Page 30 of Pedal to the Metal

He steps inside the house, and he slips his shades off when his eyes meet mine. I’m sure I’m blushing from where my thoughts were heading. Not to mention I’m sure he knows I was watching him. He smirks at me, “Are you ready to go?” I just nod in agreement and head towards him. Right before we step outside, he places his palms on the door in front of me. I’m caged in by his body and I can feel the body heat coming off him, the smell of his cologne engulfs me. Finally, I turn around to see his eyes staring intently at me. “I’m trying Londynn. I’m trying to be good. I’m trying to be the better guy, the one you think I am. I want to let you heal but when I know you’re watching me…” He trails off, lets out a long breath and shakes his head. “You’re making it really hard to behave, pretty girl.” He places a kiss on the top of my head then reaches for the doorknob.

I step back so he can open the door but end up pressed against his chest. My heart is about to beat out of my chest, and I can barely breath. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I turn back to face him and give him the sexiest smile I can. “I never said anything about behaving, Jagger.” Then I turn around and head for the car. I need the fresh air to clear my head. I’m pretty sure I hear Jagger chuckle behind me as I walk away.

Traffic is moving at a snail’s pace, of course some band from the 80s was playing. The radio screen says it’sWarrant, not a band I’m familiar with but the song isn’t bad. I notice Jagger touch the screen and the music changes toJustin Beiber, I’m not sure why so I ask, “What’s with the change?”

He shrugs, “I figured you were probably tired of listening to the 80s, so I thought I’d switch it to something you’d like.”

I can’t help but laugh, “That’s sweet but I don’t like Beiber.”

“You don’t?”

I shake my head, “No, Alivia does but not me. I mean I’ve listened to him and seen him in concert, but it was for her not me.”

“Are you ever going to confront her about hooking up with Ryce?” He asks while changing the station back.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know, her and Creed kind of have a thing right now. He’s always liked her. He kind of has her on a pedestal and I don’t want to hurt him. I think if he knew she’d hooked up with Ryce he’d think differently about her because he’s not a fan of him and because she was supposed to be my best friend. I care about Creed, and I don’t want to hurt him like that, you know?”

“I get that but doesn’t not telling him also hold risks for him to get hurt?” Jagger asks. I give him a questioning look and he takes a minute before continuing. I think he’s trying to decide if he should say anything or not. “Well, I mean you said he holds Alivia on a pedestal but he’s not really holding her up there, he’s just holding the image of what he thinks she’s like. In reality though she’s not that girl, so I would think that it would hurt worse for him to keep falling for herthenfind out it’s all been a lie. Why not let him know the truth then if he still wants to pursue her at least he knows what he’s going after? But that’s just a thought," he says.

We continue through town in silence while I let his words sink in. He’s right I do need to tell Creed. By not telling him I’m allowing him to get more tied up with someone who might not be right for him. I know Alivia for the most part has always been a great friend to me, but that night did happen. I’ve been trying to keep it under the rug but I’m not sure from whom now that I think about it. Was I hiding it to allow Alivia to keep her image? Was I really trying to protect Creed? Or could I just not handle the truth about my, “best friend” and boyfriend? Whatever the reason I know I have to tell Creed now. He deserves to knowthen he can make his own decision on what to do with her from there. I’m so lost in thought that I barely notice the radio screen flashing a favorite artist alert. Jagger hits play and suddenly the car is filled with the sounds ofKings of Leon. I look over at him and he shrugs, “You said they were your favorite.”

I study him for a moment while my heart does that little fluttery thing it does sometimes when I’m around him. He remembered my favorite band, a band that I only mentioned once. I can’t think of anyone who has remembered that about me with the exception of Farrah, Alivia and Creed and that’s only because I listen to them all the time. I finally find my voice but even when I talk it comes out in a whisper of shock, “You remembered that?”

He lets out a small chuckle, “Well, yeah.”

Between deciding what to do with Creed and Jagger remembering my favorite band I hadn’t even noticed we were almost to my house until Jagger slowed and pulled into my driveway. I stare up at the house and it’s like I can already feel the unease coursing through my body. Jagger gets out and walks around the car, he holds his hand out for me. I notice the small shake in my hand from the anxiety building within me, Jagger must notice it to because he gives me a small smile. “If you want me to go in with you I will but it’s up to you. I don’t want to overstep my bounds.”

“You don’t mind coming in?”

He shakes his head, “No, not at all. I’d be happy to actually.” With that he shuts the car door and takes my hand in his and leads me to my front door. The only people that are here is the staff which is how I had planned. Once we’re in my room I give Jagger my smaller suitcase and ask him to pack all the stuff from the bathroom into it. I work on getting all my favorite clothes into the other suitcases. I’m packing up pieces of my life but why? Where do I plan on living? I mean I planned on gettinga place with Farrah but what if she doesn’t want that? I feel my anxiety climbing even higher. By the time Jagger is finished in the bathroom I’m sitting on my floor by the bed with knees pulled up to my chest, rocking back and forth. I’m trying to calm down, but I can’t seem to get there.

Jagger crosses the room and kneels in front of me. “Londynn…Londynn…hey look at me, okay? Londynn…you need to talk to me.”

Finally, I look up at him and whisper, “I can’t do this.”

He nods his head, “Okay. Can you tell me why?”

I start to shake my head and feel the tears forming behind my eyelids, “Because what if I have no place to go when I leave?”

“Oh, pretty girl! You’ll always have a place, if not with Farrah, then with me. Trust me though Farrah will be happy to have you.” He pulls me into his arms and after a few minutes I feel myself start to calm. After a few more minutes I manage to get up from the floor and we continue packing. Once I’ve gotten everything I’ve come after, Jagger gathers my bags in his arms, and we head downstairs.

We’re almost to the door when I hear, “Londynn Faith Parrish, what in the world do you think you’re doing?” my father bellows from behind me.

I cringe before turning around to face him. “Father.”

“You want to tell me why you thought you could sneak in here and take your things and sneak back out without me knowing?”

I level him with a stare. I will not let this man intimidate me. “Honestly, I figured you’d be at work, you know with your secretary.”

“I don’t like that insinuation, Londynn.”

I shrug. “Who said it was an insinuation?”

“See, this is why I didn’t want you to start hanging out with all those criminals that your sister calls friends. Look whatit’s done to you," he said, motioning toward my appearance. It dawned on me that from where he stood, he couldn’t see the side of my face Ryce had done the most damage to.

“Thosecriminalsare more like family to me than you are!” My anger was boiling, and I was about one more insult away from losing it.

He let out a harsh laugh while he crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re so young and naïve. Just like your mother!”

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