Page 75 of Make No Mistake

“Where are you?”

“In my car.”

“Stay there. I’m on my way.”

I hung up and fell back against the chair. I wanted to lose it. To cave to my emotions and let Jay fix things, but I had to stay alert and focused.

I shook my head and picked up my phone again, sending Carter a text to meet me as soon as he could.

If someone had messed with the cameras, he would know how to tell. Plus, I wanted him to be there when Aubrey got home. Only a few minutes passed before a knock on my window made me scream.

Jay smiled, looking apologetic as I let out a sigh of relief. I needed to get away soon. Or graduate. That would be a good destresser.

When I opened the door, Jay offered me his hand and pulled me into him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my forehead on his chest.

“You need to stop calling me like this. I’m going to start panicking every time I see your name on my screen now.”

I looked up and met his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Jay.”

His eyes darkened and he held me tighter. “Don’t ever apologize to me. These things are out of your control.”

I shrugged and looked away. “But I keep dragging you into them. Maybe …” My words fell off. I knew what I needed to say, but I didn’t want to. In that moment I wanted to be selfish. I wanted to keep Jay for myself even though it was hurting him.

But I couldn’t. He’d already done so much for me.

“Jay. You should go. I’m sorry I called.”

His eyes changed in a flash from confusion to determination.

“Mckayla, did you force me to come here?”

I dropped my gaze and slowly shook my head.

“Did you force me here the night you were attacked?”

He took my silence as another no.

“Have you ever forced me to do anything or go anywhere with you?”

“No, but I probably guilted you into things before.”

“Yes, you have done that.” I could feel his chest rumble. How could he possibly be laughing right now? “My point is that over the past four years that we’ve known each other we have always been there for each other. And right now is no different. You can try to push me away or protect me or whatever you think you’re doing right now, but I’m not going anywhere. I never have and I never will.”

He tilted my head up until my eyes were on his. “I care about you, Mac. A lot. I’m going to be here for you whenever you need me and I promise I will protect you. I’m not going to let anything happen to my girl.”

He paused, and I could feel that there was more he wanted to say but I’d heard enough. I slid my hands from around his waist and looped them around his neck, bringing him down until his lips met mine.

His grip on my hips tightened as the kiss turned from one of comfort to something much more heated.

We broke apart, and he smiled down at me.

“This is what happens when you try to get me leave.”

I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Good to know.”

“Have you called the police yet?”

I groaned and dropped my head against his chest. For just a brief moment, I’d forgotten what my life had turned into.