Chapter 2
I could feel the burn in my calves as I ran up the hill, my feet pounding on the pavement, my heart beating in time with my feet. My breathing came faster as the hill became steeper and steeper. It felt good, working my muscles trying to reach the goal. The sun started to peak over the top of the hill. I turned to my left and smiled at my dad. He forgot to shave this morning so a salt and pepper beard spotted his neck and face. He smiled back and winked, pulling ahead. I pushed harder trying to catch up. I pulled ahead of him and turned back smiling triumphant. Only, he wasn't there. I was standing there alone. I looked down the path and ran toward a lump on the ground. I could see my dad but no matter how hard I pushed; no matter how much my calves burned, I couldn't reach him. He looked up towards me; fear in his eyes. I felt like I was running in place for all the progress I was making.
"Dad! Dad please hold on, I'm coming. Dad!" I yelled. I know he can hear but he laid his head down on the pavement and closed his eyes. "Dad, please don't give up, please, don't give up!" I pushed harder and finally I reached him. I fell to my knees by his head, panting. "Dad?" I shook him lightly at first then harder and harder. "Dad? Please wake up. Please. I'm begging you. Please wake up." I bent over and started to sob onto his sleeve. My tears staining his shirt. I started to shake violently, tears pouring down my face, unable to stop. I stood up weakly, and started to run. My legs pumped faster and faster, no destination in mind. I just kept running until there were no tears left.
I woke with a start, my eyes flying open and tears streaming down my face. This always happened. The dream was exactly the same. Me and my dad running in Mine Falls park, when all of sudden he isn't behind me anymore. I turn around to backtrack, hoping he's just taking a break, when I find him laying on the ground his face towards me, and panic in his eyes. He's knows what's happening to him. He knows what's next. I yell to him but I can't get to him quick enough. He lays his head down and closes his eyes and when I do finally reach him he has passed on. So instead of calling anyone, instead of staying with him, I run, as fast as I can, to nowhere. As long as I can get away from it all, until I can stop crying, until I can think.
I remind myself that I'm on the bus to Easton, not on the trail. I can feel someone cupping the back of my head with his hand and rubbing my back. I look up to Logan, tears in my eyes, and laugh weakly.
"I bet I know what you're thinking." He cocks his head to the side questioningly. "I bet your thinking 'Oh great I get stuck to the angry chick with emotional issues who can't keep her problems in check.'. Your right, it is an issue." I smirk. He wipes the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs.
"Actually, I was wondering if you were alright. If you needed anything." I shook my head, slightly embarrassed. "Are you sure?" He asked his hands cupping the sides of my face. I grabbed his wrists lightly and pulled his hands down.
"I'm fine. Please get rid of the concerned face." His face changed to a softened smile.
"Is this better?" I nodded my head and placed it back onto his shoulder. He stiffened for a moment and then wrapped his arms around me. It felt nice to be held, especially when I needed it. I was usually the one doing the comforting not the other way around. "But just so you know, I'm pretty sure you would have been a bit concerned if the person sleeping next to you started crying."
"Oh, yea, totally. I would definitely be freaking out." I laughed. "But I would also be thinking 'is that chick crazy?'" He chuckled.
"Well I already knew you were crazy," I slapped him playfully. I liked hearing his heart beat and his chest vibrate as he spoke. "But, I was wondering why. Care to share?"
"Nope, not really." I tensed and then untensed as he shrugged.
"I'll figure it out someday." I snorted.
"Wow Logan, you went from me to that?" Emma scoffed. Logan lifted his head, but I jumped back, embarrassed to be caught in a private conversation.
"To what Emma?" He said dryly. She looked me up and down, scanning me. It made my whole body hot with embarrassment.
"That thing!" She remarked in disgust. "It's like she's not even a girl." She scoffed and made her way back to the back seat.
"I never went from anyone to anyone. I'm just talking to Elise. And it's not any of your business anyways." I smirked. "So are you good?" he turned back to me.
"Yea I'm fine." I kept my head on his shoulder and he kept one arm around me the rest of the way. At about 1:30, the bus driver took the closest exit and pulled into a small restaurant.
When we finished ordering our food, we went to find the closest table. I had no desire to sit anywhere near Emma and her clones, but thankfully she wasn't anywhere to be seen do we found the closest table and sat down. Ross and Jaime showed up with trays piled high with food and sat down. Ross nodded in my direction, paying more attention to his hot dogs. Jaime on the other hand smiled at me, the corners of his eyes crinkling.
