Forever His & His Ghost

Chapter 22: Valentine's Day

  From Homecoming until the first of the year was complete bliss. Jaxon and I were closer than ever, and everybody knew it. My mom, dad and brother were so happy for me, while I believe my sister was constantly planning my early demise. Jaxon's mom didn't speak much but the look she always gave us when we were together was enough to prove that she was happy for us. His little brother Terr took up calling me sis, and no matter how much anyone told him not to, he did. Jaxon's dad on the other hand was a different story, he didn't approve of our relationship at all. He was always making comments about how I was ruining Jaxon's life, and when we graduated and went separate ways it would be best and couldn't come soon enough.

       There were days that I wanted to run and hide, that I wanted to call it quits and never look back, I had even considered taking off and finishing my senior year at my aunt's. Jaxon on the other hand always stood up for me and held his head high. Told his dad on more than one occasion that I wasn't going anywhere, and if he felt the need to cut him off, go for it. At first Trey didn't make many appearances around, and then all at once I started noticing him more often, it felt like he was constantly lurking in the shadows watching us, he was the predator, and I was feeling like the prey.

       My life started to change Valentine's Day my senior year, Jaxon had made me stay at home the night before and assured me he would be there to pick me up by eight pm, on Valentine's Day. A part of me was so excited, who knew he could be such a romantic. I didn't sleep at all that night in my own bed, I tossed and turned all night, waiting for the sun to rise.

     The next morning when I got up, I planned on spending the entire day primping, I wanted the night to be perfect. I knew I watched too many romantic movies, and probably read too many smut books, but what girl doesn't fall in love with the romance.

      "Hey sis, delivery." Preston shouted as he ventured into my room hiding behind the huge flower arrangement in his hands.

     "Oh my, who are they from?" I squealed jumping to run and take them from his hand.

      Jaxon had to be the sweetest, I mumbled to myself..

      "Don't know, they were sitting on the front stoop when I went out, but there is a card." He pointed, I looked at it, and realized it wasn't Jaxon's writing on it. "Anyway, I am out, got to try and woo me a girl for tonight. Who wants to be single on Valentine's Day?"

       "Well, I could guess one girl it wouldn't take much wooing with." I wiggled my eyebrows at him, and he just rolled his eyes. "Alright, well love you, and have a good night." I shoved him out the door and locked it once he was gone.

      I walked over to the flower arrangement and took a deep breath inhaling them in. They were an odd gift for Valentine's Day, white stargazer lilies with some dandelions. The dandelions worked perfect with them, but the lilies had me stumped, those lilies were typically known for being given upon bad news. I just frowned thinking about it and plucked the card from the holder and took a seat in my vanity chair where I had been earlier curling my hair perfectly.

     The envelope only had my name written on the outside in bright red lettering, I took the paper from the inside and unfolded it to read, but my heart instantly stopped.

Dear Skyla,

You were warned nicely to stay away, things have progressed to a point, that we can no longer overlook just act. You are to stay away from Jaxon Nyte and family, else you will see the consequences personally. We have no fear of ending you ourselves, but how would you feel if we were to come to your family or your little friend Marie. You have until prom night to end things on your own free will or you will force us to act. We will be watching you and expect to see progress on the ending of your relationship.

Yours Truly,

The End.

       The letter floated from between my fingers to the floor as I felt the air pressed out of my lungs. What is all this supposed to mean? This must be some kind of trick, I mean we are only eighteen, still in high school, who in the world would threaten two innocent teens like this. The thoughts ran through my mind a million miles a second and I couldn't get a grasp on what I had just read. Should I tell someone, no should I tell Jaxon, no I shouldn't, but why? What was I going to do?

      The day flew by and before I knew it, it was eight pm and Jaxon was knocking on my bedroom door. I looked down realizing I wasn't even dressed yet; I don't even know how long I had set in that chair. Jaxon knocked again and I jumped up and grabbed the letter, shoving it in my favorite book, and then I ran to the door.

Jaxon stood there looking handsome as usual, every hair in place, his smile worth a million bucks, his long sleeve button down black shirt and washed-out blue jeans. His smile fell quick when he took one look at my face and quickly grabbed my cheeks with his palms and looked me dead in the eye.

      "Skyla, what's wrong?" He whispered as he wiped the tears from my eyes, that I had not even realized were falling.

      "Nothing, I am sorry I am not ready, can I rain check tonight?" I tried to smile, but I could feel my inner self breaking into a million pieces.

       "No, now go get ready, I will wait. You aren't staying in this house again tonight." He kissed the tip of my nose and turned me around patting me on the butt. I looked over my shoulder as he shut the door behind him and took a seat on the end of the bed. "Go." He smiled, but it wasn't ear to ear, I knew he was worried and would probably push me later to tell him. I just nodded and made my way to the bathroom.

      "Where to?" I asked Jaxon as he opened the door to his car allowing me to climb in.

      It didn't take long for me to get ready and for us to leave. I decided while in the shower I would tell Jaxon in time, but tonight I didn't want to ruin anything, I wanted to just enjoy it being me and him.

      "It's a surprise." He kissed my forehead and shut the door before running around the car and climbing in the driver's side. He shut his door grabbing my hand and placing it to his lips while starring into my eyes. "You look beautiful tonight." He gently kissed my knuckles and loosened his grip as he started the car. "And Skyla, we will talk about what happened today later. But tonight, let's forget about it and just enjoy it being me and you."

