Page 82 of Jaked

"Uh, well,youhang out here so—"

"Yeah," Jake said. "And guys like me."

I stuck out my chin. "There's girls too." That stupid window frame was killing my hips. I wriggled forward another fraction and gave him another pleading look.

Jake's jaw tightened. He looked away. "Get out," he said.

"What?"

"And don't come back."

"But—"

From somewhere near my feet, I heard Lizzie's voice call out, "Hey, Luna! Why'd you stop?"

I stifled a groan. She was supposed to be long-gone by now. I reached back and gave her a small shooing motion.

Either she didn't see it, or she totally misunderstood, because the next thing I knew, she was calling out in a loud sing-song voice. "Go on, lovergirl. Don't keep Jakeepoo waiting."

My face burst into flames, and I started to sweat. A trickle of perspiration inched down my back. Below me, the ladder started to shake. Oh crap. Was she seriously climbing up after me?

Soon, I heard Lizzie's voice, closer now. "Nice thong," she said, "Do you know, I can totally see your ass?"

"So?" I turned my head and gritted out over my shoulder. "Then don't look."

"Why?" she said in that same teasing tone. "Worried Jakeepoo will get jealous?"

I turned around as far as I dared. "Seriously," I hissed, "shut up!" I returned my attention to Jake, who was eyeing me with that same stony expression. "She's just kidding," I told him.

Almost losing my balance, I turned again to call over my shoulder. "Seriously Lizzie. Just go away. Okay?"

From inside the restroom, Jake spoke. "You too," he said.

I turned to stare at him. "Huh?"

Behind him, the door started to swing inward again. With the sole of one foot, Jake kicked it backward, slamming it against the door-jamb.

"What the fuck?" a male voice yelled.  I recognized the voice. It belonged to one of Jake's friends – a guy called Loke, short, apparently for Loco, if any of the stories were true.

"It's out of service," Jake said.

"Jake, you fucker," the guy said. "Let me in."

"In a minute," Jake said.

"I don't got a minute," Loke yelled. "I've got a new meat-sleeve waiting." He laughed long and hard. "Drunk off her ass too. Ten bucks she goes ass-to-mouth."

I felt my brow wrinkle. What didthatmean?

Jake turned his gaze on me. "Get out," he told me.

"But—"

His muscles tensed, and his voice grew harder. "And don't come back."

I blinked hard, embarrassed to realize my eyes were tearing up. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to think of something to say.

I heard a couple of loud knocks, followed by Jake's voice. "What's the matter with you?"