Chapter 7

    Tommy was standing there right next to Bryan. Bryan’s dark chocolaty hair was slightly windblown and his face glowered at her. His green eyes were radiating pure fury.
“ Kassie had a little accident. I pulled her from the water.” Kyan said evenly, rising to stand in-between her and the other boys.
“ And she just happens to repay you this way? I think you took advantage of the moment.” Bryan’s voice was low and deadly sounding.
“ No. I assure you, I did not take advantage of her.”
Bryan just glared. He spoke so fast, Kassie missed it until people were moving.
“ Get him.”
Greg materialized out of the woods behind her and Kyan.
Kassie blinked and suddenly Greg and Tommy had Kyan by the arms.
“ NO! Bryan!” Kassie stood quickly. Kyan was just standing there, looking at Bryan with piercing blue eyes through his hair, that had fallen down to rest on his forehead. But he wasn’t fighting back. Before Kassie could even think, Bryan hit him. A solid hit that made Kyan flinch and grunt.
“ Bryan! Stop! Please!” Kassie cried and tried to get in between them. Bryan pushed her out of the way. She fell to the ground with a thump. He hit him again, this time in the face. So hard it made Bryan inhale with a hiss as his knuckles split open. Kyan’s lip trickled blood.
“ You half breed. You never should have come here.” Bryan grated out between clenched teeth. He hit Kyan again and again. Kassie felt fear rising like bile up in her throat. This was enough. She forced herself to stand. Her legs shook as she walked quickly to Kyan. Why wasn’t he fighting back.
Before she lost her nerve, she grabbed Bryan by the arm and caught him by surprise. He stumbled back enough that she could get in between him and Kyan.
“ This has gone too far, Bryan.” Kassie risked a glance behind her. Kyan wasn’t even straining again Greg and Tommy. How could she have forgotten about Greg? She should have seen this ambush coming. Kyan’s lip was split and bleeding, his nose was bleeding and he had a start of a black eye.
“ You’re right, Kass. You shouldn’t have to watch this. Tommy, finish him.” Bryan grabbed Kassie’s arm before she could move and started pulling her away.
“ No! Tommy! Don’t hurt him!” Kassie yelled as Bryan drug her away. She was fighting him, trying to get away.
“ Kass, come on sweetheart. You don’t need to see this. But this guy needs to learn where he belongs. He shouldn’t even think himself worthy enough to talk to you. Let alone kiss you.” Bryan said and kept pulling her along, until they were back on the beach, across the lake from the cliffs.
“ No. Bryan. I have to stop them. Kyan didn’t do anything wrong!”
Bryan stopped and looked her in the eyes.
“ Yes he did. He kissed you, Kass. That’s not acceptable.”
Kassie just stared at him. How could this be the guy she once thought she wanted to like her? He was mean, inconsiderate and racist. And then something else hit her. He was jealous. That’s why he didn’t like Kyan. He really thought she like Kyan. Kassie tilted her head. Didn’t she? She had forgotten all about wanting to impress Bryan and get him to like her. She had just wanted to be with Kyan. There was one way to find out.
“ Kiss me.”
Bryan’s eye widened.
“What?” He asked.
“ You heard me. Just do it.” Kassie said, her stomach sinking.
Bryan grinned and cupped her face with one hand. Kassie waited but nothing happened. When Kyan touched her, it was like sparks racing through her body. Bryan’s face lowered, closing the distance between them. Kassie felt a shudder run through her. This is what she had wanted for so long. Then Bryan’s lips were on hers. They moved gently, but Kassie felt no thrill like when she kissed Kyan. She felt no desire to kiss him back. She just waited until he was done.
“ How was that?” Bryan asked when he was done. Kassie paused for a moment, thinking. She needed to think hard about this. What she did next could either further her chances with Bryan or ruin them forever.
“ Bryan. That was what I had been wanting for a long time. But not now. I’ve got to go.” Kassie turned and ran. She hurried toward Dustin’s cabin. He would help her save the person she loved.