      "Sounds good to me." I leaned over and kissed his cheek as he pulled out into the street.

     An hour later we pulled up in front of an elegant looking restaurant in the next town over. Jaxon got out and opened the door for me, pulling me out into his chest before wrapping his arms around me. "I hope you like it," he whispered and kissed the top of my head.

     "As long as I am with you, I would like anything." I kissed his lips softly and he took my hand leading me in.

      We stepped inside and the waitress met us at the door. Jaxon told her he had a reservation and she silently led us out of the small foyer type area into a huge dining room. The lights were dimly lit with candles on every table, there was a small band sat up in one corner playing soft, smooth music. Couples were cooing and being all l lovey lovey with each other around the room.

      The back wall was one large glass panel that overlooked the river below. The waiter pointed toward a table in the corner next to the glass panel and walked that way as we followed.

       "Well fancy meeting you here." I heard a voice that ran a chill down my spine. Jaxon and I turned to see Trey and Rosalita sitting at one of the tables.

      "I didn't think you like Italian," Jaxon almost growled out and I could tell he was irritated, but the unnerving part was the way Trey was starring at me, it wasn't pleasant by no means.

     "I don't but the misses does, so you know how it is, got to keep the women happy." Trey said back in an almost sing song way, and Rosalita just rolled her eyes at him.

      Jaxon and Trey were in some kind of weird standoff, anyone in the room could feel the tension building around us, I was trying to break the tension by rubbing small circles on Jaxon's back, but I was also trying to hide behind him. Everything about this situation told me I needed to run as fast as I could and never look back, but I wouldn't leave him.

      "Hi, I am Rosalita, but you can call me Rosa," Rosa reached up to grab my hand to shake it and gave me a pleading look. She must not have told Trey she met me before. "It is nice to meet the lady who has stolen my brother's heart." She smiled from ear to ear.

"I'm Skyla, nice to meet you Rosa." I took Jaxon's hand squeezing it and felt him squeeze back, I knew just from that squeeze that he was still aware I was with him. "I hope you guys enjoy your evening, but if you don't mind, I am starving." I tugged at Jaxon just a little and he looked over at me, obviously still upset about something, but his eyes softened a bit when he looked at me. "Jaxon, you ready?"

      "We are going to eat, nice to see you, Rosa." Jaxon said as he turned and wrapped his arm around my waist pulling me close to him as we made our way to the table.

      We took our seats and ordered our drinks, "Jax, is everything okay?" I bent over whispering to him, I didn't want Trey to hear us.

     He sighed and leaned back a little in his chair, "Yea, it's fine. There is just something big going down and Trey is in the middle of it." He reached for my hand on the table and gave me a gentle squeeze, "But let's not worry about any of that tonight. Let's just be with each other." I nodded and gave him a smile, he tried to return the smile, but I knew it wasn't genuine, it was forced and barely reached his dimples.

     Dinner came and we took our time eating the delicious meal while making small talk. The waitress had brought the bill and we were waiting on her to bring his card back. I excused myself to the restroom and quickly darted through the restaurant with my head down. I didn't want to see Trey again and I knew they were still here; Jaxon hadn't taken his eyes off them for most of the evening.

      I finished using the restroom and was washing my hands when the door opened, and I heard it lock behind whomever had just walked in. I slowly turned around and let out a deep breath when I saw that it was Rosa standing there. She smiled and gave me a big sisterly hug.

     "Skyla it's so good to see you."

     "You too, Rosa. But why didn't you tell Trey you had met me?"

     "To keep you safe. I told you before it wasn't safe, there is something big going down and so far, I have been kept completely in the dark. I am so afraid you are going to get caught in the middle." She frowned looking at me like she was trying to figure out what to say.

     "I can't leave Jaxon. It's me and him together."I said with finality in my voice, no one was going to separate us, I was going to fight for him.

     "You don't get it Skyla; you will only be collateral damage, and no one will look back to access the damage. As far as Jaxon he will always be perfectly safe. You really need to get out though, as soon as possible. If it's meant to be honey, you and Jaxon will find your way again." I knew she meant well, but my heart said I couldn't, I wouldn't, it was meant to be me and Jaxon.

      "I will continue to think about it Rosa." I tried to step around her and she grabbed my arm.

     "Don't take too long, I only have a short window to do this and if we miss it, I am afraid of what will happen to you in the end." She turned loose and gave me a small smile. "Take care of yourself Skyla, and remember I am here to help."

      "Good to see you again too Rosa." I hugged her quickly and rushed out of the bathroom like it was on fire. Jaxon was waiting at the end of the hall where the restroom was and as soon as he saw me, he immediately pulled me into his arms, "Ready to go?"

      "Yep," he kissed the top of my head. "Let's go, this night isn't over yet." I let him lead me out of the restaurant.

      The night went by so fast, and my mind never took a break. What could be so bad that Rosa was still insisting on getting me out? How exactly did she plan on getting me out? Would Jaxon get out with me? How would this all end? I told myself repeatedly, we were only seniors in high school, barely legal adults, stuff like this did not happen to people like us. Those things only happened in movies and books.