Fade Into You

Chapter 19

Faye's POV

After school the next day, I texted Kaycee and told her I was heading to the school's gym to work out. The gym here isn't just your average high school setup—it's the kind of place professional boxers, athletes, and bodybuilders would feel right at home in.

Since most of the students here are children of Mafia leaders, gang lords, or people with highly dangerous connections, it only makes sense that the school would provide a gym like this. One where we could blow off steam without using other people as our punching bags.

Thoughtful, right?

I walked down the hallway until I reached the corridor leading straight to the gym. Just as I was about to push open the double doors, they swung open from the inside. A guy with a tattoo on his shoulder stepped out, followed by two others with the same symbol inked into their skin.

Gang members or just three dudes trying way too hard to look intimidating—I wasn't sure. 

They all gave me the same slow look from head to toe, clearly checking me out. I rolled my eyes and pushed my way past them.

I let out a sigh of relief when I found the gym empty. Tossing my small duffel bag on top of a long bench against the wall, I walked over to where the punching bags were lined up. 

I grabbed a pair of red gloves from the box beneath the lockers and slipped them on, rolling my shoulders to loosen up.

My left fist hit the bag first, making it sway, then my right followed. Soon, I found my rhythm, bouncing on the balls of my feet with each solid hit. 

Raspy breaths slipped out of me as the tension started to fade with every punch I landed.

Almost two hour passed before I finally stopped. I grabbed the bag with both hands to steady it, then peeled the gloves off. Slinging my towel over my shoulder, I picked up my bag and left the gym.

When I reached the parking lot, I started digging around in my bag for my car keys. But when I looked up, my heart nearly stopped.

He was leaning against my car.

I froze, teeth clenching hard in irritation. Just the sight of him was enough to ruin my mood. After everything today—his looks, his stares, the way he kept trying to get my attention—I was beyond confused. And annoyed.

"I thought I told you to fuck off?" I shouted, stomping toward my car.

Jonathan looked at me, and of course, his eyes did a full sweep of my body. I was wearing black leggings and a red Nike sports bra with criss-cross straps. My hair was up in a high ponytail, a few damp strands of sweat-stuck hair clinging to my forehead and neck. 

Yeah, I probably looked like a walking thirst trap to guys like him. But that didn't give him permission to stare.

"My eyes are up here, Jonathan." 

His gaze snapped back to my face, and he coughed awkwardly.

"I just wanna talk to you," he said.

I rolled my eyes. 

"Not today, asshole. I need to go home."

He took a step forward. I instinctively stepped back, keeping distance between us.

"Come on, Faye. Just give me a chance to explain."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"Explain what? We already had that conversation—the one where we agreed it was best for you to stay away from me. So what could you possibly have left to say?"

"I want us to start over. Is that really too much to ask?"

I stepped forward, close enough for him to feel the heat in my glare.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Start over? There is no 'starting over' for us. We're done. I'm not interested in being your friend, and I sure as hell don't want anything more than that. Why can't you just accept the fact that I don't want you near me anymore? You already nearly ruined my life—don't ruin my reputation too."

His expression faltered. He looked at me like he was trying not to break. Then he ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"Why are you acting like this? This seems beyond reason. Did Jake say something to you? Is that why you're really mad?"

I frowned. 

"What the hell does Jake have to do with this?"

His jaw tensed. 

"He told you, didn't he? That's why you're pissed. He told you about Sara."

I froze. "Who the hell is Sara?"

His face went blank for a second, then he looked down at his feet and shook his head.

"Nothing. She's no one important."

"Then why even mention her?"

"It just slipped, okay? Forget it."

"Don't fucking lie to me now." My voice dropped. "I want to know who she is and how she's connected to you and my brother. Is she the reason why you and Jake can't stand each other?"

He looked away, shoving his hands into the back pockets of his jeans.

"Can we not do this right now? I didn't come here to talk about the past."

So she is from the past. And clearly, she's a lot more involved in this story than I thought.

"Fine," I said, turning toward my car. "You don't want to talk? Then fuck this. I'm going home."

I reached for the handle, but before I could open the door, he grabbed my hand.

"Why won't you give me a second chance?"

I looked him dead in the eyes. 

"You think it's that easy? Try letting someone play with your heart, lie to you, and leave you broken. Then see how easy it is to forgive and forget."

A darker look crossed his face. He let go of my hand and took a few steps back. Without another word, he turned and started walking—straight off campus.

I stood there, confused and pissed off.

What the hell just happened?

There's something I'm missing here. And I have a feeling my dear brother knows exactly what it is.