“I think I’m falling for you,” he whispered.
He lifted his head and looked into my eyes. I cupped his face with both my hands, rubbing my thumbs over his checks.
“I think we’re free falling together.”
He leaned his forehead against mine before lifting his head and kissing it. “I’d better get you home.” He pulled back slowly.
Oh. Holy. Hell.
I put a hand on my chest, trying to slow my breathing. My heart still fluttered. I took two deep breaths and let them out slowly to calm myself.
Jenna’s right. He’s turning my world upside down, and it feels friggin’ awesome.
Brody pulled up in front of my house, and ran around the Jeep to open the door for me. I still couldn’t get used to that.
He stood in front me, one hand on the side of the Jeep, the other on the door, blocking me in. “Are you free tomorrow?”
I tilted my head as though I was thinking and tsked. “I’ll have to check my schedule, Ace.”
“Oh, you have that many appointments, do you?” He stepped closer to me. His cologne swirled around me, invading my senses.
“I’m in demand, but if the right offer came along, I think I could make an exception.”
“I was thinking maybe we could go out, you know, on a real date. Maybe something boring like dinner and a movie.” His eyes held a question. Would I brave being seen with him after the nasty break up with Jaden and admitting that we’d been seeing each other while I was still dating him—would I go out with Brody when my reputation just got trashed because of our relationship?
“I thought you’d never ask.”
He blew out a breath and smiled. “You pick the movie. I’ll pick you up around four?”
“Okay, but I’m warning you, I’m going to pick a really cheesy chick-flick.”
He grinned. “I’ll watch anything with you as long as you wear one of your famous T-shirts for me.”
“Deal.”
We looked at each a few seconds, minutes, hours, who knew how long?
Just kiss me already! If you don’t kiss me soon, I’m going to spontaneously combust. Kiss me!
Finally, Brody let his arm drop from the Jeep’s door so I could pass. He grabbed my hand as I walked by and brought it to his mouth, kissing the inside of my wrist and sending fingers of longing through my body.
Damn it. Stop doing that and kiss me. Why won’t you kiss me? If you don’t do it soon, I won’t be held responsible for my actions. I’m gonna jump ya, and it’s not gonna be pretty… it’s gonna be pretty awesome.
“See you tomorrow.” My voice came out all breathy and soft.
He smirked. I think he loved torturing me. “I’ll text you later tonight. And probably tomorrow, too.”
“You’d better, Ace.”
I’d only been home an hour. I was locked in my bedroom, wondering if Jaden would call and break the news to my mom and Ralph. It’d be just like him to call, pretend to be upset, and ask to talk to me. When they’d ask him what was wrong—and they surely would because to them, he hung the moon—he’d tell them I’d broken up with him. And with that, world war three would begin.
I had no delusions that my mom and stepdad would ever accept my decision to break up with Jaden and date Brody. They’d never accept Brody. In my family’s mind, Jaden and I were as good as married. The news that our relationship was over was going to go over about as well as a fart in church.
We just had to get to graduation. Then I’d leave Jaden, my mom, and Ralph in Middleton while I went somewhere far, far away to college. There was just one problem. Where did that leave Brody and me?
My phone chimed, and I jumped. I really didn’t want to look at it. It could’ve been anyone texting to find out if the rumors of my break up were true. It could’ve been Jaden. That thought made me cringe. The only reason I looked was because it could’ve been Jenna or Tim. I smiled when I read the name.
Brody: Told you I’d text.
Me: Hey, Ace. Miss me already?
Brody: Always.
Me: I miss you.
Brody: Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Me: Me either.
Brody: Pick a really cheesy one.
Me: No doubt.
Brody: Goodnight, Willow.
Me: Night.
Jeez, I’m smiling like a fool. I’m already in so deep. Please don’t break my heart.
My phone chimed. I was still holding it and pushed the message button without looking to see who it was from.
Jenna: Rockin’ your world yet?
Me: Shut up.
Jenna: I’ll take that as a big yes.
I stood in front of my closet and looked at all my T-shirts. Never in my life had I picked out an outfit the night before, but I wanted to find just the right shirt to wear on my date—yes! A date—with Brody. I flipped through them and found a black one that said, I can’t wait to be ashamed of what I do this weekend. Shazam! That was the one. If that didn’t clue him in to the kissing thing, nothing would.
I laid the T-shirt out with a pair of Khaki skinny jeans and my brown riding boots. Dumping my crap out of my messenger bag, I put what I’d need into a small, brown leather purse that matched my boots.
There. That looks good, right? Maybe. I don’t know. I’ll have to call Jenna. She knows about normal clothes.
I dialed Jenna. When she picked up, I said, “Yes, you were right. There, can we talk about something else now?”
“Yes. As long as you admit I was right, I’m good.” She giggled.
“I need clothes advice.”
“Why?”
“We’re going on a date tomorrow,” I said.
“Okay, first off, no writing across your boobs.”
“He wants me to wear a sarcastic T-shirt. He specifically asked me to,” I said.
“Hmm. Oh, right, I get it,” she said.
“What?”
“It gives him a reason to look at your boobs without looking like a perv.”
I laughed. Hard. When I finally stopped long enough to talk, I told her, “But, I want him to look at my boobs.”
“Slut.”
“Who said I wasn’t? It’s gonna be all over the school by Monday anyway.”
“Yeah, well, you’d be surprised how many people don’t like Jaden and his crap. I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Willow. When it comes down to it, you’re the one people actually like between the two of you. No one could figure out why you stayed with him in the first place.”
“We’ll see.”
“So what are you wearing?” She sighed.
“Okay, I have a black T-shirt and—”
“What’s the stupid T-shirt say?” Jenna interrupted.
“I can’t wait to be ashamed of what I do this weekend.”
“Actually, that isn’t too bad.” She laughed. “It might give Brody a hint.”
“That’s what I’m counting on,” I said.
“You’re bad. What else?”
“Okay. I have Khaki skinny jeans, my brown riding boots, and my brown leather purse. How’s that?”
“Sounds like I’ve created a diva. Finally.” Jenna huffed. “So where are you going?”