In the Heart of Forever Read Online Free PDF Page B

him. I saw the same hard expression in his eyes. “Uh…Jake, this is Rave Black. Rave…Jake Porter.”
    “Yeah, I know who he is,” Jake snapped.
    “Okay…well…” I looked between the two guys. “I’m gonna head to the cafeteria. Are you having lunch with me today, Jake?”
    “What’s wrong?”
    His eyes darkened. “You need to stay away from him. He’s trouble.”
    My cheeks heated, embarrassed for Rave. “You don’t even know him. Let’s go have lunch.” I placed a hand on his arm but he pulled away.
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “Jake, why are you acting like this?”
    His eyebrows narrowed. “He’s the reason why you don't want to go to the dance with me.” Suspicion coated Jake’s features.
    “What are you talking about? I don't even know if I’m going. That's why I didn't say yes to you.” It wasn’t his business anyways.
    “There are some stories going around about him. He’ll hurt you Jesse,” he accused. "And if you didn't want to go to the dance with me, you should have just said so instead of lying to me."
    "I'm not lying. Rave hasn’t asked me. We can all go as friends. Have a good time." I felt Rave step up closer behind me. I could feel the body heat coming off of him. Usually, it would have bothered me, someone being in my personal space but at that moment, it seemed like he wanted to protect me. I looked up at him.
    His eyes darkened as they bored into Jake’s.
    “Rumors come from somewhere, so there must be some truth to them,” Jake said, his voice cold.
    I shook my head. That didn’t make sense. “As if any of the rumors about me are true. You know that.”
    Jake rolled his eyes. “Yeah, right,” his eyes darted past me.
    “Jake, stop this. I don’t know what’s gotten into you but you…just…please…stop,” I was shocked that Jake had listened to the rumors like everyone else in that damn school. I had even heard some of the teachers whispering about Rave.
    “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Look at him,” Jake sneered, like Rave was beneath him.
    “The same could be said about you, Jake. You shouldn’t judge people before getting to know them,” I couldn’t believe it. This was not the Jake that I became friends with.
    “Jesse, he’s jealous. There’s no point,” Rave’s soft deep voice wrapped around me.
    I ignored him and continued. “Rave and I are friends.”
    “Just because he hasn't hurt you yet doesn't mean he won't," Jake shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
    Rave stiffened behind me.
    I gasped. “Jake. How could—”
    “You should stay far away from him.” He turned on his heel and stormed off.
    I turned back to Rave. "I'm so sorry."
    Rage and fury flew through his eyes, darkening his young handsome features.
    “Rave,” I sighed. “He’s not usually like that.”
    “Don’t apologize for him. It’s not your fault,” Rave reached out to touch my arm.
    I flinched before he made contact. I wasn't scared of him but my nerves were shot and I was confused.
    He drew a breath and released it. “Fuck, Jesse. I won’t hurt you,” he scrubbed his face with his hand.
    Tears welled in my eyes. “I’m sorry. I need to go.”
    “Jesse.”
    I walked past him and bent down to gather up my things. A heavy hand landed on my shoulder making me jump. I spun on him. “Please. Don’t touch me.”
    Ice cold fear ran down my spine for a moment and then I looked into his dark green eyes. The affection that soared through them, relaxed me some but I needed to get out of there, needing some time alone. “I’m sorry Rave. I…”
    His jaw tensed. “I won’t hurt you, Jesse. No matter what Jake said, I’m not that type of guy.”
    “I...I know...I just..."
    He took a step towards me, backing me into the corner.
    My heart pounded against my chest. “Rave, stop. Please,” I cried, holding my hands up in front of me.
    His fists clenched at his side. He then reached out and cupped my cheek, rubbing a thumb over my bottom lip.
    My belly