Free In The Spur of Heath (The Spur Series Book 1) by Sydney Ledger Page A

as I slipped on my sweater.
    We both jumped into his car and made our way to school, my hair blowing wildly in the wind. I just looked out with my hand pressed against my temple. My heart doubling and my chest tightening. Afraid of seeing Jake now as ‘Mr.Cavanaugh’. It was all too much. “Reesie?” Heath’s deep Aussie voice made me jump.
    “Huh?”
    “You okay?”
    “I’m fine, Heath. Just feeling a lil’ sick.”
    “Need me to stop by the pharmacy?”
    “Na, it ain’t that serious.”
    “Okay.”
    We pulled up in the parking lot. I looked over at the teacher’s parking lot to see if I saw Jake’s Prius – it wasn’t there. I began to feel nauseous. Oh God, what have I really gotten myself into? I wanted to disappear.
    I strolled up to Tang, Heath behind me. When we walked in, I stopped in my tracks and Heath bumped into me. “Reese, what’s wrong?” Oh God, pull it together Reese.
    There was Jake in his usual spot, head in a book with a bagel and coffee set beside him. I continued to walk to our usual seat, constantly glancing over at him. Could I be any more obvious? “You want me to order the usual?” Heath asked with a tone of annoyance. He could tell something was off. Who couldn’t? “Yeah, yeah. That’s fine.” I replied impassively. He just shook his head and walked off. Jake didn’t even realise that I was sitting a few feet away from him. I decided to go up to him. I mean, I usually do, right? I’m becoming so conflicted. I don’t know what’s okay now, what’s normal!
    I padded up to his table and sat in the chair on the opposite side of him. He looked up and took off his glasses. His eyes brightened when he saw me. Wow, he was happy to see me?
    “Hey, Trini.” He winked.
    “Mr. Cavanaugh.” I nodded politely. Wow, this was hella awkward . “What’s up?”
    He leaned in closer and whispered, “Did you get my message?” I shook my head.
    “Wha– Shit, I forgot my phone. I was in a rush this morning, I overslept.”
    “You did? I wonder what could have caused that.” He teased and I paled. He then pointed his chin in the direction of Heath sitting at the table staring at us, “Your boyfriend’s watching.”
    “Ha! Ha! You’re hilarious.” I got up and he watched me with a malicious grin. “See you in class later.” He said inertly as he buried his head back into his book.
    Well that went well , I thought to myself as I strode up to Heath. Speaking of Heath, he had the most uneasy look on his face, his arms folded. “What’s wrong with you?” I asked as I sat down.
    “I could ask you the same, are you bipolar? One minute you’re so distracted and ‘sick’, then you come back smiling after talking to Mr. Cavanaugh?” What the fuck? Is he for real? Was it that obvious, was our relationship that apparent? I think I’m gonna be sick. I could hear Heath rambling and Lawless by Zola Jesus playing in the background.
    “Reese?”
    “Huh?”
    “There you go again. What’s wrong with you? Are you worried about your acting?” Oh, thank God he thought it was about the indie film.
    “I was, but I’m good now. Everything’s cleared up.” I glanced back at Jake and then back to Heath.
    “Number 37.” The girl behind the counter announced.
    “That’s us.” Heath looked down at the receipt. He got up. I could hear Jake’s chair screech as he got up too. Everything just slowed down in that moment, I was just sitting there motionless. The music pounding loudly in my ears, feeling my heart racing in my chest.
    Jake strode past us, nodded at Heath just as Heath was about to turn toward the counter. Heath nodded back and went about his way. I gazed at Jake as he continued up to the entrance. The navy blue jacket of his suit flailing behind him. He pushed the glass door open, book in hand and stepped out. He slicked back his hair and then he was gone – out of sight.
    Phew! I could breathe again. Seeing both of them interact was suffocating to me; the one I love