Page 56 of Haunted Hearts

“Jack?” I say softly.

His head snaps toward me, as if saying his name bothered him, but then as quickly as it was there, the look is gone.

“I’m not sure it’s such a good idea you guys leave with everything going on, that’s all.”

“That’s not up to you; it’s my decision, and I want to go.” I grimace at him and grab my duffel bag, moving to my closet and throwing clothes blindly into it.

“You know Cade will be pissed if you leave like this, right?” I hear Jack say from behind me.

“That’s my problem. Not yours.” I zip my bag and move past Jack. “Let’s go, Kai.”

I hear Kai follow behind me as I grip the railing and move down the steps. I say nothing as I walk out the front door, fast walking to Cade’s truck. Hoping he is still far enough away to not see us leave.

I hop into the passenger side and toss my bag in the back seat, sinking down and crossing my arms. What an asshole. Who the hell does Jack think he is? I don’t get the effect he keeps having on me… It’s like he’s a different person. A chill runs down my spine and I zip up my hoodie, putting my hands in my pockets as Kai jumps into the driver’s seat and starts the vehicle.

“Are you okay?” he asks cautiously.

“No. Not really. Jack’s starting to piss me off.” I look out the window as he backs out of the driveway and pulls onto the road.

“Listen, I…” Kai trails off. I look over at him and study his features. He looks conflicted.

“What is it?” My voice is harsher than I intended.

He sighs, gripping the wheel with one hand and grabbing mine with the other.

“It’s nothing.” He seems to reset his face as it straightens into something unreadable.

“You’re lying,” I say, pulling my hand away.

“Yes. But I can’t talk about it.”

“Can’t or won’t?” I ask through my teeth.

“Is there a difference?”

“You’re unable or unwilling?”

“The former,” he admits.

“So you are keeping things from me?” I ask, confusion lacing my tone.

“Yes.”

I look at him, my mouth open to speak but no words come out.

I drop my hands down hard on my lap, where they land with a smack.

“Fine. Then I’m mad at you.”

“That’s reasonable,” he says casually.

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose.

“You are so fucking confusing.”

CHAPTER 18 CADE

I arrive back at the house drenched in sweat. I see Genevieve standing on the front porch, waiting for me. I’ve been running for hours; this time block lasted forty-five minutes. A damn good one.