Page 7 of Steel & Jenna
It was at those words that Jack took note of just how nice her clothes were. He was used to most people having better or nicer things than him. It was just a part of his life and circumstances, but her clothes were nicer than nice. Her clothes were extremely well made and fit her in a way that made Jack wonder if they were made for her.
Money.
Her entire appearance, from her pretty hair to her dressy yellow shoes, screamedmoney.
Fuck. She waswayout of his league. Beyond his league. They weren’t even in the same ballpark.
“How long are you in town for?” he asked.
“I’m officially a local,” she replied with a smile. She held her hands out, gesturing to the town. “My daddy just moved us here from thecity. He thinks the small-town life will have a better influence on my sister than Seattle did.”
“You’re attending the high school then?” It wasn’t like Port Townsend had any private schools or academies, which he assumed was what she’d been enrolled in previously.
“I am. Sophomore.”
“Same.”
She smiled. Not as brightly as when she’d smiled at Lilly, but he’d take it. “Well, it’ll be nice to see a familiar face on Monday.”
“Same.”
She took a step back. “I’m glad your sister likes the books and I was serious about not paying me back.”
“I was too.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “How about this? Instead of paying me back for the books, you can help me get the lay of the land on Monday. I don’t know anyone here and will need help navigating the ways of your high school.”
Jack snorted. “I’ll pay you the eight dollars.” At her shocked expression, he explained, “You don’t want to be seen with me at school. Especially not on your first day.”
Her eyes glanced between Jack and Lilly, who was still waiting patiently by his bike. Shit, the sun was getting lower. “Why not?” she asked.
“Because if you actually want to survive in this high school, you’ll stay away from me. No one’s going to want to be your friend if you’re friends with me.”
Again, her eyes flicked back and forth from him to Lilly and then back to him. “What makes you think I want other friends? From what I’ve seen of you and your sister, you seem like the sort of friend I’d rather have.” With a slightly nervous laugh, she added, “I’ve always wanted a protective big brother.”
Fuck if that statement didn’t completely obliterate his resolve to stay away from her. He took a step forward. She didn’t move back. He stepped forward again. She stayed where she was. One more step andthey were standing nearly chest to chest, him looking down at her and her looking up at him.
He leaned down, putting his lips near her ear. “I’ll take you around school. I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had. I’m loyal to my core and you just bought my loyalty by bringing a smile to my sister’s face.” He heard her breath hitch. At his nearness or words, he wasn’t sure. “But make no mistake, I’llnevertreat you like you’re my sister.”
She swallowed loudly. “I can,” she gulped. “I can live with that.”
He smiled, stepping back. “Then I’ll see you on Monday. There’s a large tree to the left of the school. Wait for me there.”
She nodded almost robotically. “Um.” He continued to step back. “I don’t even know your name.”
He was pretty sure Lilly called him ‘Jackie’ in front of her, but he kind of liked that she’d been distracted enough not to notice. “Jack Duncan. You?”
“Jenna,” she answered softly. “Jenna Scanlon.”
CHAPTER 3
Their dad’s car was in the driveway when they arrived back just after sunset. Jack scowled at the vehicle, hating the sight of it. From the haphazard way it was parked, his dad wasn’t sober when he’d arrived home. They were barely making ends meet, yet his dad always seemed to find money for booze. At least Jack knew that their lot rent had already been paid that month. He didn’t need to worry about whether it would be paid next month for another couple of weeks.
Pretty hazel eyes continued to flash in front of his face even after the bike ride home. Jack couldn’t remember everwantingto go to school before, but now he was finding himself impatiently awaiting the start of school on Monday.
Jenna Scanlon. He assumed her to be the same age as him if she was also starting her sophomore year. Their school was small enough that there was a good chance they would have multiple classes together.
He didn’t have any experience with girls in a romantic sense, but his gut told him that the attraction between them wasn’t one-sided.
