Chapter 16

Drake looked at Drew then at me.

"You didn't tell him?"

His voice was deep and resonated through the air and his piercing eyes only seemed inviting.

"Tell me what?"

Drake looked back at Drew and smirked. His smirk brought flags to my brain. He slowly started walking over then grabbed me and pulled me out of Drew's grip.

"I'm her new guy."

I was shocked at what he said. I really wanted to slap him and tell Drew he was wrong but I was frozen in place.

"What?"

I looked at Drew and heard the anger in his voice. He looked like he was about to punch Drake. But there was another feeling he was showing.

Pain; rejection.

I looked at back at Drake and saw his grin only grow.

"I thought I was pretty clear."

I could tell Drew was grinding his teeth as his hands were clenched into fists. When he looked at me his eyes softened.

"Is he telling the truth?"

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I saw pain grow in his eyes and wished my voice would work.

Then Drake started laughing; the sound opposite to his enchanting voice. He changed his position to something that seemed a little more comfortable and wrapped his arm around me.

"God you don't know much do you?" He laughed again and pulled me closer.

"I'm not her 'guy'. I'm just one of those lost puppies her mom took in. Nothing for you to worry about."

The way he was holding me said exactly the opposite of what he was saying.

Then his words from when we first met came to me.

I suggest you stay away from me.

I could see why. But this wasn't too bad. He did stop Drew from being clingy and bringing trouble back home.

Drew looked at me with a flicker of hope in his eyes from what Drake said. It was then I finally got the strength to actually move. I pushed Drake off of me and stepped back a bit.

"Don't listen to him Drew. Just go home before he gets to you even more."

"But-"

"Just go."

Drew glared at Drake only making him smirk more before walking off.

After I couldn't see him and I was sure he was out of earshot I let go of the air I didn't know i was holding.

"Wow. You've got some balls to push me off then tell me off. You're friend there doesn't seem to have a pair."

I looked at him disgusted.

"What do you want?"

He put his hands up and took step back.

"Down girl! I just saved you, didn't I?"

"No you just made my only companion think less of me. I wouldn't be surprised if he ignored me tomorrow."

Without realizing it Drake was behind me and he dropped his arm around me.

"I can be your new friend if you want."

I slid his arm off and started walking home.

"I don't want to be the friend you're thinking of."

"Saw right through me."

He quickly caught up to me and soon we were walking side by side back home. All I wanted was to be alone for a bit and now I was stuck with one of the love struck lunatics.

Or was I?

I didn't know if he was like his brothers or not. But from what everyone else was like and how they all believed they were connected he probably was "in love" with me.

I looked at him and saw his dark presence. Why would he want me to stay away from him? If anything it would be because they all were after me but they couldn't loved me then, could they?

That's just impossible.

It seems more like something in a fairy tale.

"Who was that guy? Drew, was it? What kind of name is that?"

"His name is Andrew. I just call him Drew."

"Is that like a nickname?"

"Yes."

I was getting a little irritated with the dumb questions.

"Then do you have one?"

"Maybe."

"Not going to tell me?"

I sighed. "Guess."

"Your name's Samantha... I heard him say something but I can't place my finger on it."

Finally there was silence. Him thinking made the sound just stop coming from his mouth. He's more annoying than threatening.

"Sammy."

I froze and looked behind me expecting my brother to be there.

But I only saw Drake.

Anger boiled inside me and I walked up to him close enough to where I could feel his breath, smell it. The faint smell of cigarettes lingered in the air around him.

"Never say that again."

I spaced out the words making sure he got the message. No one could call me that. That was my brothers nickname for me. Not even my mother could call me that.

He grinned and grabbed my waist.

"You're cute when your angry."

I clenched my fists and started grinding my teeth getting even more angry at his comment.

"This whole time I've been trying to get that fire in you to flare up. Back with your friend there I saw it flicker. Now I've got it."

"Let go of me."

"Why? I haven't had my fun yet." He did a fake frown but his eyes still held seduction. "It's not fair to let all the others have fun with you."

"How would you know if we've done anything?"

"Oh trust me. I know. I've been with them for years. Besides, your real cautious of me for a reason. They must have done something to you."

He was right. I should have known my motives would be used against me.

"Now why not Sammy?"

The name hit me like a stake to the heart.

I lowered my head not wanting to look at him scared I'd see my brother again.

"Is it a special name you only go by with a special someone?"

I felt his grip tighten as he pulled me a little closer.

"Who is it?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say it was my brothers and then end up telling him everything. He didn't deserve to know.

"Is it one of my brothers?"

I lowered my head even more making my hair cover my face.

"No..."

My voice was barely over a whisper. I felt his grip then loosen even though it just seemed to have tightened.

"I see. Then it must be really special, huh?"

I looked at him shocked from his sudden soft voice.

"I'll lay off it but don't expect me to forget. I'll ask again someday."

He let me go and caressed my cheek wiping away a tear I didn't even know was there. He smiled at me, a genuine smile, and I felt my cheeks warm just a bit. Drake dropped his arm over my shoulder and started walking pushing me with him.

"Let's get home. It's late and you've got school tomorrow."

I nodded my head knowing my throat was clogged up and I wouldn't be able to say anything. I didn't push his arm off remembering his words. He hadn't had any "special time" with me and we hadn't really done anything so I let him get away with it.

We walked home kind of slowly as if to let the moment drag on. But it wasn't really a moment. Not for me anyway.

As Drake held me close while we walked home I could feel his warmth against the chill spring night. Against my inner thoughts I leaned in a little closer to him for warmth. I could tell he liked that just by the way he slid his arm to hold me differently. After a while I didn't mind.

Since I was so close to him I could smell the hint of cigarettes behind all the musk of his smell. It didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. It only suited him and how he was. I almost liked it.

Before I knew it we were already home and I almost wished we walked slower.

Almost.

When we got to the door I saw that it was locked and wished I brought my key with me. That's when Drake pulled out what looked like his own key to the house. He laughed when he looked at me, my expression, which was probably showing surprise.

"Your mom gave a few of us keys. Me, Christopher, and Jake."

"Wouldn't Alex get one?"

He shook the keys at me and grinned.

"Technically, these are his."

I gasped and playfully punched his arm. I was starting to feel a little more comfortable with him.

"How else could I just disappear and make you miss me?"

Then I really punched him.

"Sorry. Jake thing. Says it all the time."

"That's why I hit you."

He laughed again this time with me laughing with him.

He opened the door letting me walk in first with him following behind me closing the door. I turned around and looked at him and smiled.

"Thanks for helping with Drew and pretty much everything else. It wasn't so bad of a night as I first thought it would be."

"I'm glad to hear that. But don't expect me to have left you off the hook. I've got much more in store and I'll get what I want soon."

He smirked at me and I let the little anger I got from that respond.

"As if."

I turned on my heel and headed to my room not hearing footsteps behind me. I only guessed Drake was was just watching me leave in the anger I was in, enjoying it.