"He looks like he's about to punch Jake in the face," Clarin comments.

The two of us are sitting a ways away from Owen and Jake who are talking things out with each other. Mostly, it's been Owen shouting at Jake, who looks like he's about to crap his pants. I almost feel bad for the guy, but then I get the nasty memory of him kissing me stuck in my head. Nope, no pity here.

"Sure does," I nod my agreement.

"And you, my friend, keep looking over your shoulder like someone's going to jump out and grab you," Clarin says.

I sigh, knowing she's right. Parker, Phil, Drake, Ben, and Ian are all playing football in the grassy area behind where we're lounged. But she doesn't know why exactly. I haven't told her about Jonathan's message for me quite yet.

A hand grabs onto my shoulder and a high pitched scream echoes through my skull. I practically jump a mile. That leaves two people, Clarin and Joey, laughing their butts off. I'm on the grass, frowning at them both, annoyed that now my white jeans have grass stains.

"You seem quite on edge," Joey comments, his laughter dying down enough for him to speak.

"And?"

"Whoa, you took an extra sassy pill this morning didn't you?" Joey asks, grinning at me.

"There is no such thing as a sass pill, Joey," I roll my eyes. "Only chill pills."

Joey snorts, walking over to help me off the ground. I brush off my jeans even though I know it's hopeless. They're stained and always will be. Great.

"Clarin, we're watching that one chick flick tonight, aren't we?" Joey asks.

"Yes! While You Were Sleeping. That's the one," she replies positively.

"Sweet, I love chick flicks," he winks at me. Maybe it's some inside joke I don't really know about. "I'll be back later, but I've got to go buy some crap."

"Please," I sigh. "Get out of here, you big loser."

"You wound my soul every time I converse with you," Joey says, dramatically putting a hand over his heart.

By the time he's gone, I'm antsy to get talking about something... Anything! I just need to get my mind off my worries. I shed one glance over at Owen and Jake talking, and I blurt out the first thing I can think of like the words are barf. This stress is suffocating.

"So, you and Lucas are getting pretty comfy are you?" I ask Clarin, wiggling my eyebrows.

"You did not just say comfy," she shakes her head with a laugh.

"Oh, I think I did," I reply.

"Right," she says. "Well, if you must put it in that awkwardly-named fashion, then my answer is yes."

"Ah, so my sister's fallen for a British Babe," I grin at her.

"I suppose I have," Clarin winks at me.

"I still haven't gotten any details!"

"Okay, okay, so he took me to the..."

She continues to tell me every sole moment of her perfect night. And I listen patiently, gasping and 'aww'ing when appropriate. But throughout all of this, I can't get a grip over the guilty feeling in my stomach.

"Clarin, I'm sorry, I really need to tell you something that I should've told you days ago," I finally blurt out.

She stops, staring at me, eyes wide. "Oh... Okay. I'll tell you about the sail mishap later. Go ahead."

"Um... I got a call from Jonathan. And he said he was sending someone to finish the job he started with me. They know I'm here. They know I'm here, and that means it's got to be one of those guys," I explain quickly, looking over my shoulder once again.

"That's... slightly terrifying," Clarin blinks. "Why wouldn't you tell me this?"

I sigh, dragging a hand through my hand. "Because, I don't know, I didn't want to bother you while you were so happy with Lucas."

"Hey," Clarin puts a hand on my shoulder, "I'm happy when you're safe and with me. I want you to tell me these things right away. Please, I want to help you."

"I know, I'm sorry," I nod. "I won't keep anything from you again."

"Girls! Come play some football!" Drake calls to Clarin and I.

I shake my head quickly. "I don't play football. Or any sport, really." Mostly, I don't want to get into some game where any of those suspicious guys could tackle and kill me and make it look like it was an accident during a fun afternoon hobby. Delightful.

"Aw, come on," Parker smiles at us. "Please?"

Clarin stands up. "Sure! Come on Brinley." She looks at me pointedly. I don't know what she's planning on doing, quite frankly. I don't know if she even knows what she's doing.

