Surge - Maya Nicole Page 0,73

too far for your first time being touched like that."

"It was perfect."

My eyes grew heavy and I knew it wasn't even close to a decent time to sleep, but I was exhausted.

I drifted off, drowning in the blue of his eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I don't know why I expected things to change after what happened between me and Jax. The morning after was awkward, especially with the three of them at breakfast. They had another swim meet midday, so luckily there was an excuse to get out of there.

The next week of school passed quickly. In class, they ignored me, and while I was grateful for the break from them tormenting me, I felt like a used rag just tossed to the side.

Friday rolled around and I was grateful the week was over. The final bell rang and Jax was out the door before I could even ask him to talk. My texts to him had gone unanswered.

I went to my locker to find Aiden standing next to it. His eyes were darting around the area, and when I got closer, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into an empty classroom.

Aiden had been doing what he was told for weeks now. We still talked on the phone and texted, but it wasn't the same as hanging out in person. I missed him and wished he hadn't been thrown in the middle of my problems.

"I overheard them today." He pulled me into a hug and then pulled back, a seriousness to his eyes I hadn't expected. "None of what they said made sense, but something big is going to happen."

"What did they say exactly?" A lump formed in my throat.

"Something about the admiral getting impatient about their lack of progress. Who's the admiral? Like the navy?"

"Jax's father. He wants my father, but I think it's for more than just the oil spill."

Things all of a sudden connected and my knees turned to mush. Aiden caught me and helped me sit down. "What is it, Ri? Should I call for help?"

My mom was with Finn West for years. She had to have known he was different, just like I knew they were different. Is that why she left him in the first place?

Just how dangerous was he?

How dangerous were they?

"I think we just need to forget about everything for the weekend and focus on you." He rubbed my back. "I'm coming to your party."

I stood and looked down at him. "You can't."

"I'm done being blackmailed. Let them release the video. Then everyone will see how great I am."

I laughed. "What about your parents?"

"I'll have to deal with them. I can't hide it from them forever. I was just hoping to wait until I went away for college." He handed me my bag that I had dropped. "We have a party to plan because I'm sure Ivy has messed everything up."

I put on a smile, despite my mind screaming warnings at me.

I couldn't believe I was eighteen. Things felt real now. I was on my own and no one cared if I was without a mom and without enough money to pay the electricity bill. My mom probably didn't anticipate it being so difficult for me to get the money out of my trust. If she had, she probably would have gone about it a different way.

Did she just wake up one morning and decide she needed to put things in place in case something happened to her? Did she not think my father would step up and take care of me?

I dressed casually in ripped black skinny jeans and an oversized, off the shoulder cream sweater with a lacy black bralette underneath.

I could already smell the scent of the hamburgers Alex was grilling. My mouth watered as I applied the last of my make-up.

"We're ready!" Ivy walked into the bathroom without knocking and whistled. "Damn, girl."

"Is it okay?" I walked into my room and slid my feet into black and white checked Vans. "I didn't want to wear a dress like you suggested."

"No! It's perfect." She linked arms with me and we headed down the stairs. "Shut your eyes."

I had been banished to my room over an hour ago so they could set up the outdoor area. I really had some of the best friends a girl could ask for.

The night air was cool and I was glad I wore a sweater and not a dress. "Can I open them yet?"

The smile on my face didn't feel forced for the first time in