"Are we even close to there? I need to stretch my legs and those seats are so uncomfortable. I thought coach busses were supposed to be comfy." He complained continuously breaking only to take a bite of his food.
"Actually, we are about half way there." I stated. Everyone groaned. After about twenty minutes, Emma and her cohorts showed up.
"Hello Logan," Emma smiled sweetly in his direction. "Did you sleep well?" Her eyes flashed to mine for a brief second before going back to Logan's face. He smiled down at me conspiratorially.
"Actually I did sleep well Emma, thanks for asking." He smiled right back at her, just as sweetly.
"Hey, babe, can I talk to you for a moment?" Her voice was dripping with false sweetness. "Over there." She pointed to an empty booth at the back of the restaurant. Jaime rolled his eyes and continued to eat; I snickered. Did she not realize they weren't dating anymore? Babe. He shrugged and pushed his chair back, standing up. She tried to grab his hand but he dodged her and walked forward, leading the way to the seat. I took a bite of my Panini, but stopped chewing when I felt someone staring at me. I looked up to see Jamie smirking in my direction. I whipped my head around to see what he was staring at but finding nothing I turned back slowly.
"Don't think that I haven't given up trying to get you." He took a bite of his apple and chewed triumphantly.
"Excuse me?" I choked.
"I mean I know you and Logan connected, but come on, he has baggage," He waved his fork at Emma. "I on the other hand am a clean slate." I snorted and he placed the glass he was about to drink from down onto the table. "What?"
"Well I have a hard time believing that you are so innocent." I raised my eyebrows challenging. He shrugged his shoulders and smirked.
"I never claimed to be innocent, but when I break it off, I break it off. Not like him. And trust me Emma is a very jealous person. She can get a bit testy." I placed my fork down on the plate slowly.
"Well thank you for the advice Jaime. I'll keep that in mind." He leaned back in his chair, confident that he was going to reel me in.
"I have faith that you'll fall for me before the end of the trip. Just you wait." At that I chuckled, pushing my chair back. I leaned across the table and placed my index finger under his chin. The stubble on his face scratched against my finger. I leaned closer until our faces were only inches apart.
"Oh, I'm already falling for you babe." I let my hand drop from his face and winked. He tilted his chair back, his mouth slack. I laughed as I spun on my heel and sauntered toward the exit. Logan and Emma were in a heated conversation as I walked past. He looked up quickly as I opened the door, following other students off to the bus. I waved to him and stepped outside.
It was muggy and bright outside. The warm breeze pushed my hair from my shoulders. I breathed deeply. All of a sudden I felt hands go around my waist and pull me into them. I whipped around curious as to who would grab me in the middle of a parking lot. Jaime smiled down at me.
"Hello." I smiled. He lifted a hand and pushed my bangs from my eyes. I wrapped my hands around his neck and pressed my body into him. Logan was the kind of guy you would date, Logan was the kind of guy you could bring home to the family and rely on to be there for you when you needed him. He was the kind of guy I needed, especially now. But… Jaime was the kind of guy who knew exactly what you wanted and loved to play games. He kept you on your toes always guessing. He was the 'bad boy', the one I should try to avoid at all costs.
He pressed his body closer to mine, his defined abs pressing against me. His lean arms wrapped around my waist and his hand played with the hem of my shirt; pushing it up. I laughed and pushed his hand back down.
"You do realize we are in a parking lot right?"
"And?"
"We aren't doing this here. We could get sent home or something." My heart started beating faster. I couldn't get sent home, not now, not when I needed this trip so badly. I needed to get away.
"But we'll do this somewhere else?" His eyebrows shot up and I laughed. He reminded me of an excited puppy, reeling at the thought of getting a treat.
"No." I said laughing. I wasn't promising anything just yet. He pouted his lips unhappy with that answer. I placed my hands on his chest and smiled, trying to detach myself from his warm body.
"Ahem." Jaime kept his hands around my waist but I turned around to see where the noise came from. Emma was standing about ten feet behind us with her hands on her hips and Logan behind her, his face impassive. "I see you two are getting cozy. Were we interrupting something?" I pulled my hand around to my back and pried his fingers from my back.
"No, actually, we were just waiting for the bus. Did you need something?" I smiled sweetly. She leered at me, her eyes flashing, white hot rage. She didn't like me, and she was trying to make it clear that I didn't belong with them. That's fine, it's not like I was planning on befriending anyone in the first place, let alone two anyone's. Right then, the bus pulled around and stopped in front of the entrance to the restaurant, opening its doors with a loud hiss. Every one lurched forward, pushing and shoving to get on the bus and back to their seat first. A bony, cold hand grabbed onto my wrist with more strength then I thought possible and pulled me back.
