Easing back to look at me, his eyes softened. “Maybe I should check and see if the coast is clear, since the library’s about to close. Who knows how long it’ll take to break up a football fight.”
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. He’s dangerous.” Something gnawed at my gut, something akin to dread, but I pushed it back. Instead, I squeezed his hand. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear that.” His face lit up, those silvery eyes twinkling at me. Puffing out his chest, he said, “I got this. You stay right here. I’ll be back in a sec.”
His fingers brushed my cheek before he disappeared out the back door.
I stared at the bookshelf in front of me. The titles blurred together until it made my head hurt. Now it looked like Will was on my side, and Bryan abandoned my team—like black had suddenly become white.
Ten minutes passed as I waited, checked my cell, and waited some more. Not a word from anyone, Will, Bryan, or Shanda. A vortex of nothing.
I paced back and forth until I reached the last aisle, racking my brain for some kind of plan.
That’s when the lights shut off, an announcement blaring over the loudspeaker. The words sounded like a Charlie Brown cartoon, but one word stuck out, closed.
Where was Will? Had he abandoned me, or worse, what if Jake had gotten ahold of him?
I tiptoed to the back door, pressing my face against the glass. Nothing but darkness and more darkness outside. If I didn’t leave now, I’d be stuck in the library.
Maybe I could sneak into the woods and skirt the edges of the brush back to my dorm. I had angel power after all, even if I didn’t really know how to use them yet. It was worth a shot.
I opened the back door just wide enough to slip out sideways. Cold air whipped around me, still smelling like snow. I had to make it back to my dorm, fast—without getting caught.
I hugged the bricks with my back and darted across the darkest part of the open lawn until I reached the woods. I made it! I almost jumped for joy. I crunched into the dry grass, staying in the shadows of the treeline.
A familiar melody sang through the night air, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, like a siren. A stalker siren. I smacked my forehead. How could I forget to silence my stupid phone?
Behind me, footsteps rustled in the underbrush. Was Jake waiting for me in the woods? I couldn’t let him sneak up behind me, so I raced back to the library and banged on the doors. They rattled, but wouldn’t open. Why did they have to lock everything?
I spun back around. And there he was, dead ahead, face shadowed in the lamppost light. The ex I’d moved a thousand miles to escape was staring me in the face. So who was crunching through the woods behind me?
Chapter 29
I stared at Jake coming toward me across the dead lawn, not knowing what to feel first. All those memories swirled inside me, the shock and horror of watching him kiss Becca, the sheer hatred seething inside me when they spread those rumors.
I tried so hard to let it go, to move on, but it had happened all over again with someone I really cared about. It was all Jake’s fault, and I couldn’t let it go this time.
“What are you doing here?” I narrowed my eyes and jutted out my chin, balling up my fists, fight face on. I wouldn’t slink back into the shadows this time.
Nebulous specters hovered near him, their murky tendrils hovering over his sandy head. “It’s good to see you, Lucy. I just want to talk.”
He took two steps toward me, I took two steps back.
“No.” I locked my gaze on his, shaking my head so hard my neck cracked. “You know, Jake, I’ve had enough of you just showing up and demanding things from me. I don’t want to talk to you. What I said at Thanksgiving is still true. I don’t ever want to see you again. Why can’t you get that through your head?”
Adrenaline coursed through my veins. It felt good to finally stand up to him.
“I just wanted you to hear my side of the story, Luce.” His voice came out gruff, especially when he said Luce—way more creepy than sweet. “If you just listen to what I have to say, maybe you’ll come back with me. I really miss you.”
He flashed me that almost-innocent smolder he’d used on me so many times before. Now he looked more like a snake charmer. He lunged forward, his hand grabbing mine.
All of my emotions surged with adrenaline, congealing in a power I’d never felt before.
“Don’t call me Luce.” I shook off his grip, stepping back again. “And I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“What if I told you I found your brother?” In the light of the lamppost his eyes were different, changed somehow. He looked haunted, not like himself.
Smoke practically fumed from my nostrils. “Do you really expect me to believe you found James?”
His face fell, and I had my answer.
“He’s in Europe. I can take you to him if you just come with me.” He turned those ghostly eyes on me, edging closer.
“Yeah, right.” Couldn’t he take a hint? I backed up again, my shoulders jamming into something solid.
Rough tree bark snagged my hair. It was the same tree, the tree that marked the start of my new life at Montrose. Funny, now it might see the end of it.
I probed my fingers into the bark, my arms stretching as far as they could. Nothing within reach, not even a branch to swing at him. Fear pricked at my newfound courage, but if I didn’t lay into
