Free Secret Storm by Amelia James Page A

books in her bag. "I'm a big girl. I can handle
whatever Jack's hiding from me." And that's what pissed her off the
most. She really didn't care what happened in the past. The fact
that he wouldn't trust her with it hurt more than anything
else.
    "I wish I could tell you, but this is
something he needs to tell you himself."
    Sara grabbed her bag. One of the handles
ripped loose and it tipped, spilling her books and notes all over
the floor. She groaned and chucked the useless bag across the room.
"I'm not even going to bother."
    She grabbed the book she needed and slammed
out of the house, taking the long way to class to avoid any
possible encounter with Jack.
    ***
    "Hey Jane!" Jack ran to catch up with her
before she disappeared into the library. "Is Sara all right? She
missed class this morning. I'm worried about her."
    "Oh are you?" Her eyes narrowed.
    An icy chill rattled his spine. He'd never
seen her this cold. "Yeah, we talked last night, but—"
    "That's not what she said."
    Oh. Right. Sara had done most of the
talking—or yelling. "I don't want to talk about it." Why won't
anyone listen to me?
    "I think you should." She crossed her arms
over her chest, holding her book in front of her like battle armor.
He had to give her credit for standing her ground and facing him
down.
    "Austin told you, didn't he?"
    "He doesn't keep secrets from me."
    "He doesn't keep secrets from anyone. Damn
it, I'm gonna...." He smashed his fist into his palm before he
realized what he'd done. Austin obviously trusted Jane with his
secret. Could Jack trust her too? "Please don't tell Sara."
    "Oh, I won't. She needs to hear it from
you."
    "Yeah, I knew you were gonna say that."
    Her eyes softened and she touched his arm.
"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I can't imagine how much
it hurt."
    Jack didn't have to imagine. "Thank you." Did Austin tell her everything?
    "I think Sara should know."
    "Why? Everyone keeps telling me what I should
do, but no one can give me a reason why."
    "Jack, I care about you, but I'm not going to
coddle you like Austin does. I'll tell you things he won't."
    "Like what?"
    "You're an idiot."
    Jack laughed. "He tells me that all the
time."
    "You want to know why you should tell
Sara?"
    "Give me one good reason." This ought to
be good. He smiled, confident nothing she could say would—
    "Because you're hurting her."
    What? Jack crumbled. No. I would
never hurt Sara.
    "I know Sara. The tougher and bitchier she
is, the more she's in pain."
    His hard heart suddenly ached, remembering
how tough Sara had been last night. "I didn't know."
    "No, you probably didn't, because you're too
busy being stubborn. Austin thinks you're protecting her, and I'm
sure you do too, but when are you guys going to figure out we're
stronger than you think? You're both idiots."
    What if he told Sara? What if he told her
everything and then—? "I don't want her to be afraid of me."
    "I'm not afraid of you." Jane stood up
straight and looked him in the eye. "And yes, Austin told me how
you got that scar on your stomach. Trust her or she'll never trust
you. Is that what you want?"
    "No." The need to tell her overwhelmed his
control again. Keeping his secret was hurting Sara. That thought
ripped him apart. "Where is she?"
    Jane glanced at her watch. "She's in class
right now, but she'll be home in an hour or so."
    "Don't go home tonight. Go see Austin and
stay there."
    Sara couldn't run away from him at her own
house. That wouldn't stop her from kicking his ass out the door...
but he'd worry about that later.
    "Jack," Jane called as he ran off.
    He turned but kept moving.
    "Let her in."
    He nodded and took off, his heart pounding.
He could end Sara's pain, tell her what she needed to know. He just
hoped he would have the strength, and that it would be enough.

Chapter 8
     
    Sara peered through the peephole after the
knock on the door. She breathed a heavy sigh and turned the knob.
"I went out of my way all day to avoid you, but here you