Racing Hearts [NEW]

CHAPTER 9: CAUGHT IN HIS ORBIT

The evening sky was painted with hues of pink and amber, the sun sinking below the horizon as I made my way through the town's quiet streets. The day had been long, and I was more than ready for my shift at The Brew House—a trendy little café that somehow managed to cater both broke students and the rich kids who wanted to feel bohemian. I'd been working there since my second year of high school. Sure, scholarships covered my tuition, but the rest? That was on me.

The streets were unusually empty, only the occasional passerby drifting by, lost in their own world. I was grateful for the quiet, letting it lull my mind into a sense of calm—until the soft, menacing rumble of an engine broke through the silence. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled a chill creeping down my spine. I glanced over my shoulder. My heart leapt.

A sleek black car—no, the car—was trailing me, its headlights cutting through the fading daylight. Jake's Porsche. The shiny, polished machine practically glowed under the dim streetlights. Okay, this is weird. What the hell was he doing here?

I slowed my pace, each step measured, as I tried to figure out his intentions. My mind raced, churning up a thousand different scenarios, none of them good. Was this some twisted prank? Payback for standing up to him in the cafeteria? As the car inched closer, my pulse quickened, every nerve on high alert.

Just as I was about to spin around and confront him, the Porsche purred to a stop. The door swung open, and Jake stepped out, his signature smirk firmly in place. But this time, there was something different in his expression—something almost... amused.

"You gonna stand there gawking all night or are you gonna get in?" he asked, leaning casually against the car as if he'd just happened to bump into me.

I blinked, the question catching me off guard. "Uh, no thanks," I shot back, crossing my arms defensively. Like I'd ever get into his car.

Jake tilted his head, unfazed by my attitude. That smirk only widened like a cat who had cornered its prey. "Really? You sure? I'm offering you a ride."

My heart pounded, torn between curiosity and a very healthy dose of common sense. The last thing I wanted was to be anywhere near him—especially after his arrogant stunt in the cafeteria. I crossed my arms a little tighter, putting up the barrier between us. "What? So you can drive me off to some cliff and push me over the edge? Yeah, no thanks."

Jake laughed—a rich, genuine sound that somehow managed to make me more uneasy. "Trust me, if I wanted to get rid of you, I wouldn't be so dramatic about it."

Great reassurance. I tried to shake off the unease, but the knot in my stomach tightened. His words were meant as a joke—right? "Look, Jake, I'm fine walking," I insisted, my stance as defiant as I could manage.

His gaze shifted to the darkening street, then back to me, something unreadable flickering in his expression.

The sun had almost completely set, and the street was growing darker, the shadows stretching longer. I hated the vulnerability creeping up on me, the uncomfortable sense of being alone with no one around. I wasn't exactly thrilled about walking alone in the dark.

And Jake wasn't taking no for an answer. He strolled around to the passenger side and opened the door, motioning for me to get in. "Get in, Melissa. Promise I'm not gonna bite."

That grin tugged at his lips again, softer this time, almost genuine. It was unsettling. A gentleman, huh? What was with him today?

For a moment, I just stood there, torn between the impulse to run and the curiosity that always seemed to tug at me when he was around. Every logical part of my brain screamed don't do it, but there was another part—a part I hated—that was drawn to his challenge, that wanted to understand just what game he was playing.

I could practically hear Brianna's voice in my head, warning me against this. Remember, Mel, he's a walking red flag. But here I was, letting curiosity outweigh every logical warning. Why does Crestville mess with my head so much?

With a frustrated sigh, I took a cautious step forward. "Fine. But only because I'm running late for work." I shot him a glare, hoping he could see exactly how little I trusted him. "And if you try anything funny, I swear to God, Jake—"

His laugh was instant, a warm, amused sound. He held the door open like some sort of gentleman, his gaze softening, almost inviting. I slid into the passenger seat, the soft leather cool against my skin as the door shut behind me with a soft click, sealing me in a cocoon of quiet tension. 

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