"He hasn't gone yet," Ava declares, glaring at our brother.
Wyatt winks at me, steps up to the water, and tosses his rock. It sinks directly into the pond.
"What!" he cries out.
"Dude! That was pathetic!" Jagger taunts.
"Yes! No barn duty for me! Ha! Have fun, you two!" Ava cheers.
Wyatt tosses me a cocky grin, winks, then turns to the others. "Well, that sucks."
8
Wyatt – Age 18
Four Days Later
My history book falls from my locker, and I catch it just in time.
"Hey, I've been looking all over for you," Chelsea chirps in her overly-sweet voice.
I freeze, glancing at the metal locker, and release an annoyed breath. In my most neutral tone, I reply, "Hey, Chelsea, what's up?"
Desperate hope fills her expression. She bats her lashes at me and puts her hand on my arm. "Want to get together later?"
"No," I state, but I feel kind of bad. It comes out gruff, and I see her wince. So I sigh, grab her arm, and pull her over to the corner.
Dozens of kids filter past us, and I can see her hope rekindling. A wave of guilt hits me. But she has to realize the truth.
We're not an item.
She puts her hand on my chest. "I missed you this week."
I grab her hand and move it off me. "Chelsea, you're a great girl."
Her head jerks backward, and she gapes at me.
Just get it over with. Don't be a pussy,I tell myself.
I clear my throat. "Listen, I know I might have led you on."
"Led me on? What do you mean 'led me on'? You were all about me, and suddenly, you're just not. What's going on, Wyatt Houston?" she shrieks.
I inhale deeply, standing taller. "Look, it's just not going to work out between us, okay?"
Her eyes turn to slits. "Why not?"
I don't say anything.
Her face falls, and her voice shakes when she asks, "You don't find me attractive anymore?"
"Of course I do. It's not that," I say, trying to soften the blow.
"Then what is it, Wyatt? What made you go cold on me? Is it your training? Am I a distraction? Do I need to just back off for a few days and then we can get together this weekend?" she questions, her eyes widening with a desperation I find super unattractive.
"Chelsea, it's just not going to happen between us, okay?" I reaffirm. "You're a great girl. Tons of guys are dying to be with you."
"But not you?" she seethes.
