Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) - By T L Gray Page 0,28

easy pace. It hit me on the trail how disappointed I was with myself. I had walked into this year confident and strong. I had gone months without throwing up and was at the top of my class. Now, I was barely hanging on in two classes and one of them felt like a lost cause. My confidence was shot, and I had deluded myself into believing that an incredibly hot, kind and extraordinary man was falling for me just because he told me a few of his secrets. I wasn’t strong…I was desperate. I shook my head, disgusted, wanting nothing more than to escape my body.

I passed by the playground that marked the halfway point and stopped. I used to love to swing as a kid. It would make me feel so alive and untouchable. I found an open one in the middle and just started moving back and forth. It was slow and methodical at first, but with each pump, I felt my adrenalin start to increase.

“I thought I might find you here,” a voice said behind me. I just kept swinging not wanting to acknowledge the source. He was quiet for a long time, just watching me and then finally spoke up, “So, you’re not going to talk to me? Get my side of the story?”

I slowed down enough to look at him, knowing full well I was wearing all my emotions on my face despite my efforts to hide it. “Not if it’s a story. I think I’ve had enough fairy tales for a while.”

“Always so witty,” he said smirking, shaking his head. “Seriously, come talk to me. I don’t like feeling this way.”

It should be illegal the effect Jake had on me, because despite my inner alarm screaming at me to walk away, I sat down next to him on the picnic table.

“It’s not what you’re thinking. She doesn’t mean anything. I go out with these girls to keep up the appearance, that’s all. I’m known as a player, and I like that. It keeps my life simple.”

I didn’t say anything, just kept kicking at the patch of grass I had almost dislodged from the ground.

“I was surprised you didn’t say anything when you saw us,” he went on.

“Why?”

“Well, most girls would have said something. Some try to play it cool, others lose their temper. But you…total silence. I wasn’t expecting that.”

I was struck by the fact that this situation was a common occurrence for him. “What were you expecting, Jake? I’m not the kind of girl who throws a temper tantrum in the middle of a bar, but I’m also not the kind of girl who is put in a position where I would want to.” I looked at him exasperated, reminding myself to hold my ground and demand more respect than this.

“I know that,” he admitted and ran his hands through his hair. “See, therein lies the problem. You have made my life complicated because for the first time, there is someone I want to call when I wake up and talk to before I go to sleep.”

My heart skipped a beat, and I knew that my resolve was weakening. “How can I believe you? What am I supposed to do with that?” I asked, fighting back my ever persistent tears. He inched over to me and moved a piece of hair that had fallen in front of my eye.

“You can trust me, Avery. I’m not going to let you down.” He paused for a second, still caressing my temple. “Let me take you on a real date. Things are better with Issy now, and people have already noticed my lack of nightlife these past few weeks.” He shot me a knowing look and a sly smile that sent a whirl of flutters in my stomach.

Very tentatively, he reached out and turned my body towards his. I kept my eyes focused on the grass and felt his palm against my cheek. He leaned his head down, while bringing mine up and made eye contact, “I’m sorry.” His voice was soft and sincere as he moved in to kiss me. I kissed him back with all the longing, need and hurt I felt until he gently pulled away.

“By the way, I didn’t like you seeing you out with those guys either,” Jake admitted, keeping his forehead on mine.

I looked at him, confusion apparent until I remembered Danny and Aaron, and then chuckled. “They are just friends. One is completely in love with your cousin