Chasing Rainbows (15 page)

"This is my friend, Jake," Devon announced, rather proudly.

Feeling suddenly nervous, I glanced over at him and tried my best to smile. "Hi," I whispered, as my face began a slow burn. I hope he didn't think this had been my idea. Too bad the ground wouldn't just open up and swallow me whole so I could escape. I was going to kill Kara. No, I was going to kill Devon first and make Kara watch. Then I'd take care of her afterwards. It would be slow and painful.

"Hi, Addie," Jake replied, his voice low and hoarse. It reminded me of the long smooth rumble of distant thunder. He even sounded hot. He stuck his hand through his open truck window. I had two choices; either I could be downright rude and ignore it, or I could play it cool and just shake his hand. It was no big deal, so I took a step toward him.

His hair was brown, naturally streaked with blond from the summer sun and darker than mine. Deep blue eyes the color of dark cobalt studied me curiously and with interest. He had that grungy appeal that I'd always found irresistible. He was hot, almost as hot as Chance and mentally, I chastised myself for thinking his name or even comparing the two.

I noticed the tattoos that ran along the back of his broad hand and trailed up his tanned muscular forearm; a worn brown leather bracelet encased his thick wrist. His palm was callused and warm against mine. I had to force myself to take a deep breath just so I could concentrate enough to speak. "It's nice to meet you, Jake."

His eyes were hooded and had been intently locked upon my face when I spoke. "You too," he said, and then he flashed me a crooked grin that was downright lethal. From behind me, an engine revved. I glanced over my shoulder and watched as a red extended cab pickup truck drove past. The tinted windows in the front were half rolled down, and there sitting in the passenger seat was Miley. Chase was behind the wheel — at least I figured it must be him since that wasn't Chance's truck.

As if I'd been caught doing something wrong, I let go of Jake's hand even though he seemed reluctant to release mine and stepped away from his truck and walked over to stand beside Kara. I saw Jake arch his dark brown eyebrows at Devon, who tried to discretely shake his head as he took another drag off of his cigarette.

"Your boyfriend?" Jake asked curiously. His attention had shifted from the truck back to me.

"Hell no, he's not her boyfriend," Kara said angrily as she glared at the red pickup through narrowed eyes. "Addie doesn't have a boyfriend, Jake."

"Well, maybe, I can change that," he replied, and openly smiled at me. I found myself reluctantly returning his charming smile.

Jake was appealing; way too appealing for my peace of mind. He was funny and easy to talk too. He'd climbed out of his truck and joined Devon, Kara, and me. I tried not to be too obvious about studying him, but he was tall, lean and all muscle—just the type of guy that appealed to me. His smile was contagious, and it wasn't long before I found myself relaxing despite my constant awareness of the red pickup truck parked almost directly in front of us. The tinted windows were now rolled up and they were so dark, it was impossible to tell who was inside. For all I knew, Chance might very well be sitting in the back of that truck watching me.

The sky had grown darker, and somehow when I wasn't paying attention, Jake had moved closer. He was standing right beside of me. Kara was leaned back against Devon's chest like he was her own personal Pillow Pet. His arms were wrapped around her sides and one of his hands lay low on her hip while the other rested against her bare stomach. They were sickeningly cute and very much in love. Someday, I thought, it would be nice to have that too.

I could smell Jake's cologne. It was woodsy and held just a trace of something I couldn't place, but it reminded me of the smell of Devon's shop. It had to be either grease or diesel. It didn't matter. The combination appealed to me far more than I wanted it to. He was dressed similar to Devon, wearing a T-shirt and faded jeans.

"So, what do you do, Jake?" I asked; annoyed with myself for my lack of concentration and the effect he had on me.

Jake had already asked me a few questions, and each time when I hadn't answered him, Kara had immediately answered for me. He smiled back at me. It was blatantly obvious he was interested.

"I help Devon out sometimes down at the shop. I'm attending vocational school. I'm a welder," he told me with a smile. "When I graduate at the end of this semester, I've got a job already waiting for me."

