Night of Secrets (Night of Secrets #1)

Chapter 10 - To Feel Something

"This is the worst place you've taken me so far." I can already feel my heart thudding against my chest, and my breathing isn't any slower. I cup my elbows with my hands and glance around at the crowds of students and the blazing bonfire. "Why are we back at the beach?"

Jax put his hands on my shoulders, turning me to him. The glow of the fire glimmers off his eyes, making them light up and seem even warmer than they usually are. "Relax. I'm gonna make sure nothing happens. I promised you that, remember?"

I nod, but that doesn't stop me from looking around while he pulls out his phone. Dean's car is on the other side of the parking lot. It's not a surprise that those three are still here, but I wish they weren't. For the last few hours, I actually thought I'd never see them again. Now I might see them too soon.

Jax puts a hand on my shoulder, turning me back to him. "You'll be fine. We're not gonna stay long. And I'm gonna show you a place that I'm pretty sure no one knows about."

I tighten my arms over my chest. "But how do you know nothing is gonna happen between now and taking me to wherever you're taking me?"

In answer, Jax pockets his phone and nods at someone behind me. I'm barely turning around when Santos lifts me off my feet in a hug and spins me around. I cling onto him, and a combination of a gasp and a squeal escapes me, making the others laugh.

"You feeling any better?" Santos asks, setting me down.

I take a step back. "Well I'm dizzy on top of anxious now, so what do you think?"

"Because you're back at the beach?" Ty asks.

I glare at him. "No just because!"

Ty holds his hands up. "Sorry..."

Oh geez... I take a deep breath. "No. I'm sorry. I'm just really stressed out right now..." I stare at the bonfire, the scene from earlier today flashing through my head. "And I can still hear Faye calling me a whore."

Jax puts a hand on my shoulder again, turning me to him. He opens his mouth to say something. Probably a reassurance. But he pauses when he sees my expression. He exhales, his expression softening. "Actually... we don't need to be here if you don't want to be here."

I shake my head. "No, it's fine. We're already here. Let's just get this over with. The sooner we do, the sooner we can leave."

"Why are you guys here?" Aart asks. "We figured we wouldn't see you guys for the rest of the night."

"Just wanted to show Adeline something," Jax explains, pulling his hand back. It leaves my shoulder cold, and I almost want to ask him to put his hand back where it was. "I need you guys to keep an eye on Dean, Faye, and Cyril and make sure they don't know she's here." After a pause, Jax adds, "And don't follow us."

"Why not?" Ty asks.

Aart elbows him. "He doesn't have to explain. Just listen."

"You can count on us," Santos grins, doing a two-finger salute.

Jax fist-bumps his friends. "Thanks, guys." He smiles at me. "Ready to go?"

I wring my hands together, glancing around. "I guess that depends on where we're going."

"You'll see."

When I don't move, he holds his hand out to me. I don't hesitate to put my hand in his and let him guide me. I turn to wave back at the guys. They wave back, broad, smug smiles on their faces. Even Aart. It makes the heat rise to my face, but I don't pull my hand out of Jax's no matter how hot my face gets or how much my chest is stirring right now.