Chapter two
hundred and thirteen:
Jen walked
beside Luke through some of the dirt-biking trails on the Hanson’s property.
Aside from some muddy patches, it was a perfect walk for a warm summer day.
Jen folded her
arms around herself.
“Luke…” She
began. “Please don’t be mad at me. I know I should have told you… I just knew
that you were busy with school and work, and I didn’t want you to have to worry
about me. You know? I knew if I told you, you would insist on flying out, and
there was really nothing you could have done to help. The boys took care of it,
and there was plenty of security around…”
Luke stopped and
the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. “I know. I’m just a little hurt
that you kept it a secret from me, you know? I want you to feel like you can
tell me anything.”
Jen suddenly
felt sick to her stomach.
“I know you were
trying to do the right thing, and I don’t want to fight with you about this.”
He put his arms around her waist and held her close. “And I know that you’re
going to hate having to be followed around by a body guard and stuck in the
house all of the time, but I want you to be safe… I’m always going to worry
about you because I’m crazy about you.” He gently kissed her forehead.
Jen smiled. He
knew exactly what to say to make her feel better.
“I mean, on one
hand, I can understand why you didn’t tell me, but on the other, I’m just a bit
mad that you didn’t tell me.”
“I’m sorry.” She
said honestly, tucking her head beneath his chin.
Luke smiled
slightly. “Maybe I should get you back to the house.”
“No, please.”
She pleaded. She wanted to enjoy her freedom for as long as she could before it
was taken away from her.
“Alright…. But
try and do me one favor?”
“Okay…”
“Try to behave
when this whole bodyguard thing happens?”
Jen began to
protest, but he stopped her.
“I know it
sucks, and it’s a pain in the ass, but inevitably it’s for the best.”
Jen smiled.
“Just remind me of that in a couple of weeks when I’m going insane.”
“I will.” He
laughed. “Should we get back to the house?”
“I guess so.
We’ll have to go back eventually. They might send a search party.”
Luke laughed. “How about this then? We invite Zac and Becky on a double
date. We could go see a movie.”
Jen smiled. “Sounds great.”
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Becky was
standing in her new bedroom for the next two weeks. It was a small rose colored
room with two twin beds on opposing walls. They each had a dresser and a
nightstand with a lamp perched on top. There was one desk which matched the
entire bedroom set. It was what Becky imaged dorm rooms looked like.
The only plus
side to the room was that she and Jen had their own bathroom.
Becky turned,
with hands still firmly planted on her hips and looked across the hall to Zac’s
closed door.
He was only a
few feet away, but it felt like miles, especially after sleeping next to
someone for so long.
She heard a
knock at the door and turned the upper part of her body at the waist to see Zac
standing in the doorway.
“Am I
interrupting?”
“No,” She
smiled. “I was just thinking about getting a bottle of water.”
“Me
too.”
Becky raised her
eyebrows. “Really?”
“No.” He
laughed. “But your idea was good. Come on, I’ll go with you to the kitchen.”
“Okay.” Becky
followed him from the room and down the hall.
She smiled and
tentatively took his hand.
Zac paused to
let her catch up to his stride. “Everything okay?”
“Fine.” She smiled.
Upon arriving in the kitchen, Zac opened the fridge and removed a bottle of
water, placing it on the island countertop. Becky lifted herself onto one of
the stools and twisted the cap off.
“So, anything
special you want to do in
“Not particularly.
I just want to hang out.”
“Straw?”
Becky shook her
head. “No thanks.”
“Okay. That’s
easy enough.” He popped the tab on a can of coke.
The kitchen door
opened and Jen stepped in, followed by Luke.
“Hi, guys.” Jen
said, sitting next to Becky.
“Want anything?”
Zac asked.
“Yeah, I’ll get
a coke.” Luke replied.
“Nothing for me,
thanks.” Jen replied.
Zac tossed Luke
a coke from the fridge. Luke caught it easily in one hand, triumphantly.
“Do you have any
plans tonight?” Luke asked, glancing from Zac to Becky.
“Not
yet, Becca?” Zac
responded.
“No, what have
you got in mind?” Becky asked, sipping her water intently.
“Well, Jen and I
thought we could all go see a movie tonight. The four of us.”
“That sounds
great!” Becky put her arm around Jen’s shoulder. “This will be so much fun!”