All Chapters of Don’t Push Your Luck: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

I still can't figure out how I got tangled up with Jake Harrison in the first place.It all started one random afternoon in elementary school.He pulled my hair.I slapped him right across the face.And somehow, that legendary slap tied me to this CEO's son for half my life.In elementary school, we were desk mates. I bent down to tie my shoelace.He held my neck down, refusing to let me up.In middle school, we were in the same class. I mentioned the wind was strong outside.He told everyone sitting by the windows to open them all.In high school, I thought I'd finally escaped him. But on the first day, he planted himself in the seat right behind me."Thought I'd gone off to private school, didn't you?"With his sharp features and bright eyes, he still had that boyish charm."Sorry to disappoint, but I decided to earn my way into college.""..."Like your spot at Westbrook High wasn't pulled by connections!I watched him transform from the kid everyone avoided in middle

He suddenly grabbed my wrist.Jake's eyes were always clear and bright.How to describe him? Like a fox - well-behaved yet mischievous, always plotting something in that clever head of his. He could be sneaky.Right now, he was a drunk fox.His eyes locked onto mine, grip tight around my wrist, his voice carrying a slight nasal tone from the alcohol."Amy, what am I going to do with you?""What?"I leaned in closer, genuinely confused by what he meant. There was still some space between us, but suddenly he closed the gap.His hot breath hit my ear, and I felt like if we got any closer...My heart skipped a beat.He was the one who challenged me, acting all confident, yet here he was - drunk before I was.I tried to steady him.Instead, he just collapsed his full weight onto me.Eyes downcast, his breath now on my neck, still letting out that soft laugh."Jake Harrison!!”I gritted my teeth, slowly, slowly dragging him toward the front door."I'm calling your driver."M

He frowned at my coughing fit, waited for me to finish, then slid a cheque across the table."One million.""..."My throat suddenly went so tight I couldn't make a sound."That’s a million. Be my girlfriend. Won't be long - a year max. Don't worry, I won't keep you for life.""..."He raised an eyebrow, letting out a small scoff."Not enough?"Before I could reboot my short-circuiting brain to say yes, he tossed another cheque on the table."Three million."Then, as if deciding that still wasn't enough.He tossed one more."Five million."—I've mentioned I'm broke.Rent, utilities, basic necessities, daily expenses - they drain every penny I make.Dreams are always distant things, and so are principles. Now here's someone standing in front of me saying, "Amy, I'll give you more money than you'd make in years."Sure, he's a stranger - a famous stranger - but I can't deny how tempting it is. I should have no reason to refuse.I took a deep breath and pushed the cards

I had no idea where I was.I'd arrived in Marcus's car, and now I couldn't find either the car or him.These hillside club restaurants were impossible to get a taxi to.All I could do was slowly make my way downhill.Regretting my escape - what was I even running from?Getting a ride from Jake would have been the easiest solution. When did I become so afraid to talk to him?The walk down wasn't too long, with evening breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers.The person following behind me... kept a steady pace.I stopped abruptly.Turning to face him, Jake nearly crashed into me, not expecting my sudden halt.He let out a soft sigh.It reminded me of how he used to follow me like this after school.Before us stretched an endless road, lined with towering buildings.The sun sinking into the shimmering river, past the rush hour traffic, evening wind carrying a hint of weariness.He'd roll up his test papers into a tube, gently tap my forehead.Asked if I'd be sad when he l

He suddenly dropped into the seat beside me.He was probably pushed there by the others. The group crowded around him. The shoving pressed him against me.Early summer, just warm enough for short sleeves.His shirt brushed against my bare arm as he leaned closer, until I could feel the heat from his skin.I kept my head down, pretending to solve problems.He just stayed there, leaning against me, laughing with the others.The air was filled with voices and cicada songs.But I was the one who couldn't write, the one who could only hear my own heartbeat....After Jake left, I still had to focus on college entrance exams.When you're young, you don't understand what goodbye means.So when someone leaves, the pain makes no sense.I dreamed of him more than once.Waking up at sunset to find unsolved problems on my desk.In my dreams:He'd turn around with that cheeky smile, asking why I kept staring at him.And I'd ask him with teary eyes why he left me behind.—Marcus a