Fake Love - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,20

Tank was a dark gray color that glistened in the sun. Depending on the way the sun hit it, it almost sparkled. I never liked that about Tank.

This vehicle… Tank Two… was all black. Windows, wheels, rims, and the long body. To me, it looked bigger than the original. I was sure Dad went above and beyond with this one, making sure every safety feature known to man was included.

I stared at the vehicle for a while, wondering what it would be like to drive it.

I wasn’t even supposed to be driving.

After the accident I had… the memory loss… there was no way in hell I would be allowed to drive.

But here the vehicle was.

Tempting me.

I touched the door handle and felt my heart race a little.

When I shut my eyes to take a deep breath, the memory of the accident hit me again.

I had been so mad that night.

I was driving faster than normal, seething.

Maybe if I hadn’t been pissed and distracted, I would have realized something was wrong with the vehicle sooner.

If I had done that, then what would they have done to me next?

I took a deep breath and felt someone touch my arm.

I screamed and wanted to swing with my right hand, but I couldn’t pry it off the door handle.

So, I swung with my left hand.

A full punch too.

I opened my eyes as I swung.

Best case scenario, it was either Noah, Easton, or Xavier.

Worst case, it was my mother.

Either way, I still won.

Only it wasn’t any of them.

It was a girl.

“Fuck,” she cried out as she stumbled back and fell down to the ground.

My punch hit nothing but air, which was a good thing.

My right hand opened and let go of the door handle.

I turned and looked down at the girl.

She had short, blonde hair, tucked behind her ears. Wearing a white spaghetti-strap top that was see-through, showing off a purple sports bra that matched her super short running shorts.

She stared up at me with sea blue eyes.

“Are you okay?” she asked me.

“Are you?” I called down to her. “I’m so…”

Wait. I don’t remember her.

Chills went through me.

I looked away from the girl, then back at her.

“You don’t know me,” she said. “Or at least I don’t think you do. I mean, before the accident.”

“Who are you?” I asked.

She put her left hand out for me to take. “Feel like helping me up? I’m kind of giving a show here. I like to run in just shorts and I feel like I’m going to have a lip slip here…”

I laughed. “Okay…”

I touched her hand and helped her up.

Her lips were beautiful, plump and naturally red.

“I was kind of just running by and saw you… are you okay?”

“I’m not sure,” I said.

“You looked a little scared. New ride?”

“Yeah.”

“Making you think about what happened?”

“Yeah,” I said again. “Sorry, but who are you?”

She shook her head. “Shit. Right. I’m Gia. I live two obnoxiously large beach houses down from here.”

“Oh. I’m-”

“Winter,” she said with a smile. “Winter Seacrum. Yeah. I know you.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Gia shrugged her shoulders. “Do you run?”

“Not unless a lion is chasing me,” I said.

Gia snorted. “That’s a good one. I run to keep my anxiety under control. It helps a lot. Plus, it got me through a bunch of bullshit with BFH. I don’t have to go to normal classes like you all do. I’m considered athletic. Go me.”

“So that’s why I don’t know you.”

“I’m pretty sure the accident is why you don’t know me,” Gia said. “You don’t know anyone, right?”

“Right.”

“I mean, before the accident you really didn’t know me. You, Evie and Darcy hated anyone like me. You would always-”

Run, bitch! Run for your dinner! Run to save your boyfriend before we get him and fuck him!

My heart sank a little.

I was that person.

Lost in my bubble with Evie and Darcy, thinking it was fun to do whatever we wanted.

“Thanks for stopping,” I said to Gia. “I was just debating what to do. I should get to BFH at some point. Kind of figure out what’s going on. Maybe something will make me remember.”

“That has to be a fucked-up feeling,” Gia said. “To remember nothing.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Try lying about it. Now that’s fucked up.

“You’re scared to drive, aren’t you?”

“Wouldn’t you be?” I asked.

Gia showed her hands and stepped back. “Sorry.”

“Shit. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap.” I look behind me for a second. “Look, I’m staying here at my mother’s. I’m normally never here. Things aren’t…