"I'm warning you Elise, if you ruin what me and Logan have-," She whispered into my ear. I turned to face her, incredulous.
"What you and Logan have? I hate to break it to you Emma, but you two broke up. So…" I let the sentence hang in the air between us. She leaned forward, closer, her hot breath tickling my ear forming beads of sweat on my hairline.
"This is my final warning Elise. Stay away from him. This happens all the time. We date, fight, break up, and then get back together. This is nothing new and I will make sure nothing happens that would deter him from that plan." She turned to walk away. "This is strike two Elise!" She called holding two fingers above her head.
"What was strike one?" I yelled back to her, watching as her body retreated onto the air conditioned bus.
"Everyone quiet down!" The elderly lady who handed out the tee shirts this morning was standing at the front of the bus; she adjusted the clipboard in her hands and cleared her throat waiting for everyone to quiet down. Several students turned their bodies around annoyed at the interruption. I stood in the isle waiting for the chance to make it back to my seat. "I have the lists of where you all will be bunking when we get there. There will be teams of eight; four boys and four girls sharing a suit. Guys in one room, girls in another, connected by a parlor. We expect you will all behave like adults and follow the rules. I will be passing around my clip board. Take a look and then pass it on, you may even want to write down your room number." She handed the clipboard to a scrawny kid, no older than 16. I made my way toward the back of the bus making sure not to trip of the stray bags lying in the isle. I gave a small smile to Jaime as I walked by and then sat down next to Logan. He didn't seem to notice I was there; he continued to flick through the songs on his iPod.
I snapped my fingers in front of his face jokingly. He sighed audibly and removed a bud from his ear, slowly turning his head to face me. His eyes flashed exhaustion and something else I couldn't place my finger on, but before I could recognize it, it was gone.
"Can I help you?" Yup, he was mad. He raised his eyebrows.
"Whoa, what happened to you?" He scrunched his eyebrows, confused. "Well we were on the bus and we were happy, we get off the bus and princess over there," I jab my finger in Emma's direction. "Comes to talk to you. Now we are back on the bus and you aren't happy anymore. What did she say to you?" I placed a hand on his upper arm but he shrugged it away. I leaned back against the arm rest of the seat, hurt.
"You forgot about the part finding you in the parking lot with Jaime." He pointed out, his face down, his cheeks reddening. My mind clicked. Oh, he was jealous. But who cares, he obviously has some weird thing going on with Emma. Who am I to interfere? Oh, who am I kidding? I always do whatever the hell I want anyways. Why would this time be any different? I sigh. He looks up at me, his eyes flashing.
"Is that what this is about? You're jealous that you have competition?" I smirk. His lips press into a thin line, but I can see a ghost of a smile.
"Competition? From who?" He finally smirked, giving into my charm.
"Jaime, because don't worry, I told him I wasn't sure how I felt about him. But to be honest I'm not sure how I feel about you either." He looked down, and for a moment I thought he was hurt by what I said. But then he looked up and he looked like a blank slate; a clean surface to be drawn upon.
"And why aren't you sure how you feel about us?"
"Well for one, I just met you." I pointed out. Obviously.
"Yes but did you know that the first 6.4 seconds of talking is when a person figures out if they are attracted to another person or not. Tell me how did you feel in the first 6.4 seconds of meeting me?" He winked, over- confident. I ignored to his question and continued with my explanation.
"Also, you have a lot of baggage that you're carrying. She's a bit hard to deal with. Did you know she threatened me before I got on the bus back there?" His jaw dropped, stunned.
"She didn't! What did she say?" He said, clearly not wanting to believe it but not being able to help finding himself able to.
"She told me 'you better stay away from him, this is strike two'" I mocked her voice. "I don't even know what I did to deserve strike one. But she seemed serious. Not that she scared me or anything, but it would be kind of a hassle to have to deal with her." He shook his head trying to clear it.
"I can't believe she did that." My shoulders slumped from exhaustion. Emma was very tiring. She was a prime example of why none of my friends came on this trip with me. They offered to keep me company but I declined. There would only be trouble if they didn't get along with one of the people from the rival schools. He took my hand in his and squeezed. His hands were calloused; worker hands from the look of it. His hands were the complete opposite of Jaime's. Where his were soft and bony, Logan's were rough and comforting, like I would always be safe as long as I was holding his hand. "I promise, I'll make sure she doesn't do anything." He pulled me out of my revere ad I snorted.
