Too Young (The Jewel Project #1)

Chapter 17.2 - The new plan

After two nights of practice, Jessica had become proficient at setting up the tent she shared with Kay and Angie. The two wanted to help, but Jessie wanted to learn how to do it on her own.

"Between you and Kyle, I'll never learn how to set that thing up," Kay mumbled, nodding towards the tent.

Jessica frowned. "I thought you already had this down to perfection." She fell from her knees to her bottom and pulled at a string, wrapping it around a pole.

"Yeah, right, if it wasn't for you, Kyle would be here, probably racing Jimmy to see who sets up the tent faster."

"Even now, when he's hurt? I thought that sling would temper him." Jessica stepped back to admire her work.

"He got rid of the sling. I had to argue with him to keep the bandage on." Kay rolled her eyes.

"And I only agreed to make you feel better." Kyle came beside Kay and wrapped an arm around her neck. He looked at the tent. "You call that a tent?"

"It does slightly resemble one," Jimmy said, coming up behind them. "A little crooked, but not bad."

Jessie put her hands on her hips. "Hey, I'm still learning. You don't have to be jerks."

"Ah, come on! Assholes are hot!" Kyle laughed.

"No, they're not. They're assholes," Jessie said bluntly.

"Of course they are! Can we start stalking you now, too?" Jimmy asked excitedly.

Kay giggled and Jessie smirked. She frowned once she caught a series of conspiring looks passing from Kay to Jimmy. She ached to ask, but was sure she wouldn't get an answer.

"You wanted to see the temple up close," Jimmy said.

Jessie narrowed her eyes. "Yes, but I don't need you for that. I can walk on my own."

The slightest trace of annoyance flashed on Jimmy's face, then he smiled again. "I was just offering you my company."

"Fine." Jessica glared at Kay who was giggling madly behind Jimmy's back. She had a feeling that the two of them knew something she didn't, and it made her uncomfortable. At least Kyle seemed as unaware as she was.

She walked away from them, in the direction of the temple. Jimmy joined her, putting his hand on the small of her back, as if to guide her. Jessie's heart skipped a beat. His touch felt so nice, so comfortable.

She stopped in mid step. Jimmy's hand pressed firmer on her back. This wasn't right. Her heart wasn't supposed to go haywire like that.

"What's the matter?" Jimmy's voice was a distant echo. He pulled her forward, wrapping his arm around her waist. "I thought you could walk on your own." Jimmy scooped her up and marched towards the temple.

Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck and looked down, expecting him to drop her. Instead, he didn't even sway. He walked as if he carried nothing. Breathe, just breathe. This was not supposed to happen! Jessica glared at him, but he acted as if carrying her was the most normal thing in the world.

"Is this how you usually pick up chicks?"

"Ha! Good one." Jimmy put her down next to one of the massive stone statues. "No. I'm making an exception for you."

Jessie raised one eyebrow. She couldn't believe he was playing along. "Cute."

He grinned at her. "You think I'm cute?"

"Puppy-cute or cute as in...?" She let out a short, low roar.

Jimmy stared at her for a few seconds then burst out laughing. "I've never heard anyone except Tom say the puppy-cute thing. Yeah, I was thinking puppy-cute, but now you've mentioned it, I'd much rather be the second type."