“Why?” Brody shifted in the seat and pulled me around to face him. “I need to hear you say it.” He cupped my face, his thumb rubbing across my cheek.
“Because now, there’s someone else.” I watched his eyes darkened.
He leaned his face to mine. His lips were so close. They barely touched mine. I could feel them move when he spoke. “Then leave him. I want you, Willow.”
“I don’t… He’s gonna—”
He pulled back and dropped his hands. “Look…” He blew out a breath and rubbed his hand over face. “This… thing with you, it’s all new to me. I’m crazy about you. You’re in me. My day doesn’t start until I see you, and I want the last thing I hear at night to be the sound of your voice. I’ve never had anyone affect me like you. A million girls can come and go, but you’ll always be the one I look for, dream about, love. Only you. You’re my very heart.
“If you were dating some great guy, I’d be okay with being just your friend. I might not like it, I’d be jealous as hell, but as long as you were happy, I’d be okay with it. Problem is, you’re not dating a great guy. He’s a loser. A possessive, domineering, condescending jerk who takes you for granted—”
“Tell me how you really feel,” I muttered, scooting back on the seat.
“And I’m not okay with it, Willow. I’m not okay with just standing by and being your friend while you date an idiot like him. I don’t want to sneak around and see you just at midnight for a couple of hours. I’m greedy. I want all of you. I don’t share well.”
“What are you saying?” My heart beat doubled and my hands shook.
Is he going to make me choose between him and Jaden? Don’t make me choose. Please, please, don’t.
“Dump him and be with me. I’m not perfect, but I’m a lot closer than Jaden is, at least for you. You have to know that.”
“Or?” I whispered.
“There is no or. I won’t stand around and watch you self-destruct because of him.”
“You want me to choose between you?” I said slowly, looking in his eyes.
“I don’t want you to do anything tonight other than think. But tomorrow, yes, I want you to make a choice.” His eyes held me captive and his words fell like bricks between us.
I just stared at him. I’m not sure how long. Then I turned and opened the door and got out of the Jeep, leaning my back against the door. I didn’t even notice the rain hitting me. I just stood there, his words ringing in my ears.
He’s making me choose. My choice is him. Brody will always be my choice. But Jaden will tell. He’ll make our lives a living Hell. He’ll tell everyone what he knows. I can’t risk that…can I? Would Brody still want me if he knew?
“Willow,” Brody stood in front of me. “Get in the car. You’re freezing.”
I climbed into the Jeep when he opened the door. We drove to my house, neither of us speaking. It was the first time I felt uncomfortable with Brody. The first time I didn’t want to be with him. I just wanted to get home and climb into bed.
“I’ll see you in the morning,” he said when he pulled up to my house.
I nodded and slipped out of the Jeep.
Friday. It was a home game. I used to sit with Jenna, Tim, and a handful of other friends. But that was before Jaden’s new rules. Under the new rules designed to keep me ‘in line,’ he expected me to sit behind the players’ bench. But I’d decided that it would end that night.
The night before Brody had asked me to make a choice. I’d been up most of the night thinking. When I got up that morning, I intended to ask Brody for more time, but he deserved an answer. So instead of asking, I texted him and asked him to meet me at the football game that night. I’d tell him my choice then.
That morning, I got up early and took extra time with my hair and makeup. I wore my black jeans and a red, scoop-neck sweater. I picked red for a reason, and I hoped Brody would catch the hint. Pulling on my black boots, I grabbed my keys. After a quick trip to Starbucks—I was going to need as much caffeine as I could get—I drove to school.
“Two days wearing normal clothing. What’s the occasion?” Jenna asked when she saw me. I handed her a caramel macchiato. “Thanks. I so need this.”
“I can’t tell you now, but something big is going down today,” I whispered.
She grabbed my arm. “What’s going on?”
I looked down the hall, saw Jaden walking toward us, and barely shook my head. She looked over her shoulder at Jaden, let her hand drop from my arm, and turned to get her books out of her locker.
“I’ll see you in history.”
“See ya,” I called after her.
“Are you done with that?” Jaden asked, nodding toward my macchiato.
“Nope.”
“Then you’re throwing it out when we get to your class.”
I shrugged and slammed my locker shut, walking away from him. He caught up with me and grabbed my hand. We walked to my class. I stopped outside the door and leaned against the wall, drinking my Starbucks.
“Toss it and go sit down,” Jaden said.
“No.”
“What you mean ‘no’?”
“Did I stutter? I said ‘no.’ I’m finishing my drink. If you don’t like it, go to your own class,” I said, my voice rising with each word.
“I told you, I’m not standing out here while you drink your freakin’ Starbucks.”
“Then don’t. You have two feet. Use them to walk away and piss someone else off.”
He grabbed my arm and started to pull me into the classroom. I flipped the lid off my drink with my thumb, aiming it at him. When he jerked me forward, the macchiato sloshed down the front of his shirt.
