Chapter 2 Serious

Ohio, I had no one until my aunt got involved. Here, I only had her and Jax. — You mean when she lost custody of me and I had to go live with my aunt or just be another abandoned child thrown into the system? He sighed deeply, knowing I was right. Jax wasn't going to win this argument. My mother could try to find me until she was exhausted, but I wouldn't give her the time of day. In my eyes, she was as dead as my father's sperm donor. I never met him. He left us after she said she was pregnant with me. At least that's what she always said when I asked about him. Although I didn't ask often. Especially as I got older and realized what my mother was. - Listen. — Jax persuaded. — I'm not trying to tell you what to do. - Serious? Because it sure looks like you are. You have no idea what she put me through. — I know enough. - You do not know anything. He tried to take the bottle from my hand, but I swallowed another drink instead. — I don't like seeing you like this, Kinley. - Excellent. — I shrugged. —Then don't look. Before he could respond, I pulled away from him. I was furious that he was mentioning her when all I was trying to do was forget the fact that she thought I'd want to talk to her, let alone see her. She meant nothing to me, and I was mostly upset that she was making Jax and I argue. Besides my aunt, he was the only person I could count on. I met him on the first day of sixth grade, which was also my first day at a new school, and I swear he could smell my fear. It was a running joke between us. I was very shy at the time, I wasn't used to having friends. When it came time to choose a partner in science class, I looked around the room in a panic, not knowing anyone. Until a boy with kind eyes hovered over my table, asking if I wanted to be his partner for the rest of the school year. There was something about him that made me smile, and at that point in my life, I couldn't remember the last time I had smiled. However, rumors of our friendship served as the basis for school gossip. Everyone thought we were making out behind closed doors, but that wasn't true. We weren't. It wasn't like that between us. We were just best friends. Jax was on the football team and played quarterback since he was six years old. My best friend was incredibly handsome and had absolutely no problem scoring points with the girls, on and off the field. While I remained single, never having a boyfriend. I didn't feel like I needed one. I had Jax, and that was good enough for me. He lived close to my house, and since my aunt was constantly working in the ER as a nurse, Jax and I spent a lot of time together. We slept in each other's beds more times than I could remember, which was probably why gossip ran rampant in our hallways. It wasn't a big deal. I was used to people talking about me since they knew I lived with my aunt and my mother wasn't around. No one knew why, however, and it only piqued their interest in wanting to continue gossiping about me. My aunt bought us a beautiful house in a nice neighborhood that reminded me of the movie Pleasantville. It didn't take me long to discover that everyone knew each other in this city. Completely opposite to the hustle and bustle of Cleveland, where everyone kept to themselves. When she decided we were going to move, she chose the first place her finger landed on the map. Luckily, the hospital in Fort Worth was looking for a new RN, and she fit the bill, working all kinds of crazy hours, so I didn't see her much. Yet another reason I was grateful for my friendship with Jax. He also came from a broken home. His parents divorced when he was younger, and neither of them were around much, so we found family in each other. Pushing the thoughts aside, I drank more as I entered the forest I was unfamiliar with. It was almost like I was entering a different world. Tree after tree filled my surroundings as the forest came alive with the sounds of animals. As the smell of smoke and marijuana began to fade, I realized how deeply I actually was in 1 In the US there are several credentials to categorize nursing. A Registered Nurse (RN) is responsible for completing medical treatments as requested, as well as being involved in the diagnostic process. middle of nowhere. — Shit. — I whispered to myself, looking around. Hoping to find the sense of direction from where I came. I must have gotten lost, ending up in a hole. — Well, look what we have here. someone whispered behind me, making me stumble against a tree as he caged me with his arms around my head. — I've never seen you before. I would remember such a beautiful face and such an incredible body. — He said harshly close to my face, exuding the smell of drink and marijuana. - What is your name? I didn't recognize this guy, and the longer I stood there, the faster my heart beat in my chest. —Kinley. — I replied, feeling much more vulnerable than before. — Such a beautiful name, for such a beautiful girl. What are you doing alone in the woods, darling? Don't you know you might come across a bear or a wolf? — Ummm... right. I need to go back. — I dodged him to leave, but he blocked my advance. — You don't have to leave. I'm here now. I widened my eyes. - I want to leave. — I tried to move again, but he wouldn't let me. — No, I'm not done with you yet. — Understand one thing – I’m not interested. — I bet I can make you interested. — If you don't let me out, I'm going to scream. He smiled. — I'm going to make you scream properly, only it will be my name. I turned my face away as he leaned in to kiss me as the sound of another voice echoed through the forest, shouting, “Frank! Leave her alone! You're scaring her, you idiot! I have never been so relieved to hear a stranger's voice as I was at that moment. I let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding when he stepped back and turned around. We both looked in the direction where the voice had come from. There was a tall, strong guy with dark hair standing a few feet away from us. I couldn't make out who he was yet. It was very dark. — Mind your own fucking business, Christian. This has nothing to do with you. Christian? Was that Christian Troy? Walking towards us, he smiled, looking at me before nodding at Frank. — Do you want to stay here with him? I looked between one and the other, saying. — Umm... no. Christian laughed, smiling widely. It was Christian Troy. He was one of the most popular guys at our school. I couldn't help but smile back at him, feeling relieved that he was there with me in that moment. This was the first time he said a word to me. I thought he didn't even know I existed. The reassuring expression on his face kept attracting me. When he caught me looking at his defined arms and broad chest, I blushed and looked back at Frank. - Oh I see. — Frank joined the conversation. “Do you want to go out with him instead?” And that? Because I'll tell you right now, he doesn