The Secret Between Us (Unedited)

17: An Alarming Encounter

Start a War - Brooke Fraser

     Two hours had passed before the jingling of the front door made me look up at my bedroom door where I had been lounging for the past hour.

"Back already?" I shouted as I slipped off of the bed and exited my temporary room.

I crossed my arms over my chest, a faint breeze rushing over me. I was wearing a thin black tank top and a pair of yoga shorts which didn't offer much warmth.

"See, I'm fine." I rounded the corner into the living room. "I thought you would be out long--" I stopped mid-sentence when I met the familiar brown eyes.

Standing on my tip toes, I attempted to look around him. "Where are the other two?"

A small frown was on my lips when I looked back up at Preston.

Shrugging his sweater off, he sighed deeply.

He didn't answer for a few seconds, only rubbed his jaw that was slightly still bruised from yours truly.

"They went to grab dinner," he stated casually.

I nodded in understanding, casting my gaze down to my clothing.

A faint blush threatened to creep up onto my cheeks slowly.

"Oh. So...why are you here?" I hated how my voice had grown quiet--like I was trying to tell him that I didn't mean it in the wrong way. Honestly, I didn't care how he took it.

"Didn't want to," was all he said. He sounded distracted so I allowed myself to look up at him.

The first thing I noticed was that one of his signature cocky smirks was tucking at the corners of his lips. The next thing I noticed were his eyes.

They held some kind of emotion I couldn't place my finger on. I watched as they traveled down my body, making goosebumps appear on my skin. I forced myself to stay still--not to shutter physically.

What the fuck was he doing?

Snapping my fingers harshly, I scowl at him. "Hey, my eyes are up here jackass!"

My harsh tone didn't seem to phase him as I had hoped. He just laughed, stuffing his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

"You shouldn't be wearing so little clothing when you know there are other people staying here," he stated matter-of-factly, amusement dancing in his devilish eyes.

"Hey, don't act like it's my fault! Are you forgetting that I'm your girlfriends best friend?"

I didn't wait for an answer as I spun on my heels and marched back into my room.

"No. I haven't forgotten." He called out.

Rolling my eyes, I rummage through my clothes, in search of a pair of sweats to cover up my legs.

"What is it with guys and legs?" I muttered angrily to myself.

After finding and pulling on a pair, I make my way back out into the living room, placing my hair into a messy bun on the top of my head as I went.

Preston was now stationed on the couch, his feet lazily propped up on the coffee table.

When he saw me, he stopped channel surfing and grinned. He stared at me for a few seconds, not saying anything. Gradually, he turned his attention back to the TV.

A wave of anger filled me dangerously quick.

Why was he such a fucking asshole? Why was he so-so confusing? Why was he fucking here?

Blinded by my rage, I didn't bother to rethink my options before I was stomping towards him, my hands in tight fists at my sides.

When I approached him, I roughly grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at me.

When our eyes connected, there was an emotion that came and went so quickly, I wondered if I really saw it or not. It was the same emotion I just couldn't pin point only minutes ago.

"Now you listen here bud," I started slowly, our faces inches apart.

I forced myself to maintain eye contact, even though all I wanted to do was run for the hills in that moment.

I saw how he gulped--almost like he was nervous.

"I don't know what the hell is wrong with you and I don't know if you've been checked out recently by a professional, but whatever you're doing, know this--"

I inhaled slowly, my grip on his chin not loosening. "--This wonderful contusion on your jaw--" I firmly turned his head, making our eye contact break.

Still gripping onto his chin, I bring my other hand up and trace my fingers along the fading bruise.

"--It may be fading now, but the next time you pull another asshole stunt, of any kind, I can assure you it will be back." Ever so slowly, I turn his gaze to meet mine once again.

With a raised eyebrow, I lean back a few inches. "I'm thinking it might want a buddy, don't you?"

When my words registered, Torez quickly yanked his face away.

His eyes were narrowed as he bit his lower lip lightly. "Now, now, Dolly. Don't get too cocky now. I let you off with a free pass the first time. But it won't happen again."

The way his tone changed from presumptuous to stone cold had me reeling back.

No! That's not how it was supposed to go! I was supposed to make him teeter--not me.

Well, what the hell did you expect? It's Preston fucking Torez you dip! He always, always wins.

I was really really starting to hate my thoughts.

Thankfully I didn't have to string together a superior comeback before the front door swung open.

When Kat's voice called my name, I took a few steps back--away from Preston, but I didn't break our glaring battle.

I would not let him win.

When Kat came into view from the corner of my eye, I still didn't look away.

It wasn't until Kat placed a dainty hand on her boyfriend's shoulder that our silent battle was over.

And I had won. Ha!

His hard glare turned to the hand rested on his shoulder before he abruptly stood up, completely ignoring his girlfriend. "Pres, what--"

Kat didn't get a chance to question him before Torez headed for his room, roughly bumping his shoulder against mine as he went.

Seconds later, a sharp pain shot through my shoulder, making me grind my teeth together in order not to hiss.

What a fucking asshole! Why did I ever think he was serious about not holding grudges?

That was complete and utter bullshit.

I couldn't help but internally thank Preston for showing me who he really was.

At least now I wouldn't make the fucking idiotic mistake I was shamefully contemplating. Forgiving him.