He ignores me and keeps walking.
I hate him. And I hate living here.
What does he expect me to do? Never leave my room? Braden and Trystan get to go wherever they want, while I sit here with nothing to do?
I don’t think so.
Slamming my door shut, I storm to my dresser and grab my phone and house key. I run back to the door and lock it, then go out the sliding door to the patio. Hurrying around the pool, I make my way to the stairs and down to the beach.
It’s really hot out today. A swim in the pool would’ve felt good, but I don’t have time for that now. There’s only one way to get some freedom in that house, and I’m determined to make it happen.
When I arrive at his house, I look up at the windows but can’t see inside with the glare of the sun. He may not be home. If so, I’ll wait at his door. I could text him and ask if I can come over, but there’s a chance he’ll tell me not to. He seemed annoyedwhen I showed up earlier, probably because his girlfriend was coming over. I didn’t mean to scare her away. It’s strange that she left like that. It’s even stranger that she pretended not to know me when she saw me at the bookstore.
Going around to the front, I see his Range Rover in the driveway. I walk up to the front door and ring the bell.
The door swings open.
“What now?” he asks, annoyed, just like I predicted. This isn’t going to go well. This morning, I thought we might be able to be friends, but I think he was just being nice because of what I told him about my mom.
“Are you busy?” I ask, trying not to look below his face. He’s shirtless, and my eyes keep wanting to move down to look at his muscular chest and those chiseled abs.
“Had another fight with your uncle?” he asks, leaning against the door.
“No. I mean, yes, but that’s not why I’m here.”
“Then what is it? What do you need?”
“I need you to teach me to drive.”
Jackson slowly smiles. “You don’t know how to drive? Seriously?”
“Don’t make fun of me! People don’t drive in New York. Everyone knows that.”
“You didn’t have to take Driver’s Ed in school?”
“No.”
“Why don’t you get your uncle to teach you?”
“Because I hate him. And he’s never around. I’m sure he’ll be going back to his place in LA soon.”
“Did he tell you that?”
“No, but Trystan said he never stays longer than a few days. Anyway, I need you to teach me.”
Jackson folds his arms over his chest. “And why would I do this?”
“To help out your neighbor.”
“You’re almost a mile away. That’s not really a neighbor.”
“Close enough. I wouldn’t need many lessons. I’m a fast learner. I just need to know the basics.”
“You have to pass a test to get a license.”
“Yeah, I know all that. I’m not asking you to help me pass the written part. Just the driving part.”
“Why don’t you get your cousins to do it?”
