Page 16 of Hate to Love You

Even though I’ve thought the same thing myself a time or two—maybe more—it pisses me off to hear the insult roll off Reed’s lips. Clenching my hands into fists, I step forward. Brody grabs me by the shoulders to halt my progress. “Go to hell, Reed! You’re an asshole.”

He smirks. “If you’ve gotten any better in bed, just give me a holler. I’d be willing to give you another try.”

Brody lunges, and Reed melts through the crowd before he can get his hands on my ex again. Unable to believe what just happened, I stare at Brody in complete shock.

The party, which had been pumping only moments ago, is strangely silent. Only the sound of hushed whispers can be heard. People stand around and openly ogle us. In a stupor, my gaze slides over the crowd. Heat scorches my cheeks as humiliation floods through every pore of my body.

Everyone heard what Reed said.

That I was a virgin.

That I’m lousy in bed.

I just want the sticky floor beneath my feet to open up and swallow me whole. I want to flee, but stand rooted in place, paralyzed by all of the eyes focused on me.

Brody grabs my hand and drags me out of the kitchen and through the living room. I’m too stunned by the situation to question where he’s taking me. The crowd parts as I struggle to keep up. Another ripple of whispers follows in our wake. I stare down at the gawking party-goers as Brody pulls me up the staircase.

My heart sinks.

This is exactly the kind of attention I don’t want. When people talk about the fight that broke out between Brody and Reed tomorrow morning, I don’t want my name associated with it. But even I know that’s unrealistic.

I’m going to be plastered all over this story.

Once we reach the second-floor landing, he leads me down the dimly lit hallway as the revelry downstairs fades. My mind races, trying to process everything that transpired in roughly ten minutes of time. It never occurs to me to untangle myself from Brody’s grasp.

Pulling out a key, he unlocks the door and yanks it open, towing me inside. Once he slams it shut, my eyes find his, and we stare at each other. The mental fog I’m cocooned in shows no sign of dissipating.

“What just happened?” I whisper.

“I just punched Collins in the face,” he says calmly. “You’re welcome.”

Oh crap. That’s what I thought.

“Why?” Coming to my senses, I tug my fingers free of his. Does he have any idea what he’s just done? “Why would you do that?”

Brody stares at me like I’m crazy. And maybe I am. Maybe I’m in the midst of a total mental breakdown. The stress of school, graduation, and my parents’ divorce has finally caught up with me. It’s official. I’ve lost it.

“He was talking shit about you, Davies.” His brows pull down. “What was I supposed to do? Just stand there like a puss and let him do it?” He scowls. “Hell no!”

Both of my hands fly to my temples. Gently I massage the sides of my head as if that will ease the ache growing inside. “I don’t know. But you don’t lie and tell him that we’re going out.” I slide my fingers into my hair and shake my head. “Why do you even care?” My voice climbs as hysteria sets in. “You talk shit about me all the time,” I remind him, in case he’s forgotten that our typical exchanges consist of barbs and darts thrown in one another’s direction.

He folds his arms over his wide chest. “That’s different,” he snaps, looking offended. “I would never say crap like that to you or any girl.”

The hurt that flashes across his face makes me feel guilty. He’s right. Say what you want about Brody, I’ve never heard him humiliate anyone. He would never be that mean.

Aggravating? Without a doubt.

Infuriating? To be sure.

But he’s not vicious.

The guy likes to needle me. But it’s nothing more than that.

Filled with remorse for lashing out, I mutter, “I’m sorry. You’re nothing like Reed.” I swing away from him and gravitate toward the window overlooking the lit-up street below. Tons of people are milling around on the front lawn. Strolling up and down the sidewalk without a care in the world. Laughing, drinking, cutting loose on a Saturday night.

And I’m up here… Feeling like my life just imploded.

“I don’t know how to make this better,” I whisper. “Everyone heard the horrible things Reed said.”

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