The Officer's Promise (Brothers in Blue Book 1) (17 page)

“Yeah…but he is hot.” I shake my head, not surprised by her comment. “What? I’m just stating the truth. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is a total douche bag, but he is good-looking.”

“There is nothing attractive about him, Cece.”

“There is, trust me, but forget about all that. This year is going to be epic and we are going to have a blast finishing our last year of high school together.”

“I hope so,” I reply unsure, feeling nervous again for the coming day.

“I know so. Now, do you want to go over our meeting spots again?”

I shake my head. “No, I remember. We ran through it a million times over the course of the summer.”

“All right, well, I’ll be with you most of the time anyway, but you always have your phone if you need me.”

“I know. I’m good.”

I feel her grasp my hand again. “Trust me, Emily, everything is going to work out and we are going to have a great year.”

I smile and pray she’s right, because I do not want to hear
I told you so
.”

Emily

I
lean against the wall, next to the water fountain, with my books in hand while I wait for Cece. I listen to lockers slam shut, other kids bustling around in conversation, and feel the heat of their bodies as they pass me. I try really hard to calm my pounding heart, but all of it is so overwhelming, especially when I’m not used to being around crowds. I catch a couple of ’bye Emily’s that I make sure to smile and reply to, but unfortunately, I can’t tell who all addressed p.

I have to admit that all-in-all today went well, even if it was overwhelming. I felt like I was able to keep up with the teachers, and once I waited for the hallways to clear, I was able to find my way around easily enough. I also made sure to stick with Cece when I could, which meant having to hang out with people I don’t care to, but it was better than being alone. It’s not that they’re terrible people, well, some of them aren’t anyway. It’s just that I can’t relate to them. They’re so…shallow. Most of them accept me because of who my father is. They accept the governor’s daughter, not the real Emily Michaels. I have no delusions that if I did not carry this last name, none of them would be seen with me…the blind girl.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I suddenly realize it’s gone completely quiet. I listen carefully and don’t even pick up the sound of distant footsteps. Pulling my phone from my bag, I hit my braille touch screen to hear what time it is, and realize Cece is fifteen minutes late. I move my thumb over the voice app and wait for the beep. “Hey, Cece, I’m waiting by the fountain. Where are you?” I release my thumb and wait for my phone to chime with her reply, but five minutes later, it still doesn’t come.

What the heck?
There is no way she left without me, even if she had an emergency she would have let me know. After another five minutes pass, I decide to go check the parking lot and make sure her car is still here before I call for anyone else. I think about where I am in the school then turn to the left and start making my way down the hall. I drag my fingers along the lockers and count each one, knowing I will pass by eighteen before reaching the gym, then another twelve before making it to the school’s front doors.

Once I push through the double doors, I take a deep breath of fresh air. The warmth of the sun beams down on me, bringing my jumbled nerves a small measure of peace. I hear the sound of birds chirping and vehicles far off in the distance, but everything else is eerily quiet.

I walk a few steps with my hand slightly out in front of me then come in contact with the warm metal railing. I walk down five cement steps before turning to the right, and walk another seven strides until I hit the grass. I turn left and continue straight forward, counting another nine paces, then reach out and feel the car. Making my way to the passenger side, I feel under the handle to make sure it’s Cece’s, then let out a sigh of relief when my fingers come into contact with the familiar grooves of her handle.

Okay, so her car is still here, which means so is she, but then where the heck is she? I’m just about to try her on my phone again when I catch the sudden sound of light footsteps a second too late.

“What are you doing?”

I yelp and jump back startled, dropping everything in my arms including my phone. I instantly register who the voice belongs to and rest my hand over my pounding heart. “Jesus, Kyle, you scared the shit out of me. What are you thinking, sneaking up on me like that?”

“Sorry,” he replies smugly, without so much as even a hint of being truly apologetic. “Just wondering what you’re doing out here all by yourself?”

As much as I don’t want to answer him, I decide to keep my pride in check, knowing I need to find Cece. “I’m looking for Cece, have you seen her?”

“Nope, but I’d be happy to give you a ride home.”

Yeah, I’ll just bet you would…
“No, I’ll wait for her. I’m sure she’s just running late.”

