In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) (19 page)

“Mr. Cavanaugh?” Laine raised a brow.

“Duh.” She replied

“That’s true, he is a God amongst men with that perfect bone structure. His jawline and cheekbones are life.” Mimi yammered and the other girls chimed in. I rolled my eyes and threw my head back as I tried to ignore their annoying school-girl-like fantasies of Jake.

“Girls!” I almost screamed. They all stopped and faced me. “We have ten more minutes left, if you really wanna impress Jake, we have to pitch an amazing idea, okay.” They all paused and watched me strangely. “What?” I spat.

“You just called him Jake.” Laine raised a suspicious brow.

“Slip of the tongue.” I scoffed. The girls eyeballed around at each other.

“Okay, well Reese, what do you have in mind?” Mimi smiled. I began explaining my ideas to them and thank heavens they began pitching in ideas as well. By the time the ten minutes were up, Jake called out the first group; Heath’s group, and as usual he was extremely impressive. Our group was last, so I pitched our idea for a drama based on a douchebag who broke a girl’s heart, driving her into the arms of her best friend. Of course, it was based on my life story, only, no one knew this except Jake and Heath.

Both Jake and Heath passed unsettling glances at each other, then back at me. Jake looked awkward, totally caught off guard, and unable to speak. “Mr. Cavanaugh?” Mimi raised a brow. He cleared his throat.

“Um, interesting. Who came up with the idea?” He flashed a faux-smile.

“Reese did.” Mimi looked at him admiringly.

“Should have guessed.” He murmured and I shot him a nasty stare.

“But we all pitched in different perspectives, ideas…” Jessica inputted elatedly.

“It’s a fantastic idea.” He nodded, staring at me callously.

After school, Heath and I decided to head down to Kings Mall to get some ice-cream and possibly catch a movie. He held onto my hand as we walked through the entrance doors from the parking lot, and strode up to the escalator. It wasn’t as active as it usually is, I’m guessing due to it being a Monday.

We sat in our usual spot on the balcony at Haagen-Dazs, eating our usual Berries and Cream flavour, chatting away as
Dreamers by Hopium ft. Phoebe Lou
played over the radio. “Interesting presentation today, Pieces.” Heath raised a brow.

“I know, I know. God, I couldn’t concentrate with those girls blabbing about how hot Jake is. We only had ten minutes left and it was the quickest storyline I could come up with.”

“Well, you owe me.” He smirked.

“I do, huh?” I answered coquettishly. “And how do I ever repay you.” I inched my face closer to his with a wicked grin across my lips.

“I could think of a few ways.” He whispered, his lips almost on mine.

“Well then…” I replied and with that our lips touched, then our tongues, everything and everyone around us slowly fading away as our tongues danced.

Just then, Caroline walked in with her younger cousin, Sadie, shopping bags in hand and leaned against the counter as Sadie scanned the menu. Caroline pushed her shades on top of her and scrolled through her phone, giggling to herself. She looked down at Sadie. “Uh, hello…today please. I don’t have all day, FYI.”

“Jeesh, Carr, I’m deciding.” Sadie responded, her red-orange hair swept into two ponytails, dangling down the sides of her shoulders.

“Well decide quicker, Sadie!” She growled. She then craned her back to the outside of the balcony as Sadie made her order. Caroline’s jaw dropped and eyes widened. “I’ll be back, Sadie.” She said through gritted teeth. “Hold these.” She shoved the shopping bags at her and stomped through the glass doors and onto the balcony, standing in front of us with folded arms. She cleared her throat. We then faced her, simultaneously. Her lip tightly pressed together. “This is what you do behind Jake’s back, slut? Makes me wonder if this was going on when you were with me, Heath.” She was almost red with anger.

“If you must know, Caroline, even though it’s none of your business, Jake and Reese are no long together.” Heath grimaced.

“So… you two are together now?” She scoffed. “That’s what you left
me
for? This whoring bitch.”

“Says the fucktard that tried baiting my ex-boyfriend into having sex with her.” I rolled my eyes.

“Fuck you, Reese!”

“Heath’s already doing a fantastic job, but thanks for the offer.” I retorted. She then growled and tried to attack me but Heath held her back just as I shot up from my seat. “Not me, bitch!” My breath coarse.

“Carr, get lost! No one wants you.” Heath shouted and a security guard came running towards us.

“Is everything okay here?” He questioned as Caroline and I stared directly at each other callously. “Miss?” He directed at Caroline and she yanked her arm away from Heath’s hold.

