I turned the spyware on Trey's phone.
I quickly noticed he wasn't alone.
"Yeah man, she said she was going for a hike."
"Trey this could be our chance"
"I don't think so. I do have an idea to watch how she is in the woods."
"Yeah! If she's that clumsy at school she should be fun to watch in the woods!"
I turned it off as I started leaving a trail of my clothes on the floor to the shower. I thought more and more about the conversation I heard with Trey and one of his strange friends. At least I knew my injured bunny act was working.
I screamed for Jax! "Jackson!"
He knew I was in the shower but it didn't stop me from telling him what I heard.
"Indie, do you realize you are still in the shower!" he said as if I didn't know!
That response made me roll my eyes. "No Jackson, I thought I was washing a car!" I said sassily.
Obviously, he enjoyed my sarcasm because the laughter filled the room. I started shutting off the water and stuck my hand out for my towels as I knew he would hand them to me.
"The hike later you have to be careful not to be seen. They are going to watch me. I have to put on a show. So no matter what you see from me, just remember it's just a show!"
I stepped out and looked at him as he quickly turned around. "Indie, just be careful."
As he started to walk out the door I shouted "I'm going shopping with Grace. I need to get more information. I will only be gone for an hour or so."
He nodded and left. Grace was extremely happy to see me.
She almost knocked me over with a hug. "Hi Grace!"
"Oh Indie! I'm so happy that we are going to spend some time together." She said.
I readjusted my clothes and smiled. It was at that moment I saw that dazed look.
"So are you ready to go?" I asked.
She nodded. While we were at the mall I asked about her and Dom. She told me they hooked up a few times. She thought it would go in one direction but it never did. In the sound of her voice she seemed disappointed.
I laughed and said "Boys are stupid!"
This also gave her a shot of happiness. Then I went on to ask her about Trey. She told me how he is so popular and all the girls want him. Which was no clue to me. I already knew he had an ego. Blondes must fill that for him. Although I was wondering why he went after brunettes. I seemed to zone out in my own thoughts.
"INDIANA!" as Grace snaps her fingers in my face to draw me out.
With a slight embarrassment I glanced at the time on the phone. "Grace, I have to head home."
Just as I said the last word a friend of Grace came. "Hey Grace and uh state girl?" her friend said.
Her hair was red. A for sure dye job. The red was crimson instead of a soft red, I am used to seeing. She obviously never heard less is more when it comes to makeup. Her green eyes were covered with smears of mascara and eyeliner. She was doing the same as she sized me up.
I reached for her hand "Hi! And its named Indiana! And you are?" I said as I looked deep into her eyes.
Right then and there she changed.
She softened, she quickly apologized. "I am so sorry! I am Nat, it is so nice to meet you!"
I glanced back at Grace and asked "Did you want me to drive you home or are you staying here?"
She smiled and said "I think I'm going to spend some time with Nat!"
I shrugged and with a smile I said "Well you two have fun I will see you Monday at school!"
Oddly enough they both answered at the same time. "Okay Indiana! Goodbye!" they both said in unison.
I got in the car and put my phone on speaker.
I called Jackson.
"Indie, is there a problem?" He questioned in an almost panicked way.
"Well of course I am Jackson! I'm currently bound and gagged and being held against my will!" I said with sarcasm.
If I could see him now his face would be that stern look that he gives me when I do something he doesn't agree with. His eyes tighten and his forehead wrinkles up.
"Indiana, that was not funny!" He scolded me.
"Jackson you are right. It wasn't but only because I didn't get to see your face. I will be home in a few."I said as I hung up before knowing anything he could say I wouldn't listen.
I walked in where I could see Jax was still upset about my joke. "Jax, I'm very sor" but before I could finish he stopped me.
"Indie, I don't think you should go to the woods," he said in a stern voice.
I stared at him, opened my mouth, "Jackson I'm going today! I need to stop the hurt and if they want to play a game let's play. We can't stop now!" I said in objection.
With a shake of the head, I knew what he was thinking. So I walked upstairs. In my room, I found my capri leggings. I quickly changed my clothes. I went to the mirror and combed out my perfect curls. I laced my fingers through my hair to give myself two perfect Dutch braids. I tied red ribbons at the bottom of each braid. With socks and shoes in hand, I walked down the stairs. I stopped halfway down the stairs and sat down. Jax stood there looking at me as I laced up my shoes.
"Indie, you need to make sure you will be safe," he said almost if it was a demand.
"How could I not be any safer? You will be watching my every move? Plus you haven't seen Trey's reaction to me!" I protested.
He smiled "Is it funny to watch?" he questioned.
I shot him that sly smile which he knew it was. "Jax, I'm not a bunny and this is all an act like I said he likes that stuff," I said matter of factly.
He smiled. I started stretching out my legs and my arms. "Jax run ahead of me. I don't want to be able to see you. I will start making my way soon." I said.
He hugged me which felt weird. In that hug, it felt different than any other hug. Like he wasn't ready to let go. Instead of him usually pushing me away.
I felt his heartbeat against me. "Jax just be safe!" I said as a tease.
He smiled.