Suddenly, an image flickered across the huge screen in front of us letting everyone know it was time for the movie to start. "Oh, Addie," Kara said, wearing a sheepish grin and I knew then that something was up. "You can sit with Jake in his truck. Devon's got the cooler in the front seat. If they see it, they'll take it."

"I don't mind," Jake said, and it was obvious he noticed the indecision that wavered in my expression. "I promise, Addie, I'll be on my best behavior."

At his promise and the sight of him crossing an X over his heart, I started around the front of his truck with him walking right beside me. Jake was hot. Plus, he was sweet, and he wasn't going to hurt me. It was just a movie. I was being ridiculous.

I stumbled over a patch of uneven ground almost falling. His arm snaked around my waist to steady me. His broad hand was splayed across my hip. His fingers contracted as he pulled me against him. He was strong, and I found myself pressed against his side. The muscles hidden beneath his cotton T-shirt were now evident to me since my hands were splayed across his chest. Being near him flustered me, but when I met his gaze, instead of the cocky grin that I expected, he appeared concerned.

"Are you, alright?" he asked, his voice rumbled from his chest. I nodded and took a step away from him. I needed distance, and I needed it right now. Before I could reach what I felt was a safe zone, he snagged my hand lacing his fingers with mine. His actions caused the painful thud in my chest to grow to a deafening roar making me involuntarily shiver.

"Just in case," he said with a heart stopping grin. His dark blue eyes danced mischievously, and I found myself reluctantly smiling back at him despite my caution.

Jake had just opened the passenger side door when the bright glare of headlights hit us dead on. It seemed as if someone had arrived just in time for the movie and was searching for a place to park. The light was blinding. "What an asshole!" I heard Kara exclaim. Then an achingly familiar voice yelled my name.

Chance's black pickup truck stopped in front of us. The windows were rolled down, and he was glaring at me through the passenger side. Danger was written all over his face. "Get in, Addie," he ordered harshly. He reminded me of a lion waiting to pounce. Chance's gaze dropped to my hand, currently being held by Jake, and his eyes narrowed menacingly.

I stiffened; bracing myself for the explosion I knew was coming.

"Get your fucking hands off of her!" he barked.

Jake dropped my hand and took a step toward the truck. He definitely wasn't the type to back down it seemed. This was not Jake's battle though. It was mine. So I decided on the spur of the moment to place myself between them blocking his way.

"Get out of here, Chance!" Kara yelled from behind me.
Oh my God! She was either going to get us arrested or banned from the drive-in. This was just freaking great
! My best friend was defending me and drawing everyone's attention by leaning across Devon and hanging out the driver's side window and screaming like a banshee. "Addie deserves better than you!"

Jake stepped around me. I laid my hand on his chest, and he paused. His face was a hard mask of anger. "Please, don't," I whispered as I stared up at him.

His eyes darted from me then to Chance. His lips were pressed into a thin line. His body was tense.

"They'll call the cops," I added, silently pleading with him to step back.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Jake asked his voice harsh. He had no right to be so demanding. We'd only just met, but by the way that Chance was acting he'd probably thought that both Kara and I had lied to him.

"No, he's not, but I do need to talk to him," I explained, hoping that he would understand. A door slammed, and I realized Chance was striding around his truck headed straight toward us.

"Addie, no!" Kara shrieked, but I had already turned away from Jake and walked quickly toward Chance. This whole situation was getting out of control.

As soon as I reached him, Chance grabbed my hand pulling me along behind him. I followed, but his pace was brisk, and it was hard for me to keep up with him. When I glanced over my shoulder, I spotted Jake and he was standing beside Devon's truck talking to him and Kara. He didn't look happy.

Chance didn't say a word, nor did he even spare a glance in my direction. He opened the truck's passenger side door and waited impatiently for me to climb in. As I lifted my leg and tried to keep my dress pulled down, strong hands gripped my waist. "Damn it, Addie," he muttered, his hot breath fanned the nape of my neck. His voice filled with frustration.

For an instant, Chance's muscled weight pressed against my back. Then, it was gone, and I was sitting on the seat in his truck with him staring back at me. He didn't offer to move from where he stood, and continued to watch me.