"Okay." I said dubiously. He chuckled beside me.
"So, why aren't you sure how you feel about Jaime?" He didn't look tense, just merely curious, like he already won the battle.
"See, with Jaime, I know exactly what he's looking for. He more like the kind of guy I would have a fling with but never more serious than that. He's like an open book and it's so easy to read him. And the thing is, he might be the kind of thing I need right now, because relationships are stressful and a fling isn't. A fling is just a fling but a relationship is a whole 'other deal. That's why I'm so confused about you too. Because while Jaime is easy to read, it's like you have a cement wall built up and no one can get past." I let out my breath not realizing I was holding until now. He nodded his head slowly.
"I mean I guess I get what you're saying, but wouldn't you rather be happy then possibly developing feelings for the other person and wondering if they feel the same?" I wasn't sure how to answer.
"I mean sure, I'd love to be happy, but no relationship means no commitment and no feelings, and no feelings means I can't get hurt when something happens." I looked down at our hands intertwined on my lap and blushed. I never talked about how I felt. It was embarrassing and awkward and completely unnecessary. People could do fine without emotions. Animals do it all the time. All we really need is to reproduce. He pulled my face up with his free hand and forced me to look into his eyes.
"Hey," His voice was soft, like velvet, his eyes gentle. "I have a feeling this isn't about me or Jaime anymore. Is this about your mom?" I yanked my hands free and leaned back, my face going blank.
"This has nothing to do with my mom and I don't want to talk about this anymore." I turned my head toward the front of the bus, looking at nothing in particular. He tried to reach for me but I shifted away from him. He dropped his dejectedly.
"I didn't mean to upset you, but maybe it would be better if you talked about it instead of shutting down?" He suggested.
"I told you I didn't want to talk about it. And why do you care anyways? It's not like you even know me."
"Well if you talked to me I would know you!" He said, his voice rising as he started to lose his patience.
"Oh my god! Are you kidding me?" I muttered to myself. "I'm pretty sure you don't want hear anything about me and my problems. It's not like I'm the happiest person."
"Everyone has problems. I'm sure mine are no different than yours." I raised my eyebrows. Really, wanna bet? "I already told you about my brother, how he's in a coma now because of a car crash right? See, I told you something about me. Now it's your turn." I rolled my eyes.
"I already told you about my mom." He started to shake his head halfway through my sentence. "I'm done talking about this." I started to place my headphones back into my ear when he yanked them from my grasp and shoved them in his pocket. I lunged for them but he placed a firm hand on my shoulder to hold me back.
"What the hell you cretin! Give me my IPod back!" I started to flail my hands around buying for purchase. When my hands grasped his shirt I pulled. I was pissed. My music was the only thing that allowed me to escape. When my dad had died, I went to the nearest music store and bought a new Yamaha keyboard and all of their piano books. I taught myself to play the piano, leaving my acoustic guitar sitting in the corner of my room on its stand unused. I played for hours a day, forgetting sometimes to eat lunch or dinner or sometimes even both. I forgot to check on my mother, do the laundry, and clean the dishes. One day I stopped playing to go eat and found bags and bags of pasta on the kitchen counters and in the refrigerator.
Now, whenever I get stressed out I listen to music or play my piano. I have yet to play my guitar, the one my father got me. I bought a new about two months after he died. I loved playing the guitar but I couldn't bear to play the one he bought me. When my mother pushed me out of the door she handed me my guitar case and a few sheets of music to play. On the ride to the bus I looked inside and realized she handed me the one my father bought me.
I kept pulling on his shirt but he didn't resist like I expected him to, instead he leaned forward and planted a kiss on my cheek. I froze for a moment, shocked, then thawed, closing my eyes with pleasure. His lips were soft and plush and I turned my head hoping for another kiss but instead he leaned back and smiled. I raised my eyebrows and glared at him, not forgetting that he still had my IPod. I held out my hand expecting him to give it back. I should have known it wasn't going to be that easy. He shook his head slowly, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Fine. My favorite color is lavender, my favorite animal is a giraffe, and running is like my life. My dad got me into and we would run every night without fail, rain or shine. I love running it gives me time to relax, time to just not think." I stopped and stared at him. The look clearly said "good enough?" but he just shook his head. Aggravated with his game, I slumped back into my chair and closed my eyes, prepared to sleep the rest of the way and just ignore him. He didn't seem to find that acceptable.
