Page 11 of Girl Like Me

“Hot damn.” He says with a whistle, turning his attention towards the door.

“Wow,” is all I can manage to say, all the air instantly knocked out of my lungs leaving me practically speechless. JD walks in stealing everyone’s attention. She doesn’t look like my JD but it’s definitely her, I would bet my life on it. My teeth grind together and a sound that resembles a strangled growl reverberates in my chest when I see a guy leading her in, his hand placed on her lower back. I can tell she is uncomfortable with him touching her, her hands are balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. I take a step towards her instinctively ready to take back what is mine.

“Hold up big guy, I wouldn’t do that unless you want to be shot.” Oliver says, holding his arm in front of me. I push him aside but Cindy jumps in the way, putting her hands on my chest to hold me back. I look past her, she is saying something, but I feel the need to murder someone.

A stinging sensation radiates across my face. My attention snaps back to reality, Cindy is standing there with her hands on her hips giving me a pointed look.

“Stop ,would you? Keep your cool for a minute.”

“Unless you find a way for me to talk to her, I will make a scene so bad you will never be invited back.” Her eyes go wide with shock, she now knows I have something on her.

“Fine.” She huffs. “I don’t know what’s so good about her that has you all in a tizzy.”

“You don’t need to understand.” I snap.

“Well follow my lead.” She says taking my hand leading me in their direction. I want to drop it but the need to talk to JD is stronger.

“Bristol.” Cindy chirps in a friendly girly high pitch sort of way that feels like a hundred tiny nails have been shot into your ear drum. “I’ve missed you.”

JD’s eyes hold a deep sadness I didn’t think she would feel about seeing me, and with Cindy nonetheless. “Oh, hi Cindy, long time no see.” Cindy giggles. The guy that is with her stops talking to the man next to him when he notices me.

“Friends of yours?” The dick asks JD. Cindy cuts in straight away saving her from having to answer.

“Bristol and I were good friends at school, well until you came and took her back, that is. The girls and I all miss her terribly.”

“Not as much as I missed her.” He says kissing JD on her temple. Cindy takes my hand, interlacing our fingers together. JD’s eyes follow the movement then snap back up to mine as her face drops. Cindy drops my hand immediately and places it on the dick’s arm instead. They start talking animatedly with each other but it’s blatantly obvious he’s flirting with another girl in front of his girlfriend.

“Babe, I’m going to show Cindy around. Be a good girl and wait here for me.” She nods absentmindedly, still unable to take her eyes off of me. The dick and Cindy walk towards a set of double doors at the end of a long hallway. I watch as they walk away but before disappearing behind the doors Cindy turns back and winks at me. When they’re out of sight, my eyes find their way back to JD. She visibly exhales which sounds like a sigh of relief to my ears.

“You look amazing.” She smiles at me, then glances around the party and makes sure no one is looking our way.

“Thanks, I feel like my ass crack is going to pop out.” I peek around at her behind and damn does it look good in that dress.

“Nope, all safely hidden.”

“Are you sure? I can feel a breeze every time I walk.” I go to have a second look and she slaps me in the arm playfully. There is a minute or two lapse of silence, both of us unsure what to say. I really just want to pull her into my arms and pretend nothing has changed between us.

“You shouldn’t be here.” I can tell by the look in her eyes it pains her to say that.

“We all miss you so much, we have a plan…”

“You need to stay away Mercer. Until I remember everything I’m not going anywhere. These people are dangerous, and you will get yourself hurt. I won’t be responsible for that.” I go to answer her when someone steps up beside me.

“Carter.” Her expression is unreadable as she addresses him.

“You both need to follow me. Now.” I open my mouth to object to his command but he steps forward and grabs JD by the wrist.

“Let her go.” He drops her arm and faces me; I have to blink a few times for my brain to register what I’m looking at.

“Mercer, meet my brother Carter.”

“No time for chit-chat we need to move.” JD and I exchange looks then turn and follow him to an empty room off a random hallway in the building.

“What is your problem?” JD snaps at her brother. “That was rude.” I stand next to JD so her brother understands he better watch himself.

“Do you really think we don’t know who he is? Our father had full reports on them before he even went to the police station to get you back. Our uncle also has eyes on you at all times.”

“He what?” I ask.

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