Page 12 of Charger

“Thanks, mom.” I scurry out the door with Tommy. “I’m so sorry about all that.”

He opens the passenger door to his expensive sports car. “I’ll admit it is a little intimidating. Your brother, Zach, and your dad. But I’m pretty tough and I can handle anything.” He smirks. Thank God for that.

Tommy had me home by nine forty-five. I don’t think he wanted to risk being a minute late. When I walk inside, my mom is snuggled into my dad watching a movie. Even after all these years, they are still madly in love with each other. We all should be so lucky to have a loving marriage like that. I greet them, telling them how much fun I had, skipping any detail whatsoever. I did have fun. It even makes me blush, thinking about how he held my hand in the theater. Yes, I know, holding hands. Real exciting. But for someone who is shy, and has never had a boyfriend before, holding hands is a pretty big thing.

As soon as my bedroom door shuts, I fling my purse onto my bed, and my phone vibrates.

Zach: I’m at my window.

The thumping in my chest beats faster. If he’s going to give me any shit for tonight, I swear… I will probably fully enjoy it. I let out a huff when Zach is already leaning on the ledge of his window calling my phone.

“What, no goodbye kiss?” he says when I answer.

“Spying on me?”

“Yup.”

“How nice of you. Also, are you crazy? Like he would try to kiss me in front of my house. He was probably scared to death that you guys were waiting in the shadows with shotguns.”

“Good. He should be.”

I shake my head. “Why are you being like this?”

“I’ll always be like this when it comes to you.” He straightens from his window sill, standing to his full height. “Did he touch you, Jules?”

“He held my hand if that’s what you consider touching.” He doesn’t say anything, just stares. “Zach, I’m hanging up now.” I go to close my window, still holding his call to my ear.

“Jules…”

I sigh. “Yeah?”

He pauses, and we both share a silent moment. What does he want to say? “Never mind, good night.” He slams his window shut, drawing back his curtain.

“Good night, Zach.” My heart does a little jump before hanging up. God, how I wish it was Zach holding my hand at the theater tonight.

FIVE

Jules

“So, your brother invited me to Josh’s party tonight.” Lisa makes a face, like she’s waiting for me to scold her.

“Lisa, I don’t care if you hang out with Garrett, honestly.”

“Really? You sure… because if it’s weird?”

“I swear. It’s fine.”

“Oh, thank God! Because I really and I mean really like your brother.” Her face lights up.

“I know you do. You don’t hide it very well.” I shut my locker and we walk to class together. “Tommy invited me to the same party,”

“Holy shit, yeah? Perfect, now I’ll have someone to cling onto all night.” She laughs.

“I don’t know if I’m going to go.”

“Please! Please, you have to go! I need backup. I’ve never been alone with Garrett before. What if we run out of things to talk about?”

I bite my bottom lip out of habit. “Fine, but you have to promise not to leave me.”

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