I walked into the library for independent study, a glorified name for study hall. Most seniors skipped out on the last hour. I usually spent it in the library, working on homework. The less time I spent at home, the better.

I always sat at a table in the back of the library where it was quiet and isolated. Putting in my ear buds, I turned up my iPod. Spreading my calculus notes out, I flipped open my textbook and started working out the homework problems. Concentrating on solving the problems, I didn’t notice him until his shadow fell across my papers. I looked up, and my heart skipped.

I watched Brody’s lips move and him gesture with his hands.

I pulled the ear buds from my ears. “Really? You’re here, too? Look, this is my area. There are dozens of cubicles in the library where you can study. Find one, preferably the one farthest from me.”

“What happens if I like this side of the library?”

“Brody.” I sighed. “Your village called. They want their idiot back. Run along now.” I flicked my fingers like I was shooing a fly away.

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips just before he winked at me and walked by. “See you tomorrow, Willow,” he said over his shoulder.

Ugh, tomorrow. I think I hate school.

Friday night. Another night of football. I’d love going to the games if I could spend the time with Tim, Jenna, and our other friends, eating too much junk food, gossiping, and ogling the football players in their tight uniforms. Instead, every move I made was watched, scrutinized, and reported to Jaden later.

Then there was the inevitable fight. There was a party if our team won—the Cassidy Cougars were undefeated, so there was always a party—and Jaden would want to go. I couldn’t because of curfew, which would cause a fight. Every Friday, it was the same thing. It would’ve been so much easier if I drove myself to the games each week, but Jaden insisted on driving me himself. Possessive.

“Hey,” Jenna said, sitting down next to me. She handed me a Coke.

“Ooh, caffeine and sugar. Just what I like. Thanks.”

“Where’s your watchdog?”

“Karen is two rows up, directly behind me.” I sighed.

Tim wandered over and sat next to Jenna. He was loaded down with candy and the biggest cup of pop I’d ever seen.

“Think you have enough sugar to get you through the game?” I asked with a smile.

“I’m not sure. I think I’ll make it to halftime, but beyond that remains to be seen. Here, I bought this for you.” He handed me a stick with a big blob of pink cotton candy on the end.

“Yum! I love cotton candy. Thanks. You are officially my best friend.”

“Hey!” Jenna scowled. “Brought you a Coke, remember?”

“Hmm, I guess you guys are even then,” I said, shoving the pink sugar in my mouth. “This is good.”

“Hi, Willow,” a smooth-as-velvet voice glided over me, making me shiver like a finger had just slid up my spine. I turned toward him, cotton candy filling my mouth and a handful melting between my fingers, making them a sticky mess.

Swallowing the gooey candy, I said, “Oh, hi, Brody.” His eyes followed my tongue when I ran it across my lips, licking the sticky sugar from them. Something fluttered deep in my stomach. “What do you want?”

“Just stop to say hi,” he said.

I looked next to him. Sarah sat pressed against him, her hand high on his thigh.

Ew, she really gets around.

“What happed to Tanya?”

He shrugged a shoulder. “That didn’t quite work out.”

“Ah, so you’ve moved on to your next conquest. How nice for you.”

“Something like that.”

“Well, I advise you to get a good supply of penicillin. You’re gonna need it.”

“That’s so sweet. You’re worried about my health.” He reached up, slipping a lock of hair behind my ear, and a grin pulled at his lips. “Don’t worry, I have it covered. Literally.”

“Ugh. You know, after meeting you, I’m thinking of becoming a lesbian. You’re disgusting.”

Laughing, he stood. “Later.” He walked away, Sarah following him like a puppy with her tongue hanging out.

“He’s with Sarah now? He’ll do anybody,” Jenna said, popping a piece of popcorn in her mouth.

“I guess so.” I shuddered.

He’s gonna drive me insane by the end of the school year.

When the game ended, I waited for Jaden on the sidelines like always. He jogged over to me, but instead of giving me roses and kissing me like always, he left the roses on the bench and jerked me to him. His fingers dug in to my arm, and I bit the inside of my cheek against the pain. He whispered in my ear, “Wait for me in the car.” He let go of me so fast I stumbled backward.

Great. He’s in a mood.

I wandered back to where Jenna and Tim were standing. “What was that?” Jenna asked.

“No idea.” I shrugged a shoulder.

Tim glanced at the players’ bench. “No flowers tonight? That’s new. He always gives you roses. He’s pissed about something. What’d he say to you?” Tim forced another stick of cotton candy at me.

I shoved some of the spun sugar in my mouth and talked around it. “He told me to go wait in the car. That’s it.” I pushed more of the sticky candy in my already full mouth. I ate when I was nervous or upset. I was both. Jaden had a temper, and I was afraid I was on the wrong side of it.

“Let me drive you home, Willow. You don’t need to put up with his crap. Let’s just leave.” Jenna pulled me toward her car. More cotton candy went in my mouth.

“I can’t just leave. He’ll harass me until I talk to him. I’ll just get it done with now.” Another bite of cotton candy. The big cloud of pink sugary goodness was already half gone.

“Dump him, Willow,” Tim said under his breath. “You don’t need him or his hang-ups. Your relationship isn’t healthy. No one should be that possessive.”

“I know.” I sighed. “I know.” I shoved a huge piece of cotton candy in my mouth. “I need to go. I’ll text you both later,” I said.

I wish I could explain it to you. Tell you everything. Why I can’t leave Jaden.

Jenna’s face was pinched with worry. She raised her hand and waved. Tim just shook his head and turned to leave. Neither of them understood. I knew Jaden was an idiot. But even though he had his bad traits, he was a good guy—somewhere deep, deep inside. When we first started dating, things were different, better. He was loving and caring.

I answered the door, and a shy smile curved my lips. He was gorgeous as always. His cologne drifted in with the breeze. I took in a big breath. He smelled spicy, woodsy.

“Hi.”

“Hi, Willow. You look beautiful. Every guy is going to be jealous of me tonight.” Jaden reached out, took my hand, and helped me down the porch stairs and into his car. He slipped into the driver’s side and turned to me. Cupping my cheek, he kissed me. So soft, tender, and filled with emotion.

The driver’s side door swung open, startling me out of my memories. Jaden jumped in the car, his hair still wet.

“That was fast. You didn’t blow-dry your hair,” I said, looking at his face set in hard lines. Jaden always dried his hair after his shower.

He grunted something in reply. I couldn’t make out what he said or even if it was an actual word. He started the car and peeled out of the parking lot, the car fishtailing in the gravel. I grabbed the dash for support.

“Jaden! What’s wrong with you?”

He drove toward my house, not even asking about Jamieson’s party. Pulling in my driveway, he threw the car in park, jerking us both forward.

“I saw you talking to him.” They were the first words he’d said since getting in the car.

“Who? Tim?” He knew Tim and I were friends. He’d never had a problem with it before.