The Hemlock Girl by C. L. Heckman

Author:C. L. Heckman [Heckman, C. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-29T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Anticipation keeps me awake all night, waiting for the sun to rise. Millions of thoughts sprint through my mind like bullets ricocheting off steel, as I contemplate my relationship with Jason, and my potential relationship with Jasper. I travel back and forth between them weighing the pros and cons of each. My head is convinced that Jason is the right choice, but my heart disagrees.

As the sun peeks over the horizon, I gradually make my way to Hemlock Lake, turning back several times. My trembling hands release gallons of sweat onto the unsuspecting steering wheel. On the passenger seat, my cell phone remains black, with no texts from either of the guys. Convinced that the last 36 hours were just a dream, I pull over to the side of the road.

“Why are you calling me so early?” Dakota whines followed by an audible yawn.

“I need reassurance,” I demand.

“You and Jasper are meant to be together,” she states without even listening to my question.

“I kissed Jason last night,” I blurt out.

Suddenly, Dakota’s voice is crystal clear. “Tell me everything.”

I fill her in while staring at a corn field to my left. The tops of the stalks have just started to tassel, and the cobs near the road have been picked apart by white-tailed deer.

“What do I do?” I ask. “I’m a freakin’ mess.”

“Karissa,” she starts. “You need to go talk to Jasper. You owe him, and yourself, that much. Just see where it goes. Maybe it’ll give you the answer you’re looking for.”

I heed her advice and put the car in gear. “I’ll talk to you after.”

I pull into Hemlock and make my first left. Jasper’s bedroom window is open to allow the summer air to sift through. I park in my regular spot and force a deep breath into my lungs before wiping my sweat-soaked palms on my skirt.

To my right, the driveway is empty. I slide through the metal gate, easing it closed. Roxy stares out the front window, threatening to bark. I quickly hide behind the bushes. My phone vibrates in my back pocket.

I see you. Stop hiding and get in there. Dakota instructs.

I’m trying! I send back.

I shove my phone back in my pocket, and tiptoe to Jasper’s window. Creepily peeking inside, I notice his bed is empty and the blankets are disheveled. His stereo is playing his favorite band, and before I can look any further, Roxy’s nose is pressed against my thigh.

“Stalker!” Jasper yells from the doorway.

“Busted,” I mumble to myself.

Jasper leans against the siding and crosses his feet. His bare chest lifts as he takes a puff of his cigarette while shoving his lighter in the pocket of his blue-striped pajama pants.

“You wanna come inside?” he questions.

“In a minute,” I respond, walking over to him. Brushing my hand against his, I steal the lit cigarette from between his fingers and lift it to my mouth. Inhaling, I once again revel in the fact that his lips were just wrapped around the filter only a few seconds prior.

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