“Fine!” The security officer was about to escort her when she turned back. “You better watch your back, bitch.” She hissed at me and stomped away. Heath and I glanced at each other and then burst out into laughter. “Let’s get out of here.” He kissed me on my forehead and we both left with the ice-creams in our hands.

The next day, as I entered Jake’s class, the dean, Charles Greyman, walked in.  He was a slender Caucasian man, as tall as Jake, with white hair that looked naturally slicked back. His grey suit gave him a very prim and proper impression and he had the face of a no non-sense kind of guy.

He looked over the classroom, acknowledging us all and then had what appeared to be a stern conversation with Jake. I held my breath as they exchanged words, my fingers gripping the edge of my desk. I glanced over at Heath and just as I affixed my attention to the front of the classroom, Dean Greyman looked over to me. “Miss Singh.”
Oh fuck!
He called out and I inhaled deeply, feeling suffocated, I looked over to Heath.
Oh God, no!
We exchanged glances as I made my way down towards the dean. “Miss Singh.” He nodded when I arrived. “You and Mr. Cavanaugh. My office – now!” I looked up at Jake whose head was bent. I tried to meet his eyes, for some sort of silent explanation, but he wouldn’t hold my gaze.

We made our way down the seemingly endless corridor, my legs deceiving me and my vision blurring as my heart rate increased. My palms sweaty. Anxiety coursing through me. One thing we were warned about in the Code of Conduct was student-teacher affairs. Dean Greyman and the School Board had a no tolerance for such.

We finally stood in front of the large brown door near the auditorium. A gold plated sign with the words ‘Dean Greyman” inscribed hung at the top of it. Dean Greyman then turned the gold doorknob and entered the room, Jake and I following closely behind. I don’t think I’ve ever been in here, at least, not for something like this. At least I think this was concerning Jake and me. I really hoped that wasn’t the case.

Jake and I sat on the two leather chairs that stood before Dean Greyman’s large mahogany desk. My eyes darted around the room, the shelf of school awards slightly to the back of me, the pictures of graduates on the other side and the framed certificates all lined up neatly behind Dean Greyman’s desk. I felt cold, the temperature was significantly lower in his office. As if he was the ice King. He certainly had the look.

He sat on his black leather office chair, picked up a pen and opened a file. He pushed his spectacles further up his nose bridge and looked up at me, then Jake. He then placed his pen inside the file and reclined into his chair. “It has come to my attention, that you two are sharing a much more intimate relationship. Is this true?”

“No.” Jake and I chorused. Dean raised his brows, his face grim and a look of disappointment evident.
Shit! Oh God, I knew it. Oh my God
. I felt the pressure rush to my ears.

“Really? Mr. Cavanaugh, it would be a shame if you lied to me, because we could resolve this issue quietly and move on, if not, there would be serious repercussions. You would be fired from this school effective immediately and Ms. Singh would be suspended, perhaps even expelled considering the fact that she
is
an adult in this situation as well. Affairs like these tend to taint the image of the school and I do not want that, neither does the board. Plus, students have complained of nepotism in past cases of such. So… I’ll ask you again, what is the nature of your relationship?”

“It’s strictly platonic, Charles.” Jake informed him.

“Is this true, Ms. Singh?” He asked looking at me grimly. His barely-there lips set in a firm line.

“Yes, the only time we see each other outside of school are for the indie films.” I bent my head and knitted my fingers together. His forehead creased as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He took off his spectacles and tossed it onto the desk, then leaned forward and opened the file. “So, are you saying these are not of the both of you at another setting, away from school or curricular activities?” He asked and stood up as he placed pictures of Jake and me on the desk before us. I looked down at them, my heart beating a hundred beats per second. Jake inched closer towards the pictures. He glanced slightly at me and I wondered for a minute who would have these pictures, and furthermore send them in. That’s when I realised it was that stupid bitch, Caroline. “Well?” He raised a brow.

“This is nothing!” I stated. Jake stood there motionless.

“Ms. Singh, you are treading and very choppy waters here.” He clenched his jaw. “I don’t want to have to fire Mr. Cavanaugh because he is a great asset to this school, but… if you continue to test my patience with these boldfaced lies when clearly evidence states otherwise, I would have no other choice!” He shouted.

“I am telling you the truth!” I shot out of my seat. “Look, I have a boyfriend, Heath Andrews is my boyfriend, not Mr. Cavanaugh!” I gagged.

“And these pictures?”
Think, Reese, think!

