Fake Love - Jaxson Kidman Page 0,47

can have a little fun with?”

“There are a few,” Gia said. “But you’re trying to change the subject here.”

“No. You just bring it up all the time with me.”

“I’m just trying to understand it.”

“Me too!” I yelled. “I don’t remember a fucking thing!”

We both started to laugh.

There were times when I really had myself convinced that I couldn’t remember anything.

“I don’t know what happened with Noah,” I said. “He just kind of got me alone and put his hands to the wall and blocked me in. I think he was maybe a little jealous because of what Easton had been saying about me and him… so he kissed me. As soon as he kissed me, I jumped out of the way. It was probably to mess with my head. Test me. Or maybe he was guilty for what he had done.”

“What do you mean?” Gia asked.

“What?”

“What did Noah do to you?”

My heart sank.

Gia stared intently.

“Uh… the whole Reid thing. I think they did that to protect me a little. I don’t know why. But seeing them hit him…”

“Yeah, you don’t remember the violence,” Gia said. “That’s just who they are. And if you think they’re protecting you, you’re wrong. There’s something else there. Believe me. That’s why I’m telling you to be careful.”

I casually glanced at my phone.

It was getting a little late now.

“Hot date time?” Gia asked.

“No.”

“You keep looking at your phone.”

“Am I a bitch if I leave?” I asked.

“A little,” she said. “But go get what you want. Or need. Maybe I’ll text one of those sexy runner guys, right?”

“Please do,” I said.

“I’ll go for a hot jog on the beach,” Gia said. “I’ll pretend to twist my ankle and fall. Then when he tries to help me, I’ll pull him down on top of me. And then he’ll be inside me. Ooops…”

“Wow,” I said. “You’ve thought about this. Wait a second.” I pointed to Gia. “That’s a fantasy of yours. You dirty little whore.” I chased after her. “You want that to happen. Right on the beach.”

“Winter, go home,” Gia said.

“No,” I said. “You crazy girl… you want-”

“We’re not friends anymore,” Gia said. “Goodbye.”

She hurried to the door and went inside and locked me out.

I fell to the deck, grabbed my ankle and pretended to be in pain. Then I looked at her and opened my legs and laughed.

She pressed her middle fingers to the glass.

I got back to my feet and walked to the door.

“See you tomorrow!” I yelled to her.

“Go have fun fucking your Troc!” she yelled back to me.

I laughed and turned away.

My face dropped and got serious.

I walked to the first step and sent a text to Talon.

Being with Gia was fun.

Now it was time to get serious.

Chapter 17

the real game

I wanted to go meet Talon somewhere.

But I couldn’t drive.

I wasn’t really supposed to be driving as it was, but after being at Gia’s, drinking that fruity stuff she made?

Nope. Not going to happen.

When I walked through the backdoor and into the kitchen, there was a note on the counter from my mother.

Won’t be home until morning. Don’t worry. Don’t text unless you’re dying. No parties. ;)

I curled my lip and rolled my eyes.

She was the one out partying. Acting like some teenager or whatever.

But that meant I had the house to myself.

I could do whatever I wanted.

What I actually felt like doing was curling up in Xavier’s hoodie and listening to some music and falling asleep.

Or maybe wearing his hoodie and sitting on the deck, listening to music, watching the white caps of the ocean waves against the dark night…

And I only said Xavier’s hoodie because I still had it and it was so extra big on me, it was more like a blanket. I could have easily picked out any other hoodie.

But I wasn’t doing that anyway.

There was business to handle.

I stared down at my phone.

Come over.

I sent the text and pushed my phone away and put my head on the counter.

The phone vibrated and that meant Talon was on his way.

I helped myself to another drink and I took a blanket out on the deck.

I curled up on the top step of the deck and shut my eyes for a second.

That second turned out to be a lot more.

Suddenly I was in a dream.

I was sitting behind the wheel of Tank. The original Tank. But I was in the ocean. Tank was just floating in the water. And I was driving it. Somehow. And out in the water was Noah,