Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 19.2 - Jessie's Trial

Yes, typical male. "Wait a sec, what did you think I was showing you?"

"Those lovely, red, lacy undies." He smiled shrewdly, and moved out of the way as she aimed a hit at him.

"Why would I be showing you my underwear?"

"Hey, when you get a pot of gold, you don't question the leprechaun." Jimmy dodged her second hit, hooting with laughter.

Jessie hung her head. Tears stung at the insides of her eyes. "I'd give all the money in the world for someone to love me." She wiped her eyes. She didn't want to get all sentimental, but it was inevitable to break down when she remembered her parents' indifference.

Jimmy wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. "Jessie, you are loved. Don't ever doubt that. There's someone out there for everyone." He stroked her hair. "If you haven't received any love from your family, you'll get it tenfold from somewhere else."

She hugged him back. I wish I'd get it from you. Why? Why did she wish that? But she had no energy left to deny it. Her heart began to race, but, for once, she didn't care.

"Feeling better?" Jimmy raised her chin and she nodded. "Good. Now let me show you how to get past that ingenious trap of mine."

*

"She's drooling all over you, and it bothers me," Alice said, walking behind Jimmy.

"I thought you weren't talking to me anymore," he mumbled.

Alice grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Unlike you, I've missed you. It's hard for me to stay away."

"Who said I haven't missed you, too?" He hadn't, not really. Did that make him an awful person? "Let's not talk about Jessie, okay?" Before one of them said something they'd both regret.

"Okay. I know she's nothing but an assignment, but I can't help being jealous. You haven't shown you love me lately."

Jimmy raised his eyebrows. He'd never even thought the word love around Alice, let alone say it. But he was glad she seemed less prone to nag him and more like the fun girl he met.

"An assignment that means nothing to you. You're only doing it because no one trusts her." Alice's tone became more vicious with every word. "And once you prove she's a traitor, we'll abandon her to the animals."

Jimmy frowned. Scratch the nice girl, cue in the bitch again. She was grinning, looking over his shoulder, malice in her eyes. And he finally got it.

"Jessie's right behind me, isn't she?" He turned around without waiting for an answer. Of course she was, her fists clenched and looking more ferocious than he'd ever seen her.

"An assignment?" Her voice trembled. "You bastard!"

Jimmy flinched, expecting her to charge at him. Instead, she wheeled around and rushed through the trees, disappearing out of sight.

Alice cheered. "It was about time someone put her in her place!"

"And you figured it should be you? You meant for her to overhear." He'd never been so angry with her. "How can you ...?" He groaned and walked away before he said something he'd regret.

"Jimmy, don't leave me standing here!" she called out, but he ignored her.

Why are you holding on to her? Break up already! Yeah? And then what? Prove to himself that he was damaged beyond repair? No, he had other things to do now anyway. Like find Jessie.

He rushed toward the edge of camp and almost hit Sam head on, which would've been a disaster since his brother carried a bucket of water.

"Sam, we have a problem."