Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

CHAPTER 16

11 288 Vouchers CHAPTER 16

I drifted through the week like a zombie. Sam and Laura hovered over me like I was some fragile bird, and it became a lot. I appreciated that they didn't ask me if I was okay, but being there all the time meant that they didn't believe I was.

I haven't been sleeping well, and nightmares have woken me up more than a few times. Luckily, Josh didn't know-well, I don't think he knew. Our rooms were on opposite sides of the house.

So here I was another morning and another night I didn't sleep.

I just lay in bed, waiting for it to be 5 a.m. so that I could take a run. I knew Luke would be there for the run, and maybe that's what kept me up. The anticipation of seeing him was overwhelming, but I kept telling myself it wasn't.

No matter what time I went - Luke was there, falling in the right behind me. We didn't talk; he never ran behind me and made sure I got home before he left.

On the first run, I thought he was being nice and doing Josh a favor. Then, the next morning, when he was there, I asked him why, and he just shrugged, waiting for us to start. So, by day three, I didn't even ask.

I was itching to get out of bed and go for a run, but I didn't want to see Luke. I still hated men, and the more I looked at Luke, the more I realized I didn't hate him.

So I skipped the run and called Sam and Laura for a coffee

CHAPTER 16

to tell them I just needed a night by myself, but they meant well. Maybe I needed an all-girls night after all. I

heavy with the weight of another long day. I was meeting Laura and Sam at my house for a sleepover - again. It seemed like they'd been staying over every other night this week, but I wasn't complaining. It was nice to have some company, and it was almost like having a built-in excuse to

last class and turned the corner, only to see Luke leaning

bag to avoid them. Luke knew it was my locker, and seeing Luke press Clair up against my locker stirred something in me. Something

done walking on eggshells, trying not to upset the status quo. I walked right up to

loudly, but they ignored me, and Clair

have lunch somewhere else?" I

irritated, and I might have yelled a little, but good grief, they didn't

CHAPTER 16

and turn to look at me while Claire wiped her

gave me a condescending look. I rolled my eyes, yanking my locker open and grabbing what I needed before making a quick escape.. I was

"Hey, Jess,"

Nope. Not happening.

I walked faster...

tugging on my arm to stop me. My body just acted, and I jumped away from him like his touch was

there, staring at him for a moment, trying to calm

don't..." What

of regret on his face, and the hand reaching out to touch me closed into a tight fist. Luke blew out a breath. "You're not running tomorrow,"

step back. "What do you mean? I'll run if I want to run." I tried keeping my voice