I hear him let out a sigh and feel him step closer to me, too close. “You know, Emily, I promised your father that I would look out for you, and you are making that very difficult when you keep avoiding me.”

I back up against the car, putting as much distance between us as possible. “I don’t need you to look out for me. I told you to stay away from me, and I meant it.”

“Come on, Emily, there’s no need to be like that.” I feel his hand graze the inside of my bare leg, and I quickly slap it away.

“Don’t touch me! I mean it, Kyle. Stay away from me!” Since I can’t see him, I’m unable to brace myself when his hard body slams into mine, knocking the air out of my lungs. I instantly push against his chest, alarm rushing through me when I feel his erection against my stomach. “Stop it!”

In the midst of my struggle, he grabs a fistful of my hair and yanks my head back painfully. I bite back a cry and feel his hot breath hit my face. “Why do you always have to be such a bitch? Do you fucking know how many girls would love to be touched by me?”

“Kyle, stop it!” I demand shakily, still struggling against him.

“You need to start getting used to this, Emily, our fathers have big plans for us.”

“Never!” I seethe through clenched teeth. “I will never have anything to do with you. No matter what my father says.”

He groans. “Keep fighting it, because I fucking love it!”

Bile rises in my throat and my panic escalates to a whole other level. “Kyle, I mean it! Get off of me!” I scream so loud that my voice becomes hoarse from it. Pushing with everything I have, I suddenly hit nothing but air, which has me flying forward and landing on my hands and knees painfully. I hear a small scuffle off to my left then nothing but fast, heaving breaths.

“You need to mind your own business, Jameson. This has nothing to do with you,” Kyle seethes, but I also catch a hint of something else in his tone, something that sounds a lot like fear.

“I’m making it my business,” another male voice cuts in, this one sounding deep, smooth, and threatening. “Now get the fuck out of here before I kick your fucking teeth in.”

Instead of leaving, like any sane person would do, Kyle chuckles arrogantly, but there’s a shaky undertone to it. “We both know that’s not going to happen, Jameson. Not after you have just been graciously granted that full scholarship from the board of directors.”

Silence consumes the air around us, and my heart pounds with panic, wondering if this Jameson guy left, but he ends up breaking the silence a moment later. “You try me, motherfucker, I dare you. After I’m done kicking your fucking teeth through the back of your head, I will gladly tell the cops how you tried to force your dick in the governor’s daughter.” I try not to flinch from the vulgarity of his words, even though they’re the truth.

“Yeah? And who do you think they’re going to believe? Someone like me, or white trash like you.”

“They will believe me,” I cut in shakily, “and don’t think I won’t do it, Kyle.”

“You’re making a mistake, Emily, and you know it.” He may be right, I know my father would have a conniption, but I don’t care, he went too far this time.

“You’re the one making the mistake, Prescott, and if you don’t leave in the next three fucking seconds, you’re not even going to get to live to regret it.” Jameson’s threat rings with finality and truth. I stay still and silent, listening to the sound of distant footsteps and pray they’re Kyle’s, which is confirmed a moment later when Jameson says, “He’s gone.”

I blow out a relieved breath then run a trembling hand through my hair. “Thank you,” I choke out quietly. Hot tears spill down my cheeks while I feel around for all of the stuff I dropped. I hear footsteps move closer in my direction then sense him kneel next to me. I gasp, startled, when he grasps my wrist in a gentle grip.

“Here.” His voice is soft as I feel him place my phone in my hand.

“Thank you,” I say again with a sniffle. After he releases my wrist, I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand and am thankful my sunglasses are still in place.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

I shake my head. “I’m okay. He just scared me is all. I can’t believe what a jerk he is.”

I hear him grunt. “Well, believe it. I’ve gone to school with the arrogant prick my whole life, he’s always been like that.”

I nod, knowing it’s true; luckily, I haven’t had to deal with him on a daily basis. An awkward silence settles over us now. “Um, well, thank you, uh, Jameson, for stepping in. I um, I really appreciate it,” I stammer out nervously, sounding like a complete idiot.

There is a moment of silence as I feel him stare at me. “My last name is Jameson. My first name is Ryder,” he replies with a hint of amusement.

