Page 5 of Charger

Smooth, Jules, real smooth. You didn’t need to start with that. Trying to be funny is not my strong suit. But it happens when I’m nervous. It just comes out as awkward, no filter.

He laughs while uncomfortably rubbing his neck. “I would lie and say I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I do.”

“Great, well, I just wanted to clear that up.” I strum my fingers on my thigh, letting the silence take over.

“You, uh… going to the pep rally and bonfire Friday night?”

It takes me a second to answer. One, does he really care? Two, did I actually hear that correctly? “I’m not really sure, but maybe.”

“Cool. Then maybe I’ll see you there.” He gives me a wave goodbye and heads back down the bleachers, returning to the other half of the field. Tommy Stevenson was interested in knowing if I was going to the bonfire. Well, that’s a first. I smile a bit as I watch him kicking the soccer ball around. He’s cute. No, he’s super hot. But every girl knows that.

I let my attention travel back to Zach, who’s staring at me with a stone-cold look, and my insides turn to ice.

What’s that about?

Zach

Fuck me. Did she really have to sit like that? Head back, tits out, not to mention the way her skin fucking glowed in the sun. Stop, Zach. She’s your best friend’s sister. She’s your best friend. But I can’t help it. She’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Sexy, smart, sassy. Damn it, I need to stop because if I don’t, one day I’m going to show her everything she’s been missing. I am such a pervert. Like she deserves that. Jesus.

I quickly turn back, facing the inside of the field before the guys notice my hard-on and before I need to go jerkoff in the locker room. My disgusting self always visualizes Jules when I’m jacking off. Sure, I’m with Sam, but she’s not Jules. She’s not the girl who haunts my dreams.

“Dude, why you always gotta be checking out my sister like that?” Garrett shoves the football into my chest.

“Why? Because ever since she turned fifteen, she grew tits and an ass. Now run the field before Coach blows the whistle on us.”

He shakes his head, runs long, and catches my field throw. I don’t know why but I turn back to Jules, and I see red. Tommy Stevenson. Tommy fucking Stevenson. This kid is a douchebag to say the least. Why the fuck is he talking to her? It’s taking every part of myself to not jog up there and beat his face in. I know guys like him—word gets around—and Jules is clueless. He’s the biggest manwhore in school. First Josh, now Tommy. Come on, Jules, stop attracting grade-A assholes. Trying to protect her has always been this need of mine. It sizzles deep within me and ignites on impact.

He so much as touches Jules, and I’ll fucking lose it.

Jules

“So, why the hell were you talking to Tommy Stevenson?”

My brother whips his head in Zach’s direction. “What?” He looks in the rearview mirror, meeting my eyes. “You were talking to Tommy. Why?”

I mentally prepare myself for the twenty-one questions.

“I wasn’t, not really. He accidentally hit me with a soccer ball and then apologized for it.”

“He hit you?” Zach flies around in his seat, now facing me from the passenger side.

“Jesus, guys, cool it with the testosterone. Yes, he hit me with a soccer ball.” I make sure to emphasize each word. “It was an accident and he apologized. That was it. It’s not that big of a deal, so can we please move on?”

“I don’t want you anywhere near him,” my brother demands.

“Oh, okay, um. Well, since you’re not dad, I can talk to whoever I want. Or not talk to, or whatever.” I throw my hands in the air.

“I mean it, Jules. You stay the hell away from him.”

“You two are acting crazy. Seriously, I wasn’t even doing anything wrong.” I throw my body back into the seat, crossing my arms over my chest. Who do they think they are, telling me what to do like that? Sometimes they both can be way too overprotective.

“We’re not acting crazy. We’re just looking out for you. So, when we tell you that he’s bad news, he’s bad fucking news.” Zach’s voice erupts throughout the car.

“Why is it okay for you two to fuck whatever female walks by, but when someone apologizes for hitting me with an accidental airborne ball, it’s the end of the world?”

“I’m not discussing my sexual partners with my sister.”

“Trust me, I don’t want you to. I’m just trying to prove a point.”

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