Page 58 of Broken Like This by Bethany

Okay, we may have talkeda little bitabout Jesse.

Carrie and I start laughing hysterically.

Amanda eyes us curiously. “Okay, I definitely missed something.”

Jesse points at Amanda. “There’s a new one.”

I roll my eyes. “J, this is Amanda, our new roommate for next semester. She lives in Woods Junction.” I turn to Amanda. “Mands, this is Jesse, Joel’s older brother. And his girlfriend, Carrie.”

Amanda smiles widely. “Nice to meet you. I definitely see the resemblance.” She looks between Carrie and me. “But you’ve got me curious about the nipple orgasm thing.”

I glance at Jesse, who is looking back at me. “It’s a long story,” I say.

“And I think I can guess how it ends.” Amanda smirks at me.

We all start laughing, and then I feel heat behind me. A fiery gaze. My breath sticks in my throat. Jesse’s eyes flit to me as Aaron strolls up. He puts a hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “Just because you were the first to do that with her does not mean you were the last—or the best.”

My eyes go wide and my cheeks turn pink. It’s one thing for me to talk about it or start the conversation. It’s another for Aaron to brazenly stroll up and talk about our sex life. We aren’t even together. And either way, that’s unlike him.

I force out an exhale as Amanda’s eyes dart to me. She’s had a steep learning curve with this whole Aaron and me thing. I don’t think she dislikes him, but she’s a naturally protective person who happens to be in my corner over his.

I give her a tiny headshake to let her know I’ve got this. Although, in reality, I don’t have anything. I just want to get away from him. I hate feeling like that. Especially tonight. Before we ever dated, this party was special to us. We’d dance to our favorite Christmas songs and exchange a special, meaningful gift. It’s something rooted in the twisted friendship and something-more relationship we’ve always had. Tonight, I’ve ebbed between wanting to be in his arms and wanting to be nowhere near him. Right now, I’m ready to be anywhere else.

I clear my throat and say, “I’m going to get a drink.” I try to keep my voice even, but it comes out terse, anyway.

“Rae Rae,” Jesse says softly as I push past him.

I shake my head and keep walking. Two seconds later, a warm hand lands on my arm and pulls me down the secluded hallway toward the laundry room.

“I’m sorry.”

I look up at Aaron.

He leans in closer and continues. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sometimes I still feel like you’re mine. I want to go all caveman and claim you.”

My eyes flit closed. I know why he said it. I can smell the reason on his breath. I thought the night he got drunk and hooked up with that girl would be a lesson. In some ways, I guess it was, but not in ways that pertain to alcohol. I still don’t know what’s going on with him, but he hasn’t stopped trying to kill his problems with booze. I mean, he’s not an alcoholic. He’s an eighteen-year-old who just discovered the magic powers of alcohol helping you feel less. Or care less. Or whatever, I don’t know. One night of puking from Jose Cuervo was enough for me.

“Well, I’m not yours, Aaron. And I definitely don’t belong to a guy who would talk about me like that. It might not seem like much to you, but no one in this world has ever defended my honor more than you. What I choose to talk about with my friends, versus what you come up and randomly say are two different things. Not to mention that we aren’t even together.”

He stands up straight and looks away from me. “I’m sorry. I got jealous.”

“You got drunk.”

His gaze hardens. “I’m not drunk.”

“You’re halfway there.”

A little smirk plays on his lips.

My shoulders soften, and I roll my eyes. “Don’t sing the song.”

But he leans in and whispers a few words fromLivin’ on a Prayerin my ear, anyway. His smooth, sexy voice sends a chill over me.

I shove his shoulder. “You’re a pain in my ass.”

He grins at me, but quickly turns serious. His hands find mine. “I really am sorry.” He inhales sharply. “I’m still figuring all of this—” He motions between the two of us. “—out.”

I nod. “I get it. It’s not easy.”

---