The Recruit(54)

‘So I was talking to Anna in History and she’s keen to come to the firing range today, are you? I know Bags has The Ring open on a Thursday, so no excuses.’ Taylor grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘Com’on, you know you want to.’

‘Why, have all your popular mates deserted you?’ she laughed as she enjoyed his warm hand.

All too soon, Taylor let go of her hand to put it over his heart. ‘Oww, Jasmine! It hurts me to hear you say that. You know you and Anna are at the top of the list.’

‘I heard my name. I hope it wasn’t spoken in vain!’

‘It’s Anna Banana. Hey beautiful, ready to knock some rust off your aim?’ Taylor joked.

Anna had her hair swept up in a loose bun, with a few soft curls that had dropped free. She really was beautiful when she wasn’t hiding behind a book or computer screen.

‘Yep! You coming too, Jazzy?’

Jaz normally would have jumped at the chance but a part of her wanted to go to The Ring and see how Ryan was today. Yesterday had been so full of emotion and weirdness and she wanted to make sure things were still okay between them. But she didn’t want to miss out on going to the range with Taylor. He was really making the effort to spend more time with them than with his more popular friends of late. She wondered if there was something behind it, or maybe he’d just finally realised what a hissy cat Minka and her friends could be. Whatever the reason she didn’t want it to slip by either.

‘Yeah, count me in. I have eight shots that need to hit a target!’

‘That’s my girls,’ said Taylor, wrapping his arms around each of them.

Together they all walked out into the afternoon sunshine. Their matching white school shirts, black ties, their red tartan skirts and Taylor, who still won the award for the best butt in the standard uniform black pants. Jaz felt invincible with her two best friends by her side, as if they could accomplish anything as long as they were together.

They walked through the school gates and towards the car park and Taylor’s waiting Mustang.

Jaz threw her bag into the back of the car and turned at the sound of her name being called.

Ryan jogged to them and paused beside her in his sandy-coloured cargo pants and a black singlet. He was still sexy as Hell but the uncertainty was still in his eyes. He wasn’t a hundred percent himself.

‘Hey, what’s up?’

‘I thought I’d walk or jog with you to The Ring, if that’s okay?’ he asked.

Jaz opened her mouth but no words came. She turned around to Anna and Taylor who were about to get in his car. Anna’s smile was ridiculously overboard and Taylor had a frown that was bound to give him wrinkles. What was she to do? Maybe this was an opportunity for Taylor to get to know Ryan. She would like them to be mates, and besides they shared a common interest…guns.

‘Can Ryan come with us?’ she asked her friends. Taylor looked less than impressed, whereas Anna clapped excitedly.

‘Yes, of course. Isn’t that right, Taylor? More the merrier,’ said Anna.

‘Yeah, sure. Why don’t you come?’ he said blandly. Taylor really wasn’t throwing out the welcome mat.

Jaz turned back to Ryan. ‘Well, do you want to come? We’re going to the firing range.’

‘Really? Sure, thanks.’ He slid into the back seat with Jaz, his long legs folded up behind Anna’s front seat.

Anna was already trying to find Red FM on the radio as she chatted to Taylor. Ryan was watching the houses flick by out his window, deep in thought. Jaz touched his leg and he nearly jumped through the car roof.

‘You okay?’ she said quietly, so the front two couldn’t hear.

He nodded and asked, ‘Why you say that?’

Jaz shrugged a shoulder and wished he hadn’t asked why. ‘I don’t know, you just seem a little preoccupied, that’s all.’ And detached, not yourself and distant towards me at times, she wanted to add but lost her nerve.

‘Just deep in thought. Trying to sort out a problem.’

‘Well if there is anything I can do, I’m right here.’

He glanced back out the window so Jaz slunk back into the seat and looked out her own window. Now she was deep in thought, thinking about him!

It wasn’t until they got to the firing range and Derik was handing out weapons that he perked up, almost to his old cheerful self.

Taylor had gone first and fired all eight shots from his Browning 9mm on target.

Ryan’s face was a little gobsmacked.

‘See, I told you he was brilliant,’ Jaz beamed.

Taylor went a little pink from her praise, but she knew he was loving it.

Taylor handed over the gun to Ryan. ‘So, you ever used a gun before?’ he asked Ryan.