“It’s not a good time to talk about this stuff. I gotta go home,” he said calmly but resolutely.
“You never want to talk about it with me!”
Brian was already closed off and pretty averse to physical contact, but since his dad disappeared nearly a year ago, he’d gotten worse. He barely kissed me, but then he’d get possessive and jealous. I saw him look around as if he wanted to make sure nobody had heard me.
The alley was deserted. It was just us.
“Now what’s your problem?”
“Do you think this works for me, Brian?”
“Would you prefer your boyfriend to jump on you?”
I looked down. “What if I did?”
“What are you saying, Ari? You’re kidding, right?”
Brian had the ability to make me feel guilty every time I wanted to go further.
“Brian . . .”
“You’ve never complained, what’s your problem?”
Normally this was when I’d apologize and everything would go back to the way it was. But not this time. “Well, I’m starting now. I’m sick of you.” I turned around and left him there.
23
Jackson
James shook his head when he realized that I was driving to his house.
“Don’t take me home. Can I crash at your place?”
“James . . .”
“Come on, Jax.”
“Is it because of your dad? Is he giving you shit?”
“What the fuck do I care about my dad? I don’t want my brother to see me like this.”
I nodded, giving in to his request.
“Did you talk to Taylor after she told you off in theater class?”
“I hope you’re joking.” He burst out laughing.
“No. She seemed really pissed.”
“Why, because she had a reason to be?” He narrowed his blue eyes. “Are you siding with her now?”
“No, but you fucking hurt her.”
I saw him grumble before putting a vape pen in his mouth. “She did it to herself. I told her a million times that we aren’t together.”
“Did you tell Sammy, Becky, Poppy, Tiffany, et cetera?”
He stared at me as if I’d just grown a third head. “Well?”
