Page 60 of Five Summers

“Fuck,” he mutters, clearly annoyed. Stepping forward, he effectively traps me in place, rendering me unable to move. “Quit being stubborn, alright?”

“Well, stop being a complete asshole,” I retort, my gaze locked on his as I get right up close in his face.

His lips curl up into a cocky grin, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. The gleam in his eyes adds to the arrogance emanating from his face. I can almost hear the smugness in his smirk as he looks at me.

“I just want to talk,” he says.

“Well, I don’t.”

With a gentle touch, he raises his hand, delicately tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I’m mad at myself for liking how it feels when his fingers brush against my skin.

His confident, cocky grin gets even cockier, somehow becoming even more self-assured as he witnesses the effect he has on me.

“You should know, Princess, I never do this. But I’m sorry for bailing on you.”

“Why should it matter? Isn’t that what you usually do when you hook up?”

“Yeah, but this should’ve gone down differently.”

“What? Because I gave you my V Card,” I hear my voice waver as I struggle to keep it under control. “Don’t sweat it, Xander. You’re off the hook.”

I see something flicker on his face like I've accidentally hit a nerve. “I wanna make things right with you.”

“Why does it matter?” I ask, the frustration evident in my voice.

“Because it just fucking does,” he replies, his voice laced with frustration. He shuts his eyes, leans in closer, and rests his forehead against mine. The subtle aroma of his cologne hangs in the air. “You drive me so fucking crazy at times, you know that,” he murmurs, his voice a blend of frustration and longing.

“What the fuck?” a voice interjects, echoing from somewhere nearby.

Xander and I quickly straighten, both of us turning towards the voice. Standing there is Jade, her arms folded across her chest, glaring at us.

“Is this why you keep avoiding me? You’d rather spend time with this fat cow than with me,” she accuses.

Xander steps back, creating some space. “Nah, Jade. I'm staying away from you because I can't get a boner whenever you’re around.”

Xander's comment has a real impact on Jade. Her expression changes instantly.

“And you expect me to believe that she can? Just look at her!”

Xander storms over to her, his footsteps echoing angrily on the ground. He leans in so close that their noses nearly touch, his face contorts with rage. “If you talk about her like that again, or say the mean shit you usually do, I'll have Ace send that video to everyone in school. You know the one I’m talking about. Do you fucking hear me?”

Jade’s eyes widen, and her mouth hangs open in utter disbelief.

“So back up and stay the fuck away from me. And that goes for Poppy as well.”

Jade takes a few steps back, quickly shifting her gaze towards me. Without uttering a word, she lowers her head and makes her way to her over pricey car her dad bought her.

I’m at a loss as to what to make of these feelings swirling through my body after just witnessing Xander stand up for me against the biggest bitch in the school, but damn that was hot watching it go down.

He doesn't take his eyes off Jade until she leaves the school. Then he turns his attention back to me.

“I’ll see you at seven,” he says with a touch of cocky arrogance.

I nod, still shocked by his confrontation with Jade. Words fail me as I watch him stride toward the other side of the parking lot, where Ace’s car is still parked.

It’s around six when I make my way home. Just one hour of dealing with my mom before she leaves for work.

When I walk through the door, I find Mom sitting at the table, all ready for work and chowing down on takeout. I prepare myself for the onslaught on where I’ve been but to my surprise, she gives a warm smile, then nudges the burger box towards my usual spot at the table. “I got you some.”

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