I know he’s quoting some meme floating around the Internet, but fuck . . . those words. They stop me in my tracks, which is bent over as I slip on my shoes.
I stomp back over to the door and peek through. “Don’t start that crap up again. You had your fun. It’s my turn now.”
His mouth pops open, anger flaring in his eyes, then it’s suddenly gone. “You’re right.”
The words “I am?” almost slip from my lips. It’s such a departure from the norm that my whole system is in shock, leaving me to stare at him, wordless.
“I’m a jealous asshole. I know. I can’t stand the thought of anyone touching you, most of all Austin.”
I close the door and walk over to my dresser to pick up some bracelets and my wristlet, then throw open the door. His eyes go wide, running up and down my body, setting my skin on fire. “Well freaking get used to it, because you have no say in any part of my life.” I push him aside.
Before I can scoot by, Brayden grabs my wrist. The calm demeanor he’s mastered all day is gone, replaced by a fury that almost makes him look like a maniac.
“I’ll walk with you.” The party is only a few blocks away.
I wrench my arm free. “Walk by yourself.”
I make sure to push him hard on my way out, giving me time to race ahead and down the stairs.
My heart hammers against my ribs as I stomp off down the street. The party isn’t too far, and I plan to drink, so heels be damned, I’m walking. It also helps give me a Brayden breather and time to calm down.
The block is already parked up with cars when I arrive, and I can’t wait to find my girls. I pull out my phone to check a text I got on my way from Jenna, hoping she’s already here.
Sam IS well endowed. See you . . . sometime. lol!
A smile spreads on my face, and I shake my head. Looks like Jenna is getting exactly what she wanted for graduation.
I wave to some people I know who are hanging out on the lawn as I walk in. The music is loud, thumping all over the whole-house speaker system. There’s no view of Ashley or Marilyn, so I head toward the kitchen where the drink of the day is undoubtedly being served.
After dealing with Brayden before I left, I need a drink. Something strong to erase the tingling I can still feel from where he touched me.
It’s still pretty early, but the place has a ton of people, forcing me to weave through and giving the drink hand gesture to a few friends trying to pull me over. Before I can turn back around I slam into someone, my hands out, stopping on a belt.
“Hi, Kira.”
I crane my head back to look up at my tallest friend, reigning in at six foot eight. “Hey, Thomas.”
If basketball doesn’t work out for him, he’s got brains to fall back on. That, and classic farm-boy good looks.
“How are you?”
“Not bad. Haven’t seen you in a while.”
We were lab partners back in chemistry, and he’s helped me out more than once when calculus tried to kill me.
He chuckles. “Since Tuesday?”
I shrug. “Hey, in high school terms, that is forever.”
“Glad to be missed.”
“Yeah, well, soon you’ll be some bigshot at IU and you’ll forget all about me.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” he says. “Are you excited about college?”
“Definitely. You?”
“It’s gonna be hard, the practice schedule is intense, but I get to play for Indiana University.”
“That’s awesome.” I smile up at him, genuinely happy and excited for him.
“Too bad you won’t be there.”
“OSU calls,” I say with a shrug. “And I’m stoked that Ryan transferred and will be there.”
Thomas’s eyes dart around. “Is he here?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. That I’ve seen, at least.”
He blows out a breath. “Cool.”
“Why cool?”
His eyes go wide. “Oh . . . N-no reason.”
I quirk my brow at him. “Tell me.”
“It’s just . . . I’m talking to you, and the guy is scary protective of you.”
Ah, I get it now. The Austin incident.
Jerk is always getting in my way.
“Are the rumors that bad?”
He lets out a nervous chuckle. “He always kept guys away from you, him and Brayden Hunt, but that was next level when he attacked Austin.”
I purse my lips. “Yeah, it was.”
“Ever since then, it’s been kinda hard to work up the courage to ask you out.”
I blink up at him. “What?”
He smiles and ducks his head. “You’re not with Austin, I hear. Can . . . can I take you out sometime?”
I stare back at him in shock. I like Thomas, and I can totally see him being a great boyfriend, but I’ve never thought of him that way.
Probably Brayden’s fault. I’m sure I can probably blame him for just about everything for the past few years.
“No,” I whisper, hating that I’m turning a great guy down. “I’m sorry. I’m a mess right now.”
His expression falls and he swallows hard. “Too late, then.”
“Or too early.” I smile up at him. “If things were different, I would say yes.”
He chuckles. “Thanks for the pity yes.”
“Hey, it’s not like that. I like you, but . . .”
“It’s complicated?”
“Extremely.”
“Well, if things become uncomplicated, give me a call,” he says as he backs away with a wave.