Page 20 of The Spare

Ididn't have that luxury. Melody and I found each other earlier in life, and I refuse to work myself to death to prove something to our families that I don't need to. I need to save something of myself to give to her.

I change the subject. Listening to her chat about her grades, her teachers, and her irritating ass roommate, while we finish off our sodas. I hug her goodnight, and make my way to my car, already making up my mind.

I pull out my phone and text my brother. Truly over him and my father. They can kiss my ass.

I'm done waiting.-Mason

Chapter six

M. Brookes

Chapter seven

En Guard

My feet pound the pavement littered with damp leaves as I race across the trail as fast as I can. My breath comes out in harsh pants, white billowy smoke accompanied by desperate whimpers escapes past my lips as I hurdle myself through the thick foliage of this unfamiliar place. My thighs are tight, and my arms pump as I strain to push myself harder, faster.

My skin is flushed uncomfortably hot. Sweat dots my brow and my upper lip, trailing down my spine and in between my breasts. Everything burns: my muscles, my lungs, my feet.

I've been running too longthis time.

My arms fly up to protect my front as branches and leaves smack my face and arms, tangling in my long hair which has long since lost it's ponytail. I furrow my brow, forcing myself to go even faster and in response the blood rushes in my ears, pounds through my veins. The air saws in and out of my lungs desperately, bringing with it the smell and taste of damp and rain.

"Come on, Mel, faster!"I grunt through gritted teeth as my steps begin to slow. Panicking, I pivot off the pavement and onto the dirt trial headed to where the thicket of trees are denser.

Lightning cracks the evening sky as the heavens opens up and begins to pour down on me, plastering my clothes to my skin and my hair to my head. The trees sway as the wind picks up; leaves swirl around my feet, clinging to my ankles and calves. But still I run, because I can't afford to stop. Not right now. Because I'm not running for pleasure.

No. Now, I'm being hunted.

"It's only a matter of time, Melly."

His deep voice sends a thrill through me. But this time, it's more of an excited thrill than usual. I dig deeper, grinding my feet into the dirt. A second pair of footsteps sound out along with mine, making my heart pound. He's closer. Closer than he's been the last four years he's been chasing me. I've never seen his face, because I've never let him catch me.

This evening is different. This evening I'mweak.

"Give up, Melly."

"No!" I gasp.

The strength it takes to utter that one simple word weakens me even further, and to my dismay, I lose a fraction of my speed. Which, if anyone knows anything about running, is all it takes. Especially when the other person is still going full speed ahead.

I throw a look back over my shoulder, my eyes going wide as I see him almost right behind me, and whimper in fear.

Dressed in all black, his zip-up jacket encases a tight muscular torso as he pounds across the dirt floor inching closer and closer. The hood of his jacket is pulled low over his head, his face hidden by shadows. Black gloves, thick arms, muscular chest, powerful thighs. So powerful that he's able to keep up with me, and that's not an easy feat.

My feet slip on the wet leaves and I slide, stumbling as my feet seek purchase against the slippery ground to no avail. My arms flail, and as I pitch to the side he snatches me up by my arm and roughly yanks me around to face him. Our momentum is such that he slams into me, and I pitch backwards now. He suddenly twists us in midair, buffering me against his hard body.

His arms tighten around me, tucking me into him as he curls his body around me and absorbs the impact of us hitting the ground. We roll several times across the wet leaves and dirt before coming to a dead stop with him on top of me.

I tremble. His hard body is pressed against every inch of mine, and his hips nestle intimately into the space between my splayed legs where his erection settles against my pussy. The rain pounds down on us, and I blink against the droplets that fall into my eyes. His face is still cloaked in shadow, and all I can see is the hint of his jaw.

Could it be him?

My breath saws in and out my lungs, making my breasts heave against his broad chest.

He slaps his palms to the ground on either side of my head and tilts his. Without seeing his face, I can tell he’s grinning at me. I raise a shaking hand to the hood of his jacket and grip it, surprised he lets me. My heart races as I pull it back slowly, and my eyes widen with shock as I unveil my chaser.

"Mason?"I whisper, feeling my heart pound into overdrive.