After he promised to punish me, he walked me over to the stands with an order not to move. I looked around for Willow but didn’t see her in the immediate area. I wasn’t able to call her since Keiran had taken my phone yet again. I did, however, see Dash standing by one of the cheerleaders with his hand on her ass. I shook my head in disgust at him, Keiran, and most of all myself. I knew how they were using her for payback against me still I didn’t warn her away. I really felt as if I didn’t have a choice. I just prayed Willow would forgive me in the end. It was the only way to protect them both.

“Lake?”

My name was called and I instantly recognized the voice followed by a sense of dread. This day couldn’t get any worse. I turned my head to the sound of the voice and saw a lanky form with a mop of brown curly hair, wearing a green and blue plaid button up and distressed jeans, standing at the end of the stands. A wide smile spread across his face when my eyes met his.

“Don’t tell me you forgot about me already,” he joked when I continued to stare at him. I knew who it was but I was silently praying it wouldn’t be him.

“Jesse?” I asked, reluctantly thought I didn’t have to.

“You are correct, but I’m hurt.” He placed a hand to his heart and made his way up the bleachers toward me.

“Wh – what are you doing here?”

“You just keep digging the knife in deeper sweetheart. Maybe you should give it a little twist. I missed you too,” he said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry, Jesse. You can’t be here. This isn’t a good time.”

I looked around nervously but Keiran’s back was still turned. He was talking to one of the coaches. I didn’t see any of his henchmen anywhere but I couldn’t take that risk, not after how he acted at my job…or rather former job.

“Because of him? Where is he anyway? I’d like to meet him.”

“You can’t!”

“Jeez, Lake. You’re fucking shaking. Did he hurt you?”

“No, Jesse. Just please go. You have to understand.”

“I understand alright. What is he doing to you?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“What do you mean you can’t answer that?” His voice had risen, causing a few people to turn around. If he got any louder Keiran would hear him eventually.

“Lower your voice. I’m fine. He hasn’t hurt me.”

“Willow said it was a risk bringing you here but I didn’t expect…I thought he was bullying you again. There is something else isn’t there?”

I didn’t answer him and instead kept an eye on Keiran. “I can help you, Lake.”

I shook my head. “No you can’t. I have it under control, just please go.”

“No.” He stated firmly.

“No? What do you mean no? Go!”

“Do you realize you’re rhyming?” he chuckled.

“Jesse!”

“Lake, I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m going to have a talk with him.”

“You’re what?” I shrieked. “Please don’t do that.”

“When are you going to stand up to him, Lake? You can’t be that weak!” he said, frustration lacing his voice.

“Excuse me?”

“What could he possibly do to you besides spread rumors?”

Hurt my aunt. Hurt Willow. Hurt me.

“You don’t know him. You don’t –”

“You’re right, I don’t. But I can find out.” With that he trudged down the bleachers toward the field and began walking across it. While the game was playing!

“Jesse, stop!”

I wasn’t as brave or as crazy as he was but I quickly ran around the track to try to intercept him. The crowd in the stands was throwing a fit and some of the players had a few choice words for Jesse. Some of them from school recognized him and greeted him even though he basically interrupted the game and ruined the play. This of course caught Keiran’s attention. If he was surprised he didn’t show it as he looked directly at Jesse. His eyebrow rose and a smirk crossed his face. Damn, it. He would know exactly who Jesse was by now.

“Masters,” Jesse called, walking up to him. “I want to talk to you.” Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

Keiran gave the football coach a look and he walked away immediately, which was seriously ridiculous. “So talk,” Keiran said, crossing his arms.

“Jesse, no. Let’s go.” He ignored me and squared up with Keiran.

“You need to leave her alone.”

“Why would I do that?”

The air around us was charged with tension and people were beginning to notice the tension between Jesse and Keiran all but forgetting the game was happening. Even the players had stopped playing.

This was bad. I had to stop this….somehow. “Guys that's enough. You're causing a scene,” I scolded, stating the obvious. Real genius, Lake.

Jesse glared at me while Keiran watched me silently with no expression. That was the biggest sign that he was planning something bad, specifically to me.

“I'm taking her home,” Jesse gritted turning back to Keiran. Keiran passed a fleeting look to Jesse, then me. He looked bored when he leaned back against the metal stands, casually.

“You do that.” He stated, shocking us both. He nodded his head toward the field and I could hear the beginnings of the game restarting, along with a lot of mumbling and hushed voices.