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“Okay. I’m coming. Just…wait for me. I need to collect my thoughts first.”
With one leg tossed over the side, Jagger straddles the car, making it sway even more.
Finally, I stand up and walk over to where he’s at—one leg out, one leg in.“All right. Let's do this.”
Jagger drops off the side while holding on to a spindle above him, and once he’s out of the way, I do the same.
Jagger is back on the mountain in seconds while I’m fighting not to look down.
I’m slogging my way over with shaky legs while he offers words of encouragement, which is odd coming from him.
Once I’m close enough to the mountain, I stretch my foot out and he gives me his hand. In one fell swoop, he lugs me onto the mountain.
I crash into his body, taking us both down to the ground. I’m lying on top of him, laughing while darting my gaze from his eyes to the mound of moss beside me.
I should get up.But when I try to, Jagger puts his hands on my hips, holding me in place. “You did good, chickenshit.”
Biting back a smile, I slap his shoulder playfully. His soft, light brown eyes drink me up. No animosity, no ill-intent. Our hearts beat in sync against one another’s chests, and when his eyes dart to my lips, I feel dizzy.
“Jagger…I—”
I’m not even sure what I was going to say, but I’m cut off when he rolls me off him.
“Get up, tough girl.” He jabs his hand out while I lie on the ground, looking at it like it’s been washed in poison. I second-guess his help, though I was seconds away from kissing him if he’d taken the initiative.I’m such an idiot.It’s no wonder these guys think I’m their helpless toy.
Reluctantly, I accept the offer and he pulls me up.
I brush myself off as we walk, following Jagger’s lead.
We’ve been on the trail for a few minutes and neither of us has said anything. We just walk along in silence. Me in my thoughts, Jagger in his.
Before long, we’re back at the school.
Jagger and I both stop, facing each other. He angles his head toward the building. “You’ve missed the second half of your classes, but at least you're out of the woods.”
I bite back a smile, looking down at my feet and digging my toe into the gravel. “Yeah. If you wouldn’t have found me, an animal could have eaten me alive.”
“Well, we can’t have that. We need you around a little longer.”
Reality slaps me in the face—hard. “Right. For the games. The torture. The bullying.”
“And to kick Crew’s ass when he needs it.”
I can’t help the laugh that spills out of me. “He deserved it all.”
“Oh, I know he did.” His hand rests on his chest and he grins. “Trust me, I’m not telling you to stop.”
Trust him.An odd choice of words.
“Listen,” he continues, “the guys have a Ladder Games event Thursday night. I don’t attend the games for my own personal reasons, but I thought about watching from the rooftop of the athletic center. It gives the best view.”
I chuckle. “More climbing? You really are an adrenaline junkie.”
“What can I say? I like the rush. Anyway, if you’re not doing anything and wanna get a glimpse of what these games entail, you’re welcome to watch with me.”
I’m a bit surprised at his offer. “You mean, with you?”
“Sure. Why not?”
