Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Sailor
This is one of those things that solidifies my feelings—lets me know that I am fully moved on from Sam and only want to be friends with him. And in a way that has nothing to do with Jaxon.
Sam: Can I have your friend’s phone number?
I’ve been staring at the phone so long, giddy, that I start to feel bad. Sam is probably hyperventilating on the other end. He always was shy and nervous, and I know this is a big thing for him.
Me: I’m going to say HELL YES, but let me run it by her first?
Sam: As long as it’s not weird.
Me: Not at all. In fact, it makes me really happy.
Do I think Sam and Amelia would be good together? Yeah, I do. My only two friends? Who doesn’t want that to happen? But Sam is dealing with all this stuff that just happened, with him and me, and him and Jaxon, and me and Jaxon…
And Amelia is enjoying her freedom as a college girl away from home for the first time. She’s going to parties and hooking up with guys.
It’s none of my business what they do or what happens with them, but if I can spark something? I’m going to do it.
Sam is a good guy. Deep down, I’ve always known that and I think it’s why I didn’t want to give up on him—on our friendship.
I know who he really is, and I knew something wasn’t right with him.
Sam had always been there for me, through so many bad things in my life.
Things weren’t easy for a while, and he definitely made them difficult, but I knew that wasn’t him.
I knew something was going on, and I am so glad I stuck it out… because I appreciate Sam as a friend.
It’s clear that Amelia isn’t into the same stuff I am, so maybe it’ll work out. She did say he was hot, and that’s a start.
Of course, she will have to be okay with a long-distance thing… and the fact he’s my ex. Though, as she already knows nothing sexual ever happened.
But even if it did… wouldn’t it be better with a friend than with a stranger?
I think of Amelia and Jaxon and want to murder… so no. Not a good idea.
Let’s just not think about it at all.
Sam: I was worried you’d be mad.
Me: Definitely not mad. Calling her now!
I exit out of my messages and call Amelia.
“Hey, girl. What’s up?”
“So, I have a question for you.” I try to contain my excitement but I don’t think it works.
“You do?”
“Yep.”
“Well what is it?” she urges.
“Can I pass your number on to Sam?”
The line is silent, and I check to make sure the call didn’t disconnect.
“Hello?” I say, when I realize the timer is still going.
“I’m here,” she says nervously.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yep. Loud and clear.”
Then silence again.
I’m so confused.
“Should I not have asked you this?”
“No, it’s not that…”
“Then what is it?”
“I don’t know, Sailor. Isn’t it weird? He’s your ex…”
“Yeah, but barely. It was never that serious.”
“To him it was…”
Shit.
“I guess you’re right.”
“Look, I don’t have an issue with him being your ex. I have no reason to be jealous or anything. I believe everything you say, and I know you’re into Jaxon and not him. But are we sure he’s over you? Are you sure he’s not just doing this as a way to get back at you or something?”
I hadn’t thought of that…
“Honestly, Amelia, I don’t think he would do that.
He’s not that kind of person. Things got weird for a little while, but that was Jaxon’s fault.
Sam is a good guy, and seriously, I don’t think he would do something like that.
I’ve known him for years. But also… it doesn’t need to be serious.
It doesn’t need to be anything. You can also say no. ”
It’s silent again for a little while, then she says, “Fuck it. You’re right! Why am I thinking we need to get married or something?” She laughs. “Give it to him. What’ll it hurt?”
“Yes!” I shout,.
She’s still laughing.
“I’m getting off the phone now so I can text him. When he reaches out, you better tell me or I’ll murder you!”
Her laughing gets louder, and through it, she says, “Bye,” and the call ends.
I go back to my texts and forward Sam Amelia’s number.
Then I sit on the couch and watch TV with a smile on my face for the rest of the night.
I hardly sleep because I’m too excited. Between thinking about Sam and Amelia talking—he texted her right away—and meeting with Jaxon—er, Shadow?
—tomorrow night, I can’t seem to relax. But I need to sleep because I’m going to be up late.
The plan is to meet Jaxon at an abandoned factory at eleven, when it’s quiet and no one is around.
It’s possible homeless people live there and it could be packed with people, but I guess we will have to take that chance.
I’m willing to risk it, and it seems he is too.
I’m sure Jaxon knows the exact place I’m talking about, and if there were an issue with it, he’d come up with some excuse not to do it.
I know him and the way he thinks. He won’t put me in danger.
When I finally fall asleep, I dream of being chased. I can’t see the face of the person coming after me, but I keep running, knowing I have to get away. Something about this feels more dangerous than the game we’ve been playing. Something makes me think this isn’t Jaxon.
I run faster, pumping my arms and legs as hard as I can, yet it seems like I’m not moving at all. It feels like I’m running in place, my bare feet slapping on the cement.
A large hand comes around my neck, yanking me back. My feet come off the ground, and then I’m on it, landing hard on my back. The person is above me. We’re nose to nose, but they’re wearing a mask… a ski mask.
Just like the one Jaxon wore.
Just like the one Shadow wore.
Was it the same one?
How could I have known that it was? They all look the same. It was dark. Would it have mattered? I don’t know. I was thrilled not knowing who Shadow was, but if I had known it was Jaxon then, what would I have done?
I’m not sure because I wasn’t ready to be with Jaxon then. I wasn’t ready to forgive him. I needed time, and now that I’ve had it, I understand what this is. But then? I may have panicked. And it could have ruined everything.
The man on top of me lets out a low growl, and my pussy pulses, arching up to feel his body. He chuckles, running his nose along my jaw.
“Show me,” I whisper.
He ignores me, still rubbing his face against me.
“I want to know,” I say, this time practically begging. “Show me it’s you.”
I need to know for sure… I need to know it’s him.
He reaches his hand up, grasping at the mask at the back of his head. He pulls back just a few inches, and tears the mask off. My mouth drops open in a silent scream because I’m met with nothing but swirling darkness where his face should be.