"What? No, I could never accept that," I said. "It's very nice of you to offer, but please don't ask them to do that."
"They already offered."
"Why would they do that?"
"Because they can. Jocelyn, we have so much, and my parents like to give back."
"I'm not a charity case," I said, annoyed.Does he really think that's what I want fromthem?
"We know that," he said, sounding defensive. "They just really like you and want to help you." He was irritated now. This was the first time since we started seeing each other that he was upset with me.
"Alex, I . . . ."
"Forget it." He shrugged it off. "It's not a big deal. I'm sorry I said anything."
"I don't mean to be ungrateful," I said. "It's just that, I'm fine with my decision to stay here. Max needs me, and I'm not ready to leave."
"Maybe I want you to come."
"You've known me a month." I reminded him. "Why would you want me to come with you?"
"I can't explain it," he said.
"You're not mad because I didn't want to take the money, you're angry because I don't want to go to Connecticut with you?"
"I don't know," he said. "Don't read too much into it, okay? I'm not sure why I suggested it in the first place."
What has gotten into him?He was fine until the stupid Yale conversation started. I didn't get what I'd done to upset him. He couldn't think I'd just pick up and follow him, could he? Before we had a chance to discuss it any further, Brenna came down the stairs.
"Are you always here?" She was clearly annoyed by my presence. I loved spending time there, but not when Brenna or Julia was around. They made it very obvious they didn't want me there.
"Shut up." Alex warned her. "Jocelyn can be here whenever she wants."
"Whatever." She went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.
I got off Alex's lap and gathered my stuff. I suddenly didn't feel like I belonged there. Alex was being weird, and I wasn't in the mood for Brenna. "I think I'm going to head home."
"Bye," Brenna said, then chugged her water.
"No." Alex grabbed my hand. "I thought we were spending the day together."
"Alex," Brenna said. "Your phone constantly rings with tons of offers from every girl in this town. Everyone knows you're home; you don't need to chase after Evan's leftovers."
"I've never dated Evan." I grabbed my book bag from the chair.
"No, apparently he was the smarter brother." She smiled at Alex.
"Brenna, what the hell is wrong with you?" Alex yelled.
"I'm just looking out for you," she said. "First, she was hanging around here chasing after Evan, and then you come home and now it's all you. She doesn't belong in our world. She sees an opportunity to get a better life, and she doesn't care which one of you gives it to her. Have you seen where she lives? What kind of life she comes from?
Her mother didn't even stick around."
"Shut up! You don't know anything about me."
"Jocelyn," Alex said. "Ignore her."
"I know enough to know why you'd want to be here and not at home."
