Free The Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo

Pat
     stepped closer. His eyes met Gabby’s and held for a brief second. A
     flash of something Jake couldn’t put his mind around tore at him,
     and then Pat broke his gaze and patted Jake on the shoulder,
     smiled, and disappeared after Alexi.
    Alone in the hallway, Jake returned his gaze to
     Gabby. Drawing his brow together, he opened his mouth to ask what
     the deal was with Pat, but she spoke first and his own thoughts
     scattered, forgotten.
    “You don’t have to make her jealous, you know. She’s
     all over you. I’m pretty sure she’s interested,” Gabby
     whispered.
    Broken. The thought left his mind before he
     could process it. Who was broken? Her or him?
    “I’m not,” he said, anger firing up. Not only at her
     nonchalance attitude at whatever was happening between him and
     Alexi, which was nothing if he had any say so, but at Pat’s
     reaction to her. “I’m not into Alexi.”
    “I saw you eavesdropping on them. You should go
     after her. She’s perfect for you.”
    “Why do you have to do that?” he asked, pain
     stabbing him deep in the chest because he knew she was being
     defensive and pushing him away.
    “What?” she asked, sounding so misunderstood.
    “Push me away. Push everyone away. It’s getting old
     real fast.”
    She shoved him hard and he stumbled. “You don’t know
     anything about me, Jake. Nothing.” She almost rammed his shoulder,
     making her way to the stairs.
    He wanted to follow her, to force her to tell him
     her history in this place, her history with Pat, but he couldn’t.
     She racked his nerves and he didn’t understand it. He didn’t trust
     himself with her. He needed to have her, needed her beside him. And
     yet she wanted nothing to do with him. Punching the wall seemed
     like a good idea until pain burst through his hand, up his arm,
     leaving not even an indentation on the plaster. Needing to cool
     off, he went to find Alexi.
    He found her in the back of the house just outside,
     sitting on the floor, her knees drawn to her chest. Short blonde
     hair fell in waves around her face as she leaned forward, reading
     something. On a hammock, Pat swung leisurely, oblivious to anything
     around him, his eyes surveying the night sky. Alexi looked up, and
     her face lit up with a smile as she lifted a drink to him.
    “Go ahead. It’ll calm your nerves.”
    A bit of calm sounded good and he took it from her,
     brushing her fingers softly. After taking a long swallow, feeling
     the liquid burn smooth down his throat, Gabby still remained on his
     mind. Smiling, Alexi patted the space beside her and he sat down,
     drew up one knee, letting Alexi lean on it as she turned to face
     him. Wearing short cut-offs and a skimpy bikini top, there was no
     spark of curiosity. What you see is what you get, sort of deal, and
     Jake couldn’t help but to wonder how many people had sealed that deal and realized he really didn’t care.
    “I heard you were quite the base-jumper.” She held
     out a map to him. Though she was beautiful in an arrogant sort of
     way, he didn’t feel the need to touch her, to be with her. Not sure
     why, he actually had to force himself to be close to her, leaving
     him feeling sick. He took the map and eyed it while taking another
     swallow.
    “Do you know when Gabby’s birthday is?” he asked.
     Alexi stiffened. Her eyes flashed with anger and then she relaxed.
     He really didn't care how she felt about it and decided to ignore
     her reaction.
    “June 30th. I know because of last year’s
     accident.”
    “Accident?”
    “Last year she and a few friends were at the Mason
     Fertilizer Plant when it burned. Someone was killed. It happened on
     her birthday. I'd stay away from her if I were you.” She took a
     swig of his drink and offered him another.
    He refused. She pouted, urging him to take it.
    “I’m good, Alexi. I have to drive.”
    “No you don’t,” she said and inched closer to him, a
     hint of alcohol on her breath.