Chapter 470 - First Encounter (2) (1/2)
”You're him?” The man looked down at me, arms folded across his chest. He had sunglasses on, making him seem cold and distant. The words added even more distance.
My anxiety jumped a level higher and I subconsciously took a step back. This isn't what I expected.
Noah frowned. ”What's with that tone? Are you here to see Jake? Why don't you sound happy to see him?”
”This isn't your business kid.” The man spoke. I couldn't even tell if he looked Noah's way when his glasses were that reflective. All I could see was my own pale complexion. ”Well? Do you have anything to say?”
Anything to say? Who? Me? I backed up a little more and shifted a little behind Noah. Noah would know what to do. He always had a plan and was never short on words.
Sure enough, Noah folded his own arms across his chest and stood a few inches taller than me. He looked up at the man. ”Why would he have anything to say to you?! Especially when you come at him with an attitude like that? What are you here for?”
”Who are you? His lackey?” The man finally gave his attention to Noah. ”I'm here for Jake.”
”Yea, well, I'm his brother.” Noah claimed boldly. ”More of a brother than you are at least.”
”I never claimed to be.” The man said, his expression looking as cold as ice. ”I wanted to see the boy who's trying to drown my career in drama and controversy. We cut ties.” He tilted his head. ”What is it that you want now?”
Before I could back up anymore, a firm hand landed on my shoulder making me jump. The hand squeezed my shoulder with assurance. The owner of that hand spoke. ”Sir. With all due respect, this isn't the time or place for a discussion. In the future, please go through Jake's case worker, Doug Duncan, before reaching out to Jake.” Zeke gently used some force to turn me around in the direction of his car. ”Let's go you guys. Mom and Dad are waiting.”
My heart rate finally started to calm down as we walked away from that man.
”Wait.” The man's voice seemed to echo across the field and parking lot. ”I want you to know that we'll be doing the DNA test.”
”So what?” Dave scoffed. ”That won't mean anything to us.”
”But it'll mean something to the public. Once they know that you're only related to that woman then they'll stop vilifying me for being cold hearted.” The man said to my back.
”That's where you're wrong.” Kyle stated. ”We know how cold you are to your own little brother. Regardless if you share the same dad or not, you're still a dick.”
”Yea, what a loser.” I could hear Noah's hurried footsteps before he appeared on my empty side. ”Let's get home.”
”I guess it's true that pros have such inflated egos.” I heard Dave say from behind us.
”No kidding.” Kyle agreed. ”We can only hope that Zeke wouldn't be like that in the near future.”
”What did he even come here for?”
”To show off what a jerk he is?” Kyle offered up.
”HEY!” No one could react in time for what happened next. I didn't know what Jeremy wanted to accomplish by stopping us, but I was startled as a big hand clamped around my arm, swinging me around to face him. ”Don't just walk away!”
All I could do was wince and try to cower back, but his grip was too tight. I started to tear up.
”What are you doing?!”