“Of course, let’s go.” He turns to follow me. It’s annoying, and I grit my teeth to keep the words inside my mouth.
Two classes later, and Jackson is still waiting for me after each class. I figured he would get bored after the first class, but he’s still following me around like a lost puppy. Anger grows, pulsing deep in my chest.