Page 30 of My End

“I’m not made of glass, Jake.”

“I never said you were.”

The silence this time felt heavier. Weighted.

I studied him. The moonlight painted silver highlights in his dark hair and threw deep shadows along the cut of his cheekbones. He looked tired. Edgy. And entirely too beautiful for a man trying to disappear into the background.

“You still haven’t answered the question,” I said finally.

“What question?”

“Why you’re here.”

He looked at me then, fully. The full force of his eyes made my breath hitch. “Was hired for a job. The paycheck is good.”

I raised a brow. “You don’t seem like a man who only chases a paycheck?”

Jake didn’t answer.

“You move with purpose more than greed,” I pushed.

“That obvious, huh?” he said, almost to himself.

I stood slowly. “You want to tell me what’s going on?” I asked.

“Nope. Nothing to tell you.”

That made me laugh. An actual real laugh that I hadn’t felt in days. “Wow, you’re blunt.”

“I don’t do well with lying.”

“Then don’t lie.”

He stood, and suddenly we were much too close. I had to tilt my chin up to meet his eyes. “Some truths aren’t safe to share, sweetheart.”

“Well, lucky for you,” I whispered, “I’m not the kind of girl who needs saving.”

His eyes locked onto mine. “And unlucky for me, I’m the kind of guy who can’t stop trying.”

Something cracked inside me.

I reached up before I could talk myself out of it and brushed a fingertip along his arm. His muscles jumped beneath my fingertips.

“I should go,” I whispered.

“You should.”

“But something is making me stay.”

He didn’t say a word. Just stood there, unmoving, as if daring me to close the last inch between us.

I didn’t.

Instead, I stepped back, and my pulse thudded loud in my ears. “Goodnight, Jake,” I said, voice shaky.

He didn’t answer, but I felt his gaze on my back all the way up the path to the house.

Chapter Thirteen