Page 127 of Choosing You

“How the fuck would he know that?” Garret is really freaked out by this, even more than when I told him about the previous call. Did he not believe me? Or is it more real now that he’s witnessing it?

“I don’t know. I mean, last time he called he said they were watching me, but I didn’t believe him.”

“What else did he say just now?”

“That it’s my last warning.” Saying those words sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t what that means. Will he hurt Frank? Ryan? Me?

Garret pulls me into a hug. Not his usual friend hug, but a tight, protective hug, like he really thinks I’m in danger.

“Maybe the guy’s just trying to scare me and won’t actually do anything,” I say trying to reassure both Garret and me. “I’m sure he won’t call back after you yelled at him like that. Now he knows I have a boyf—” I stop before I say it. “I mean, a friend who will kick his ass if he calls again.”

Garret loosens his hug and leans back a bit. I notice a slight grin on his face. “He knows you have a what?”

I feel my face heat up. “A friend. A guy friend who will kick his ass.”

“I don’t know, Jade. I could’ve sworn you called me something else.”

He’s not going to let it go. I feel my face get even hotter. “Nope. Friend. That’s what I said.”

He leans down to whisper in my ear. “I think you called me your boyfriend.”

I back away slightly. “What? No way. We’ve been on one date. That’s crazy.”

“It’s okay, you know.” The cocky smile appears. “You can call me your boyfriend. I’d actually like it.”

“No, I don’t want to tie you down like that.” It’s such a lie. I don’t know why I always say the opposite of what I want. Of course I want him to be my boyfriend. I don’t even want to think about anyone else having him.

“What would you say about being my girlfriend? That way,I’dbe the one tyingyoudown. And I’d be your boyfriend by default.”

His tone is much lighter now. This boyfriend/girlfriend talk has distracted him from the call, which is good because it gives us both a chance to calm down.

“Hmm. So if I was your girlfriend, you’d finally make a move?”

He looks offended. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I gave you all kinds of chances to take advantage of me just now and you didn’t take them.”

His face gets serious. “Because I don’twantto take advantage of you.”

“Why not? I’m sure you’ve done it plenty of other times. According to Blake you’ve taken advantage of at least 10 other girls.”

“You know better than to listen to him.” He runs his hand down the side of my face and cups my cheek. “I don’t want you to feel pressured, like we have to rush into anything.”

“I don’t feel pressured. And we’re not rushing. We’ve been dating for more than two months.”

“We haven’t been officially dating until tonight. And you should take things slow. Your first time is a big deal.”

I give him a confused look. “First time? This wouldn’t be my first time.”

“Oh. Sorry. I just thought . . . you said you never really had a boyfriend so . . .” He’s completely flustered.

“Yeah, but I dated. I just didn’t consider any of them to be boyfriends.” I suddenly realize how slutty that sounds. I’ve had sex but no boyfriends? “What I mean is that I take the boyfriend title more seriously than other people do. And I didn’t have any serious relationships in high school.” No serious relationships? But I had sex? My attempt to sound less slutty failed miserably.

“Yeah, okay. I got it.” He looks a little disappointed. But I’m 19. Did he really think I was still a virgin?

“It was just one time.” I blurt it out, not at all intending for that little secret to spill out.

He doesn’t respond. So in my attempt to fill the awkward silence I continue to overshare.

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