"Thanks," I whispered, hearing my voice tremble.

His gaze was hooded and dark, and it wandered from my face to my legs. His attention now focused on my exposed skin, and the current condition of my dress. It had ridden up to mid-thigh revealing too much skin, and I tugged it down, but he clamped one hand firmly over mine and forced me to stop while his other hand clutched my knee. Then, his fingers flirted along my skin and caused me to shiver. His eyes met mine. His fingers hesitated at the hem of my dress. For a second, I forgot to breathe.

His lips parted on a soft breath, his expression, one of want and one of torment. "What are you doing to me, Addie?" he asked, and sounded almost confused. Before I could stop myself, I reached out and laid my hand against one of his lean cheeks.

"I could ask you the same thing," I whispered, and watched as his fingers slowly slithered back down my thigh. His touch had caused goose bumps to dance along my skin. He stepped away from me, and I placed my hand discretely in my lap as he closed the door and walked around the front of the truck. When I looked out the passenger side window, I noticed all of my friends had watched the fiasco that had unfolded before them. I couldn't read their expressions, but I heard Kara yell, "You don't deserve her, Chance Logan!"

He climbed into the truck. His tense stature betrayed his lack of indifference to Kara's words. Even in his silence, I could sense his anger. He confirmed my suspicion when he slammed the door and started the engine. He revved the motor then gunned it. We roared around the circular drive, passed in front of the next row where Chase's red pickup truck sat parked, and headed for the exit.

The only possible explanation was Chase had to have called his brother when he saw me with Jake. But, I didn't understand why he even bothered or for that matter why Chance would even care since I hadn't heard from him in two days. The last time I'd spoken with him, he'd told me it was over between us.

The silence inside the cab was making me crazy. I didn't understand what he wanted from me. It simply made no sense as to how he could turn his emotions off and on or how he could walk away from me and act as if I didn't exist, but it was obvious from his troubled expression… I did.

"Why, Chance?" I asked, as I glanced from the side window to stare across the seat at him. My heart literally ached. He ran a frustrated hand through his coal dark hair and slowed the truck down as he came to stop at a red light.

"Honestly, I don't know, Addie," he finally replied. Even, he appeared puzzled by his behavior.

"Take me home," I whispered, feeling my heart break even more. It wasn't the answer I'd been hoping for, and I hated the uncertainty seeping through my veins and whispering doubts in my ears. I was so confused, I wanted to cry. It hurt. I couldn't look at him any longer, so I turned my head and peered back out the side window, watching the scenery blur before my eyes as a tear streaked down my cheek.

Chapter thirteen

W
HEN
C
HANCE PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY
, I opened the door without waiting for him, climbed out, and walked away without looking back. Behind me the truck door slammed. His steps echoed mine as I headed for the front porch. Along the way, I unzipped the side pocket on my wristlet and pulled out my house key. I'd forgotten to turn on a light.

Overhead, the moon was nestled high in the inky darkness that was as bleak as my thoughts. There wasn't a single star in sight. On any other night, I would have loved looking up and letting the beauty of the night sky take me away from my reality. For me, this was just another reminder of Natalie's absence.

Star gazing had been Natalie's passion, and she had shared that with me. It had been a chance for us both to escape and to find a place of peace and contentment, but tonight the dark sky seemed fitting since the promise of a perfect evening had turned into a disaster.

As I climbed the front porch steps, my gait slowed. My dress was short and since Chance followed right behind me, I didn't need to give him an eyeful or have him see my scars when it was obvious he was confused about what he wanted or even if he still wanted me. I was mad and hurt. I ignored him, and flipped on the outside light when I stepped into the open doorway then turned around to face him, gripping the doorframe for support. My knees shook. My emotions were all over the place. I hated the way he made me feel, and I wanted to hate him for not knowing his own heart.

His hands were clenched at his side; his face hard as stone, and his eyes were green glaciers, totally unreadable. "You're just like all the rest," he muttered, and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. His chest heaved. "You know what?" he asked, and I had no idea what he was thinking or even what he was talking about. "Fuck you, you're not worth the trouble."