I waited until he left. I put the small blade in my jacket. Jax was right with the clothes I wore. I would never be able to hide my gun. Although he doesn't know of the hidden pocket that I had added. Small enough not to be noticed, big enough for a blade.
I took a deep breath and I slipped in my earpiece.
"Indie, be careful I saw the jeep down the street," he said.
"Jax, it's what we expected. Stop telling me to be careful!" I said.
I heard his heavy breathing as he ran.
"Check your watch, see that flashing dot. That's me. I stuck a tracker to my bra. If you can't see me, you can at least see me!" I teased.
"Indie, just when you couldn't get any more impressive, you go and do this," Jax said, impressed.
"Okay radio silence," I said in a whisper.
I opened the door and Jax was right; the black jeep was up the road. If there was any time to be afraid, right now wasn't it. As soon as I was past the jeep I heard the engine start. The jeep darted past me and I thought this would be the best time to see what Trey is doing!
I turned on my spyware and put on an earbud to hear,
"She looks so hot in her little outfit Trey."
"It won't be long until she's in the woods. You are ready to see how she can run in there. "
"Man! Trey, I bet she falls on her ass and breaks a nail halfway through."
I turned off the spyware and alerted Jax that they are going to be watching.
"They are here. They will be hiding behind the trees off the trail." I reported.
As I reached the trail I took a moment to stretch some more. I ran up the trail as soon as I heard a crack of the limb I fell. Sliding down on my side. I got up, dusted myself off, and started walking.
I heard Jackson in my ear "Indie, they moved up!"
I pretended to lose my balance and planted my ass. I saw a sharp rock and scratched my hand on it. Blood dripped down my hand.
"Start to head back," Jax whispered in my ear.
I reached for my water clipped to me and took a nice long drink. Water dripped down my chest. Somehow glisten in the sun. I splashed some water on my hand. I clipped the bottle to me and then I started walking back. I knew I put on an amazing show.
By the sound of Jax's voice, he didn't seem too happy about the blood. "A bit over-playing Indie."
I put my phone to my ear and pretend to take a call. "Hey, Jackson! I'm just calling to tell you I'm on my way home!"
I kept walking back on the trail; when I saw a branch close to the end of the trail in case I was still being watched. I caught myself on it, tripping on it slamming my body to the ground. If I was in pain I couldn't feel it. The pain was second to make sure these guys saw the "hurt bunny."
I was able to get myself out of the woods, I noticed the jeep was no longer following me. I walked and walked. Actually wasn't quiet because in my ear Jax kept giving me a lecture on how I overdid it. How when I get home I need to go straight upstairs and shower. This made me roll my eyes. I was finally home. I was happy to walk upstairs to my room. I slipped off my shoes, slipped out of my socks. I left my trail, left my jacket on the floor, slid my pants off, at the shower door I took my bra and panties off. Turning the hot water on, I step in. I watch the dirt and the blood rinse off my body. I looked at my body and I noticed the bruise my body was already producing. The cut on my hand was not deep but it looked nasty. The soap burnt.
Just as I was enjoying the hot water I heard Jackson. "Indie, did you realize how dangerous that was!" He scolded me.
I rolled my eyes "Jax, do you realize you forgot to knock!" I teased.
That laugh I always loved hit my body like a ton of bricks!
I pulled back the curtain to show my face. "Jackson I'm not hurt. Okay I'm hurt but I'm not dying." I said reassuring him.
He looked at me and it was that look that drew me in. His eyes were always my favorite feature on him although I always liked when he would skip the shave and get a little scruffy. Although his eyes were my favorite feature, it was his lips I craved. Before he could notice me observing his face I turned off the water. I knew this would get him out of the bathroom. I ripped back the curtain and he was out.
I shouted out "Jackson! I'm hungry!"
I toweled my body off slowly and softly around the scrapes and bruises. I slipped into my silk camisole pajamas, the ones I usually push to the back of the drawer. The soft silk felt amazing against my bare skin. I combed through my hair pulling out the tangles. I used the towel to press out the water. I lifted up my top and started fixing my scrapes.
I heard a knock that startled me but before I could answer Jax walked in.
"Jackson!" I said, startled.
I was shocked when he eyed my scrape. He put his hand out to me and I handed him the ointment and the bandages. I slid against my bathroom sink. He touched my skin and I hissed to the pain. He looked at me with his face all filled with concern.
"Jax, I am fine you know. It could be worse. They could have grabbed me." I said, trying to reassure him.
That caused the concern to leave and anger to fill his face. I watched him as he finished bandaging me up. His hands moved to my hand and that's when he stopped looking at me. He started walking away when I reached out and grabbed his shirt causing him to stop. I walked into him wrapping my arms around him. He started to realize he also needed this embrace. His arms wrapped around me. I closed my eyes as I enjoyed the smell of his body. I never could figure out if it was the smell of him or his body wash.
It was intoxicating. "Jax I am fine. You need to believe me!" I demanded.
He laughed pulling away from me. "Indiana! You are the strongest woman I know!" he stated.
This caused me to laugh and say "I'm sure your mom would differ!"
He laughed while he started walking out the door.