"Well let's see, my favorite color is green, my favorite animal is dog. Mans best friend." I could hear him smile. "And football for me isn't something I love. I do it because it's what's expected of me. My brother played football when he was in school and he was varsity quarterback. So when I was in middle school my dad signed me up for pee wee football," He paused "That's for like little kids." I opened one eye to stare at him.
"Yea, I got it." He smiled and continued.
"Anyways, I've played ever since. My dad has been to every game and plays with me for hours after school, pushing me harder and harder. He runs plays with me, or does drills. Oh and did I mention he's the coach of the team?" I snorted.
"That sucks." It did, but I couldn't imagine a parent pushing their child to do something they didn't want to do. My parents always let me try anything I wanted to and if I didn't like it they let me stop. I went through the horseback riding phase, the soccer phase, the creative writing phase, the cheerleading phase (ugh), and finally one day my dad asked if I wanted to go for a run with him. I figured there was nothing to lose. The funny thing is, I hated it so much the first time. It hurt my legs, and after about half a mile I couldn't breathe and I had to walk. But later that night after I was dressed and showered I sat on the armrest of the reclining chair my dad was perched in watching the news and asked him why he liked running so much.
He explained to me that he loved the way his legs felt as he pushed himself harder and harder to get to his destination. He liked being able to think and sort out things that were bothering you. I found out later that I didn't think when I ran, I just ran. He explained to me that running to him was like breathing, he couldn't imagine going without it and whether he ran 200 meters or eight miles in one day, he would be content. Then he smiled down at me and said "Besides Bug, if your car ever breaks down you always run to the nearest gas station." After that I decided to give it another shot. I started running with him every night and I joined the track and cross country team. And let's face it, I sucked at first. I ran like a nine minute mile and almost always came in last. But after a while I started getting faster and I started winning. My dad kept all of my trophies on the mantle over the fire place. Though my mother would complain that one day the medals were going to catch on fire, she always smiled and never took them down. She never ran with us but she loved to see us bond and it brought us closer as a family. Every Saturday she would come to a meet with a flannel blanket and a thermos of coffee to watch me run.
Now she just sits at home in his jacket and cooks pasta. Life sucks. I hadn't realized he was still speaking until he snapped his fingers in front of my face.
"Hey, Elise? Are you there?" He chuckled. "Did you hear anything I just said?" I shrugged.
"Probably not." He laughed.
"I was saying that, in short, my parents suck. What are your parents like?" I smiled, reminiscing. He grasped my hand and I leaned forward like I was going to tell him something very personal that I wanted only him to hear. But instead, I reached past him and grabbed my IPod. Satisfied that the conversation was over I removed my hand from his grasp and put the buds in my ear. He looked at me dejectedly but then shrugged it off. "You know, you're going to have to tell me about your parents someday. And about what's eating at you." I closed my eyes and pretended I couldn't hear him, turning the volume up. He wrapped a warm arm around my shoulder and pulled me into him. I scooted closer so my head was leaning on his shoulder and I was pressed up against him. He laughed softly and kissed the top of my head. My eyes started to flutter close when I remembered something.
"Emma's not going to like shave my head in my sleep or something right?" I could feel his body shake with laughter.
"Nah, I doubt it. But I'll keep you safe, I promise." Content with his answer I closed my eyes and quickly faded into sleep. After what felt like three seconds I was awoken by Logan leaning forward, grabbing at something. Ahh, the clipboard. He looked down at me.
"I'm sorry I woke you. But do you want to see where you'll be bunking?" I nodded and he lowered the board so we could both look at it.
Room 414: Logan Summars Morgan Chaussee
Jaime Pierce Emma Roland
Ross Smith Rebecca Lorwood
Robert Greene Elise Walker
"That's great! We'll be bunking in the same suit." He looked down at my pale expression. "What's wrong?" He asked suddenly anxious.
"You think this is great? I'm going to be mauled by Emma and her cubs in my sleep. I'll last a few days so no one get suspicious and then BAM!" I clapped my hands together. "I'm found in the lobby fountain with my jammies on and a mysterious note that claims a crazy ex-boyfriend killed me." I could feel him laughing at me and I looked up to glare at him.
"You seem to have planned out your death extensively."
"Don't laugh at me. It's going to happen and then you're going to be upset because it's going to be all your fault." A flash of something crossed his face but vanished before I had time to place it. He smiled so quickly I might have imagined something was wrong in the first place.
