“Here’s my number. You know, in case Willow doesn’t answer.” Jenna smiled and handed Brody’s phone back to him.

“Thanks.” He didn’t give her his number.

“Okay. I guess I’ll see you later. Gotta get to class,” Jenna said. She walked backward toward the door—still staring at Brody—and ran smack into my biology teacher.

I covered my mouth with my hand to stifle my giggles. Brody chuckled next to me, shaking his head, and Tim picked up his books, mumbled something about Jenna’s ditziness, and walked to his seat.

Smooth, Jenna. Way to make an impression.

It was the slowest day in history. I didn’t think school would ever end. When the last bell finally rang, I rushed to my locker and stuffed my books inside before jogging to the student parking lot and climbing into my Chevy. I wanted to get home and finish my homework, so I could shower and change before I left for the bowling alley.

After going through what felt like a hundred outfits, cussing out my hair because it wouldn’t lay right, and carefully applying my makeup, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door.

“Willow? Are you going somewhere?” my mom called.

I went into her bedroom. She was lying across the bed on her stomach, two empty beer bottles on the floor beside her and a full one in her hand. “A bunch of us are going to the Super Bowl and then The Dive for burgers after. I asked you earlier, remember?”

“Tonight’s not a good night.”

Breathe. It’s gonna be fine. Breathe

“What… why?” My heart sank. “You said it was okay for me to go.”

“It just isn’t a good night to go out. You know how things go. Your dad wants tonight to be a family night.”

“He isn’t my dad,” I muttered.

Ralph walked out of the bathroom attached to their bedroom. “You have no idea how happy I am that I’m not your real dad. And I don’t give a rat’s ass what your mom said about you going out tonight. You’re staying in unless you’re planning to meet Jaden.” He looked at me with raised eyebrows. When I didn’t answer, he smirked. “I didn’t think so. You’re not going anywhere.”

I looked at the bed. “Mom—”

“I said no,” Ralph shouted, and I flinched.

Breathe. Just breathe.

“Fine.” Running back to my room, I locked the door behind me. After I threw my stuff on my bed and stripped out of my clothes, pulling on a pair of boxers and a tank, I texted Jenna.

Me: Can’t make it tonight.

Jenna: What? Why?

Me: Home stuff. See you tomorrow.

Jenna: I’m sorry.

Me: No biggie. Have fun.

I used the rest of the night to do schoolwork and wonder if Brody showed up at the bowling alley. I finished my homework for the next day, including the extra credit. It was too early for bed and I was too keyed up to sleep anyway, so I worked ahead in calculus and biology and finished a paper on the Civil War for American history that wasn’t due until the next week.

I’d hoped to get a text from Jenna telling me about how her night was, so I waited until midnight before I crawled into bed.

That night, images of Brody’s bright blue eyes and amused grin haunted my dreams. It was better than the nightmares that usually invaded my sleep.

Just breathe.

I looked in the mirror the next morning. My dark hair was a mess. The normal waves hung limply to my shoulders. Dark circles surrounded my eyes, their hazel color washed out from lack of sleep. I sighed. I didn’t have the energy to care what I looked like. After I ran a brush through my hair, I twisted it into a messy bun at the back of my neck. I dabbed a little makeup around my eyes to hide the circles and slashed on some mascara. A swipe of lip gloss and I called it good.

I pulled on a pair of sweats, a pink tank top that said, Zombies Eat Brains (You’re Safe), a zippered hoodie, and my hot pink sequined tennis shoes and forced myself to go to school.

“You look like crap,” Jenna said. I glared at her and grabbed my books out of my locker. “And I am going to burn those shoes the next time I’m at your house.”

“Thanks. You’re a sexy beast, too.”

She leaned her shoulder against the locker next to mine. “Missed you last night. It wasn’t nearly as fun without you.”

“Thanks. Brody show up?”

“Yeah.” She sighed. I swear her eyes glossed over and pink cartoon hearts floated above her head. I wouldn’t have been surprised if violin music had started playing, cartoon rabbits scampered around her, and bluebirds landed on her shoulders. It was sickening… I was totally jealous.

“So, what’s he like?”

“Eh.”

I glanced at her. “What’s that mean?”

“He’s the tall, dark, and handsome that smutty romance novels describe. He must top six feet, and he seems to be the whole package—brains, looks, and wicked funny. All the girls swooned over him.”

“A real ladies’ man, huh?” I rolled my eyes.

Jenna shrugged a shoulder. “I guess. He stayed for one game and then left with Tanya.”

“Great taste in women. I suppose if the stories about him are true, he’s gonna know how to find the easy girls.”

“Time will tell, I guess. See you in history.”

I shut my locker and jumped when I came face to face with Jaden. “So Jenna’s gaga over the new guy, huh? Big surprise. She’ll go after anything with a pulse. Sometimes, I wonder if a pulse is even needed.” He laughed at his lame joke.

“I’m late, Jaden. I’ll see you at lunch.”

He pushed off the locker and fell in step with me. “I’ll walk you to class.”

We were silent on the way. When we got to my classroom, I looked over my shoulder. “Bye. Save me a seat at lunch.”

Jaden grabbed my wrist, pulling me backward against his chest. He wrapped his arm around my waist, nuzzling his face behind my ear before turning me around and kissing me. His mouth was hard against mine. Putting my hand on his chest, I pushed him. He smirked and walked away.

I turned and walked into class. My eyes met Brody’s. He rolled his and made a disgusted face. “I like your shirt,” he said when I reached the table.

I had to look down to remember which one I was wearing. “Oh, thanks. I wore it just for you. You know, to comfort you in case of a zombie attack.”

He laughed. My heart nearly stopped at the sound. Dear God, it was like music from Heaven.

It was movie day in biology. I was looking forward to sleeping during it. Folding my arms on my book, I laid my head on top of them, closing my eyes. Near the end of the movie, Brody scooted his chair close to mine and interrupted my nap. “So, you date the captain of the football team. You’re one of those,” he said quietly.

“One of what?” I asked, not bothering to open my eyes.

“A bimbo jock chaser.”

“Hmm, and you’re one of those.”

“I can’t wait to hear this,” he murmured. “One of what?”

Sighing, I opened my eyes and looked at him. “A piss poor athlete who’s jealous of the real jocks. At least you know you’ll always have a job when you finish school.”

“Oh?” Brody looked at me and quirked an eyebrow.

“Yes, Mr. Victor, I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, ‘Those who can, do, those who can’t, teach.’ So you don’t have to worry about your athletic shortcomings. You can rest easy with the knowledge that you’ll always be able to teach.”

Brody laughed. “Nice. I’m glad to know I’ll be a productive member of society.”

“That remains to be seen. How was Tanya?”

He grinned and shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve had better.”

“Ugh, you’re a pig.”