Tales of the Underground: Velocity - 32. Chapter 32

Under Ground Aliases

The Reaper- Jamie Free

Velocity- Elijah Warren

Gears- Jacob Palmer

Gizmo- Matty Sanders

*The boys use these to guarantee no one outside the underground finds their real identities*

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When the last bell finally rang I ran to my locker eager to get training underway. There’s no doubt that the mini scuffle at lunch has me all amped up. Stephanie’s insults kept ringing over and over in my head. Not that it was dragging me down by any means.

Suddenly I felt a light hand tap me on the shoulder. I turned to see Jacob standing there, his hazel eyes piercing right through me. “About today, I’m sorry about what Stephanie said. I’m sure she didn’t mean any of it.”

I couldn’t help but snicker “She definitely meant it but it’s all good, I’m Jamie fucking Free, this is the type of shit that I feed on. “

I saw slight concern grow across his face “She just really cares about Eli, you know? She’d do anything to protect him.”

“Jacob, relax” I said with a smile “You don’t have to defend her, she can do it herself.”

“Can you just make sure Eli isn’t too mad at her?” he squeaked out with concern still on his face.

“That’s not really up for me to decide” I said rolling my eyes “Besides you two have gotten pretty close over the past few weeks, why don’t you go talk to him?”

I saw the concern spread even more “I tried he’s not interested in talking about it.”

“Sorry, I’m his boyfriend, not his master. I can’t really control him.” I uttered shrugging my shoulders “besides its Eli, he doesn’t even know how to hold a grudge.”

“I don’t know, I get the feeling this times difference” Jacob said not relaxing at all “Maybe you’ve rubbed off on him”

I felt my face begin to grow serious “Don’t even joke about that”

“I’m not. You guys have spent so much time together. You can’t possibly think you haven’t changed him even a little bit”

I reached back towards my bag and felt the radio inside “This isn’t funny Jacob” I mumbled shutting my locker door

Jacob put his arm around my shoulder “It’s not supposed to be, I’m being serious. Why is this such a bad thing? Aren’t you supposed to be happy you guys have grown so close.”

“Not if it means he becomes more like me” I spit

“Ohh I get it, you want to be the only bad boy around here” Jacob teased

“Why the fuck do you guys say that like it’s something to be proud of” I said starting to grow defensive “He’s Elijah, he’s never ever supposed to be a bad person. He’s been innocent since the first day I met him, I can’t be the one to corrupt him.” I slowly felt panic begin to settle in.

“Relax” Jacob said surprised by the sudden outburst “He still innocent, he’s just more assertive. It’s a good type of change.”

I slid out of Jacob’s arm “Whatever you say” I spit making my way towards my bike. The whole bike ride home all I could think about was Eli. Am I starting to have a negative impact on him? Is he at risk to become like me? I felt that feeling of panic begin to grow. Eli wants to save me, but what if he’s not strong enough? What if saving me is at the cost of him? What am I supposed to do? I love him. I can’t drag him down with me. The panic slowly kept growing as I finally made it to my car. I climbed into the front seat and saw his red bandana lying on the passenger seat. I reached into my bag and placed the police radio right next to it.

If this shit continues, I’m not taking him to the races anymore. If this shit continues…my mind raced on. I felt myself begin to tightly grip the steering wheel to stop myself from thinking of the possibilities. I don’t want to lose him, my grip grew even tighter, but if I have to, I will. I finally put the car into gear and pulled out. I blasted the music louder than usual to shut out my mind.

I pulled into the nice quaint driveway and made my way towards the front. As I knocked on the door I took a step back and observed the house. I still can’t believe Jax lives here. He’s such a big tough man, yet this is his house. Without warning Nia appeared at the door. I couldn’t help but quickly study her. She seems so nice and calm, maybe that’s why he lives here. If they can balance each other out without changing one another, why can’t Eli and I?

“Look what the cat dragged in” she said opening the screen door “Jason, your friend is here.”

I heard him mumble something before making his way to the door “Jamie” he said nodding his head

“Jason” I happily spit back

He rolled his eyes unimpressed by my attitude and made his way to the workout room. “I still can’t believe this isn’t an act.”