"And I'll feel so bad, but in the mean time, you can try and talk to the lady up front and ask for a change of rooms. Though I am going to be disappointed." He pouted his lips and looked at me through his lashed. I slapped his arm and giggled. Giggled? Seriously, who giggles? I maneuvered past his legs and down the aisle towards the elderly woman. When I finally reached her, she smiled at me and motioned for me to sit down.
"Hello, dear, what can I do for you?" I smiled nervously.
"Hi, um, I have a little problem with the sleeping arrangements."
"I'm sorry honey, but there is nothing I can do. The sleeping arrangements are final. I would change them if I could but I can't. Maybe you'll become friends with your roommates." She smiled at me hopefully. Fat chance.
"Maybe." I forced a smile and turned to walk back to my seat. Jamie stared at me questioningly as I passes but I just waved my hand to indicate it was nothing. He shrugged and went back to his music. A few seats down I could see someone was in my seat. Emma, obviously.
"Well, maybe if she wasn't such a whore I wouldn't have to be mean to her." I heard her say. Before Logan had a chance to respond, I stepped in a defended myself.
"Oh, I know! I sleep with so many guys I can barely keep them straight. You have a right to be a raging bitch to me. You're totally not being unreasonable." A gangly teen sitting in the seats across from us stared at us in awe as my sarcasm flowed freely from my mouth. "Oh, and the whole three strikes you're out thing? That was a great idea. Totally put me in my place. I am shaking in my boots." I pointed down to my knit boots. "See, literally shaking." Emma glared at me through my entire rant. Her mouth opened like she was going to speak but she snapped it shut and Logan butt in.
"I have an idea. Be nice to each other. No fighting and we won't have a problem where we will be fishing anyone out of the lobby fountain in their jammies." I snorted and Emma stared at him like he had seven eyes. I crossed my arms defensively.
"Fine by me. As long as she stops being so rude I can forget everything that's happened so far." I raised my eyebrows challenging. She huffed but nodded her head in agreement. "Good, now can you please get off my seat, I'd like to sit down."
"Actually Logan and I weren't done talking. So maybe if you'd sit over there for a few minutes." She pointed her head in the direction of her seat, barely containing the rage that was bubbling underneath her surface. She didn't like being told what to do and she especially didn't like her ex-boyfriend who 'loved her so much' to be defending the new chick. Fine by me. As long as she didn't make any more idle threats.
"Actually we are done Emma. It was nice talking to you." She huffed, clearly unhappy, and sulked back to her seat where her clones were waiting to comfort her. I laughed, shaking my head exasperated. He motioned for me to lie next to him. "We have five more hours before we get there. You can either sleep or we can talk about your family some more." I pretended to stifle a yawn and he chuckled pulling a knit blanket over our bodies. I snuggled closer to him placing my head on the front of his shoulder; my head nestled into the nape of his neck. Everyone else seemed to be napping, or reading quietly so the driver switched on the tinted windows and the overhead lights for reading. The bus became dimmer and quiet as everyone fell into a restless slumber. I was hoping to be so lucky. Logan's lips brushed my temple and cheek and my eyes popped open. I'm never going to be able to sleep with him distracting me. I looked up at him and placed a finger on his lips to stop him. He grabbed my hand and kissed my palm softly. I touched my finger to my lips and tapped them twice. He feigned confusion and cocked his head to the side. I laughed softly and twined my hand around the back of his neck pulling him into me. His silky hair curled around my fingers and his lips pressed softly to mine. He hesitated at first making sure it was okay then pressing his lips harder to mine, crushing our bodies together. His hands ran up and down my back leaving a trail of tingles. I pulled back to gasp for breath and his lips moved to my jaw line, pulling the back of my hair to expose my neck.
"Wow. Kinky." I jerked back, surprised to find anyone awake. Jaime was peaking over the top of the seat in front of us, his hair ruffled from sleep.
"Shut up." Logan waved his hand at Jaime to shoo him away but he kept leering at me, searching me up and down. I felt somehow exposed. Like he could see right through me."
"Me, you, back of this van when we stop for dinner." He winked at me seductively. I winked back and grinned.
"Oh yea baby. I can't wait." Logan coughed to hide his laugh and Jaime turned away dismally. I leaned back into him and closed my eyes content to just lay there. Soon, I fell asleep in his arms wishing for a restful slumber. No more nightmares Elle, you promised.
I knew I wasn't going to be that lucky…