Lost in The Devondale House

Chapter 5

"Hi, I'm Jack Devondale."

I'm at a loss for words. My throat is literally dry from staring at him.

I don't know how long I stayed open mouthed and dazed but by the time I do choose to reply I'm pretty sure it was well past awkward.

"A-Addie Bennett." I manage to say.

There was something about Jack. It wasn't just because he's alluringly handsome. No. Not just that. I couldn't quite place my finger on it but there was something about him that made him stick out.

For some odd reason, I see his bright eyes dilate at my words. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Would you like some punch?"

"Oh, yes please. Do you work here?" I ask not realizing how idiotic that question was because I was feeling light headed all of a sudden. He obviously didn't work here. If anything, Jack looks like he's about to steal Mister Grayson title for the biggest benefactor.

Jack let's out a deep chuckle that triggers a memory from a few nights back. There's no doubt about it. He's the same guy I danced with. "No but I wouldn't mind serving you a drink."

He pours us both a drink and hands me a glass.

A knowing look crosses his god given face. "You're wearing a very beautiful dress by the way."

I thank him and smile. "You're a Devondale? Does that mean you own the old property in town?" 

Jack nods the ever present smile playing at his lips. "The very one."

"I like that house." I tell him honestly remembering the times that I would jog along that street just to get a good look of it.

A pleasant sounding laugh comes out of Jack. "You don't have to pretend. I know the house is a mess."

"It's definitely old but it has a certain charm to it."

He shakes his head a smirk now showing. "You're truly something Addie Bennett."

I fight the blush on my cheeks and change the subject before I embarrass myself. "Did you just recently move?"

"Yes. My family and I visit every few years." He explains drinking from his glass. "That's definitely spiked."

"Are you with family now?" I ask curious to know if he's the same guy I saw from the other night.

"Just me this time."

Jack leads us to a table at the back of the event. He tells me about his interest in becoming a better benefactor for the town.

"A better benefactor? Are you already one?"

He nods eyes never leaving mine. "My parents are. I plan to expand it."

Time seems to stop every time our eyes meet and I can't help but smile at that. "That's really nice of you. My mom would love that. Do you still go to school?"

A secretive smile brightens his face and I wonder what I said that made him smile like that. "Let's just say, I'm about to graduate from my studies."

Feeling bashful that I've been interrogating him, I duck my head. "I'm sorry if I'm asking so many questions."

"Ask away. I don't mind." Jack leans closer until I could smell all my favorite scents coming from him. That's strange but oddly addicting.

The fluorescent lights must be playing tricks on me because for a moment, Jack's stormy grey eyes turn darker almost black. I blink several times and his eyes are back to the same bright grey.

"If you have nothing else to ask, I have a few questions of my own." He says leaning back into his seat but not breaking eye contact. "Do you always jog twice a day?"

I'm caught off guard by his question. I didn't think he would notice that. "I do. It's a thing I used to do with my dad now it's just a habit."

"The mayor allows you out that late? It's not my business but you should be more careful at night." He advises with narrowed eyes.

Jack's words should make me feel uneasy. I hardly knew him but for some reason my mind turns to mush. "She thinks it's safe enough."

He purses his lips. "I suppose. What does your dad do?"

My heart drops at the question. Almost four years and I still don't know the right words to say when people ask that.

Jack sees my reaction and fumbles with his glass. "I didn't mean to pry-"

"He died a while back." I answer his question with my voice low and a little shaky.

Jack closes his eyes and blows out a breath. "I'm sorry, Addie. I didn't know."

I force a smile and look away from him. "It's a long time ago."

"Doesn't change anything. I'm still sorry." He slowly reaches for my hand on the table. Jack's hand hovers over mine like he was contemplating his next move but eventually he brings his over mine.

The same electric shock from earlier emits from where our hands touch and I look back at him in shock. Jack's lips are pressed together in a firm line and his eyes are back to that darker color.

He's breathing heavy and closes his eyes. I swear I can hear a sort of growl come from him but it must be feedback from the speakers behind him.

When he opens his eyes again, they're back to their original color. He then coughs and smiles. Weird. It must really be the lights.

A little nervous and not really trusting myself around him, I take a big sip from my drink. I cough wildly my eyes widening and glazing with tears. "You're right. It's really spiked."