“You better start to” I said with a proud smile “You can even ask the others, I’m 100% me 100% of the time.”

Jax rolled his eyes “Lovely, now get to work”

As I expected Jax pushed me extra hard, he made sure everything was perfect and accepted no excuses. As I worked I got flash backs of all those days I spent practicing hockey and every single second that me and Elijah grinded. It was hard work but we both knew we came out of it better. I turned towards him watched as he was lifting almost double what I was.

“Can I ask you something?” I spit

He rolled his eyes once again “No, I don’t do steroids”

“That’s not it” I said laughing “How can you and Nia work if you guys are so different?”

I watched the gears in his mind turn a little “Opposites attract I guess. The key is we each do our own thing and respect the other for it. I don’t force her to do anything, and vice versa. Yet we also try and support each other no matter what. It’s tough to describe, I guess it’s because we were best friends before we dated. It’s always felt like we were meant to be.” I saw curiosity in his eyes “Why do you ask? Trouble in paradise?”

“Not necessarily trouble” I began “I think Eli’s starting to act a little too tough for his own good.”

“Why do you say that?” Jax asked surprised that he was the one with the issue

“He stole his dad’s police radio, and yelled at his like best friend today. I mean don’t get me wrong, watching him take a stand for something was amazing, but it’s just so unlike him. Then even Jacob told me he’s been acting different. I just don’t want to take him down with me.”

“Maybe he feels like he has to keep up with you” Jax said raising an eyebrow “You do some reckless shit, maybe he feels like if he doesn’t join you, you’ll leave him for someone else.”

“Maybe, but usually he balances me out. We’ve been close since we were 8.” I shrugged not knowing how to explain what I was saying “I just don’t want to be the reason he has a bad relationship with his dad, or why he ruins his perfect record.”

“It’s funny you’re saying this” Jax spit putting down his weight “Pit was saying he doesn’t like the way you acted the other night, and he blamed Eli for it.”

“What do you mean?” I said with my heart beginning to race

“He wants to know why his best racer, who was named after his killer instinct suddenly went soft. I mean you’ve been in the same situation before and didn’t care. You even killed a guy and didn’t seem to mind too much.” I felt my skin begin to turn pale “Sorry” he said realizing the impact his words had

“it’s okay” I mumbled “She was the same age as me. I guess it was just a wakeup call. Is he mad?”

“Not too mad, I told him it’s because you had a crush on her.”

I felt my face go from pale to bright red “Jason!” I yelled

“What?” he shouted back “That’s all I could come up with, what was I supposed to say? His boyfriend has been working to help him keep his temper in check? He would hate to hear you’re growing soft or that you’re gay.”

“I’m not growing soft” I pouted “I’m here working out aren’t I?”

“Only because I’m making you” he teased

“Speaking of making me, when do you think I’ll have earned a piece?”

“For the last time, guns aren’t toys Jamie” he lectured “not for a while, but you’re on the right track”

I nodded accepting his judgment “Were you serious about going to one of Eli’s hockey games?” I asked eagerly ready to change to subject

“Yeah sure why not? I’ve never been to a hockey game, so I guess I should see what it’s all about.” He said

“Well he just got moved up to varsity, and has a game tomorrow at the ice house at 7 if you want to come.” I offered a little nervous to let him this close to my personal life.

“Sounds good, I take it you’ll be there” he said laughing

“Of course, I don’t think I’ll ever miss one of his games”

Jax stared at me a little “Alright enough small talk, you need to get back to work. You know, I hear there’s some young boxer around here that’s only a year younger then you and is unbeatable.”

“That’s because he hasn’t faced me” I teased picking up another weight.

I felt the panic and nerves begin to fade as I worked out. Yet I couldn’t dodge the anxiety that sat there and overwhelmed me. Was I making the right choice letting Jax this close to me? Is Eli really better off with me? I’m so used to always being certain, I think I’ve forgotten how to deal with questioning myself. I’ll figure it all out, right?