Tanner - Don’t tempt me into kidnapping

Me - Ha Ha … I just need to grab some things then we will be heading back to Jesse’s

Tanner - Text me when you get home

I must be scowling at my phone when Jesse approaches. “Trouble in paradise?” he questions.

“No, just Tanner asking if he needs to upgrade from stalking to kidnapping.” I roll my eyes. “Let’s get what we need and go back to your place. The last thing we need is him turning up, realising that this is so much more than someone following me and taking photos.”

“I don’t think he would run if he knew, Kins,” he pauses, speaking quietly, “I really do think you could tell him.”

“You think I’m scared of him running for the hills? That I’m scared to be broken-hearted?” I shake my head. “I’m not worried about me, Jesse. I’m already too far gone, nothing can save me now — but him? He isn’t involved in this yet. These people? They aren’t afraid to kill, Jess. You know it, I know it and it’s just a matter of time before someone else gets hurt. I can’t let him be collateral damage. God, it eats me alive knowing there is nothing I can do to keep you out of this.”

Jesse closes the space between us, wrapping me in his arms. “You’re right, Meadow. There is nothing you can do to keep me out of this and I will spend every waking minute keeping you safe.” He takes a deep breath and on exhale he whispers, “I made a promise.”

Immediately, I still in his arms. Stepping back I look up at him, his eyes are on the floor. It’s written all over his face — he is only now realising what he said out loud.

“Who did you make a promise to, Jesse?”

He leans back against the wall, sliding to the floor. I follow, kneeling before him. He looks me deep in the eyes and says the one word that confirms everything.

“Kyle.”

A mixture of emotions engulf me, but now is not the time to work through them. I stuff them down, locking them away for later. Hold it together Kinsley.

“In Kyle’s journal, the last entry was dated the day before he was found dead.” I already know the answer to what I am asking him, but I need to hear it. “What haven’t you told me, Jess?” My eyes are pleading with him and my body begins to shake.

On instinct he reaches out, wanting to hold me. We don’t have time to sit here and grieve, so instead of letting him pull me down into his lap I stand, and reach out my hand to help him up. Reluctantly he takes it.

“So much, Meadow. There is so much I haven’t told anyone.”