I didn’t know if he did it mockingly or not, but the way his rosy, perfect lips pronounced my name made my knees wobble.
“I always trusted you. Otherwise I wouldn’t’ve told you about my brother. Nor would I have gone with you to Austin’s. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me because you were there.”
I saw him part his lips. He seemed disoriented. Maybe he wasn’t used to receiving a thank-you, or even recognition
“Fuck.”
“I just don’t understand why you always end up treating me like crap.”
James sucked in a deep breath.
“Why do you think I do it?”
I shrugged. How could I have known?
“I don’t like you, and you hate me so much that—”
I saw him throw the vape pen on the ground.
A slow shiver drifted down my skin when his forehead gently leaned on mine.
And when I saw him close his eyes, I felt his heart start beating in an unusual rhythm.
“I can’t do that to Will, you know?”
I let myself go then slowly closed my eyes too. I couldn’t think about Will or anyone else. Even the little voice inside my head was quiet. If James wanted to do it, he could.
I licked my lips; I felt them burn with desire to feel his. I struggled to swallow. He backed away. And when I opened my eyes again, James was already disappearing behind the car door.
“Make sure you give it back to me tomorrow,” he spat, before turning the car on and leaving. I walked back into my house confused. Luckily, my mom didn’t come anywhere near me. After a little bit, I curled up under my soft blankets and held the teddy bear tight. James’s scent cradled me as I fell asleep smiling.
25
Tiffany
The creaking of the punching bag made it impossible to focus.
“I’m trying to watch TV,” I groaned, bored.
James alternated between sustained moans and small puffs between every hit, while little beads of sweat ran down his face and glided on his bronze chest.
“What the fuck do you want?” he grumbled, drying his forehead.
“For us to go to that party.”
He let out an annoyed sneer.
“I don’t know.”
“We won’t say anything to Will. That way he won’t do shit, and you won’t be in his thoughts. Doesn’t that seem like a great plan?”
James hit the bag even harder, then his bedroom door flew open and Jasper appeared.
“Hey, Jas.”
He’d already left before I could even say hi.
“Your brother hates me.”
