Fifty-Five

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Leah

"I hate you." I sneered to Kayla over the phone.

"I'm assuming that it didn't go well." She said. "Judging by your tone."

What do you think? After abandoning me.

"If you consider him walking out on the conversation as not 'going well' then yes. It didn't go well." I spat taking a gulp of my latte. I was still seated in the coffee shop where both Kayla and Nate left me.

I knew I was taking my frustration out on her, but I needed to vent.

As soon as Nate left, I picked up the phone and called Kayla. I needed the comfort of my best friend after losing my other one.

And I wasn't going to leave my pumpkin bread.

"Give him time. He'll come around." Kayla said slightly muffled. It sounded like she was trying to do something while on the phone. "Did she have to get such a big painting?" She grumbled to herself.

Maybe she wasn't lying after all.

"I don't know, Kay." I muttered fidgeting with the napkin on the table. "It doesn't seem like he will."

"It's a fresh wound. Just let him take his time to heal. Ah! Yes it fits!" She exclaimed in happiness.

Gross. Happiness. I know I'm bitter right now.

I grabbed my latte and decided to take it to go. I walked out the coffee shop and was greeted with a cool crisp breeze. It was refreshing, relaxing and it felt like all my worries left with it.

I took a moment and closed my eyes to enjoy the feeling. It was one I didn't want to let disappear. Uplifting, calming.

Let it go. He will come around. Eventually.

I could only hope.

"Did you really have a painting to pick up?" I asked while walking down the sidewalk and glancing into a boutique to see what they had. I decided a little window shopping wouldn't hurt.

"Girl." She said a bit breathlessly. "I don't know who gave my mother the idea of getting a huge two piece painting for the entryway, but she ended up getting it. Now every time I walk to and from the front door I will have an elephant staring me down. A gold elephant to be exact."

I chuckled. Kayla's mom was known for her unique art pieces. "Oh I can't wait to see this one."

She scoffed. "I'm still getting use to having a red tiger eyes glaring at my every move when I go to the bathroom. I know that thing is judging me. Especially when I have to poop."

I laughed. I could only imaging Kayla glaring back at the painting every chance she got.

"Gotta go. I need to make sure I don't damage this thing." We said our goodbyes and made her promise to send me a picture once that painting is hung up.

I slipped my phone into my back pocket and decided to head into the boutique for this cute sweater I saw. Window shopping always leads to buying. Always.

Don't do it kids.

"Leah Tate." A voice said causing me to stop dead in my tracks. An icy chill ran down my spine.

That voice.

I turned around and was met with piercing green eyes. And my heart dropped right to the floor. A sense of fear filled me.

Damian.

Dominic DeLuca's right hand.

He stood a few feet away from me. I was thankful for the distance. His dark hair was slicked back. He stood tall with his hands stuffed in his dark jacket pockets. Those tattoos that I visually remembered all covered, being protected from this cool weather.

A devious smile lined his lips. "So glad you remember me."

How could I forget? His presence was one I never wanted to encounter again.

"What do you want?" I finally was able to say in a steady tone. I was shaken by him and a part of him knew it. I didn't want to show weakness. I can't show weakness.

He let out a low dark chuckle. "Why do you think I want something?"

Why else would you be speaking to me?

I arched a brow. That gesture was gutsy on my part. He held his hands up in surrender, but the devilish smile stayed. "Just a favor, actually."

A favor?

What kind of favor would this man need from me?

"Just pass this message along, let your boyfriend know that he's a getting a little messy with his search. An amateur at best." He tsked. "I'm being graceful and politely telling him to back off. If he knows what's good for him and the people around him." Damian said menacingly.

Play dumb.

Act like you don't know anything.

"First off, I have no clue what you're talking about. Second, Jace is not my boyfriend. We're not that close." I said coldly.

"Mhm." He hummed. His piercing green eyes studying my features, trying to find a hint of a lie within them. I kept a neutral face. He took a step toward, closing the distance between us. I felt my anxiety heightened to a new level. "You know lying is bad for the soul. If he wants to play this kind of game, it will not end well for him or you."

"Is that a threat?" I asked my eyes narrowed into a glare. My nerves were starting to seep through my voice, but the anger built up in me.

He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets once more and lean down to my eye level. "I don't use threats. This is a promise. You want to keep everyone you care about safe, like your mother who works so tirelessly at the hospital day in and out and your blonde friend? Stay out of this. Keep snooping and you will not like what you will find. Or what you will find yourself in."

