Wrecked (Clayton Falls) - By Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,58
my hand. My first instinct was to pull it away, but I didn’t. “You’re with that guy, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “Yeah. We worked it out.”
“Are you sure he’s good enough for you?”
I laughed dryly. “Good enough for me? Because the bar is set so high?”
“Hey. You only deserve the best.” He squeezed my hand.
“I’m in love with him.”
“Yeah? That’s great then.” The expression on his face didn’t match his words.
“Do you really mean it?”
“Yes. I already told you I’m interested, but I’m not going to pressure you. I just want to know you’re being taken care of.”
“That’s big of you.”
“I’m a big guy, Em.”
I laughed. Austen was big. Over six foot three big. But then again, Jake was over six foot himself. “Where are you staying?”
“I’ve got a hotel if that’s what you’re asking. He’s not here though, is he?”
“No. He lives about a half hour away.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jake.”
Austen leaned back into the couch. “What does he do?”
“He works in his family’s marina business, and he coaches the high school football team.”
“Seriously? He coaches high school football?”
“Yeah. Is that so surprising?”
He shrugged. “I guess not. What school is it?”
“Clayton Falls High. Why?”
“Just wondering.” He shifted and looked right at me. “Your parents don’t know about him.” It was a statement, not a question.
“You’ve been talking to my mom?”
“Yeah. I stop by from time to time.”
“Oh. Well, I didn’t want to get her worked up. I’ll talk to her about him eventually.” I was actually planning to call her the next night. It just took me awhile to build up the nerve, since I knew she’d tell my dad.
“Worked up? If you love the guy, what’s to get worked up about?” He closed his eyes like he was so tired he couldn’t keep them open. He squeezed my hand again. I pulled my hand from his.
He opened his eyes and looked taken aback. “Does that really bother you?”
“I have a boyfriend.”
“I’m well aware. That is what we’re discussing.”
“You’re not my brother, Austen.”
“I’m well aware of that too. Very well aware.”
“Then stop asking questions.”
“Fine. I can tell you’re not comfortable with me here but I’d love to see Noah. Maybe dinner tomorrow night?”
“I’m working until seven.”
“Then lunch the next day?” He got up and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead.
I nodded.
“Good night, Em.”
I locked up as he walked out, wishing I knew how to deal with him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jake
“Are you Jake Mathews?” A guy leaned against the bleachers watching me as I sent the team into the locker room at the end of practice. I was already in a bad mood. I’d just found out for sure we hadn’t made State. By some stroke of luck, we’d made regionals but we’d lost. I was hoping a technicality with another team would get us in. They’d been cleared.
“What’s it to you?” There was something weird about the way he was watching me. He obviously wasn’t a scout or anything.
“I’m a friend of Emily’s. The name’s Austen.”
Austen. This was the guy who lent her money. “A friend?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “A close friend.”
I saw Cole out of the corner of my eye, and hoped he’d stay away. Whatever this was didn’t concern him.
“Is there a particular reason you’re here?”
“What are you doing with her?”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you think you’re doing with Emily?”
“I must be hearing things. Why would anyone be questioning me about my relationship with my girlfriend?”
“She’s not just a girl you can screw around with.”
I took a step toward him. I wasn’t going to let this guy mess with me. “Trust me, I know that.”
“What about Noah?”
“What about him?” I scowled.
“What’s he to you?”
My initial reaction was to punch the guy, but that wouldn’t help anything. I just didn’t like anyone implying I shouldn’t be with Emily and Noah. “How is any of this your business?”
“Her brother isn’t around to do this, so I’m doing it for him.”
“Why isn’t he around?” Emily hardly ever talked about him, and when she did it was only about when they were kids.
“She hasn’t told you?”
“Told me what?” I tensed. I just knew something bad was coming.
“He died our sophomore year of college. Emily was never the same. That’s probably why she got messed up with that idiot Tim in the first place.”
“What happened?”
“Drunk driving accident. He wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. The rest of us were fine.”
Fuck. How had she never mentioned that to me?
“He was my best friend. I owe it to him to take care of her.”
“Owe it to him? You mean in his