“The girl that sent these pictures in was my friend Caroline Gilmore.
She
and Mr. Cavanaugh were together, not
me
. And, well, she tried to get with Heath, and I cut her off. Mr. Cavanaugh dumped her and he is, well, whoever he is with, so she is mad. She saw Heath and me together yesterday and threatened me. So basically, this is her way of getting back at us both. These pictures are from our double date on my birthday. As you can see, we were just having fun, there is nothing even remotely suggestive in these pics and that’s why Heath is in most of them.”

Dean Greyman stood there for moment, as if processing all the information. “This true?” He turned to Jake.

“Yes sir. Thanks for covering most of that Ms. Singh, although I could have explained it to him myself. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.” Jake answered.

“Can Mr. Andrews attest to this?” Dean Greyman asked.

“Yes he can.” I replied.

“Bring him in then.” I went back to the classroom and got Heath, explained everything to him as we walked towards the office, and he told Dean Greyman the same story that I told him. Dean Greyman accepted our version of events and let us all go.

“Well…” I broke the silence amongst three of us as we walked back to class.

“Well what?” Jake asked, craning his neck back at me.

“That bitch is fucked up! She nearly fucked up our lives. How come she didn’t attack you?” I asked Heath.

“Because Mr. Cavanaugh tattled on her to me and you are with me now. You both contributed to our break up.”

“Still,
you’re
the one that ‘broke’ her heart – if she even has one!” I stopped in my tracks. Jake paused and turned back at me.

“Thanks for being so quick with that excuse, Reese. You saved my job and yourself.” I looked up into his cold eyes and for a moment I swore I saw something there – that once soft glow in his eyes.

“Sure, no problem.” I whispered, unable to release myself from his gaze, just captivated by his crystal blue eyes.

“Come on, Pieces.” Heath interrupted, breaking me away from Jake’s encaptivating hold.

“Coming.” I croaked. Jake then turned and walked away, Heath and me following closely behind.

Jake bolted out of the classroom, down the hall, passed the Administrator’s and went through the double doors. He scrambled to get his keys out of his briefcase as he made his way towards the parking lot. Heath and I paced slowly towards our car, watching in awe at Jake’s frantic scramble out of the parking lot. “Well, he seems to be in a hurry.” Heath raised his brows in his usual apprehensive expression. I gripped tightly on the strap of my bag and then turned to Heath. “Who cares? Probably has a date with his lovely girlfriend.” I grumbled. It had been a week since Heath and I had become official and I still felt emotionally distraught. I then walked to the passenger’s side of the car and stopped immediately in my tracks. “Holy shit!” My eyes wide, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from the length of the car’s side.

“What’s wrong?” Heath turned to me, and opened the driver’s door on his side.

“You are going to flip.” I looked up at him, finally breaking my gaze.

“Reese, what are you talking about?” He looked confused. He then walked over to me, his eyes slowly capturing the disgustingly long and winding groove that was dug into the side of his red Camaro. “Someone keyed your fucking car.” I finally managed to say. He didn’t move a muscle. He froze. As if his mind was processing the information. The occasional bobbing of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed was the only actions that came from his frozen figure.

Heath rarely ever shut down, and when he did, it meant he was absolutely livid. I had only seen him shut down once when we had just became friends and it was something I never wish to see again.

He finally moved his eyes to me, then back at the scratch before getting into his car. I slumped into the passenger’s seat, looking over at him.

“We have to deal with Caroline.” Heath paused with his keys halfway in the car’s ignition, then turned to me looking very perturbed. “As if trying to get you and Cavanaugh into trouble last week wasn’t enough. Who knew she could be this treacherous?”

“Uh, hello. I did.”

“And you never said anything, why?”

“Because… I was in love with you and I didn’t know how to tell you. And I certainly didn’t want you to think I was just being jealous. But something about her didn’t sit right with me, at all.”

“Well, I understand. Same way I felt about Mr. Cavanaugh.”

“Except… you
were
jealous.” I teased. Heath shoved me playfully and we both started to laugh. “So… what is the plan?” I asked suddenly becoming serious.

“Don’t worry about it, Pieces. I’ll talk to Caroline’s dad.”

“Would that do any good?”

“Trust me, it will.” He replied.

I fastened my seatbelt as Heath took the top of the Camaro down, slipped on my shades and after pulling out of the parking lot and getting on to the main road, we were on our way home.

Jake pulled up in the parking lot of Joey’s club, Athens, walked through the door to the side of the lot, up the stairs and into a private room where Joey sat with his shirt sleeves rolled up – his jacket laying on the backrest of the red lounge seat – and lines of cocaine laying on the table in front of him.

