Jaded (Jaded #1)

At the car, Bryce slid in the back. I was right behind Carlos and Corrigan had turned so he faced all of us at the same time. He threw his arm over the seat and started talking about how Becky Lew ranked among his conquests. He was fully divulging the evidentiary points of slot number four when Carlos pulled his car to the curb just outside Corrigan’s house.

It was then that I realized, “Nice. I was going to stay sober so I could drive my car tomorrow. Now none of us have cars here.”

Corrigan shrugged and murmured, “We’ll figure it out. I’ll make Stephen drive us over tomorrow.”

“I have my bag in your car,” I glared.

He smirked and pointed out, “Like you’re going to be wearing clothes tonight anyway.”

Carlos looked out the window, I scowled, and Bryce didn’t blink.

Corrigan rolled his eyes and shot out of the car. “See you later, losers.”

I stayed and Bryce looked between me to Carlos. He said, “I’m going in, make sure Corrigan doesn’t decide to light his house on fire.”

It wasn’t even an excuse.

The car was silent between us when Bryce shut his door behind him.

Carlos and I weren’t the quiet ones, it was the car, definitely the car.

He broke it when he said, hesitantly, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I frowned.

“For calling her. It wouldn’t have happened if…” If he hadn’t called her.

“That’s not true,” I said quietly. “It would’ve happened anyway, but to someone else. Or to her…later.”

“How do you know that?”

Because he did it to get at me. I couldn’t tell Carlos that.

I shrugged. “Trust me. These types…they always find someone else.”

Carlos didn’t say anything as the motor hummed.

He was a good kid. I could see that. I leaned forward and said softly, “She really liked you. I could tell.”

Carlos didn’t say anything.

“It wasn’t your fault. He did it. Not you. He did.” Just like he was doing everything else. I told myself that when I walked to the house. It wasn’t my fault. It wasn’t my fault.

Corrigan had waited for me when I walked into the house. He let go the curtain and jumped off the couch. When I locked the door, he said quietly, “Just making sure, you know.”

I shrugged, but the nonchalance wouldn’t set with me. It meant more than I could ever fathom for that little action.

He hugged me tightly and smoothed a hand down my hair.

Neither of us said a word and Corrigan pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before he darted up the stairs to his room.

I headed downstairs.

Bryce wasn’t in the hallway or in my room. I didn’t think about it and stripped down to my underwear and tank top. When I heard the bathroom door open, I slid out and met Bryce in the hallway.

We both stopped, stared at each other, and I moved around to the bathroom.

Bryce let me go.

When I came back, his door was shut and the lights were off. I stood there from indecision and finally just went to my own room. I crawled underneath the covers and flipped to my side.

To my surprise…the first nightmare ripped through me at breakneck speed. When I gasped awake, my heart pounding, I looked at the clock and saw I’d been asleep for two hours. I shook my head weakly, trying to clear all thoughts, but the shiver still ran down my spine. The goose bumps on my arms weren’t from the cold. I didn’t think about it. I didn’t plan it—nothing. I just got out of bed and crawled into Bryce’s.

I slipped underneath his bedcovers and heard his deep breaths. He was still asleep.

I scooted closer and nuzzled into his side, needing his warmth.

“Hey,” he murmured, tiredly, as he wrapped an arm around my waist. Bryce nearly pulled me over his body then. He nuzzled against my neck and promptly fell back asleep.

That’s when I closed my eyes and I welcomed the fog that settled on my mind.

The next time I woke, someone pounced on me. It wasn’t Bryce. I opened my groggy eyes to see Corrigan beaming back at me. He laid down on me with his clothes, my clothes, and the blankets between us.

He rested his chin on top of his clasped hands, right on my chest and smiled.

“Go away,” I grumbled and tried to roll out from underneath him.

Corrigan countered my move and merely spread his legs, entrapping me within his hold.

“Corrigan.” I yawned as I tried to wrestle my arms out from underneath the blanket. I was paralyzed and gave up. Corrigan’s weight held me captive.

To my surprise, Bryce moved awake beside me. He yawned as he placed one hand on Corrigan’s shoulder and shoved him off.

“Get off,” he mumbled and tucked me underneath his body. He placed a protective arm and leg over me as he glared at Corrigan on the floor.

“Morning, guys,” Corrigan said cheerfully and he threw himself on top of us again.

“You are too damn cheerful,” I complained and nestled against Bryce’s chest.

“Get lost, man,” Bryce scowled, but he bit back a grin. The effect was gone.

“Do you guys ever do it doggie-style?” Corrigan asked.

And I came awake. “Get out of here!” I shoved out from underneath Bryce and tucked my body to throw Corrigan to the floor.