I don’t want to look at him. He chucks my chin and says, “Hey, you can’t stay mad at me forever.”
I’ll give it my best shot. He knows I’m stubborn. That’s something we have in common.
Despite his best attempt at lightening the mood, my tears continue to fall, and he pulls me into his arms.
My brother smells of the ocean mixed with motor oil and rubber from working long hours in the garage.
It’s the best scent in the world, aside from Mom’s pancakes. I love that he always smells like he got off work and drove straight to the cliffs.
When I hug him, it’s like we’re sitting by the cliff’s edge, side by side, watching the sunset.
“I won’t see him again,” I whisper. It’s for the best anyway. It’ll only lead to heartbreak.
My brother rests his chin on my head, rocking us side to side. “You’ll find someone better.”
“How? You won’t let me date?”
“That’s not true,” he says, chuckling. “I just roughen them up a little.”
Untangling myself, I head back over to my closet. “You scare them all away.”
He looks proud of himself as he watches me pull clothes off the hangers. I want to smile, but I school my expression.
“You need to stop cock-blocking me.”
My brother’s face turns green. He walks out, muttering under his breath about how I should never mention dicks around him again or he’ll be sick.
Snickering, I lock my door behind him. He’s too easy to rile up. As I drop the towel, my gaze locks on my phone.
A part of me hates to admit my brother is ever right. In fact, I want him to be wrong. For once, let him be full of bullshit.
But the truth remains: Kane is bad news, and I need to stay away, for both our sakes.
Maybe he can fuck around and treat it like a fun game, but I can’t. Because I don’t want to fall deeper. I’m scared I’ll drown.
Outside the lecture hall window, wasps buzz around a wasp trap hanging from a branch. Some have found their way inside the small opening and are unable to get back out. I almost feel sorry for them.
One is on its back, floating in the fruit juice, kicking its little legs. Another struggles to crawl up the inside and soon loses its grip, dropping back into the juice. Now there are two kicking their spindly legs.
“Hello? Earth to Jessica?” Rain says, clicking her fingers in my face, and I drag my gaze away from the view outside. It’s a warm, sunny day.
Rain waves her hand in front of my face. “Where did you go just now?”
“Nowhere.”
She leans in conspiratorially. “Is this about Ravencourt?”
“What?” I squeak. “No! Of course not.”
“Are you sure?” She pops her pink bubble gum, ignoring the look the teacher aims in our direction. “You know, you’ve refused to talk about what happened that day at the cafe when he showed up.” She’s watching me carefully. “He seemed confident he’s your boyfriend.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I snap, wishing she would just let it go already. She keeps dropping little hints that she wants to have this conversation. I don’t.
She holds up her hands. “O-okay. Fine. No need to bite my head off.”
I sigh, slumping in my seat. “Nothing is going on between us. Can you just trust me on this?”
“Sure, whatever you say.” She pops her gum again, leaning on her elbow. “But you’ll have to tell me the full story sooner or later. I want the deets.”
