Checkmate

Chapter 8

LAURA’S POV

“What are you’re thinking?” I asked, knowing that the only answer I will get is, nothing.

“Nothing.” and there it is. I rolled my eyes and moved away from the bed.

“What?” he asked, pulling me back.

“It’s always nothing. Whenever I ask a question, you answer me with just more questions surging through my mind.”

“Then don’t ask questions.” He glares at me with so many issues in his eyes.

“Why did you choose to become a lawyer?” he asked. I was expecting something much different. Like why don’t I like going out to a bar, or why my room is still pink, anything except that.

“Because my father was, and mother is, a brilliant lawyer. I used to listen to them having statements before either of them had to go to court the next day, and I loved that. I love helping people that are being accused wrongly and the arguments give me satisfaction when it’s right.” I explain. Jade rolled his eyes.

“What? You don’t like arguments?” I sit down next to him again.

“Yeah, I do, but the argument only gives you satisfaction if it’s true.”

“I agree. That’s what lawyers do, isn’t it? To bring out the truth?” I said.

“Yes, so why to be a lawyer if you're lying?” he announced with his head bowed.

“I’m not lying.” I try to search his eyes for what he’s referring to, but his eyes are focused on my pink blanket while he picks at his nails.

“I wasn’t talking about you.” his head is still lowered.

“Just tell me what’s bothering you?”

“Nothing,” he answered still picking at his nails.

“Yeah, nothing. Why do you hate lawyers?” I said, folding my arms.

“I don’t hate lawyers. I hate lying.”

“So tell me what’s bothering you.” he glared up at me, making my heart skip a beat when his dark eyes scanned my face.

“Don’t make me lie to you, Laura,” he said in a soft tone.

“You just said that you hate lying.”

“Yeah, so don’t make me lie to you. I...” he kept quiet, with more suspicion riding through my mind.

“I what? You can’t start a conversation and end it with me..”

“I have to go.” he jumped up from the bed and like always, he runs away from me, but this time I leapt in front of him. He’s not leaving again. Not this time.

“You’re not letting this go aren’t you?” a desperate for an escape played on his face, making me twinge.

“No, just like you're not letting this go. You keep coming back, so just tell me.” I said aloud, and in seconds, Jade pushed me against the wall with his hand over my mouth.

“Do you want your mother to find out I’m here?” an icy chill run over my body when he removed his hand from my mouth. I still don’t get why I feel so attracted to him.

“That never stopped you before. I mean, you didn’t care the other night.” He moved away from me and lost physical contact with his burns.

“Yeah, that was before.”

“Oh no no, you’re not keeping quiet this time.” I walked closer to where he stood by the window. The wind blows heavy outside, with the trees swinging side to side. Looks like a storm is about to hit Washington again.

“Before I... I mean before I realised the feelings I have for you, and it came without a f*****g warning,” he admits and for the first time, I have nothing to say back. I’m completely blank. My mind screams at me to answer him, but what do I say? I never predicted feelings from him. Yeah, I know we messed around, just like I know he likes getting into trouble, and how he only cares for himself. I mean, he admitted that he doesn’t have a girlfriend and only f**k girls.

“What?” smooth Laura, real smooth. My self-consciousness creeps in.

“Forget it, I have to go.” he opened the window and jumped out. Leaving me a stunt while staring at the window. This has to be a joke, right? I mean he, how? I couldn’t exactly get the questions straight. I feel like someone just poured ice over me and blisters cutting my body into a million pieces.

“Laura?” my mother called when she opened my door.

“I knocked like seven times and called you. What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.

“Nothing.” I turned around to look at her, but her facial expression tells me she was not believing me, and honestly, why would I say anything? I hate that word.

‘I have feelings for you, and it came without a warning’ the words played over and over in my mind.

“Laura?” my mother yells.

“What?” I can’t think straight.

“I asked if you want something to drink?”

“No, I have to go. Can I borrow your car?” I asked. I already know her answer, but I don’t care. I need to know what he meant by “feelings for me” and I’m not dropping this.

“No, there is a storm coming, and we’re in the hell would you want to go at this time of night?”

“I... A friend needs me.” I lied. The one thing I just told Jade that lawyers don’t do, but she will never let me go if I tell her I want to see Jade, and the reason will definitely freak her out.

“What friend? You don’t have friends here.” She points out, which is right, the only “friend” I have is Jade.

“You’re not seeing him.” She closed my window while forbidding me to see Jade.

“Mom, you can’t tell me who I can and can not see.”

“What s**t is this, Laura? You rebelling against my wishes, I told you..” she sigh in frustration without completing her sentence. I stared at her to give me a valid reason, but she doesn’t have one, so I’m going.

“Laura?” she yelled when I run out the door and ignored her uncomfortable screams while grabbing her car keys. I’ve never rebelled before, but I need to know what Jade meant by feelings. I won’t be able to sleep with all the questions running around with no limits inside my mind. I have no idea where he is. I pulled my phone out to call him, but it went straight to voicemail.

I don’t think he went home on a Friday night. I drove slowly past his house while glaring to see if his mother’s car is outside, but it was a no show. The only place he could be is at the bar I met his friends. My stomach pulled into knots when I think back to that night.

It took me about 10minutes to drive to the bar, and to no surprise, the BMW was standing right in front of the bar. I took a few breaths in and out before I climbed out. I actually have no idea what to ask or say to him. How do you ask someone what “feelings” they have for you? Or how do you even ask if they have feelings in that way for you?

The bar is packed with bikers and cheap girls throwing themselves at men who clearly only want one thing. My eyes scanned the place for Jade and finally landed on him with a girl sitting on his lap.

“You keep coming back for more, don’t you?” A familiar voice said behind me, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Jordan.” I greeted neutral, and try to keep my pose.

“I was just about to leave,” I announced when I looked back to where Jade and the girl were clinging. I should’ve known he enjoys playing games.