Georgia’s eyes were practically bugged out, a huge smile plastered across her face. “You have no idea why he brought you here, do you?”
I gave my head a little shake. Georgia chuckled under her breath. Was I even sure I was safe here? I snaked my neck to look for Jack.
“You’re in for a treat then. You two dating?”
“No,” I answered too quickly in an “as if” sort of tone. Were we dating? Maybe we were. Did one date or a few kisses constitute dating?
“Does he know that?” She laughed, showing me her perfectly straight teeth. Her facial features were unusual, exotic even. Beautiful.
I unscrewed the cap on my water and took three really big swallows.
Georgia scooted closer and leaned into me. “It’s okay. He’s easy to like.”
Crap. What was I doing here? This was crazy. I needed information. I wanted questions answered. That’s it. That’s all I was doing. I give Jack his date; he gives me answers. I swallowed another drink of water, attempting to wash down the lies I was still telling myself.
The sounds of guitars plugging into amplifiers interrupted the arguments going on inside my head for escaping the bar and leaving Jack to his night of bar hopping.
“Good evening. How is everyone tonight?” A voice I recognized came across the microphone. The crowd that had gathered in front of the stage cheered. “This first song is new. Hope you like it.”
The music started up, and Jack immediately started singing.
“Might want to close your mouth,” Georgia said next to me.
I did, but I almost had to use my hand to keep it closed.
“He’s in a band?” I said, mostly to myself.
“A truly incredible band,” Georgia laughed. “And you didn’t know?” She had to yell to be heard.
I shook my head. “He never said anything.”
Georgia scooted away from me, and I sat back, listening. The music was loud, the lyrics deep. Jack’s voice was soft, soothing. Clear. Unbelievable. It sounded like a combination of Coldplay and The Fray, both bands I loved.
As his words touched my ears and the sound of his voice filled my head, feelings I didn’t recognize warmed the blood coursing through my veins. Eventually, that warmth surrounded my heart and squeezed.
When the set was over, I downed my water. An excitement filled the faces of the people who had moments before stood up next to the stage, but now made their way to the bar for refreshments.
Jack hopped off the stage, shook the hands of a few people and fist-bumped others as he made his way toward our table. The smile on his face looked genuine, relaxed. Not at all nervous or fearful the way he appeared when he told me he would help me walk away from our lives. At that moment, I didn’t think I’d ever be able to turn my back on him. I squirmed, unsure of what to say.
He scooted into the booth, forcing me to move over. My stomach churned and my heart shrunk into a tiny ball of rubber bands. I stared at the condensation running down the new bottle of water in front of me.
“Great set,” Georgia said.
“Thanks.” For the first time ever, Jack sounded bashful.
Jonas and Fred arrived with waters for everyone.
“Man, did you see the cleavage on that chick right in front of you?” Fred asked Jack. He laughed. “Her eyes didn’t leave you, dude.”
“Lexi, you like the sound?” Jonas asked, a cigarette tucked behind his ear.
I jerked my head to attention and nodded, speechless.
Jack smiled, embarrassed, but said nothing. He glanced my way.
I didn’t know what to say. Did I tell him that I loved the music? That his voice was beautiful? That this was the best date anyone had ever taken me on? “I have to pee,” I said, pushing against him.
He stood and gave me a hand up. When I tried to turn, he grasped my hand tighter. “You okay?”
No, I most certainly am not okay. Something is terribly wrong. I think it has everything to do with falling for you. I couldn’t breathe. “I’m fine. I’ll be right back.”
His grin grew. He knew he was getting to me. I was so unbelievably transparent. Or maybe he read my mind. I didn’t know what was happening any more.
I tried to pull my hand away from him, but he held tighter and leaned in to my ear. “Don’t take long. I have another set coming up.” His arrogance was back.
I wriggled my fingers from his grasp. I couldn’t get to the bathroom fast enough. When I got there, I went immediately to the mirror and stared at myself. My dark brunette hair hung half-way down my chest, framing my face—a face that was suddenly pale. “What the hell was that?” I asked my reflection. My green eyes stared back with utter confusion. I’d never acted like such an idiot in front of a guy before.
