Page 73 of Jaked

Chapter 27

Rango said nothing as I practically dragged Jake away from the alcove. I was fuming and confused, and desperate to get the two guys away from each other. Just before Jake and I disappeared into a mass of people, I gave one final look over my shoulder.

Bianca and Rango were still there, watching us with twin expressions of malice. If looks could kill, we'd have been dead twice over. Was it because of that kiss? It had to be.

A sickening thought drifted to the forefront of my brain. Was I kept clueless to make the seduction look real? Kiss me, Jake had said.

I hadn't required much convincing, had I?

Turns out, I was just like all the other girls – eager for whatever he offered and too stupid to realize I was the only one being swept away. Probably, Jake was trying to do me a favor. I should feel grateful. Iwasgrateful. But I was something else too – disappointed.

When Jake and I ducked into a side hall, I whirled to face him. "What the hell was that about?" I said.

He looked down at me. "What?"

"Oh come on," I said. "Don't play dumb. YouknewRango would be here tonight. Didn't you?"

He shrugged. "Maybe."

"How?"

"Rumor was he had an invitation." Jake grinned. "V.I.P. too."

My gaze narrowed. "Didyouinvite him?"

"You mean did I call him up, and say, 'hey Dingo, you wanna party?"

"You know what I mean," I said.

"Okay." His voice lost any trace of humor. "Yeah, I made sure he had an invitation."

"So he was here because of you?"

"No," Jake said. "He was here because ofyou."

I glared up at him. "Meaning?"

"Meaning," Jake said, "he knew you'd be here."

"How?" I asked.

He reached up to rub the back of his neck. "Bianca might've mentioned it."

My gaze narrowed. "At your request?"

"Maybe."

I made a sound of disgust. "Unbelievable. Why on Earth would you do that?"

"Look," Jake said, his voice softening, "you're gonna run into him sooner or later. You know that, right?"

"So?"

"So better with me than alone."

"And what was your plan?" I said. "To let him thinkwe'rea couple? And just hope he just goes away?"

I wanted to laugh. And cry. Me and Jake? A couple? It was an adolescent girl's fantasy. Supposedly, I'd grown up. Apparently not enough.