Page 10 of A Little Jaded
As I make my way toward Raine, I spot the crown of her head above the half-wall again. Her hair is pulled into a high ponytail, wisps of brown frame her face, and her black T-shirt hugs her curves. No sunglasses this time. The bruise around her eye is either covered with makeup or starting to fade. It’s probably a combination. No new damage, at least. That’s something.
Pen in hand, she swirls the tip over paper, her mouth lifting as she focuses on whatever she’s drawing. She’sprettier than I remember. Less guarded. Like she’s lost in her own head. Her problems finally on the backburner, unlike the first time we met.
As if she can feel my stare, she looks up and freezes.
“Hello again,” I greet her.
“You.”
“Me,” I return dryly.
She looks around the parlor, then turns back to me. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to check on you.”
“I don’t need anyone checking on me.”
“Your fading black eye says otherwise.”
Lips bunched, she stands from the swivel chair she was straddling, grabs the sleeve of my jacket, and tugs me to the empty seat. It almost reminds me of a chair you’d find in a dental office. Once I’m seated, she lets me go and drops her voice low. “Look, I know you’re trying to be thoughtful and everything, but really, you’re coming off as an arrogant ass, so I think it’s best if I handle this on my own. You need to leave.”
“Look, I’m sorry for how I acted?—”
“I don’t care, okay? It doesn’t matter anyway, but if anyone sees you?—”
“Will you let me finish?” I snap. “I’m trying to apologize.”
“I don’t need your apology. I need you to leave.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not lea?—”
“This isn’t about you,” she seethes, collapsing into the chair across from mine. “Lockwood Heights is a small town. They’re all about their hockey, and they’re all about supporting LAU, right?”
I nod, confused. “Yeah?”
“Well, Cedar Springs is the same way. Grover University might be the underdog in this region, but we’re equally as passionate, and I have no doubt there’s already buzz aboutseeing one of LAU’s best players less than a mile from the Grizzlies’ campus. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
“You’re saying it’s only a matter of time until word gets out that I’m here.”
“Exactly. And that you’re talking to me.” She takes a deep breath. “I should’ve never come to see you or Reeves, all right? It was a huge lapse in judgment on my part, but if you really want to help me, you need to leave me alone. Drake is a jealous guy, and thanks to your bullshit lie, he’s already suspicious that I’m cheating on him. Oh, and let’s not forget how our apartment is literally across the street, and one of Drake’s favorite pastimes is popping in to say he’s missed me, so please, just…go.”
The green of her eyes is practically glowing as she stares at me. Pleads with me. Begs me to let her fend for herself when we both know exactly where it’s gotten her. I want to ask so many questions, but mainly? I want to ask why she can’t walk away from him. Why she can’t leave. Why she’s deciding to stay when it’s clearly a terrible idea. But voicing any of my questions aloud feels pointless because it’s obvious she doesn’t want to hear them.
Resigned, I murmur, “Can I use your pen?”
She frowns. “What?”
“Your pen,” I repeat. “And a piece of paper.”
With a huff, she grabs the pen and pad of paper she’d been using and hands them to me. My eyes widen as I take in the sketch she’s creating. Thin blue lines. On-point shading. It’s a tree. Twisted limbs. Molting branches. Sunlight cutting through and casting shadows between the bare patches. It’s fucking insane.
Glancing up at her, I ask, “You drew this?”
She glances down at the paper, then back to me. “It’s only a sketch.”
I look down at the drawing again and shake my head. “Only a sketch, my ass. This is really good, Raine.”
“You’re easily impressed.”