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

sleepover. I wanted to tell them I just needed a night by myself, but they

school, my feet 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 get out of

class and turned the corner, only to see Luke

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

I'm done walking on eggshells, trying not to upset the status quo. I

my throat loudly, but they ignored me, and Clair pulled Luke into

lunch somewhere else?" I tried

was irritated, and I might have yelled a little, but good grief,

CHAPTER 16

and turn to look at me while Claire wiped her

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

"Hey, Jess,"

Nope. Not happening.

I walked faster...

up next to me, his hand tugging on my arm to stop me. My body just acted,

for a moment, trying to calm myself down. I shouldnt have reacted like that. I knew Luke

don't..." What

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

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