My heart wanted to explode with all the emotions racing through me. Anger, frustration and purely terrified. I kept my eyes trained on him, not blinking for a second. Afraid that if I do, he would do some type of harm.

He stepped back. "Consider this my official warning. The next time I won't be as graceful." The tension in the air was so thick I was surprise I wasn't suffocating on it.

"Is everything okay over here?" An approaching person asked. I'm sure the tension between us could be felt by the whole town.

I looked over to see Jax Livingston. He was the captain of the school's basketball team and the one that threw that very eventful party. His blonde hair was swept across his forehead. His eyes filled with concern.

Shit.

I plastered a smile onto my face. Hoping it was convincing. "Hey Jax. Everything is good here."

He didn't look too convinced, but didn't pressed any further. "If you're not busy." He said glancing over to Damian who had his eyes still on me. "Can I steal you away for a bit? I need your help with a gift idea."

I glanced over to Damian. "I was just leaving." He said and gave me a knowingly look. I knew what that meant. Don't forget what I said.

He turned on his heels and started to walk in the opposite direction away from us. I felt my shoulders starting to relax with each step Damian took away from us.

I turned my attention to Jax. "Thanks." I gave him a small smile. He didn't question me, he didn't push. He just returned my smile.

"Anytime." Was all he said.

I turned to walk away, but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't think so." Jax said. "I actually need your help with a gift."

I quirked a brow. That was true?

"Okay." I answered uncertainly.

Jax opened the door to the boutique and gestured for me to enter. I reluctantly walked in. It was the least I could do since he practically saved me from danger.

We walked around the store looking at items. "Who is the person you are trying to find a gift for?"

"A girl actually." He said briefly as his eyes skimmed the jewelry case. "You know her, Nicole Clarke."

My eyebrows shot up. Jax and Nicole are a thing?! No wonder it didn't work out with Kayla.

"Wipe that look off your face." Jax said with his eyes still trained on the case in front of him. "It's not what you think, she's actually my cousin." He picked up a pair of pearl earrings and examined them.

I choked on my own saliva. What!? They're cousins?? I had no clue!

"You guys are cousins?" I asked incredulously. "How did I not know that?"

He chuckled. "Because you don't pay attention." He took a dig at me. "Everyone knows we're related in school. And just to throw this out there, she has her eyes on someone."

Where the hell have I been!?

"She's my annoying cousin, but she's like a sister I never had. Her birthday is coming up and I wanted to get something nice." I handed him a set of pearl and diamond earrings. "These?" He asked with a boyish grin.

I couldn't help the smile that made its way to my face. Aww, that was sweet! "I think she'll love them." I told him.

"Good. Cause she can be an expensive brat." He muttered and I chuckled.

Wait till you see the price tag on those.

He told the sales associate that he will take them. "I'm throwing her a small gathering by the lake. You should come." He offered.

"Oh, no. I couldn't impose." I told him.

"I insist. Especially since you picked her gift." He gave me a look I couldn't say no to.

I sighed. "Okay. I'll think about it."

"Bring Kayla." He offered and I arched a brow. "If it will make you feel a whole lot more comfortable."

The slight redness on his cheeks told me he wanted her there.

"I'll let her know." I finally said after some thought.

The sales associate approached with the wrapped gift and Jax handed his credit card to pay. "Good. I'll text you the details. Consider this my payment." He was referring to earlier.

I smiled, but gave him an eye roll. "Fine."

"Awesome. I'll text you the info." He grabbed the bag and was about to leave.

"Wait." I said stopping him. "How do you have my number?"

"I have my ways." He winked playfully and I shook my head. Of course.

He said goodbye and walked out the boutique. Not even a second later my phone ding with a text. Yes it was Jax with the info on the gathering. Wow he was quick.

As much as I wanted to focus my attention on being a normal teenager who just got invited by the captain of the school's basketball team to party, my mind was stuck on the moment not too long ago with Damian.

His words replay in my head like a broken record.

His promise.

We're too far in now.

Everyone we love is involved in this.

There's no turning back now.

***

Hello loves!

Do we all remember Jax? What do we think about him? Omg is Kayla in a love triangle of her own??

You are not gonna want to miss next chapter 👀

Don't forget vote (60 votes for the next chapter) and comment (45 comments for the next chapter)

Lisa S.


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