much as I want him. Maybe even more.
But that’s not possible…because I’ve never wanted anyone or anything more than Jace Covington.
There’s a heady tug in my lower belly when his hand slips under my sweatshirt and his fingertips trail along my abdomen.
Part of me is grateful. The other part of me is…worried.
I can’t help but think if he was alone with Britney right now, she’d have no problem letting Jace go to second base.
For all I know, they already have.
“God, your skin is so soft.” The tip of his thumb traces the edge of my bra. “Is this okay? I can stop if you—”
“Take my shirt off,” I blurt out.
Another groan escapes him…then before I can process what’s happening, he’s on the other side of his bedroom.
As if he can’t get far enough away from me.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“I did.” He drags a hand through his hair, gripping the short strands. “I never should have kissed you.”
It would hurt less if he ripped my beating heart out with his bare hands.
“Why?”
“Because you’re not mine to kiss.” Frustration lines his features. “It was a mistake.”
I sit up and look at him. “If kissing me was such a mistake, then why did you keep doing it?”
The silence stretches between us for what feels like hours before he speaks again. “I wanted to see if I felt anything for you.” He looks me right in the eyes. “I don’t.”
White-hot pain infiltrates my rib cage until it latches around my heart like a vise.
Jace kissed me like he loved me. Like he wanted me as much as I want him.
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t need you to understand. I need you to accept it and stop.”
He makes it sound like I’m trying to seduce him every second of the day. “Stop what?”
His pupils nearly spear me with the severity of the storm swirling inside them. “Stop trying to make me feel something more than friendship, because it won’t ever happen. Ever.”
His statement is like a guillotine. Final.
I curl my arms around myself. Jace has pushed and pulled me around so much; I’m surprised I don’t have whiplash.
“I want to go home.”
The irony. Considering I came here to escape what was happening there.
He nods. “I think that’s a good idea.”
The prickle of tears lodges in my throat, but I refuse to break down in front of him.
“Dylan, wait,” he says as I approach the window.
The traitorous organ in my chest takes flight. “What?”
His throat bobs on a swallow. “I figured it would be best if you heard it from me first.”
“Hear what?”
He shoves his hands into the pockets of his flannel pajama pants. “I’m taking Britney to the dance.”
It’s like I don’t even know who he is anymore.
Neither of us says a word as I crawl out of his bedroom. Out of his life.
“D-d-dylan!” Liam calls out when I reach the end of the driveway.
I’m not really in the mood to talk to anyone, but because it’s Liam, I stop walking.
“Are y-y-you ok-k-kay?” he asks when he catches up to me. “Jac-c-ce s-s-said you’re upset.”
Seeing as I just left, it’s weird he would know that. It’s even weirder that he would send Liam after me. “When? Why would he tell you that?”
He shrugs. “He t-t-texted me and t-t-told me t-t-to c-c-check on you.”
Un-fucking-believable. “Tell your stupid brother if he’s so concerned about my well-being, he should quit being such an asshole and stop sending his little brother to do his dirty work.”
His face falls. “Oh.”
He reaches for my arm when I start walking. “W-w-wait. Let me w-w-walk you home.”
Normally I wouldn’t mind, but all I want to do is go home and sleep.
Hopefully when I wake up, the last twenty-four hours will all be some horrible nightmare, and everything will be back to normal.
“I appreciate it, but I really just want to be alone right now.” I gesture to his house. “The sun’s almost up. You should get some rest.”
He frowns. “Oh. O-k-k-kay.”
I’m passing their mailbox when he utters, “By the w-w-way. T-t-thanks for the T-t-tommy t-t-thing.”
I’m not sure what he means. “What Tommy thing?”
“He mes-s-saged me on Ins-s-stagram and s-s-said you w-w-wouldn’t be friends w-w-with him if he w-w-was mean to me, s-s-so we’re c-c-cool now.”
That’s not exactly what transpired, but if Tommy stops being a prick to Liam, then I’m happy.
I give him a smile. “That’s awesome. See? I told you things would get better.”
He grins. “S-s-see you at s-s-school.”
Chapter 14
Dylan
I shouldn’t be surprised Oakley ditched me again.
However, I am pissed.
My aunt—who’s also