A young girl leaned into the mirror beside me. She lined her lips and spread lip-gloss. Her eyes focused on me through the mirror. “Aren’t they incredible?”
I swallowed. What the hell was wrong with me? “Uh-huh.” I turned away and went to a stall, closing the door.
I had to go back out there and face him. And say what? Sorry, I’m an idiot. Or how about, you’re hot and your beautiful voice really captured my heart, but… Shit. Shit. Shit.
I could go with the truth. If I had been born in another life, under normal circumstances, it would be easy to fall head over heels for you. Maybe in that life, you and I wouldn’t have secrets. My father would be alive, and nobody would care about some set of journals or the fact that we were part of some science experiment.
I stepped out of the bathroom and immediately locked eyes with Jack. He leaned against the bar, smiling and waiting. His confidence suffocated me. I made my way over to him, only being shoved once by the crowd.
Just talk to him, I told myself. He’s human. Just because he was perfect at everything didn’t make him an alien. Just because he was smooth and articulate didn’t suddenly make you an unintelligent being. “Hey,” I said. So far, so good.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
By my reaction, you’d think he had just confided his darkest secrets. What was happening to me? It wasn’t like he owed me any sort of explanation, but what I was feeling was a shock. He had told me he could play lots of instruments. This was just a single date. A silly bar band. I took a deep, cleansing breath. Not sure what to say, I decided on, “You sounded really good.”
“Thanks.” He looked past me and held up a palm, saying five minutes. “We’re scheduled for one more set, but if you want to go, we can.”
I searched his face. He would just leave his band hanging if I wanted to leave right now? “No, of course not. I have nowhere to be.” At least, nowhere I’d rather be at this particular moment.
“You can hang out here, or you can sit with Georgia.” A playful grin crept onto his face. “Or you can come down front and protect me from Miss Cleavage.”
“I think you can handle her. I’ll hang out here.”
I climbed onto a bar stool, and Jack leaned in and kissed me on my forehead, lingering a bit, before disappearing through the crowd.
The girl who had reglossed her lips in the bathroom winked at me. Strange. She flirted with a couple of guys several bar stools over.
I redirected my attention to the stage where Jack plugged a cord into his guitar. He hadn’t played during the first set, only sung. Something about the way he slid his hand along the strings made me blush remembering the way his hands touched me while we lay on the blanket at the arboretum.
“Excuse me.” The girl with the lips from the bathroom touched my arm. “My friend over here would like to buy you a drink.”
The guy she pointed to lifted a cup as if to say, “Hello.” Good-looking, clean-cut, not completely out-of-place in this bar.
“Tell him thank you, but no thanks. I’m here with someone.” Okay that sounded weird. But I was here with Jack, and if it kept strangers from picking me up, well, a girl had to do what a girl had to do.
Lips turned and walked away.
r /> I watched the second set, gaining a new level of admiration for Jack. I wrestled with one thought, though. What could he possibly tell me about Sandra Whitmeyer that would make me walk away?
I also struggled with how on earth Jack kept up with a band all the way over here near the university while attempting to secure a spot with a top-notch college? Over-achiever, I decided.
“Can I get you something?” a voice behind me asked.
“A water, please,” I told the bartender.
Jack held his guitar in front of him and leaned into the mic. “This last one is one of our originals, but still my favorite. It’s called ‘Choices.’”
He swung his guitar behind his back and bowed his head away from the microphone. When he lifted his head again, he leaned in close to the mic stand and sang a cappella before the rest of the band joined in with instruments.
As he sang, he scanned the audience until his eyes landed on me. I couldn’t suppress a smile. I was paralyzed by the intense look that passed between us. His deep blue eyes reached all the way into the depths of my soul as if the crowd between us had suddenly disappeared and we were alone in this bar.
I was a goner.
