Race Heart

Chapter 4

Dakota's P.O.V:

I woke up and looked at the clock. 4:45 am. I slid out from underneath Jacobs arms and he didn't even stir. I grabbed my backpack and threw jeans and tshirts in it. I slipped on jeans and a tshirt and my work boots. And grabbed my keys and they slipped out of my hands. I cringed and Jacob shot up. I grabbed them and ran out of the door. He stumbled after me. I ran into my truck and locked it. I backed out of the garage. My four wheeler shook in the bed of my truck. I shifted and drove forward. My truck shook again and I sped up and drove down the driveway. I drove out and got on the highway. I drove north until I got up to a small town that no one really knew about. I drove down a backroad and another backroad, then just one more. I pulled up a rough, overgrown driveway and got to my cabin. I parked next to the garage and walked in. I looked at the clock. It was 7:30. Perfect. I opened up the cabinets and grabbed out all the ingredients to make myself a Bloody Mary.

I stirred it all up and turned around putting the glass to my lips.

"Someone's not old enough to be drinking that."

It was Jacob.

"Shut the fuck up! Why the hell are you here?! How?!" I yelled begrudgingly.

"I jumped in your truck. Duh." He said and took the glass from my hand I grabbed another glass and as soon as he tried to pour it out, I placed it underneath so it put the drink back in my new glass. I walked out of the cabin and walked away from him.

"Where do you think you're going?" He said.

"Hell, probably." I said and kept walking. I went and walked up to the lake and looked into it. The trees were turning a perfect shade of orange and red and it reflected off the water perfectly.

I looked at the boat and decided to flip it over. I got in and shoved myself forward with the paddle. I sat down in the boat and relaxed.

"Dakota, please come back here." Jacob called.

"I can protect myself up here, believe it or not." I said and slowed the boat down when I got to the middle. I sat back and drank my drink. He looked at me defeated.

"What, got a problem?" I called.

"That's it!" He said. He took off his shirt and walked into the water. He swam over to my boat and I quickly drank my drink, as he got to the boat. He pulled himself up into the boat and I leaned away so the boat wouldn't tip over. He looked at me I took the beef stick out of my drink and stuck it in my mouth. He stood up in the boat and rocked it. The cool water dripped off of his jeans and his boots looked soaked.

He grabbed me under the arms and stood me up.

"Cold?" I asked.

"Little bit." He said.

"Sucks." I said.
He took the paddle and chucked it into the water.

"Go get it." He said.

"Nah I'd rather not." I said and took a step back. I took off my sweatshirt and set it down. He stepped closer to me and. Grabbed my roughly.

"I said go get it."

"I said, no." I pushed him backwards. He looked at me furiously. And stepped forward like he was gonna dive at me. I flinched and he laughed.

"You really think I'd hurt you?" He asked and I moved my arms away from my face.

"You've injured me enough, so yeah." I looked at him seriously.
He looked hurt.

He stepped forward and hugged me. I hesitantly hugged him back. The boat tipped and I went flying. I collided with the water and sank down. My jeans and my work boots weighed me down and it was difficult to stay afloat. I looked around and saw the paddle and grabbed onto it. It helped me stay up a little better but not much. The water was freezing and my teeth chattered.

Jacob was still in the boat laughing his head off.

"You asshole." I said and left him there and swam to shore.

"Dakota come back don't leave me stuck here!" He yelled. I flipped him off and trudged out of the water, peeled off my sopping wet shirt. I threw it on ground angrily. What a douche bag. I walked up the porch and peeled off my jeans, hanging the m out to dry. My boots were difficult to get off but I managed, somehow. I stood up shivering in my undergarments. I walked in the cabin and grabbed blankets and curled up on the back bed.

Thinking about everything that has happened in the last few days, me winning, Jacob, me jumping off the loft, Riley, a tear escaped my eye. I shivered and cried into the blankets. I heard footsteps coming towards me and I covered my head with the blanket.

"Dakota," Jacob said softly, "I'm sorry.. For everything." I couldn't hide my sniffles. I tried to hold in my sobs but there just wasn't enough strength left in me. He sat down on the bed and put his hand on my arm.

"Please don't cry." He said so softly, with his voice breaking.

I moved the blanket from my face and he pulled me up in front of him. He wiped my tears with his thumb.

"Why are you treating me like this? Making me hurt and not helping and protecting like your fucking job says you're supposed to do?" I said, my voice shaking.

"I was just trying to have fun but I guess I don't know what to do. Dakota you make me nervous because I think you're an amazing girl with an amazing future. You're beautiful. I've never felt this way before and I do not know how to act. I guess quit because my feelings are interfering with my work." He got out his phone and I watched him dial my dads number. He walked off.

I jumped up, threw a shirt on, and ran after him. He was standing next to the porch. I took the phone from his ear and hung up. I set it down and turned him.

While sitting on the edge of the porch I pulled him close to me. I put my hands gently on his bare chest. My whole body shook. He placed his hands on my hips I looked him in the eyes and slowly leaned in. His breathing changed and I stopped.

"Don't quit." I said softly.

"I need you."