Page 110 of A Million To Fall

He raises an eyebrow. “That why you spent Saturday night with her? You know, while her boyfriend was out of town without cell reception?”

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.

Jake folds his arms over his chest, smirking. “My mom told me,” he says, saving me from stammering. “Just kind of mentioned it in passing.”

Shit. My stomach tightens. What if she told Archer?

“Skye’s parents were out of town,” I offer weakly. “She asked me to stay.”

“Because she doesn’t like being alone,” Jake finishes, nodding. “Yeah. Ever since the break-in.”

“You know about that?”

“Of course. Happened just days after graduation. She was messed up for a while. Wouldn’t even sleep in her own room.”

I nod slowly. “Seems like she still is.”

“Yeah. Maybe,” he says quietly.

There’s a long pause. Then he smirks again. “So, what, you played knight in shining armor?”

I shrug. “She asked me to stay with her. Archer obviously left her hanging…”

“Right.” Jake chuckles. “And so, what, you slept on the couch in the living room?”

I hold his gaze. “Yep.”

He doesn’t need to know that she was on the couch with me.

Jake grins. “Boss…”

“Jake…” I echo.

He exhales, serious now. “Fuck, man, just… watch your back. Don’t mess with Archer.”

“Does he know?”

“That you stayed with Skye?”

I nod.

“No,” he assures me. “I told my mom to keep it to herself. She’s good at keeping secrets.”

I'm not surprised. She has to be good. Considering… me.

Jake leans back against the counter. “But can you be honest with me? Is there something going on between you and Skye?”

I hesitate, then open my mouth. “I—”

“Actually, maybe don’t answer,” he says quickly. “I don’t want to know. Not officially. I don’t want to say something by accident and get you hurt. I care too much about you.”

I nod slowly.

He claps me on the shoulder. “Just be careful, yeah?”

He starts to turn, but I stop him. “Jake?”

“Yeah?”