I feel my face flame with humiliation, and silently pray for the ground to swallow me whole. “Oh, sorry.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

I clear my throat then stick out my hand. “I’m Emily Michaels.” His big, warm hand engulfs my small one, and for some reason the simple touch sends a flutter low in my tummy.

“I know who you are.”

The flutter vanishes, and I quickly release his hand. “Of course, I’m sure everyone knows of the blind girl.”

Silence stretches between us until he breaks it. “Actually, we have trigonometry together, which is where I learned you are the governor’s daughter.”

I feel like an idiot for how quickly I jumped to the defensive. “Hmm. Well is it bad I would rather be known as the blind girl than the governor’s daughter?” I try to sound amused, but there is no denying the truth of my words. I feel him watch me and wish I knew what he is thinking.

I start feeling around for my books when they suddenly get placed in my hands. “Thank you.” Putting my hand on the car to help myself up, I feel him grasp my arm and help me, sending that same flutter to my tummy again.

Just as I get to my feet, I hear the sound of fast clicking heels. “Hey! What the hell are you doing? Get away from her!” Cece’s panicked voice fills the air along with two loud thumps.

“Ow, what the fuck?” I hear Ryder bellow.

Oh my god, did she just hit him?

“I mean it, get away from her or my pepper spray is next!”

Oh no
… “Cece, stop, it’s okay. He was helping me.”

“Yeah right!” she sneers doubtfully.

“Really, he was. I just had a run-in with Kyle and he stepped in to help me.”

“With Kyle?”

“Yes.”

The air becomes consumed with tension as awkward silence surrounds us. “Oh,” she mutters, and rather than sound embarrassed she sounds fearful, if the tremble in her voice is anything to go by.

Ryder grunts, sounding angry. “Whatever.”

He begins to walk away, and I quickly call out to him. “Ryder, wait!”

I hear him halt and assume he is looking at me. “Thank you, again.”

He’s silent and I think he isn’t going to reply, but he finally does a moment later. “I’ll see you around, Emily.” His words hold promise, and I’m not going to lie about the sudden excitement that rushes through me. I listen to him start off again then hear the sound of a loud motor start up before the squeal of tires.

“Oh shit. I’m so fucking dead. I can’t believe I just hit him with my purse,” Cece breathes out, clearly panicked.

“Oh my god, you hit him with your purse?” I repeat, instantly feeling guilty. “Poor guy.”

“Poor guy?” she screeches. “How about poor me, because I know that ‘poor guy’ is going to come murder me in my sleep! Oh god, oh shit! What have I done?”

I rear back in shock. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Emily, do you have any idea who that just was?”

“Yeah. He told me his name is Ryder.”

“Exactly!” Not understanding, I wait patiently for her to explain further. “Emily, that is Ryder Jameson. ‘The’ Ryder Jameson. The one guy no one fucks with, and the one every girl wants to fuck. He is seriously bad news.”

“Well, he didn’t seem bad to me. He was actually really sweet, and he—”

She belts out a shaky laugh. “Ryder Jameson is a lot of things. Sexy? Yes. Dangerous? Double yes. Sweet? Hell no! And when I say dangerous, Emily, I mean dangerous, and I just hit him with my fucking purse!”

“Well, I think it was awfully sweet of him to help me. I don’t want to think about what would have happened if he hadn’t shown up.” I swallow thickly, thinking about Kyle’s body pressing against mine forcefully.

Cece grabs my hand. “I’m so sorry, Emily. What happened?”

Instead of answering her, I ask a question of my own. “Where were you?”

She growls angrily. “Mrs. Thomas kept me after the bell to have a long drawn-out talk with me about my attire. She said my skirt was too fucking short. I told the bitch that I had to go because you were waiting for me, but she made me stay and said if I interrupted her one more time she was going to keep me every day after school. She wouldn’t even let me voice message you. I’m sorry, Emily, but it won’t happen again, because I’m going to sic my father on her ass.”

I release a tired breath. “It’s all right. Next time I’ll wait by the fountain until I hear from you.”

“Good idea,” she agrees while opening the car door for me. “Now, let’s get home and you can help me figure out a way to stay alive after hitting Ryder with my purse.”