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The whole drive passes in a blur; I barely say more than two words, my head spinning. Onyx keeps shooting me heated, private smiles, while he concentrates on the road. When we pull up to my building, I go to open my door, but I’m stopped when Onyx grabs my hand, pulling me back to face him. My cheeks flush when Terrance pulls up next to us then makes a show of gazing intently out of the front window. Onyx smirks at me. “Wait for me tomorrow?”
“You’re coming to school?”
He shrugs and leans in, dropping the smallest kiss to my cheek. “I’ll be wherever you are. Text me when you get in your door.”
I can’t even say anything to that. His words affect me more than he knows. Or maybe he does know, judging by the heat that flares in his eyes. Somehow, I extract myself from the car, collect my keys from Terrance, who then hops in Onyx’s car, and walk on shaky legs into the building. Once I make it into my unit and lock the door, I send him a text.
Onyx: Good night, beautiful.
Tires squeal and gravel crunches from outside. I race to the window and look down in time to see Onyx’s taillights.
Me: You waited to leave until I texted you?
Onyx: I always wait.
Tears spring to my eyes. I’ve never noticed. Ithought maybe you knew from how obsessed I have been about you these past few weeks.Those words cling to me, wrapping around me, like a blanket of security. I feel safe, wanted, cherished. I could fall for Onyx. I fear I already am.
ChapterNine
Onyx
No one knows the maddening urge I feel to have Jade with me at all times. Since the first time I sang for her and watched as my words were given life with her dance moves, I became more addicted. Maybe it was the way her eyes flashed with surprise when she found out who I was. Or the immediate energy that pulsed in my veins the first time her body slammed into mine on accident. It could also be that the more I learn about her, the more she surprises me. Jade isn’t as delicate as she appears. There is a history, a part of her life that she had to grow up fast from; yet, it didn’t make her jaded or cynical. She learned to cope and still manages to see the beauty in her life. I’ve seen her dance, I’ve heard the care she has for her friends, the loyalty she displays for the people she deems worthy. Jade has reached a spot in my soul that no one ever has.
I wasn’t lying when I said I would be wherever she is. As much as I hate school, I will show up if it means I get to see her, feel her, surround myself with the things she likes and the way she lives her life. She may be too pure for me, but I have no problem being the dark shadow that will keep her safe.
After I dropped her off at her house, I went back to the studio, too many new verses thrumming in my mind after our kiss, after our confessions. I had to get them down. Even with only a few hours of sleep, I managed to get up and get ready in time to meet her when she gets to school. I’ve learned from Terrance that she arrives about fifteen minutes before the bell, goes straight to her locker and talks with her friends until the bell sounds and she goes to English. English, math, science, lunch, gym then her elective class, which is health this semester. Terrance has been nothing but thorough in his duties to check on Jade and also report what I need for my classes. It’s the only way I have been able to get as much time in the studio. My grandfather never stated I had to attend or have a perfect GPA. He sent me here as retaliation, not because he actually cares if I can think for myself or not.
I glance at my phone and the time finally reads eight o’clock. My eyes scan the direction she walks to school from on most days, the days Corey doesn’t bring her. My fingers grip the pen in my hold tighter, just thinking about it. She assures me she feels nothing for him but friendship and he of her, but I know differently. He’s staked a claim on her. Over the years of being friends, Corey has warned any guy away from Jade. I’m not sure if she knows it or not, but in my gut, I would say she doesn’t. Not that Jade wants a hundred guys asking her out, but it still feels wrong and controlling on his part to do something like that behind her back. Gage has become a fountain of knowledge for Terrance as well. He spilled the tea faster than a drunken church lady about the lengths Corey has gone to in order to keep anyone from having an interest in Jade. Threats were too simple; he went right for ending someone’s football career by purposefully injuring a guy's knee their freshman year of high school. Corey doesn’t want Jade as a friend. He doesn’t want her as a girlfriend. He wants to own her. He’s about to get a fast lesson that I won’t back down.
I want Jade.
To consume her. To take the very air she breathes and create music with it. To know every inch of her heart, soul and body, making her my own personal instrument. I want to see her fly across the stage and find her own dreams. I’ll create any song for her as long as she dances to it. We can escape this town and make a world for us. Jade is for me. The minute she let my lips touch hers was as good as signing a contract. She’s mine. Soon everyone is going to know it.
The minute my eyes land on her, amidst the groups of people walking to school, I jump off the hood of the car and slide my backpack up my shoulder. She’s fucking beautiful. Her long, dark hair is swept back in a ponytail and draped over her shoulder. Her jeans somehow manage to be baggy, but also hug the curves at her waist and ass perfectly. Patches of tan skin are visible through the holes of those jeans. It's the deep green color of her cropped, long sleeve, shirt that really gets me though. The color only makes her eyes that much brighter, and those eyes, I’m already a sucker for them. And they’re on me. Watching while I approach her. Her cheeks color a tinge of pink, but it's the smile she's holding in that makes my own so much cockier. She’s with me. I’m waiting for her. And fuck what anyone else thinks.
“Hey,” she says, timidly, now that I’m in front of her and right in her space. My fingers brush a few of the finer hairs off her face and tuck them behind her ear.
“Morning, Little Star,” I respond and let my gaze wander over her. Fucking gorgeous. I take her hand in mine, noticing the way her warm, smooth skin slides against my rougher, calloused palms. The skin on the back of her hands and fingers is clean, where mine wears ink smudges like a second skin. She barely hesitates then her fingers are clutching mine right back. With a satisfied smirk firmly planted on my lips, I lead her toward the school. The little screech from her best girlfriend is all I need to confirm what I already know. Everyone saw it.
“Morning,” she offers, her voice holding more confidence than I would have expected. “Want some coffee?” she asks, offering me her travel mug.
“I never drink it,” I tell her and watch her eyes widen.
She playfully slaps a hand over her heart. “I think I just found your only flaw.”
My head tilts back in a laugh. “My only one, huh?”
Jade’s eyes dance away from mine and I see the nervous smile on her lips. She doesn’t answer though, only shrugging her shoulders and sipping more of the black liquid.
I lean toward her so only she can hear my confession. “I have many flaws, but I will always be the best I can be for you.”
Jade whips her head back, searching my face for any detection that I’m lying or using a line on her. I know she doesn’t see anything because the look in her eyes is the same one reflected back in mine. Perfect.
The minute we step inside the walls of the school, the energy shifts. A ripple of tension strung tight and promising destruction wraps around us. For the first time, I take my eyes off Jade and meet the issue head-on. Corey. His body is poised to fight, tense, with his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. He’s trying to tame the darkness inside himself, but I see through it. He can’t even look away from where Jade’s hand is clasped in mine. Gage does him a favor by leaning in and saying something. Whatever it is, it works because Corey’s face looks less murderish now.
I walk Jade over to her locker, leaning against the one next to hers, while she puts her books away.
“This is weird, isn’t it?” She smiles without the same confidence as before.
