Dad assesses Jagger. "Do you have any tests tomorrow?"
"No, sir."
"What about you?" Dad turns toward the doorway.
"No, sir," Wyatt answers.
I glance at him, my insides shaking.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to go into town when you're all bruised up, Wyatt?" Dad questions.
Wyatt stands taller. "I'm fine, sir."
"But you're hurt," Mom interjects.
"They're big boys, Ruby. Let them go," Dad states, then points at Jagger. "Be home by midnight and not a minute later. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
Dad looks at Wyatt. "I won't make your decision for you, but are you sure you're being smart right now?" He arches his eyebrows in challenge.
Stay home. Stay home. Stay home!
Wyatt keeps a stern expression and doesn't look at me when he claims, "I'm sure."
A knife slashes my heart.
Dad looks at him as if he doesn't believe him but only says, "Your choice."
"Let's get out of here," Jagger mutters, exiting the room.
I want to beg Wyatt not to go, but he turns and follows my brother out of the house.
The door slams shut, and my insides curl.
How could he go to Chelsea's?
He was going to kiss me.
He didn't.
But he was going to.
He still chose to go to Chelsea's instead of staying home with me.
"Willow, do you want to watchRoped Intonight?" my younger sister Paisley asks.
It's my favorite reality show, but I can't stomach any romance right now. "No. I'm going to bed."
"What? Travis is going to choose between Carley and Deserie!" she chirps.
"I don't care. Night," I offer.
Mom puts her hand on my forehead. "Are you sick?"
"No. Just tired. It's been a long day. Night." I hug her, then Dad, and climb the stairs.
I shut my bedroom door, slip my shorts and tank top on, and slide under the covers. I press my face into the pillow, replaying what happened in the barn. Whenever I get to the part where my brother interrupted us, I get angrier.