I stand up reluctantly and follow her onto the field. The guys all whoop and holler when they see us. "Yeah, the girls are gonna play!"

"You can be on our team, B," Ian says, gesturing to Parker and Drake. "Clarin, you can be on Phil, Ben, and Joey's team."

I stomp over to the correct side, still pretty annoyed that I'm being volunteered to make a fool of myself. Yeah, right. If I'm playing this, I'm going to win this. And I'm not going to do it looking like an idiot.

"Alright, Brinley, you go long," Drake says, holding the football in our little team huddle. "I'll fake it to you, and that's where Ian'll be on the side to take us to the touchdown. Got it?"

Everyone agrees, and then we begin the game after Drake yells 'hike' and I'm sprinting to the other side like its nobody's business. In fact, Joey stops what he's doing to gawk at me as I hurry past them. I almost laugh at how idiotic he is being. I act as though I'm prepared to catch the ball, and the boys all come to defend me. I smirk, knowing the plan is working. The ball is passed to Ian, who scores our team a touchdown.

"Yes!" I yell, raising the roof. "We did it! We got a touchdown! Take that, losers!"

"Okay, okay, B, that's enough," Joey says, but I can see that smile he's trying to hide.

"Nice distracting," Parker clasps my shoulder with a hearty grin. "I haven't seen anyone run that fast since Ben here crapped his pants in church."

"Hey," Ben frowns. "I was ten."

"And I was laughing. Your point is?" Parker smiles at his friend.

"Game, people, we're in a game of football, not gossip circle," Phill says, and on the walk back to my side, I see his glaring gaze piercing directly into my soul. It freaks me out a little.

"Alright, Brinley," Drake says once we're all huddled up. "I want you to hustle that skinny butt of yours into the endzone. I'm passing straight to you. Break."

I strut back to the position and wait for the magic word. Then I wait for the football to land in my arms. And of course, I sprint as fast as I can towards the endzone.

Someone tackles me from the side. I don't even have to look to know it's Phill. He's the bulkiest guy, and whoever just crawled off of me weighed about twice I do. I lay on my back, staring up at the sky, waiting for my spleens and intestines to feel normal again. Right now, they're feeling quite crushed.

"B, you okay?" Ian stands over me, looking concerned. I purse my lips at him, nodding my head. He offers me a hand, but I ignore it completely and push myself off the ground. I still don't trust him. I don't care how nice he is to me.

"You were so close. Keep it up," Parker winks at me.

I nod, focusing on the game at hand.

<•>•<•>

An entire gruesome hour later, I'm sweaty and disgusting, but I'm also a victor. No, not from the hunger games. Practically, the way those savages play football. My team won, though, thanks to my ability to dive-roll into the endzone.

"That was impressive, Brinley," Owen says, stopping me on the way to the bathroom. "I was watching the end of that game."

"Thanks," I smile. "I had no idea I could play football. Then again, what do I have an idea about? I don't remember anything!"

"Yeah, you were always very competitive, so that helps. And you loved playing football," Owen says. "Even though you could never beat me."

"I don't believe that for a second," I cross my arms.

"Fine, I may have let you win once or twice," he grins at me. "Just to make you feel good."

"Right," I roll my eyes.

"You should be grateful," Owen says. "I don't purposely sacrifice my dignity for just anyone."

"Then I'm flattered," I reply with a smirk. When he pulls me to him and kisses me, there are whoops and hollers. Of course, that doesn't bother me. I don't let go, and neither does Owen.

"Hey, lovebirds, we're trying to start a chick flick over here," Joey's voice rings over us. "And your PDA is really ruining my appetite for overly greasy popcorn, so thanks for that."

When the two of us finally break apart,  it's not by our own will, but Joey is literally dragging me away.

"Little girl, you should be a saint. You aren't supposed to make out with boys until you're older," Joey mocks me. I stick out my tongue. "And far more mature."