“Hey,” a voice to my left startled me out of my daydream. “You’ll break my heart if you don’t let me buy you one drink.” Friend of Lips’ sidled up beside me with the cheesiest of all cheesy lines. “Hi, I’m Rick.”
“Like I told your friend, I’m with someone. But thanks anyway.” I forced a smile, willing this guy to move along with my mind and praying I could suppress the nosebleed.
I tried to grab my bottle of water, but this loser blocked my path. “If you were with me, I wouldn’t have left you alone this long.”
Did he not realize the person I was with sang in the band? Idiot. “That’s sweet. And flattering, however—”
“Hey, asshole, leave her alone.” A boy playfully slapped Rick on the back of the head. Lips snuggled into his side. They were laughing, and I was sure they meant no harm. But crap… I missed the end of Jack’s song.
Rick shrugged his friends off. “I can’t talk you into one drink?”
“I have one already.” I reached around him, and he helped me out by grabbing the water I was reaching for and removed the lid for me. “Thanks.” I tipped back the drink.
“If you’re here with someone, where is he? I would never leave someone as pretty as you all alone.” He leaned in. “You know, my friends and I are on our way to another bar. You want to join us?”
I nervously downed more of the water. Then I squared my shoulders and faced the jerk. “No. I do not want to go anywhere with you or your friends. Thanks, anyway.”
I felt the warmth of another body behind me. The muscles in my back tightened. Slowly, I turned my head, and Jack was there, his hand planted firmly on the small of my back. I relaxed a little. “Everything okay?” He reached for my bottle of water, taking it from my hand and studying the contents.
I looked at Rick, hoping he got the hint. I truly didn’t want a bloody nose because of this loser who refused to take “No” for an answer.
“Let’s go,” Jack said as he took my hand.
He held up the water bottle in front of his eyes again. We passed through a crowd of people. Several called out things like, “You rocked it, dude,” and “Awesome set, Jack.”
“It was a nice sound,” I said, my words slurred. I squeezed Jack’s hand and pulled him to a stop. He turned and studied me. His face went in and out of focus. “I feel funny.”
“Shit. I knew something was off. They put something in your drink.”
“What? Noooo. Why woulthd thomeone do that?” I stumbled toward Jack. He caught me against his chest. “You’re stho beauteeful,” I said. “You know that?”
“Can you walk?” he asked close to my ear. Was that fear in his voice?
I wanted him to kiss me. The smell of his shower gel, and his firm hold on me invited me in. He slid an arm around my back and supported me while urging me forward. We passed the stage and entered a hallway. When I stumbled again, he scooped me up into his arms and cradled me into his chest. “This was not at all how I wanted this evening to go,” he grumbled.
What? Me in your arms? My head dangled backwards. A giggle escaped.
Jack kicked open a back door and exited the bar. We passed a dumpster and the stench of the garbage had me turning my head into his chest, breathing hard through my mouth. “Ugh. That’s awwwful.” My syllables continued to slur. I lifted my head just as we rounded a corner.
When we reached Jack’s car, he said, “I’m going to set you on your feet. Can you stand?”
“Mmm-hmm.” I stood for a second before I threw my arms around his neck. “I don’t feel so good, Jack.”
I heard the sound of voices and the shuffle of feet on gravel behind me. I tried to turn. Jack struggled with his keys, but was able to get the passenger door open. He helped me in the seat. “You’re going to be okay. Sit. Stay.” He held out a hand in front of him.
“I’m not a dog,” I slurred and rolled my eyes.
Behind Jack, a couple of figures came in and out of view. One of them looked like Seth Whitmeyer. “Seth?” I asked.
Jack turned. “Why did you have to come after her like this? I’m working on finding the stupid journals. You overstepped this time.”
He knew Seth?
“I didn’t do that to her.” Seth sounded surprised. “I have no intention of hurting Sarah. We’re not the only ones looking for those journals, and you know it, Jack. You were an idiot to think you wouldn’t lead danger to her.”
“Leave her alone, Seth. I need more time.”
I closed my eyes. I wanted to sleep. My head felt detached from my body.
