It's the next day at school, and Abby, Declan, and I are at our new table in the cafeteria, which Josh snagged from the footballers.
We're eating, chatting, and laughing. After yesterday with Josh, I went home with his forgiveness for the Parker incident, even though I insisted I didn't kiss him.
Regardless, he forgave me, and that's all I needed. However, he wants me to tell Abby about us so he can reveal it to the entire school, and I refused.
I'm not ready to tell her; I don't want to break her heart. Josh is quite demanding and wants everyone to know that I'm his, so they won't flirt or talk to me. I don't want to allow that. I enjoy talking to other guys as friends. Even though I appreciate his desire to show everyone I'm his, it's just too inconvenient. I dislike being the center of attention, and being with him brings attention I don't need right now.
"So Ann, when was your first time drinking liquor?" Declan asks, chuckling with Abby and Josh. We're sharing stories about our first times doing things our parents warned us against.
Josh had sex with his English teacher in sophomore year to boost his grade. Surprising, right? I'm not dwelling on it because it's in the past, and he has changed.
"When I was ten, my aunt gave me a sip, not a lot, though."
"That's-" Declan starts, but an oddly familiar voice cuts in.
"Annabelle?" Jason says from behind me. My heart feels like it stops for a second. What is he doing here? Josh will kill him.
"Jason..." I say stiffly, turning to look at him standing next to me. My table is quiet, and I sense everyone's eyes on me, especially one burning into the back of my head. "What are you doing here?" I ask.
"My friend Parker invited me to his practice. I came to show them a few tricks since I'm a pro in football-"
"Jason we meet again," I turn to look at Josh as he leans over with his hands clasp on the table giving Jason a look that should petrify him.
"Yes, we did, and I see you're in a good mood today, and I wonder why. What changed that?" Jason crosses his arms, glaring back at Josh.
"What am I missing?" Abby asks, confused. "And Ann, where did you find such a hot-"
"It was nice of you to stop by, Jay, and now it's time for you to leave," Josh tells him in a threatening voice. Jay? The look on Jason's face suggests he doesn't like that name.
"My name is not Jay, so I assume you weren't talking to me," Jason says bitterly, keeping his eyes on Josh, who cracks his knuckles placed on the table.
A spasm of irritation crosses Josh's face, "Jason, get the hell from here and go play with your little buddy Parker, and leave us the fuck alone," Josh growls fiercely, and I feel like it's my turn to step in before this escalates further.
"Gu-"
"You see, Josh, that's the problem. I don't want to leave Annabelle alone-"
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Josh's voice hardens ruthlessly, his eyebrows raising.
"Well, my friend Parker is not in a good state right now because some rascal beat the crap out of him. Oh, and he even snaps at girls too, innocent girls." I know where this is going, and I don't want it to. Parker must have told him that Josh was the one who attacked him, and he's trying to bring up what happened Saturday when Josh caught us chatting. "And I don't want him to lay a finger on her-"
"Guys, please stop," I say with pleading eyes. Jason looks down at me softly. "Jason, it's better if you leave. It was nice seeing you again." He looks at Josh, then me again.
YOU ARE READING
My Best Friend's Brother
Romance"You broke one of my rules you must learn the consequence," his provocative voice speaks with so much authority, and all I did is nod understandable. "On your knees Annabelle," he orders, letting his palm loose from my neck. I obey and sink to the f...