Kai was seated far apart from Joey, his legs propped on another chair to the side of him as his face hid behind the book he was reading, his copper brown hair framing it.

He was built – not too bulky – but sexy; his arms were almost as sculpted as Jake’s. He looked up from his book when Jake walked in, his electrifying grey eyes brightening.

“Kai?” Jake’s eyebrows furrowed as he made his way to the seat that Kai’s feet were propped on. “You’re back early? Thought you were coming back on Sunday?”

“Yes I was. I didn’t bother.” Kai replied, his well-defined cheekbones disappearing into a wide smile. He then got up and embraced Jake in a brotherly hug. “I missed you, man. How’s Aunt Lettie?”

“She’s good. And you?”

“I’ve been pretty good! I’m going back to school after spring break.” His eyebrows danced playfully.

“Wow, really? That’s fantastic. And spring break’s only a week from now. Have you put things in place already?”

“Yep, of course.”

“How was Mexico?”

“Awesome, man. Shit’s legit. So… Kin’s really back, huh? Messing up your life and shit?”

“Unfortunately. I just had to push the girl I was madly in love with into the arms of her best friend.” Jake sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and sat in his seat, slightly leaning forward with his arms resting atop his knees.

“Ooo, she’s kinky like that?” Kai’s eyes lit up.

“Her best friend is a man, dumbass.” Jake looked up at him with a pokerfaced expression and reclined into the chair, placing his hands to the back of his head.

“Oh, fuck. That sucks.” Kai frowned and slumped back into his chair, his eyes still on Jake.

“Yes, Kai, it does. Now we need to get rid of Kin so I can try and salvage what little I have left of my dignity. I really didn’t wanna have to pull you back into this lifestyle with me, but I really have to get this done.”

“Na man, don’t sweat it. I always told you I didn’t like the bitch. Okay, so how about we chloroform that ass and run her off the road.”

“Quick… effective. I like it.” Joey intervened, his lips spreading from ear to ear as he packaged the lines of coke into tiny packets. Jake and Kai whipped their heads to him simultaneously.

“Joe, why do you still mess with that stuff?” Kai’s eyebrows furrowed referencing the cocaine as.

“I make good pocket change off this
Malakai
. I have had loyal customers for over ten years now, can’t disappoint them now can I?”

“Whatever you say
Joseph
.” Kai retorted and rolled his head over to Jake. “So, Jake?”

Jake looked at Kai thoughtfully, scratching his tussled hair and then stood up, fixed his cufflink and slipped his hands deep into his pockets. “We have to make this a complete accident, or else we will have a war on our hands.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Kai replied. “So, what does she look like?”

“Who?” Jake’s eyebrows furrowed. He ran his fingers through the stubble on his chin as he paced to and fro.

“Who else? You’re girl dummy.”

“Another Caribbean beauty.” Joey answered as he put away the packets of coke into a suitcase.

“Word?” Kai raised a questionable eyebrow at Jake.

“She’s nothing like Kin. She’s ambitious, gorgeous, funny, and most importantly sane. She’s not about this life – at all, that’s why I can’t tell her what’s really going on.” He ran his hand through his hair in exasperation at the thought. The stress of the situation clearly dawning on him, making him uneasy.

“How would you know if you never talked to her about it?”

“‘Cuz I just do okay, Malakai.” He paused for a moment. “So…here’s what we’re gonna do… I’m gonna take her on a trip for Spring Break – Jamaica or something. Get in her good graces and make her think I want to be with her, for real. She would tell her stupid family all that so they wouldn’t suspect a thing. Then we kill her. I mean Jamaica is great because we would could drive her off a cliff or something. It’s an island, got lots of open water.” He stared off into the distance for a moment. “I’m just so sick of her, I do everything possible in my power to avoid intimacy of any kind.”

“Ha, how does that go?” Kai smirked, a smirk that was strikingly similar to that of Jake’s.

“Inevitable failure. Anyway, I will use her family as an alibi while you do the work.”

“Music to my ears.” Kai grinned and picked up his book.

“Well boys, thanks for the help. I’ll book all our tickets.” Jake nodded in delight, his demeanour slightly relaxing.

Joey poured three glasses of Bourbon, giving one to each of them. They all clinked glasses and gulped down their drinks.

I was at home in the living room, sitting on the loveseat with my laptop, looking up ticket prices, when Heath sneaked up behind me and kissed the back of my neck. My skin prickled and I turned towards him. “Aye.” I smiled.

“Hey gorgeous.” Ah, the sound of that deep Aussie accent that made me swoon when he called me gorgeous or beautiful. “Heading back to Trinidad, eh?”

