“But now what?” Brody murmured.
“Now, it’s an issue,” I answered, my voice soft.
“Why?” Brody shifted in the seat and pulled me around to face him. “I need to hear you say it.” He cupped my face, his thumb rubbing across my cheek.
“Because now, there’s someone else.” I watched his eyes darkened.
He leaned his face to mine. His lips were so close. They barely touched mine. I could feel them move when he spoke. “Then leave him. I want you, Willow.”
“I don’t… He’s gonna—”
He pulled back and dropped his hands. “Look…” He blew out a breath and rubbed his hand over face. “This… thing with you, it’s all new to me. I’m crazy about you. You’re in me. My day doesn’t start until I see you, and I want the last thing I hear at night to be the sound of your voice. I’ve never had anyone affect me like you. A million girls can come and go, but you’ll always be the one I look for, dream about, love. Only you. You’re my very heart.
“If you were dating some great guy, I’d be okay with being just your friend. I might not like it, I’d be jealous as hell, but as long as you were happy, I’d be okay with it. Problem is, you’re not dating a great guy. He’s a loser. A possessive, domineering, condescending jerk who takes you for granted—”
“Tell me how you really feel,” I muttered, scooting back on the seat.
“And I’m not okay with it, Willow. I’m not okay with just standing by and being your friend while you date an idiot like him. I don’t want to sneak around and see you just at midnight for a couple of hours. I’m greedy. I want all of you. I don’t share well.”
“What are you saying?” My heart beat doubled and my hands shook.
Is he going to make me choose between him and Jaden? Don’t make me choose. Please, please, don’t.
“Dump him and be with me. I’m not perfect, but I’m a lot closer than Jaden is, at least for you. You have to know that.”
“Or?” I whispered.
“There is no or. I won’t stand around and watch you self-destruct because of him.”
“You want me to choose between you?” I said slowly, looking in his eyes.
“I don’t want you to do anything tonight other than think. But tomorrow, yes, I want you to make a choice.” His eyes held me captive and his words fell like bricks between us.
I just stared at him. I’m not sure how long. Then I turned and opened the door and got out of the Jeep, leaning my back against the door. I didn’t even notice the rain hitting me. I just stood there, his words ringing in my ears.
He’s making me choose. My choice is him. Brody will always be my choice. But Jaden will tell. He’ll make our lives a living Hell. He’ll tell everyone what he knows. I can’t risk that…can I? Would Brody still want me if he knew?
“Willow,” Brody stood in front of me. “Get in the car. You’re freezing.”
I climbed into the Jeep when he opened the door. We drove to my house, neither of us speaking. It was the first time I felt uncomfortable with Brody. The first time I didn’t want to be with him. I just wanted to get home and climb into bed.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said when he pulled up to my house.
I nodded and slipped out of the Jeep.
Friday. It was a home game. I used to sit with Jenna, Tim, and a handful of other friends. But that was before Jaden’s new rules. Under the new rules designed to keep me ‘in line,’ he expected me to sit behind the players’ bench. But I’d decided that it would end that night.
The night before Brody had asked me to make a choice. I’d been up most of the night thinking. When I got up that morning, I intended to ask Brody for more time, but he deserved an answer. So instead of asking, I texted him and asked him to meet me at the football game that night. I’d tell him my choice then.
That morning, I got up early and took extra time with my hair and makeup. I wore my black jeans and a red, scoop-neck sweater. I picked red for a reason, and I hoped Brody would catch the hint. Pulling on my black boots, I grabbed my keys. After a quick trip to Starbucks—I was going to need as much caffeine as I could get—I drove to school.
“Two days wearing normal clothing. What’s the occasion?” Jenna asked when she saw me. I handed her a caramel macchiato. “Thanks. I so need this.”
“I can’t tell you now, but something big is going down today,” I whispered.
She grabbed my arm. “What’s going on?”
I looked down the hall, saw Jaden walking toward us, and barely shook my head. She looked over her shoulder at Jaden, let her hand drop from my arm, and turned to get her books out of her locker.
“I’ll see you in history.”
“See ya,” I called after her.
“Are you done with that?” Jaden asked, nodding toward my macchiato.
“Nope.”
“Then you’re throwing it out when we get to your class.”
I shrugged and slammed my locker shut, walking away from him. He caught up with me and grabbed my hand. We walked to my class. I stopped outside the door and leaned against the wall, drinking my Starbucks.
“Toss it and go sit down,” Jaden said.
“No.”
“What you mean ‘no’?”
“Did I stutter? I said ‘no.’ I’m finishing my drink. If you don’t like it, go to your own class,” I said, my voice rising with each word.
“I told you, I’m not standing out here while you drink your freakin’ Starbucks.”
“Then don’t. You have two feet. Use them to walk away and piss someone else off.”
He grabbed my arm and started to pull me into the classroom. I flipped the lid off my drink with my thumb, aiming it at him. When he jerked me forward, the macchiato sloshed down the front of his shirt.
“Shit!” He jumped back and held his arms out to the sides, gaping at the coffee stain.
“Oops. I guess you shouldn’t jerk my arm while I’m holding a Starbucks in my hand.”
“That’s hot, Willow.”
“What do you want me to do about it? You were the one pulling on me!” I yelled.
“Look at my shirt!” he shouted.
“Yeah. Hmm. That’s probably gonna stain.”
“We’ll take this up later.” He stalked off.
“Doubtful,” I called after him and walked into class, dumping what was left of my drink in the trash.
I glanced at Brody. One side of his mouth tipped up in his signature, amused grin. “Nice sweater. I like the color,” he commented.
“I thought you would.” I sat down and looked to the front of the class.
The rest of the day went by smoothly, even though Jaden gave me the cold shoulder because of his ruined shirt. I chatted and followed him from class to class as if nothing was wrong.
That afternoon, after the last bell, Jaden followed me to my locker. “Do you need a ride to the game?”
“I don’t know why you ask me that every week. I have my own car,” I snapped.
“Watch the damn attitude. Just making sure.” He stared at me.
“I’m going to give Jenna a ride tonight. Just wanted you to know before the game so you wouldn’t think anything was going on. Her car’s been acting weird. Her dad is dropping it off at the mechanic’s this afternoon, so she won’t have it for the game tonight.” I lied.
“No. She can find a ride with someone else.”
“I’ve already told her I’d give her a ride. I’m not going to tell her no after I’ve already said yes. It’s one week, Jaden. Surely you can trust me with Jenna long enough to drive to the school and back home again.”