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

them I just needed a night by myself, but they meant well. Maybe I needed an all-girls night after all. I knew Fred had another party, so Luke and Josh would

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

class and turned the corner, only to see Luke leaning against my locker, chatting with

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

on eggshells, trying not to upset the status

ignored me, and Clair pulled Luke

lunch somewhere else?"

but good grief, they didn't listen.

CHAPTER 16

to look at me while

impatiently for them to move. They stepped aside, and Cliar gave me a condescending look. I rolled my eyes,

"Hey, Jess,"

Nope. Not happening.

I walked faster...

to stop me. My body just acted, and I jumped away from

and I stood there, staring at him for a moment, trying to calm myself down. I shouldnt have reacted like that. I knew Luke wouldnt

don't..." What

reaching out to touch me closed

you mean? I'll run if I want to run."