“Be reasonable,” Seth pleaded with Jack. I was so confused, and their voices were so loud. “You can’t protect her. We can. You need to bring her in.”
When I opened my eyes, I tried to focus on Jack and the outline of the design on the back of his concert T-shirt, which was difficult because it was swirling and pulsing.
He ran a hand through his hair, and I imagined doing the same.
“She’s not ready,” he said. He shut my door and darted toward Seth. I rubbed my eyes. Tried to focus. What had they drugged me with? Did Seth do this to me? Did Jack put me in danger?
What did he mean by “she’s not ready”?
No. I shook my head. Jack wouldn’t put me in danger. My head felt fuzzy.
Bright lights bounced off the windshield and lit up Seth and Jack. Both men turned toward headlights from a large SUV. The vehicle sped toward them. Seth and Jack separated.
Jack slid across the hood of the car and climbed behind the wheel, slamming the door. “Lexi, put your seatbelt on.” His voice was panicked.
Everything was happening in slow motion. I fought the urge to vomit. I fumbled for my seatbelt as Jack whipped toward the parking lot exit. He turned onto one road, and then another.
Then he floored it.
~~~~
Something slammed into the car. I lurched toward the front dashboard. “What the…” I was sure I would throw up. The sound of metal on metal and the impact made my heart skip several beats.
“Hold on,” Jack said. Like I had a choice. He struggled to keep the steering wheel steady.
“Who is that? Whatta they want?” I sounded like I was speaking through a tube.
Jack didn’t answer.
I wrapped my hand around the handle above my head. The vehicle slammed into us again. My entire body stiffened, bracing for further impact.
Jack sped up, taking corners quickly.
As he took the next turn, I looked out the window at the black suburban following us. “It’s the same car.”
“What?” Jack said.
“Saw it earlier. At the restaurant. And again at the pretty flower place.”
“And you said nothing?”
Uh-oh. He was mad. “Lotsa black SUVs around here.”
The truck s
lammed into us again. My head pitched forward. Jack’s knuckles whitened as his grip tightened around the steering wheel.
He sped up, slowing down only for sharp curves. Then we were on a long stretch. We picked up speed. I could see what looked like a curve up ahead. The road looked like it would end, but Jack continued to increase our momentum.
“Hang on,” he said.
At the last second possible, he applied pressure to the brakes and took a hard right. I sucked in a deep breath and held it. The tires skidded. We straightened.
My world continued to spin, my vision fuzzy.
“Shit!” Jack watched with horror in his rearview mirror.
I managed to turn in my seat just in time to see two lights getting closer. Brighter. Fuzzier.
The truck hit us. My body lurched forward. The seatbelt tightened across my chest.
“Jack, why’re they doing this?” Nothing made sense. I focused on the double yellow lines stretching out in front of us.
The vehicle came alongside and swerved into us. Jack held on and steadied the car.
When the SUV hit us in the side again, Jack lost control. Our car lurched sideways into a field and through a fence before it began to turn on its side. Metal buckled. We flipped once. Twice. Glass shattered.
Finally, we stopped. I hung upside down. The car balanced on its roof. I heard a deep moaning sound that I think came from my own throat. I tried to glance over at Jack, but couldn’t.
A sharp pain erupted behind my right eye, and then nothing.
Chapter Seventeen
I smelled gasoline, laced with cigarette smoke. Though my mind struggled to process what had just happened, I knew one thing for sure: those two scents didn’t go together.
I rolled my head side to side. When my eyes fluttered open, a faceless figure came into focus. The cigarette in his mouth flared as he inhaled, and when he laughed, I gagged, then rolled over into a coughing fit.
What was he doing? Couldn’t he smell the gasoline?
Why wasn’t he helping us? We had to get outta there. “Jack!”
A hand squeezed my hand. “Shh. I’m right here. Can you hear me?”
“We have to get out of the car, Jack. He shouldn’t be smoking. I smell gasoline.” I reached a hand to my temple. My fingers met the soft feel of cotton and plastic. I winced, and as I scrunched up my face, my head and face hurt more.