Never Forever

Number. 8 He's Here

(Face of evilness-I mean Nick above)XD

"Jacey? Are you okay?" Tracker leaned forward with concern on his face. His voice is distant as I stare at Nick walking this way. My mouth is working up and down like a fish's. Without a second thought, I bolt under the table, pressing my body as hard as I could against the far bench-and against Kyle's leg. Somehow in my panic, I noticed that he was wearing slick pants instead of jeans.

"What are you doing?" Cassie asked from above.

"SHH." I hissed harshly. "Act like I'm not here." There was a momentarily silence-probably giving each other confused looks. After a moment, they all continued eating and talking about the deer Tracker had hit with his truck. Tracker's legs were stretched out in front of me, making me feel safer and more concealed. I know it sounded dumb, but despite all the martial arts over the years and the self-confidence it gave me, nothing could get rid of the horrible fears of Nick finding me. I couldn't even begin to explain the horrific feeling that sprouts in my chest whenever he invades my mind. I wasn't sure if Nick was coming for me-or if he even knew I was here and just so happened to come here for dinner. Dang it. Isn't he supposed to be dead? Oh no. The memories are coming back. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing them to go away.

Sweat slid down my forehead, stinging my eyes as I twirled the hula hoop around my waist. My legs were shaking and my arms felt like lead.

"Faster! Faster!" Nick yelled from his seat in the corner where he was sharpening his knife. Tears fell from my stinging eyes, blurring them.

"I can't." I sobbed, willing the hoop to keep going. Bruises were starting to form on my hips from the two pound hoop.

"You can and you will." Nick snapped, holding his knife up to admire it.

"I've been doing it for hours." I cried in despair. "I thought you loved me." I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand to clear them.

"I do love you. That is why you are hooping. I could not love you if you were fat." He responded softer.

"But it hurts!" I sob louder.

"You make one more sound and I give you something that hurts!" Nick snarled. I went quiet instantly.

Kyle must have noticed me shaking against his leg, for he gently touched my hair with his fingertips.

"No one is going to hurt you." He murmured. I was so shocked by his gentleness that two hot tears spilled down my cheeks.I wiped them away and tried to focus my sights beyond Tracker's legs. I couldn't see Nick. As much as I feared him, I cannot come across as weak. I wiped the tears from my cheeks. Setting my jaw, I pushed myself up onto the bench in between the brothers-keeping my head below the booth walls.

"Burger please." I say curtly. Cassie grabs my plate and handed it to me, looking worried. I hoped my eyes weren't red.

"Are you okay?" She asked with big eyes. I smiled tightly at her, quite aware of Tracker's intense gaze.

"I'm fine." I lie.

"Hiding from someone?" Tracker asked bluntly. How caring.

"An old ex-boyfriend." I decide to say lowly. That wasn't exactly a lie.

"Is his name Nick, by any chance?" Cassie asks with a raised eyebrow. I nod.

"Yep. Nick Crone."

"Nick Crone?!" Tracker blurts, making me snap my eyes to him in surprise. "Is he blond?"

"...Yes."