Fake Love - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,37

to music, and take in some really amazing views.

It was a dangerous place to hang out, which made it all the more fun to hang out there.

At the top of the ridge, Noah’s car pulled to the side of the road.

Xavier got out first.

Then Noah.

Noah waved at me.

I killed the engine to Tank Two and prepared myself.

I took a deep breath and climbed out.

“Where are we?” I called out.

“You don’t remember this place?” Noah asked.

“No,” I said, lying smoother each time I did so.

“Just through here,” Xavier said.

The trees looked really thick but there was a clearing right behind the first row.

I acted like I was nervous… then I realized I wasn’t acting.

I wasn’t nervous about the trees, the ridge, or anything like that.

I was nervous about going into the woods with Noah and Xavier. I knew Easton was in there waiting. I didn’t know why. Or what was going to happen to me.

Before I could come up with an excuse or just run, Noah put his hand to my lower back and bumped the side of his body into mine.

“I’ll keep you safe,” he whispered. “Nothing to worry about. You’ve been here a million times.”

“I have?” I asked.

Noah stared at me as we walked. “You really don’t remember, Winter?”

“Nope,” I said. “This is all new to me. I have…”

My throat closed and opened when I saw Easton.

Standing in a black t-shirt, taking deep breaths, his black hair looking sweaty.

I smelled cigarette smoke and watched as he lifted his right hand to his mouth.

A cigarette between his fingers.

Blood on his knuckles.

My mouth went dry and I tried to step back.

Noah’s hand was still there, stopping me.

“Don’t be nervous,” Noah said. “This had to happen.”

“What happened?” I asked.

My mind and heart raced.

“Come on, Easton,” Xavier said. “Ditch the cig and bring him out.”

“Him?” I asked.

Easton laughed. He dropped the cigarette and stepped on it. “Let’s go get him.”

Easton walked.

Xavier followed.

And Noah kept his hand at my back to guide me along.

We moved back toward the road and went down the ridge just a few steps.

That’s when I let out a gasp.

And I saw Reid’s street ride on the side of the road.

There was nothing I could do but just follow.

When they stopped walking, Easton let out a whistle.

Reid made his appearance, stepping from the woods.

The neck of his shirt stretched almost halfway down his chest.

Blood running from the left corner of his eye.

“That’s it?” Noah asked. “Come on, Easton.”

“Hey,” Easton said. “You told me to get him and stop him. I did.”

Noah moved forward and away from me with speed.

Fuck, fuck, fuck…

Noah swung his right hand and hit Reid in the mouth so hard that I turned and grabbed for Xavier.

I hugged his arm and felt my stomach turn.

Reid stumbled into his own street ride but didn’t go down.

“You think what you did was smart?” Noah asked.

Noah punched Reid in the ribs.

He jumped and groaned, exposing his face.

Noah punched him again, right in the nose, making it explode with blood.

I turned into Xavier some more.

Xavier put his left arm around me and held me.

That lasted all of two seconds before I realized what I was doing.

I moved away from him.

Reid fell to the ground.

“Stay there,” Noah ordered.

When Noah turned, his shirt was covered in blood.

Just like in the hallway when he punched someone.

He slowly unbuttoned his shirt and took it off.

He balled it up and threw it at me.

I had no choice but to catch it.

I held it out and took deep breaths.

“Just a reminder,” he said. “You keep that, Winter. Okay?”

My hand squeezed the shirt.

“We’re not done yet,” Xavier said. “He owes you an apology. Come on.”

Xavier took my hand and I walked with him toward Reid.

Reid looked up from the ground, blood all over his face.

He looked dazed and terrified.

Xavier let my hand go and crouched down.

“You know she was in a fucking accident, right?” Xavier asked. “She lost her memory. She’s probably not even legally allowed to drive right now. And you do that to her?”

“I just passed her,” Reid said. “I didn’t fuck around.”

Xavier looked up at me.

I licked my lips.

I nodded.

“She says you did fuck around,” Xavier said. “Are you calling Winter a liar?”

Reid moved his eyes to me. “Who are you?”

I thought about answering but Xavier clocked Reid in the side of the head with a heavy fist.

Xavier stood back and nodded to Easton.

“Now, to finish the job,” Easton said.

My right hand twitched, wanting to grab Easton and make him stop.

But I had to go