Page 48 of Habits

Green eyes darken, and I can see her shift from one leg to the other. “I wanted to go to Lia’s, but she’s at Derek’s since …”

She offers as an explanation.

“I see …” I nod my head in understanding.

The few times Max has dragged me along to Lia’s, Brook has always been there. These two are more like sisters than friends, and Lia’s parents treat Brook like their own. But I get it; it’s not easy to ask for help. And now that Lia’s dating Derek, it’s normal that she isn’t home as much as she used to be and that part of the time she spent with her friend she now gives to her boyfriend. Lia’s house has been Brook’s safe haven, but without her friend there, she doesn’t feel comfortable staying at Lia’s house alone.

“You earned those at home?” I tilt my chin in the direction of her face.

“If you don’t want me here, I’ll go.” Brook’s voice is steady and clear, her arms crossed over her chest. Partly to show her badass attitude and let me know loud and clear she’ll be okay on her own, and partly to help her hide the shaking of her drenched body.

I’ve never tried to pretend we’re friends. I wouldn’t even call us acquaintances, for that matter. We simply go to the same school, and except for Max shoving me in their direction a few times, I keep to myself, so for her to come here … I don’t even want to think what it cost her.

For a while, we just stare at each other.

Her dark green eyes meeting my cloudy gaze.

Two stubborn, opinionated, too-smart-for-their-own-good young women facing each other, both trying to come out as winners in a fight that’s non-existent.

Sighing in exasperation, Brook hangs her head. “I don’t have time for this shit.”

She starts toward the door, but my fingers curl around her wrist.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

My parents are far from winning the award for the Parent of the Year, but at least they never beat me. They just leave me in this big-ass house all alone. The least I can do is give somebody else shelter.

I may not be looking for a friend, or even company, but I can’t let her walk away. Not when she is in a shitty situation like this. Not when the storm is raging outside.

I’m a bitch, but not like this. I’d never put another person, anotherwoman,down.

There is a special place in hell for people like that, and with all my faults, I haven’t fallen that hard. Not yet anyway.

“I’m going to order some takeout.” I turn around and start walking away, giving her privacy to change.

“Jeanette?”

“Hmm …” I tilt my head to the side, letting her know I’m listening without turning around. Like I said, this doesn’t make us friends.

“You want to watchTeen Wolf?”

I shrug. “Sure. Come down when you’re done.”

Definitely not friends. Just two girls with a love for the same paranormal TV show.

My obsession with Isaac Lahey started way before the play date—that’s what I call the night my brother ditched me at Amelia’s doorstep—not that I would admit it out loud.

It’s girly, childish and totally not like me.

But he’s still my secret crush.

Sue me.

* * *

“Are you going to be okay here?” I ask, looking at Brook standing next to my brother’s bed. In his room, so big and masculine, she looks even smaller than before. “I would have put you in the guest room, but Mom still hasn’t had time to decorate.”

“I’m okay.” She runs her hand through her hair. “I could have slept on the couch.”

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