Page 54 of Learning to Love

I blush and Toby chuckles. "Yes, that's precisely what we're saying."

"Can I pick out what movies?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm in! Let's do it."

"Wait, Dani, did he smell your panties?"

"Toby! EW!"

"Oh, Lordt! He did. Benjamin is a panty sniffer!"

I throw a sliver of my bacon at him. He laughs even harder. Sasha shrugs and laughs again. "Well, he ain't wrong!"

We leave the diner and head over to our new home, but not before we stop at a Dollar Store and get all the snacks. Want chocolate? We got it! Want chips? We got it! Want sour candy? We got it all!

We walk into the house and change into our pajamas and Sasha picks out the first 'Conjuring' movie for our debut film! This movie is creepy as hell, and I'm going to freak out. I've already watched it once, and I'm an idiot for watching it again.

I hide my face behind my pillow several times. I miss Jake already and this would be so much better if I could hide behind his tall frame. He makes me feel safe and cherished. I wonder what he's doing at this exact moment. I'm so sad I can't talk to him this week, but I know the team must work on their bonding. We watch scary movies until 7 AM. We're so dang tired, and I've had way too much junk food so I finally crawl into bed and say a silent prayer that everything will be alright. I miss Jake.

I’m startled awake and try to scream but nothing comes out. I'm bound and gagged. I look around trying to look for anything familiar in my surroundings. I'm in a wooden room with a small window in the corner, but there’s nothing on the walls and only a chair is beside the bed. I try to scream again and that’s when I see Jeffery open the door. He smiles a sinister smile. He's sweaty and looks out of his mind. "Hello, Dani. I've been waiting a long time for this."

Chapter 33

Playing My Part

Everything Fearless 24/7

Our favorite Georgia peach has been kidnapped! And nobody can locate her. Coach won't allow the boys to have phones this year so our poor Jake doesn't know yet! If you have any information, contact your local law enforcement now. The FBI has been called, but they are not yet involved. #PrayersForDani

Time is standing still. I don't know how many hours I've been here and I don't know if Sasha and Toby are okay. Jeffery won't tell me anything. He’s barely come into the room where I'm currently at. He only brings me a sip of water every so often, and he said he would keep the gag out as long as I don't scream again. I do as I'm told and wait until it's safe for me to try and escape.

When he does come into the room, it takes all the strength that I have left not to throw up. His breath is rancorous, and it's turning my already nauseated stomach. I think he's drugged me because I can't think clearly. Every time I take a sip of water, I feel even more out of it making me wonder if the water has some sort of sedative in it. I fall into dreamless sleep once more.

I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. It's morning again and I must have slept all through the night. It's hot, and I'm sweaty. My stomach is growling, but I don't think I can eat. I feel awful. Maybe I can talk him into giving me a little of something, though. I have to be able to keep my strength up for my escape. It’s the hope I’m holding onto right now.

I need to make him be my friend. I'm glad it's Jeffrey that's here and not Benji. Benji is too clever and cunning and he would see my bullshit from a mile away. He's a natural-born leader. Jeffery, on the other hand, is a follower. He didn't plan this by himself. He's just doing this for Benji, but why? I almost feel sorry for him. He doesn't understand that Benji’s a sociopath and not his friend.

It’s been well over 24 hours since he kidnapped me. Someone has to be looking for me by now. I need to earn Jefferys trust so that I can get away, and for me to do that, I'll have to lose these zip ties off my wrist and ankles. I hear him walking down the hall.

What if it's someone else? I brace myself as the door opens—my breathing hitches. I let out a long sigh of relief as I see Jeffery. He's showered, and he looks more rested. "Hey, Dani. I'm sorry I left you alone for so long."

I nod. I don't want to seem too eager to talk to him. I have about five days to escape. I don't like my options once Benji leaves football camp. I don't think Jeffery will harm me, but Benji on the other is an entirely different story.

He comes closer and my heart starts beating out of my chest. Just because I think he won't hurt me doesn't mean he won't. I start moving away from him as best I can and that’s when I scream as loud as I possibly can. He puts his hand over my mouth and puts the knife against my throat. "You promised you wouldn't scream, Dani. Do I need to go get the gag?"

I carefully shake my head no. My eyes are pleading for mercy so he finally takes his hand off my mouth, and I'm quiet as a church mouse. He shows me the knife, and while I want to scream and kick at him again, I don't. I wait to see what he is going to do.

“I’ve brought some stuff to make us something to eat. If I cut off the zip ties, can I trust you to behave?" I nod my head, yes, but that isn't good enough. "SAY IT, DANI!" His yelling makes me jump and tears prick my eyes. He's crazy. I better play my hand right because at this point I don’t put it past him to kill me.

My voice is raspy, sounding foreign to my ears. "I will behave, Jeffery. I promise."

“Good girl.” He takes the knife and cuts through my zip ties, making me cry out in pain. I didn't realize how much they were cutting into my skin. I'm not bleeding, but the skin around my ankles and wrists looks awful. My skin is chaffed and blood red. As much as I try, I can't stop the tear rolling down my cheek. He looks up, startled. "Don't cry, Dani. He'll be pissed if he knows I made you cry. Please! Please! Don't tell him."

I wipe my face quickly. Why does Benji care if I cry? "If I promise not to tell him, will you answer two questions for me?"

A look of panic crosses his face. "I don't know, Dani. He said you might try to trick me."