The Past Between Us novel Chapter 22

|Present|

My lungs were screaming for air but I didn't stop.

My legs were starting to ache in protest but I kept running.

I was sprinting in the soccer field, college wasn't due to open till two more hours.

Running was one of my favorite past times. I loved how my mind would go completely blank as I ran, I loved the numbing sensation I was left with afterwards.

After a few more laps I finally stopped, taking a minute to breathe.

"You should try out for the track team."

I screamed. My hand flew to my chest in shock.

Jace's amused face stared down at me.

"You almost gave me a heart-attack!" I wheezed.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry you were just so preoccupied. I've been standing here watching you for the past ten minutes and you didn't notice me."

I blushed a little. "You were watching me? Why?"

He winked. "I like watching pretty girls run."

"Creep." I teased.

He just grinned.

"Were you following me or something? How did you know I'd be here?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged. "I went to your house because I wanted to talk to you but you weren't there so I figured you'd be here."

"What did you want to talk about?"

He flashed me with his dimples. "We still have some time till college opens. Let's go get some ice-cream."

~~

"This place hasn't changed a bit." I observed as we entered the old ice-cream parlor.

I used to come here all the time.

"I'll take two scoops of dark chocolate topped with sprinkles." I told the server with a grin.

"One scoop of vanilla please." Jace placed his order.

"Vanilla?" I questioned. "Out of all the choices you choose plain vanilla?"

He smiled and shrugged.

His eyes grew thoughtful for a moment.

"Such a complicated world." He murmured. "Honestly, there's something about simple things that gives me comfort."

He flicked my forehead playfully. "We make things complicated for ourselves. Our mind makes us believe that its untangling things but in reality it's just twisting everything up. Just listen to your heart, it makes things a lot simpler."

He paid for both of our ice-creams and we made our way to an empty booth in the corner.

He gave me a playful wink. "This is on me. I owe you for taking you to that illegal street race."

Someone turned on the jukebox and Linkin Park's 'Numb' started playing.

"Oh my God I love this song." I gushed excitedly. "Have you heard it-" I started but my words died in my throat when I realized what I'd done.

Jace looked at me solemnly.

My eyes widened and I could feel the color draining from my face.

"Jace I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-'' I stuttered. "I got carried away. I know you can't hear. That was insensitive. God, I'm sorry."

He kept looking at me seriously and I could feel the lump forming in my throat.

I was ready to apologize again but Jace suddenly burst out laughing.

I looked at him in bewilderment.

"I'm sorry but you should have seen your face." He chuckled.

His eyes softened. "I don't mind Scarlett, not at all. In fact I actually like it when people forget that I have impaired hearing and treat me like they treat everyone."

I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Is it hard? Being different?" I asked quietly.

He smiled. "Everyone's different Scarlett. We think differently, we feel differently, we all see things differently. I'm okay with being different, there's nothing with being different. It means you stand out."

We walked to the parking lot in silence.

My mind was so preoccupied that I almost didn't see him.

"Hey, isn't that Tristan?" I pointed out.

I looked at him again and my assumption was confirmed.

Megan and Hunter's step-brother stood a few feet away from us.

His eyes met mine and for a moment I stopped breathing. His eyes were empty, completely a void of emotion. His haunting expression bothered me. His eyes widened a fraction when he saw me, the only indication that he actually recognized me.

His attention was suddenly diverted to someone else. I tensed when I saw Ryder's tall frame walking up to him, two of his men trailing behind.

What was Tristan doing with a guy like Ryder?

Ryder suddenly snapped in head in my direction, I had no time to react. His lips twisted into a wicked smirk and I shuddered involuntarily.

"Let's go." Jace's voice cut in, I didn't miss the hardness in his voice. He grabbed my elbow and practically dragged me to his car.

"What was that all about?" I asked him once we had driven away.

Jace didn't answer me.

We finally reached the college parking lot and just as I was about to get out Jace stopped me.

"Scarlett, I want you to listen to me carefully."

His serious expression made me nervous but I nodded.

"You need to stay away from Ryder. Whatever you do, just stay away from that man."

My heart beat picked up.

"Will you tell me why?"

He let out a frustrated breath.

"I don't know a lot of things Scarlett. But I do know that Ryder would do anything to hurt Hunter."

His solemn eyes locked with mine.

"And you happen to be the one thing he can use to hurt him the most."