Page 53 of Jerk

How could they leave me here?

How could they leave me here withhim?

Something lands over my shoulders. It’s wet, but it covers my arms and the front of my dress, adding a bit of warmth.

Lowering my head, Rye has nothing over those sculpted, rippling abs. He runs a wet hand through his soaked hair and, for a moment, I’m mesmerized again. The rain makes him shine like he’s all oiled up, and when the lightning strikes again, it’s like his body sparkles.

“Come on,” he says, that glare softening. “Let’s get under some shelter.”

“Where do you suggest we do that?” Spreading my arms wide, I give him the full tour of our island. A small patch of land that, by day, looks romantic for a picnic or a swim. Comfort doesn’t extend beyond that, and now, with night rolling in, there’s nowhere to rest or hide.

Rye moves over to a nearby cluster of trees, leaning against one of them. My hands back on my arms, I move over withhim as he reaches into his pockets for his pack of cigarettes. It’s soaked, but he pulls one out anyway, soggy and limp. His head falls against the large trunk, and it’s hard to contain my laugh.

“This is funny to you?” he asks.

“We’re herebecauseof you, so yeah.”

“Accountability still isn’t your strong point, huh?”

“Oh, you’re one to talk.”

He lifts his head, that glare back. “You think you’re the only one your father fucked over today?”

“No, he continues to fuck over my mother,” I bite back. “That’s why I should be on that boat. Instead, I’m here, soaked, with you. So thanks.”

“I got things to handle,” he sighs. “When is your punishment over?”

Heat strikes my cheeks, our conversation in the kitchen rolling back to me. “Wh-what?”

You’ll piss me off again. And I’ll want to punish you.

“Focus.” That smirk is back, so is the flirt in his voice. “When should we expect your father to come back?”

“I-I don’t know.” The fire lifts out of me, something else filling that space instead. Looking at Rye, he stares at me in a way that feels like pity, and I want to shake it right off. So I do. “Thanks to you and your jerk-ish asshole-ry.”

“If I’m such a jerk-ish asshole, why am I here?”

“To watch me suffer.” Turning around, I take a few steps away from the tree, a tight feeling in my throat. This small island is suffocating.

He’ssuffocating.

A hand wraps around my wrist, tugging me back. He’s so strong that I slam against his chest. He stares into my eyes with this intensity that threatens to swallow me alive. When he finally speaks, his voice is low, but sharp. “Watching you suffer would be leaving your father to it.”

“Then why did you send that photo?”

“I didn’t send the photo, Hannah.” The air stills, my brows knitting as the wind howls around us.

“You’re lying.” My stomach knots.

If he didn’t send it, then who the hell did?

“You really think I’d orchestrate all this to be here on this island withyou?” he asks. “You really think I’d leave my sister with my father if I didn’t have to? You think I’d stomach that?” The look in his eyes shifts, likeI’mthe one causing him pain. My mind flashes back to the party. Krystal’s face. The way he pounded into Vince.

Shaking my head, I remind him that I know who he is. “You’re just that kind of guy, Rye.”

His head tilts to the side, his eyes darting around my face. “And what kind of guy is that, Han?”

“The guy who’ll burn the world to keep himself on top.” This semester flickers through my brain. He’s fucked with me so much, but right now, with his warm chest against mine, the rain falling around us, all I can remember is how good he’s made me feel between it. This morning. This afternoon with my father. Coach’s office. Hell, even the party with a picture I’m paying for.