“So that means she’s free game, right?”
“Try it, asshole, and see what happens.”
“You two are ridiculous.” My brother’s voice is strained as the sound of condiment bottles clashing follows me up the stairs. “Shut the fuck up about my sister, why don’t you?”
“I’m getting dressed and going out. Don’t wait up for me,” Jake’s angry voice fills the space. The basement door slams against the wall, reverberating throughout the bottom floor.
“Thank God. I’d much rather you hook up with Amanda than follow my sister around.”
“That Amanda chick is one hot piece of ass,” Spencer joins in. “And after that photo from earlier, it’s obviously a sure thing. Naked tits and ass with Fuck Me red high heels.” He whistles his appreciation.
Amanda. Jake’s ex. He is going to see her. My heart sputters in my chest. Amanda Reynolds is perfect. Perky, blonde, head cheerleader during her junior and senior years. Homecoming queen to Jake’s king honors. I’m going to be sick.
My feet slap on the stairs as I run full force toward the upper floor. I yank open the door to my bedroom to a disco light, hip-hop music, and the singing of my best friends.
The worst part isn’t what he said. It’s realizing I’ve imagined everything between us.
Chapter Four
Emily
The Next Day
It’s nearly 5 o’clock when I come downstairs. I’ve avoided running into Jake for as long as I can, and now, I’m starving.
If I’d been thinking, I’d have had Ruby and Bella grab some food to bring upstairs before they left–nine hours ago, but I was too busy moping. Now, my stomach is eating itself, and I’m going stir crazy from being stuck in my room all day.
I tread down the stairs, listening for voices. It’s silent except for the faint hum of the central heat and the humidifier. If I weren’t starving, I would’ve stayed in my room until the weekend was over to avoid running into Jake again.
In and out. You can do this. Just grab some food, run back upstairs, and stay there until Sunday afternoon.
Unless Jake and his friend decide to stay here through the entire Christmas break. A shudder rips up my spine. That’s not possible. Jake and his mom are close, so she’d throw a fit if he didn’t come to stay with her at some point.
Okay, here’s the deal. If the worst-case scenario happens and he doesn’t leave, I’ll go stay with Bella or Ruby.
I stomp on the last step. Fuck that. The asshole isn’t pushing me out of my own house. I hold my head higher, mostly because there’s no sound of anyone being around, and I stride into the kitchen, stopping short just inside the doorway.
Spencer. Shit. Jake’s friend sits at the end of the island, listening to his earbuds while watching his cell phone.
When I take a step backward, he glances up, smiles, and removes one of his listening devices. “Hey, Em, what’s up?”
“I was going to get something to eat, but I can come back later.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He stands. “This is your house. I’ll go back downstairs.”
“It’s fine.” I arch an eyebrow. “I thought you all were gaming all weekend.” I swear that I’m not fishing for information. I’m not. I promised myself I was over Jake before my head hit the pillow last night.
“So did I.” His face squishes together with disapproval. “But Jake left last night and hasn’t returned, and your brother took off to fill in for a few hours at work. I guess someone called in sick.”
“I’m sorry.” My stomach cramps. Jake left last night and never returned. He’s been with Amanda all this time.
Don’t think about it. He doesn’t belong to you, and it’s not a reflection of your worth that he chose her over you. I repeat the words in my head again, but they don’t make reality any easier to swallow. He chose someone who cheated on him. Over me. And clearly, it wasn’t a hard choice.
“You didn’t do it.” He stalks around the island’s edge, wearing what must be his signature look–a white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and Nike tennis shoes.
“I might not have done it, but I’m still sorry that they abandoned you in a strange house, with people you don’t know,and no vehicle to drive.” My stomach gurgles loudly, causing heat to climb up my neck.
He smirks as he draws nearer. His eyes lazily rake over me with each step. “I know you, and you have a vehicle.”
