Jason a pupils constricted in shock as he rushed to Hannah, finally reing the red gash across her cheek
flood stained glass shards buried the four and the
He whipped this head toward Kelery, his expression thunderous. The tenderness tha replaced by a cold fury that made her stomach drop
1fbickered in Boceyes just momenti sps in the clinde was gone,
“What the hell did you do?!”
Kelsey’s face had dramed of all color. The accusation hit her like a physical law, driving the air from her lungs Sheet imagined Hannali would go to such extreme lengths–to but herself and frame Kelsey for . The calculated cruelty of the act left her momentarily speechless
“I didn’t do anything,” she finally said, her fists clenched at her sides as she met Jason’s gue. Her nice trembled but held firm. “This waist me
But Jason wasn’t listening. His eyes had already made their judgment. Without hesitation, he scoped Hannah into his arm, cradling her as though were made of glass, Hannah nestled against his chest, shooting Kelsey a look of triumph through her crocodile tears
Tyler. Derek, and Bryce stood frozen in shock before one of them called our
“Staw about Harbour? What should we do with her?”
Jason paused for a moment, turning back to glance coldly at Kelsey. The icy contempt in his eyes made her shiver.
“Teach her a lesson for me.”
Then he carried Hannah away without looking back.
Kelsey stood paralyzed, the words echoing in her head. For months, the bad given Jason everything–her trust, her heart, her body. And he had just handed her over to his drunken friends like she was nothing Less than nothing
The guys exchanged uncertain glances, predatory excitement slowly spreading across their faces,
“Teach her a lesson? Does that mean we can do whatever we want with her?”
These hockey players had been eyeing Kelsey for months. She had felt their states during practices, seen the way they looked at her in the hallways Unlike Hannah’s straightforward beauty. Rebey’s contrast–seemingly innocent in public bat supposedly wild in private–was what drove them crazy with desire.
Now, drunk and emboldened by Jason’s words, they surrounded Keley, grabbing her arms. Their fingers dug painfully into her skin, leaving marks she knew would bruise by morning- if she made it to morning.
Kelsey fought back frantically, screaming. Terror coarsed through her veins, turning her blood to ice. This egoldn’t be happening. Not here. Not like
“What are you doing? Let me go! I’ll call the police?”
But the drunk testosterone furled teenagers weren’t listening. Their eyes were glazed, their grips tightening as they laughed at her struggles.
“Stop acting so innocent! Stan’s already had his way with you What’s wrong with sharing with his friends?”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t have cut Hannah’s face. We’re just following Stan’s orders to teach you a lesson.”
“Let’s at least get some pictures for proof!”
could smell the
They laughed as they pinned Kelsey down, puting at her clothes. The fabric of her bleuse strained agat their graspag band. alcohol on their breath, feel the weight of their bodies pressing her down, la that moment. Kelsey thought of every self defense class she’d ever skipped, every warning her mother had ever given her shout boys like these
She tried to fight back, kicking and scratching, but was helpless against so many of them. Tears of desperation welled in her eyes blurring her visan. A silent prayer formed on her lips.
12:13
Also in Love with You: Before That Cruel Summer Took Everything
How could you do this to me.
just as they were about to tear her blouse open, the door burst open again. Through her tears, Kelsey saw a familiar silhouette.
Jason charged in.
Witherat a word, he tore the looys oft af Kelony one by me, his fists connecting with faces and stomachs until they were all on the floor. His ans were precise, efficient, fueled by a rage she’d never witnessed before–not even when he’d beaten the boy who photoshopped her pirties
Then he gathered Kelsey lost his arms, his tech suddenly gentle.
She looked up at him, unable to reconcile this savior with the same person who had abandoned her moments ago. The cognitive dissonance was too mach. Her body, recognizing she was finally safe, gave in to the shock
But the terror of the situation had nerwhelmed her, and Kelsey’s on darkened as she lost consciousness, Jason’s panicked voice fading as darkness claimed her.
When Kelsey regained consciousness, she was in the hospital.
A nurse with kind eyes noticed her stirring. “You’re okay, honey, just fained from shock, that’s all.”
Kelsey blinked, disoriented. The sterile white ceiling above het swarm into focus as the memories Booded back Her body felt heavy connected, as though it belonged to someone else.
The person who brought me here–where are they?
The nurse smiled knowingly, adjusting Kelsey’s IV.
“That handsome boy? He dropped you off, then went to be with his girlfriend.
“Between us,” she continued, “you don’t often see boys that good–looking who are so devoted. His girlfriend’s face was barely scratched, nothing serious, but he was beside himself with worry. Hasn’t left her side, taking care of her personally”
Kelsey went still as understanding dawned. A hollow feeling spread through her chest
Jason had gone back to Hannah
Of course he had. She almost laughed at her own nalety. For a moment, when he’d rescued her, she’d thought… but no. He’d simply been cleaning up his mess, nothing more.
Her heart now too numb to feel anything more, she discharged herself and returned to her dorm.
Tomorrow, she would be gone. The plane ticket in her desk drawer was her only comfort now–her escape from this nightmare.
It was late evening by the time she finished packing her belongings. Each item she placed in her suitcase felt like shedding a piece of her old life, her old self
Kelsey was saying goodbye to her roommates when Zoe suddenly rushed to the window with a gasp
“Oh my God: Kelsey, look! It’s your boyfriend!”
Confused, Kelsey joined her at the window and saw Jason standing below.
Thousands of rose petals formed a heart shape on the lawn, with candles spelling out the letter “K” The flames flickered in the evening breeze, casting dancing shadows across the quad. Students were gathering around, phones out, recording the spectacle.
Jason was down on one knee, looking up toward Kelsey’s window.
When he spotted, her face, his expression brightened, and he shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.
Chapter)
“I messed up, kele Please forgive met
Chapter 9
