Deep (Heavy Hearts Book 2) by Sarah Duncan (red seas under red skies txt) 📗

“I’m sorry I didn’t come to you. I’ve told you before I was ashamed. I still am, but I’m trying. Don’t make me regret opening up to all of you.” I’m snappy now because, fuck, I don’t feel like I deserve this attack from Jared.

Jared hangs his head, pressing his forehead to mine. “Sorry, Six. I get a bit crazy when it comes to you.”

We are quiet for a few moments, both of us gathering our thoughts.

“I’m really into him, Jar,” I admit, my voice quiet, and he draws back, a frown creasing his forehead. “Can you please be happy for me?”

Jared studies me for a few long agonizing moments, and then his face softens, and he nods. “I am happy for you Lex. Just an overprotective arsehole. You know that.”

I nod. “I do.”

He chuckles.

“Can I go back and see him now? Recess is nearly over, and I’ll have to go back home.” I really just want Ayden to come with me. How tempting it is to spend the day in bed wrapped in his arms. It sounds like heaven.

“Yeah, I guess.” Jared smiles and releases my hand, walking beside me as we weave back through the trees to return to our friends.

Ayden’s eyes are on the tree line, and he spots us immediately as we walk back out. His jaw ticks, and I can tell that he’s holding a hell of a lot of restraint right now. I don’t make him wait any longer, going straight to wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down for a kiss.

It’s not a passionate kiss because Ayden is too tense, his mind elsewhere.

“Sorry, bro. Just needed a minute with our–ah, with Lexi.” Jared’s fumbled words cause Ayden to glare, a growl coming from deep within his chest. On my, I do like that growl. Jared throw’s his hands up in surrender just as the bell rings, indicating the end of recess and my brief time with Ayden. As if he feels the same disappointment as I do, Ayden tugs me close and buries his face in my neck.

“I don’t want to be away from you, Lex. It’s a form of torture.”

I giggle at his agonised tone, and then I moan from the nip he delivers to my earlobe.

“Make sure you don’t have any homework tonight. I want your time.” I whisper right before he takes my lips in a kiss that’s filled with promises.

“You know Lexi, you still haven’t told me if he has a pretty cock. Stop avoiding me. I expect a full de-brief after school. I’m coming over.” Rhys whisper yells in my ear, effectively cutting short my lip-lock with Ayden.

“Sorry, Rhys. She has a prior engagement with me and my extremely pretty cock after school.” Ayden teases, leaving me in shock, and Rhys wearing a big smirk. I caved last night and told him about Rhys’s obsession with good looking cocks.

“See you later beautiful.” Ayden kisses the tip of my nose and shoots me that panty-melting wink of his before walking off with the boys to class.

“Fuck me, I think I just came in my knickers.” Rhys drawls, running her tongue over her lips.

I turn and slap her arm, “Eyes off, or we aren’t friends!” It’s a joke, and she beams, flashing me white teeth behind her black lips.

“See you after school. I’ll give you an hour of fuck time before I burst in and kidnap you from Ayden’s dick... I mean loft. I’ll get Marcus to keep me busy while I wait.” Wagging her dark brows, she walks backwards, thrusting and gyrating her hips.

I can’t help but laugh. That girl is as crazy as they come, and I love her for it. When she finally disappears around the corner of the building, I walk along the tree line until I reach the school fence and jump over it. I feel lighter, somehow. Like admitting to my part in the school vandalism has lifted another burden I carry. Of course, it’s not completely gone. I won’t feel free of it unless I come clean to the principal. Cynthia may be obligated to go to the police with that information. I just need to figure out if I’m willing to face up to that punishment and scrutiny from my peers or if I’m just a coward who’s willing to let someone else carry all the blame.

Even as I think it, I know I’m going to come clean. Maybe I’ll get Andrea to drive me over to speak with Principal Rogan tonight. I’d like to do it before my suspension is over, just in case she expels me. There’s no point in wasting anyone else’s time at this point.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Instead of walking back to Marcus's, I catch the bus. I know the walk is only ten minutes, but the bus ride is only 5 minutes and a lot safer than walking the streets when Mike may still be in town. As soon as I step off the bus at the end of Marcus’s street, my phone rings. The moment I see Val’s name on the screen, I know something is wrong. I’ve learnt that a text from Valarie is a details thing or just conversation, but a phone call always means something is wrong. I don’t hesitate to answer the call.

“Val?”

There’s muffled noises down the line before I hear a piercing scream. Val’s piercing scream.

“Val!” I yell, already running.

“Help!” Val’s plea is the last thing I hear before the line goes dead.

No! No! No!

As I run, I try to call her back, but she doesn’t answer. I try her house phone, but there’s no answer there either. My lungs burn, and tears sting my eyes as I sprint through the quiet streets of Fox Pines, desperate to get to Val.

As I round the corner of my street, I call Ayden.

“Lex, what’s wrong?” His voice is frantic down the line. He knows I’d only call if there was an emergency.

“I don’t know. Val called,