Page 39 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

I looked the guy over as I weaved through the trees. I didn’t recognize him at all. He looked about the same age as me, but he seemed more like a jock. Well, the varsity jacket implied that anyway. He was big, and obviously very fit, despite the bulky clothing he was wearing. That fact didn’t help my mood at all.

“Jess,” I said, slowing my steps.

Her gaze jumped to mine with surprise. “Eli.”

She didn’t offer anything else as she stared at me. I wasn’t sure if that was because she just wanted me to disappear and leave her alone with fuckface, or if she didn’t have anything to say to me.

I watched her frown, her gaze darting back and forth between the guy and me. “Uh, Eli, this is Trent. Trent, Eli is a friend of the group’s.”

I didn’t miss the fact that she explained to him who I was, but missed explaining to me who the fuck he was. It also pissed me off that she’d introduced me as just a friend of the group. What the fuck was that about? Why couldn’t she have just said I was a friend hers?

The guy tilted his head a little as he watched me. The amused little smile on his face pissed me off. I considered not bothering to offer the guy my hand, but, unfortunately, it went against my upbringing.

Sticking my hand out, I waited for the guy to shake it. His eyebrow twitched as he clasped my hand. “Nice to meet you, Eli,” he said. “What do you want with Jess?”

My jaw tightened. I wanted to tell him it was none of his fucking business, but Jess looked as though she was about to have an anxiety attack. I drew in a calming breath as I looked toward her. “I just spoke with Noah. Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Jess fidgeted in her seat. I’d never seen her look more uncomfortable. “I, uh, sure,” she said, sliding forward to stand.

The guy—Trent—stood up with her. “I’ll let you go, Rabbit,” he said, opening his arms up for her to step into. “I’ve got to go anyway.”

Jess stepped into his embrace without question, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing him back. Every muscle in my body wound tighter. “Thank you,” she whispered to him.

I watched him pull back before drawing his thumb over her cheek. Motherfucker. “You look beautiful, Rabbit. I’ll see you soon.”

Forcing my gaze away from the scene in front of me, I tried to control the jealousy that was trying to take control of my body. It was something I thought I’d mastered while Jess had been dating Wyatt, but this didn’t even compare. I thought it may have had something to do with the fact that I’d tasted her now. That it had somehow made me possessive of her. Like she was mine. But I wasn’t so sure right now.

“See ya, Eli,” the guy said, smirking. The fucker knew I was going insane.

As Jess watched him walk away, I tried yet again to get myself under control, but when she turned to me, her gaze questioning, I exhaled and allowed myself to take a step forward.

“What did Noah say?” she asked.

The fact that she immediately went into business mode disappointed me, but I couldn’t blame her. “They’ve arrested the dealer. He admitted to selling GHB to Zac.”

She released a heavy breath before sitting back on the edge of the table again. “Are they going to arrest Zac?”

I shook my head. “Not at this stage.”

This was the moment I was supposed to gently encourage her to consider reporting the drugging, but all I could think about was the guy. This wasn’t going to end well.

Chapter 27

Jess

Eli stepped forward, entering my space. It was definitely beyond the friend zone. “Who’s the guy, Jess?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. The timbre of it sent shivers through my body.

Realization shocked me. He was jealous. I cocked my head to the side a little, amusement settling on my lips. “Who? Trent?” I said, dragging the moment out.

He moved closer again. “You know I mean Trent. Who is he?”

I drew my teeth over my bottom lip as I thought about how to answer. I was tempted to lie, but I knew it would most likely backfire on me.

“It’s not that hard of a question, Jess,” he said, moving so close we were practically touching. “Who is he?”

“Why does it matter?” I asked as he leaned forward, bringing his lips toward mine.

“Trust me, it matters,” he said, his lips hovering.

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