Page 24 of Corrupt Obsession

“What?”

“Since when do you say yup?”

She shrugged as she made her way to the SUV. Mom bought a small, fuel-efficient car once Jesse got his license and let him take the SUV since he usually needed the extra room for his sports equipment.

She settled her backpack on the floorboard and belted herself in as Jesse got behind the steering wheel. He fiddled with the radio as they made their way out of the neighborhood. She unwrapped her breakfast sandwich and stared out the window as she tried to think of the day ahead and not about anything that could ruin her picture-perfect life.

“Did you see that text about Brody and the others going to the movies on Friday?” Jesse asked.

“Yes.”

Several seconds passed before he asked, “You want to go?”

“I don’t know,” she heard herself say.

“You told me a couple of days ago, you wanted to see that movie.”

“I know, but…” She waved her half-eaten sandwich. “I can always see it later.”

“There’s no reason for you to see it later unless you have other plans this weekend?”

“Maybe. My friends were talking and…” She shrugged.

“You need me to drive you anywhere?”

She shook her head. “No, I can catch a ride.”

“I don’t have to go to the movies. I can take you wherever you need to go.”

She relaxed a little. He sounded like himself. Helpful, supportive, sweet. “No, you should go to the movies. I’m sure it’ll be fun. You can tell me if it’s good.”

“I’d rather you come with us. When you know what you’re doing with your friends, I’ll decide what I’ll do.”

She didn’t know what to say, so she finished her sandwich in silence and crumpled the foil into a ball. Lost in thought, shedidn’t realize she hadn’t said a word until he parked the car, and she undid her seatbelt.

“You okay?” Jesse asked.

“Of course.” She scanned the crowd for her friends. She was relieved to be at school, where she had classes and numerous things to distract her. She reached for her backpack and froze when Jesse touched her arm.

“You don’t seem like yourself this morning.”

“I didn’t get the best sleep,” she said and pushed her door open, eager to escape.

“Hey.”

“Yeah?” she asked, tugging on her backpack zipper, even though everything was secure.

“Look at me.”

She mentally braced before she turned her head. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. Of course, he hadn’t changed overnight. His face was the same—chiseled jaw and what some of her friends called perfect lips. When they met, he’d been four inches taller than her, but now he towered over her and most of their peers at six foot three. Sunlight hit striking sky-blue eyes that stood out even more because of his dark brows and hair. She searched his face for an explanation for the disturbing images in her mind, but all she could see was baffled concern.

“Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You’re pale.”

She didn’t have time to stiffen as he cupped her cheek.

“Are you coming down with something?”

She gave him a bracing smile. “I’m feeling a little better now.”

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