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

CHAPTER 74

JESS

"Okay, ladies! We're hitting the track today, and I don't want to hear any excuses! I don't care if it's your time of the month, you've got a headache, or your boyfriend said your hair looks like a hot mess. If you want to pass this class and not be stuck taking it again next year, proclaimed 'ball-buster, she thrived off

intimidating us.

Laura and I exchanged exasperated glances. The heat outside was unbearable, and the very thought of running felt like a punishment.

Laura had been trapped in this dark spiral ever since my brother, Josh, confessed that he cheated on her with some girl from a rival school. Despite our efforts to lift her spirits, she remained stuck, so we hovered around her like worried mothers. Gripping her arm, I led her outside, ignoring the emptiness painted across her face. She didn't need more pitying gazes from our classmates. Everyone heard the rumors.

On top of that, I was doing my best to avoid Josh as

if he were the plague. Every time he entered the same space as me, I bolted in the opposite direction. I refused to have that conversation, especially knowing he was still friends with Luke after everything, which made sense. 07.56

CHAPTER 74

The whole reason Luke wouldn't or didn't, or no- he did- was because of Josh and his friendship with Josh. He gave me all these excuses about why he avoided me and didn't want to go there with me... because of Josh. How wrong I was...

him, but I was good enough for a

in on Luke. He was shirtless, muscles glistening with sweat, running laps on the football field. Just like every other girl on the

hard against the lump in my throat, my tongue darting out to moisten my suddenly dry lips. I knew I should hate him, but honestly? Who would look away from that? Heat flooded my cheeks, and flashbacks of his bare chest hovering above me brought back me I shivered at the thought but pulled my gaze

Josh. She did -

dulled for her, and all I could do was look back at the field where Josh

CHAPTER 74

1288 Mauchers

on Josh's chest as if to keep

Good.

the common sense to keep

more laps you run, the better your final mark.

a deep breath, I forced myself to focus and

I ran, feeling the heat from earlier, not just from the

girls dropped off, hands on their hips, panting heavily, and finding excuses to sit in the shade. But I wouldn't be one of them-not today,

sting in my lungs, the sensation in my chest like I was teetering on the edge. I pushed forward, enjoying the rhythm of

her own demons. The tightness in her jaw registered that she had some things to work through. Right now, those struggles were between her and the track, but at least there was emotion on her face. As we continued to circle the track, one by one, the others faded until only Laura and I were left, pushing through the heat. I slowed my pace to match hers, refusing to let her fall behind. I could hear Mrs. Luther calling