11. Monstrous Chops

11

Monstrous Chops

" H i," I say shyly as I jump into the passenger seat of Jack's truck. I didn't plan how Jack and I would interact after last night, but now that I'm seeing him, I have no clue how to behave. It's like I'm back in my high school body, feeling a combination of giddiness and nervousness that make me want to vomit.

"Good morning." He smiles at me, his cheeks rosy, and his eyes sparkle. "I got you a coffee." He offers me a cardboard cup.

"Oh, thanks." I take it from him, grateful I have something to fidget with during this drive. I face straight ahead and take a sip, not wanting to get lost in his eyes.

Jack's gaze burns into the side of my cheek, but after a few moments, he returns his attention to his truck and pulls out of Granny's driveway.

"So, how did you sleep?" I don't have to look at him to know he's smirking.

"Fine." I lie. "How about you?"

"Eh. It could have been better. It felt a little lonely."

I smile, still staring straight ahead. "Is that so? Maybe you should get a dog or something."

"Nah, I'd rather have a different type of company." His hand finds its way to my thigh.

My mission this morning was to use my body to get Jack to do what I want, but now that I'm near him, I know that can't be the case. He's not just some random guy in New York. He's my childhood best friend, my childhood love. We'll all end up getting too attached for our own good, including Granny.

I snap my attention to him and brush him off, my cheeks burning. "Jack, listen. I don't know if what happened last night was a good idea." The fire burning in my core begs to differ, but I ignore it.

He nods but doesn't reply .

"I'm glad we talked about everything and cleared the air, but it's just too complicated at this point. I feel it wouldn't be a "no strings attached" type of situation with you and me, and I live in New York. The only reason I'm here is to figure out about these attacks." My mouth hates the words coming out of my mouth, and my body begs me to shut up so I can just fuck around and fulfill all my lifelong fantasies, but I'm an adult. I need to act like one. "If you don't want to help me, that's fine. I won't blame you, but I want you to know I will contact Cameron again to get his help."

I don't know if it's my refusal of him or the mention of Cameron, but his brows furrow, and he clenches his jaw. "Red, I told you this is dangerous. Can't you just trust me to stop digging into this?"

"It's obviously not dangerous enough for you to be involved. Can't you tell me what you know so I don't have to run out into the woods by myself and put myself in danger?"

He doesn't reply; he just keeps his eyes fixed on the road.

I want to beg, but what more can I say? He's either going to help me, or he's not. I can't manipulate him into telling me something he doesn't want to. We have too much history for that.

We don't speak again until we reach the clearing and my parked car. It's not until he switches his car into park that he addresses me. "I care about you, Red. I always have, but some things are better for you not to know about."

His words should make me swoon, but I can't stand how small he makes me feel. "You don't think I can handle myself?" I scoff, turning to him with examining eyes.

He watches me, shaking his head softly, his eyes low as if he's sorry for me.

I shake my head. "I don't need protecting." I jump out of the truck and slam the door, heading for the clearing to look for my keys. Maybe it's best we don't muddy up our relationship. I'm too independent for him, and his protection feels a little too suffocating.

"Red, wait!" Jack runs after me, but I'm already through the dense trees.

I turn over my shoulder to yell at him. "I'm tired of you treating me like a child. I don't need anyone to help…"

A low growl stops me in my tracks. I whip my head forward and am met with a pair of glowing, golden eyes looking down at me. The beast stands a foot taller than me and only a hundred yards away. It licks its monstrous chops before howling and charging toward me.