‘Nup. Don’t have a clue. Wouldn’t know where to start. Maybe I’ll just stay working at The Ring and throw in some travel.’ Jaz pointed to a painted egg that sat on a little stand next to his TV. ‘I see you have. Africa?’
‘Yep, I get to travel around a fair bit.’
Jaz waited for him to continue…but he didn’t. ‘So are you going to tell me some of your travelling stories?’
‘Nup. We don’t have all night. I’d best be getting you back home before you’re in trouble.’
Jaz checked her leather band watch. ‘Crap, you’re right. Maybe I better get home before Mum starts ringing Anna asking to talk to me!’ Jaz downed the last of her drink and found the caffeine tingled nicely in her belly. Her nerves had settled satisfactorily.
They put their cups on the jarrah coffee table and set off for the car. Fifteen minutes later Ryan parked a few houses down. Jaz sat in the car, not ready to leave its warmth, or the company of Ryan. They had shared a lot tonight. He wasn’t a stranger who visited The Ring anymore. He’d saved her life and had taken her home. She knew a little more about him; and yet there were still big blanks too, things about him that didn’t add up or things that maybe she should be afraid of. But there was something honest in his eyes, even when they could take on that steel-like appearance that sent fear into your soul. Just like when he was fighting those guys. But beyond all that uncertainty, Jaz couldn’t help feeling at ease with him, protected and safe. Of course it was strange, but Jaz was a strange one herself. Maybe that’s why she liked him so much.
‘Thanks for everything, Ryan. I’d hate to think…if you weren’t…you know.’ She felt Ryan’s hand on her shoulder giving her a gentle squeeze. She lifted her eyes from her lap and met his. Understanding passed between them before he drew his hand back.
‘Go on, you better get.’
‘See you tomorrow at The Ring?’
‘Sure will.’
His answer perked up her mood and she reached for the door handle. Jaz made her way home. The night still smelt of the rain that had passed and for a minute, she remembered the attack. She shivered in fear. But as Ryan’s SUV drove by, the terror of it left her. Ryan Fletcher filled her with warmth. As his name circled around her head as she looked up into the lit windows of her house. Home safe and sound.
Chapter 14
The cold morning chill was seeping through the car window as Jaz’s forehead pressed against it.
‘If we are late because of you…’ Simon’s threat hung open. Jaz didn’t even bother to reply. She was far too tired.
Last night she should have slept like the dead with all the action she’d had. But when it came time to sleep she’d laid awake, her mind a frenzy of thoughts. Jaz tried to blame the caffeine but she was deluding herself. Never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she’d be attacked and fighting for her life. Most of her waking hours last night had been spent reliving every moment, trying to think of better ways to fight them. Ryan’s words had come back to her. ‘You have to maim them.’ She knew he was right, as the guys had kept bouncing back like yoyos, no matter how hard she’d hit them. Then Ryan shows up…another reason why she didn’t sleep so well. Who was he? Mr Secret G.I. Joe?
‘Okay, kids, have a great day at school.’ Tasha glanced across at Jaz as she stopped at the school gates. ‘Oh, Jaz, couldn’t you have tried to fix that up with some make-up? You look like you’ve been in a fight.’
‘Well I was, Mum. I can’t help it if Tick got a bit excited. I should have fought him better too, I guess.’ That had been her excuse for all the bruises and her swollen lip, a scratch match with Tick. Her mum had believed her, luckily, because it wasn’t unusual. ‘It’s okay anyway Mum, the school understands. It’s not like years ago when they thought you and Paul were abusing me,’ said Jaz with a quick laugh.
Her mum sighed but smiled. ‘Yes, those were fun times,’ she said sarcastically. ‘Please can you tell the guys to take it easy on you? They should know better. Maybe I should come down to the gym and have a talk to them.’
‘NO, Mum,’ groaned Jaz. ‘Totally embarrassing. I’ll do it, I promise. Okay? I’ll sort it out. No need to do the overprotective mother routine. I’m nearly eighteen.’
‘I just worry.’ Tasha reached over and tucked Jaz’s hair behind her ear tenderly. ‘You remind me so much of your father.’ Tasha smiled sadly. It was the same one she got whenever she mentioned her father.