Page 10 of Charger

Shutting my light off, I throw the covers back over me. Another text message comes over and I think it’s from Tommy again, so I giddily check it.

Zach: So, you gonna text him back if he texts you?

Little does he know, it already happened.

Me: I’m sorry, when did that become your business?

Zach: You, Julianna Taccarelli, are my business.

What the hell does that mean? The possessiveness in those words… Words I wouldn’t have guessed would be coming from Zach, my best friend, my brother’s best friend. Not knowing what to say to that text, I ignore it and try to catch my breath as I bite my hang nail. I shut my phone off completely and close my eyes. It takes me longer than usual to fall asleep, and I have Tommy to blame for that. Or maybe it’s not Tommy’s fault… maybe it’s Zach’s.

FOUR

Jules

I lazily walk to my cedar chest, which sits in front of my bed, yanking my robe from it. The smell of the big Saturday morning breakfast that my mother goes all out with every week fills the house.

In the hallway, I run into my dad, who’s in front of the mirror trying to decide which tie to wear to his big meeting this morning.

“Go with the blue one. The red one means you’re trying too hard,” I suggest.

“Huh, good idea.” He tosses the red one in the bathroom and wraps the approved tie around his neck. “Thanks, kiddo. When did you become so business savvy?”

I shrug. “It’s in my blood.”

He smiles, walking with me downstairs. It sucks that my dad has to go in on the weekends sometimes, but it’s all part of the job. When you own your own dealership, it’s not just a nine-to-five gig only on weekdays.

I stop dead in my tracks. My dad makes it into the kitchen and grabs a plate, shoveling some scrambled eggs onto it. I gnaw on my bottom lip when I see Zach sitting at the table next to my brother, laughing and watching YouTube. I never used to care what I looked like. But that was before I started crushing on him. So, now, I am fully aware of my fuzzy slippers, robe, night shorts and hair being piled on the top of my head. I haven’t even showered yet. I contemplate running back to my room, but the rumble in my stomach has already made up my mind. Zach has seen me like this a dozen times, if not more. Get over it.

I grab myself a plate, offering a “good morning” to my mom, who’s wearing her usual authentic smile.

“Sis, why do you look so wrecked?”

Setting my plate down, I glare at my brother before going to the fridge and pulling out the orange juice. “I’m sorry I’m not a freak like you two, who seem to be abnormally chipper in the wee hours of the morning.”

“Actually, in our defense…” Zach finishes chewing his eggs then continues, “It’s only because we had to be up early for practice. We don’t actually enjoy it.”

“Well, whatever the reason, I like my beauty sleep.”

“Yeah, you might need more of it.” I punch my brother in the arm right before my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Tommy: Morning, cutie.

I practically choke on my food. The smile radiates off my face as I take a sip of OJ.

“Who’s that?” Zach gives me a scowl before my brother looks over.

“It’s Lisa,” I lie.

“No, it’s not,” Zach counters.

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh, yeah? Then let us see.”

“Let you see my phone and read my text messages? No, I think I’ll pass, but thanks.”

“Jules…”

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