He smirks devilishly at my words. "Does that mean I'll see you dance again?"

My jaw drops and I cover my face with my free hand. "Oh, no. I was hoping you wouldn't remember."

"Now why would I forget that? A beautiful girl dancing with me doesn't happen every night." He teases mischievously.

"If I'm being completely honest, I think I was dancing against you." I choke out still too embarrassed to meet his eyes.

Jack bursts out laughing. "Ah, yes. Truly a night to remember."

"I don't believe you by the way. I'm sure plenty of beautiful women want to dance on you." I tell him feeling a little confident now as I point out multiple women from the event ogling at my male companion.

He squeezes my hand. There was something very intimate in his action that has my stomach dip. "I'm not interested in that."

I don't know how long we sat together telling stories and teasing each other. Time seems to pass too quickly with him. I felt comfortable in his presence. The way he leans in every now and then. The way he laughs when I tell him a corny joke and even in the simple way he looks at me. Do not get me started on his smile.

"Addie?"

I look up in surprise to find Theo glaring at Jack.

"What are you doing? Who's he?"

My eyes flicker between Theo and Jack. The latter was watching Theo with carefully narrowed eyes. Jack was sizing him up. Between the two of them, Theo is probably only an inch taller but Jack is definitely more muscular and fit.

For the first time, I don't think Theo could win in a fight with someone.

"Theo, hi. Sorry. This is Jack Devondale. He's new. He lives at-"

"The awful looking property that everyone complains about?" Theo finishes for me. He crosses his arms and frowns deeply.

My mouth falls open at Theo's audacity. He wants to be possessive right now? Was he not just chatting it up with Stacy a few minutes ago?

I expected Jack to get mad but he merely laughs out loud. "I told you people think my house is a mess."

The air around Jack changes despite his cheerful disposition. I realized in that moment he wasn't someone you wanted to anger. I could almost taste the tension.

"Your mom - the mayor - asked me to take you home. Let's go, babe." Theo says extending his hand for me to take. "You're my girl remember."

"Why are you flexing my mom's position?" I ask standing from my seat deciding to ignore yet again his bad behavior. "I mean. She isn't your mom."

Jack stands from his seat as well and flashes me a knee weakening smile. "It was great meeting you, Addie Bennett. I'll be seeing you around."

I smile and made an attempt to wave good bye when a high pitch scream pierced through the small event. I jump in fright. Jack reaches for me but Theo immediately takes my hand and pulls me away from him. A crowd of people rush out of the town hall and I catch a glimpse of Jack still as a rock frowning heavily. Did he just sniff the air?

Was he not worried about the continuous screaming?

Our eyes suddenly meet despite the rough crowd and his once bright eyes turn dark. He takes one last heated look my way and gets lost in the sea of people.

-

I smother a gasp and choke out a few tears. A girl that recently graduated from our school is on the ground by the parking lot of the town hall dead and still bleeding in several places. She's from a good family and was invited to the charity event. Now, she's a mangled body. Several deputies have already arrived and were ushering people away from the scene but the image of her is already burned in my brain.

My mom still dressed in her beautiful dress was speaking with the sheriff in hushed tones. Nothing like this ever happens in our town.

Theo stood beside me looking solemn. He knew the girl personally. My anger towards him vanishes and I reached for his hand and squeeze.

Theo squeezed back. "How could this happen?"

"I heard one of the deputies say it's an animal attack. A wolf or something." We turn away from the scene and face Stacy.

She had tears in her eyes and was dabbing furiously at the falling tears with a tissue. I expected Theo to come and comfort her since Stacy is his best friend and dinner companion but he doesn't. Instead, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and buries his nose in my hair.

We're interrupted by my mom who rushes to our side looking flustered and a little sick to her stomach. She didn't do blood well.

"Sweetie, I won't be able to go home with you." Mom says while her eyes flicker between me and the ground tainted with blood. "Once you're home I want you to lock the doors and windows, alright? It's going to be a long night with the sheriff."

I take hold of her shaking hands and nod. "I will mom. Don't worry about me. Go be the mayor."

Mom looked incredibly grateful and before she could say anything else, the sheriff calls for her again.

She glances at Theo and sends a silent pleading look his way. He understood immediately. "I'll take her home, Mayor Bennett."