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

CHAPTER 55 LUKE

It was always the same. Even if he promised that it would stop, he would stop. I should have known when I walked into the fucking house and found my mom in the kitchen icing her cheek. I saw red. I couldn't think straight, couldn't stop my body from going right to his office, slapping the bourbon out of his hand and punching him. It happened so fast. My mother begged me to stop, so I did, but I had to get out of there. I needed to before I did something I would re-gret. Josh wasn't here to stop me this time. Watching her stand up for him instead of to him - was breaking me, and I couldn't take it anymore. I was going to kill him, so I left.

I slammed the front door behind me, the cool night air hitting my face as I took off down the street. If running helped Jessica with whatever was going on in her head, maybe it would help me.

I thought about calling Josh for a second but decided not to.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and the familiar ringtone echoed in my headphones. Josh. As if he somehow knew.

"Yeah?" I answered, trying to keep my voice steady as I slowed to a jog.

"Hey, man. I just got home, and your dad asked me if I'd seen you. I lied and said you were back at practic. What happened?" Josh knew he probably got a whiff of the alco-hol on my father's breath or saw the split lip I left him with.

"It didn't go that far this time," I said, my breath coming in short bursts. "I got home just in time. But they're leaving tonight for New York. Business trip. It's so fucked up. She stood up for him." My jaw tightened. "I hate that I can't make sure she's safe. I hate leaving her with him."

"I know, man. I know. Next time, I need you to call me before you ruin your life. You'll get her out of there as soon as you have the means. Remember that."

through me, a dark, consuming rage that I struggled to contain. "I know,

there for a moment, letting the silence wash over me. I'd run until I knew they'd left for the

Shit.

home,

was nothing I could do about

next to me-not just any Jeep-a Jeep I knew all too well. Jess rolled down her

she asked, her voice cutting through

minute I'm in a small space with you, I won't

head, trying to

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shrugged and drove off, but as thunder rumbled and lightning lit up the lake, she stopped and reversed. "Get in before I have to tell my brother why I let his best friend become barbecue." I took a deep breath, my chest feeling tight. This was a bad idea, but running in the lighting

judgment, I opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. The warmth of the Jeep enveloped me, and her scent invaded my senses - sweet but not too sweet. "Thanks," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze. The rain picked up, drumming on the roof and windows, better

I'm guessing she was doing her best to appear po-lite. She probably wanted to

of her perfume mixing with the rain-dampened air. My mind raced, struggling to keep my thoughts in check and focus on anything other than the proximity of her body and the way her hands gripped