Hook, Line & Sinking (Completed)

23. Chance

Yeah you can guess what the title of this chapter means! :-) Enjoy everyone!

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Chance

Matt drove me to school that Monday morning and insisted he pick me up as well. Apparently the Corenth's boat had not shown up yet in any of the known marinas they docked. The entire McLaren family was still on the alert about it; they didn't like not knowing where they were at when this put me at risk. Matt added to that that he didn't trust Jamie either and wanted to make sure the girl wouldn't have another shot at me either.

During school I had a text from my dad asking if I'd be home tonight because he'd still like to talk and if so he'd stick around. I contemplated that for a while but in the end texted him that I'd be home. With my dad in the house, I'd be safe too and he was right, we did have to talk and it was nice to see he was trying; actually staying home for it.

All the same I hesitated in telling Matt about my evening plans, we hadn't discussed where I'd sleep tonight but I was certain that he wouldn't like it. He was in super protective mode it seemed, except for during school he hadn't really left my side since the attack by the Corenths.

Since Dev and Mitch hadn't shared my last class with me that day I was walking on my own to the front gate. I'd already gotten a text from Matt saying that he was outside waiting so I figured it was fine to just walk out on my own instead of waiting for one of the boys like Matt had insisted I do that morning.

I spotted Matt's truck almost immediately and waved at him as he was reaching over to unlock the door for me when Jamie halted me. I was still maybe twenty feet away from the car so I knew Matt could hear and see me with the window open. Jamie had to know it too but she took hold of my arm and sneered, "Wasn't that one lesson enough? Why are you even going near Matt McLaren? He isn't interested in you, he's just being nice because you're friends with Dev!"

Staring at the angry Jamie I was momentarily confused. Was she accosting me like this because of the fact Matt was picking me up? I knew she'd once said that she thought Matt was hot but since that was one of the most obvious things about him I hadn't read anything into it. Was she jealous of me?

"What cat got your tongue?" Jamie hissed, since I hadn't responded and from the corner of my eye I caught Matt staring intently and sliding across the seat. He was going to interfere if I didn't put a stop to Jamie right now, I so did not need him to stand up for me here. "Jamie, unhand me this instant," I told her in a calm and quiet voice. She had no back up like last time and she seemed nowhere near as frightening as dealing with Gavin and the deep water had been like.

She flinched back in surprise, clearly not expecting me to sound so cool and collected. "You stay away from the McLarens, you got that? You don't want me as your enemy!" the girl hissed and I thought it was hilarious that she seemed to think that would stop me from doing anything. "I thought we already were enemies Jamie. What with you and your friends five to one attempting to beat me up... Get a clue, I'm not scared of you. You can't tell me what to do and who to be friends with."

I turned on my heel without waiting to see what she might do and headed straight for Matt's truck. He'd swung open the passenger door for me and I hopped in and closed it, now aware that Jamie was angrily telling me to get back to her, she wasn't done with our conversation. Ignoring her I met Matt's eyes and noticed the excited, amused gleam there. "Wanna rile her up some more?" he asked huskily in an undertone and when I nodded he slid across, wrapped a big hand around the back of my head and leaned in to kiss me.

He held me firmly so I couldn't slip away and pressed eagerly against my mouth, catching my surprised gasp and taking the opportunity to slip his tongue past my lips. The sensations he created were electric and I went from startled and stiff to pliant and soft in an instant. Matt was without a doubt the best kisser I'd ever met and each time I thought he'd pull back and break contact, the pressure and intensity softening, he'd suddenly renew and press even closer.