Page 22 of Charger

“Your text wasn’t encrypted, Jules. I figured it out.” He moves in closer, wiping my cheek with his thumb. I have to tilt my head back and look up to see him. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, he didn’t.” We stare, each taking the other in, and then he relaxes. “I’m sorry.”

I raise my hand. “Before you give me an I told you so speech, save it. I know. I suck. I’m stupid.”

“I wasn’t going to give you any type of speech. And you sure as fuck aren’t stupid.” I look down at my feet; for some reason, I have a high interest in them right now. I feel like hiding, crawling away like I do when something hurts me. “He called me a tease and said because I kissed you, he thought I would…”

He grabs my wrist, without hurting me. “He thought what?”

“He thought I would have sex with him because he thought I was having sex with you.”

I hear Zach breathe in. “He’s so dead.”

I take my free hand and hold onto his. His attention shoots there, his eyes widening with surprise. “Will you just stay with me, at least until Garrett comes home. I don’t feel like being alone right now.”

It takes a second before he calms down. With a sigh, he gives up. “Yeah, pretty girl.”

I get butterflies every time he calls me that. Even though I told him to stop, I didn’t want him to. I walk him over to the couch, a tear escaping my eye. I’m not sad because Tommy wasn’t who I thought he was. I’m crying because he thought I was easy.

I turn on the movie Tommy and I were supposed to watch as Zach holds out his arm. I’m assuming that is an invitation and I gladly accept it.

I snuggle into his embrace and he squeezes me close. It’s funny because my best friend was always saving me, and tonight was the first night that I fully accepted it without overanalyzing anything.

I couldn’t remember where I was, until I felt Zach’s warm body underneath me. We must have fallen asleep because he’s sprawled out on the couch, me on top of him.

“What are you guys doing?” My brother stands behind the couch, scaring the shit out of me. We both get up slowly.

“Nothing. We fell asleep watching a movie.” I straighten my hoodie as Garrett bounces glances between us.

Zach gets up from the couch and stretches with a yawn, exposing some of his lean, V-shaped torso. Of course, my eyes travel there, and of course, I’m embarrassed when he notices. “All right, I’m out.” He looks at me. “You good?”

“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks.” He winks before leaving.

Garrett is staring at me like he’s waiting for me to say something. “How was your date with Lisa?”

“It wasn’t a date.” Garrett plops down where Zach was. “Just two friends hanging out.”

I smack his arm. “I swear if you hurt her Garrett… She likes you, and if you don’t feel the same way, then you need to tell her.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like her.” He rubs his arm, flashing me a smirk. Okay, so he does like her.

“Good.” I give him the same smirk back.

“What’s going on with you and Zach?”

“Nothing’s going on with us. Why would you ask that?”

“I don’t know. You guys have been weird lately. Kind of secretive too, whatever that’s about.” He’s not wrong—we have been a little secretive lately. Before I can give an answer, he slaps his thigh. “Whatever, I’m going to bed.” He starts walking upstairs. “Oh, forgot to tell you. Mom’s planning a big birthday dinner for us next week, so don’t plan anything. I think she wanted it to be a surprise, but I found out because I’m just that good. Don’t you forget it.” He points his two fingers from his eyes to me.

“Yeah, I get it, bro. You’re watching me.” I smile and shoo him away.

“What the hell happened on Saturday night?” Lisa’s leaning against the locker next to mine.

“I threw Tommy out. He thought he was getting more out of me than I was willing to give.”

“Well, did you happen to punch him in the eye too? Because I saw him this morning with a pretty nice shiner. Not saying he obviously didn’t deserve it.”

Someone punched Tommy? I close my locker door with force.

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