“I want us to go for spring break, so my cousin could finally meet my best friend, slash boyfriend.” I smiled and pecked him on the lips.

“Sounds committable.” He grinned.

“You talk to Caroline’s dad?” I asked as I purchased two Caribbean Airlines tickets back to Trinidad online.

“Yeah, I did. Spent almost a bloody half hour listening to him yabber. I nearly offed myself, mate, I swear.”

“What’d he say exactly?”

“The poor old bloke doesn’t want to release me from his family. He insists we could work it out. He is a true fruit loop, boy I tell ya. Forget that, Pieces. I highly doubt Car…” He was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Pardon me, will ya.” He said and left for the door. Every time he became enraged, his accent grew thicker, it was a turn on to me. “I don’t bloody believe this?” He yelled out and then I heard what seemed to be Caroline. I jumped over the backrest of the loveseat and darted towards the front door and halted in my tracks upon seeing her. “What are you doing here?” I spat.

“Relax, Reese, I just came to drop off all this crap.” She retorted and threw a cardboard box filled with items Heath had given her to the floor. “Now we’re really done. You happy now?” She faux-smiled at Heath.

“What are you talking about?” He asked her.

“Well, my dad called. He wants to send me to stay with my mom in Florida now, and it’s your fault.”

“Well you deserve a lot worse than that, seeing that you keyed Heath’s car and nearly destroyed me and Jake’s lives.” I interjected.

“I should have destroyed you.” She snickered.

“And I should have kicked your scrawny ass.” I growled inching closer to her and Heath pressed his hand against me in attempt to barricade me from her.

“Bugger off, Caroline.” Heath spat and closed the door on her face. Heath faced me, our eyes meeting. He raised his eyebrows playfully at me, making me suppress a smile. “It took you so long to see the crazy in that chick – unbelievable.”

“Shut up, Pieces.” He laughed and someone knocked on the door again. He rolled his eyes and answered the door expecting to see Caroline. “Oh, Mimi? What are you doing here?”

“Hey Heath, Jessica and I are planning a massive soiree before we take off to Palm Springs for spring break. I was in the neighbourhood, so, here are you and Reese’s invite. It’s at my house in West End Park.” She handed him two invites and winked at him before trotting back to her car. Heath then turned to me and flashed the invites in my face. “Ultimate college party? I could dig it.” I smiled and he laughed.

“Are you sure, Pieces?”

“One last party before the real party. Hell yeah!”

“You bought our tickets?”

“Yes! I can’t wait for you to see Trinidad though, it’s the best. I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since I left. You would love it. Like serious thing, best place you could go for a fete.”

“You have me intrigued, Pieces. Especially when you talk about this Doubles and Roti thing.”

“I know right. It’s been too damn long since I’ve eaten that. I’m legit dying.” I flashed a broad smile and just then Heath’s phone rung. He answered it and uttered a few words before hanging up. His face serious. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“My dad wants to have a family dinner tonight.”

“Oh, and what’s wrong with that?”

“Well, it’s going to be about the whole Creative Director fiasco. Things are going to be finalised tonight, I guess. And seeing that it’s in San Francisco, I’d have to stay the night and miss school tomorrow. You mind being alone for the night?”

“Of course not, Heath. I’m a big girl.” I assured him.

“Alright then.” He pecked me on the lips. “I’ll go get ready.”

“Cool.” I pursed my lips together and plopped down on the sofa. I pulled out my phone and went into my WhatsApp messages, just staring at the last conversation I had with Jake on my birthday. That stupid tightening feeling in my chest returned and I felt that knot in my throat forming as the tears pooled in my eyes.

I finally have what I wanted since I came to Dillcaster, but my heart felt literally broken over Jake. I guess because it was so sudden and unexpected, I truly expected better from him. But now what hurts the most is the fact that I never got any closure. Did he ever really love me? Why all of a sudden would you go back to a girl that you hardly ever even mentioned? I was so distraught by it all and no matter how hard I tried to put it behind me and be happy with Heath, it just haunted me. ‘Time heals wounds’ was my mantra.

Heath came back down with his bag packed, his face apologetic. “Hey.” I faced him. “I’ll be fine.” I reassured him.

“You sure, why don’t you just come with me? I’ll talk to my dad.”

“Heath, go. How often do you see your family? I’ll be alright. Plus, you need to find out about your working arrangement.” He hesitated for a moment before relenting.

“Alright, I’ll see you on Saturday. Tell Cavanaugh and Sampson I’m in San Francisco if they ask.”