“Shit!” He jumped back and held his arms out to the sides, gaping at the coffee stain.
“Oops. I guess you shouldn’t jerk my arm while I’m holding a Starbucks in my hand.”
“That’s hot, Willow.”
“What do you want me to do about it? You were the one pulling on me!” I yelled.
“Look at my shirt!” he shouted.
“Yeah. Hmm. That’s probably gonna stain.”
“We’ll take this up later.” He stalked off.
“Doubtful,” I called after him and walked into class, dumping what was left of my drink in the trash.
I glanced at Brody. One side of his mouth tipped up in his signature, amused grin. “Nice sweater. I like the color,” he commented.
“I thought you would.” I sat down and looked to the front of the class.
The rest of the day went by smoothly, even though Jaden gave me the cold shoulder because of his ruined shirt. I chatted and followed him from class to class as if nothing was wrong.
That afternoon, after the last bell, Jaden followed me to my locker. “Do you need a ride to the game?”
“I don’t know why you ask me that every week. I have my own car,” I snapped.
“Watch the damn attitude. Just making sure.” He stared at me.
“I’m going to give Jenna a ride tonight. Just wanted you to know before the game so you wouldn’t think anything was going on. Her car’s been acting weird. Her dad is dropping it off at the mechanic’s this afternoon, so she won’t have it for the game tonight.” I lied.
“No. She can find a ride with someone else.”
“I’ve already told her I’d give her a ride. I’m not going to tell her no after I’ve already said yes. It’s one week, Jaden. Surely you can trust me with Jenna long enough to drive to the school and back home again.”
“Forget it. I’m picking you up for the game. She can find her own way.”
“No! I’m not coming up here three hours before the freakin’ game starts.” I yelled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brody and Jenna walk by. “I’m driving myself, and Jenna is riding with me.”
“Like hell you are,” he said through clenched teeth.
I leaned in close to him. He was so much taller than I was that I had to almost look straight up to see his face. I pointed my finger, pokin
g him once in the chest. “Watch me.”
Jaden grabbed my finger, twisting it around. I bit my lip to keep from crying out. Brody took a step forward. I shook my head. Jenna grabbed his arm and held him back.
“I’m pretty sure if you break my finger on school property, you won’t be playing ball tonight.” I winced when he pushed my finger back a litter further.
“You better be at the game tonight, and Jenna better be the only one in your car.” He let go of my finger and shouldered past me, knocking me into the lockers.
“You’re not walking me to my car today, honey?” I called after him. He gave me the finger over his shoulder. “I’ll take that as a no.”
“Don’t provoke him like that, Willow.” Jenna came over, grabbed my hand, and looked at my finger. “You know what he can do.” She looked in my eyes. “We all do.”
I shrugged a shoulder. “I’ll be fine.” Trying to give her a confident smile, I failed. I could see it in her eyes.
I tried to take my mind off the game that night. I cooked dinner listening to my iPod, singing along with the songs. I did homework. I cleaned my room. But nothing worked. I spent most of the afternoon pacing my bedroom, wringing my fingers. I twisted them so hard my knuckles cracked.
Finally, the first text came through.
Jenna: Are you really picking me up?
Me: No. I’ll see you there.
Jenna: Ok. You’re acting weird.
Me: What’s new?
Jenna: True.
I paced some more, redid my hair and make-up and checked my outfit in the mirror twenty times. I didn’t consider myself particularly beautiful. I wasn’t completely unfortunate looking, but stunning? No. But that night, I was getting as close as I could.
Time for the next text. And it was the biggie. I took a breath and picked up my phone. My hands shook so badly I had to start over twice.
Me: Can you give me a ride?
There wasn’t an answer right away. It took three minutes. I know—I watched the clock. My heart thudded in my chest, and my breathing was shallow as I waited.
What if the answer is no? It’ll kill me.
Brody: Yes.
Me: Be here in ten?
Brody: I’ll be there.
I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I’d been holding. My whole insides shook. I was excited and terrified at the same time.
Brody pulled up exactly ten minutes later. I ran out the door before he could come to the house. My mom would never let me leave with him. She didn’t know I planned to break up with Jaden, and she wasn’t going to be happy about it.
Brody got out of the Jeep and held the passenger door open for me. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured as I slipped by him.
I smiled, feeling my cheeks heat with a blush.
“And you’re adorable when you blush.” He grinned. He ran his finger down the side of my face, sending a wave of tingles over my skin. I turned my head, kissing his hand.
Brody cleared his throat, rubbed his thumb over my cheek one last time, and shut the door. I watched him walk around the Jeep, swinging his keys around his finger, a finger on the other hand hooked around a belt loop on his jeans, which were riding just low enough on his hips to send any girl into heart palpitations. Smexy. Smart and sexy. That was Brody Victor. Sex personified. And he was mine. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face.
He’s mine. Holy freakin’ shiznit.
“What’s that grin for?” he asked when he got in the Jeep.
“Just happy.”
“Yeah? I guess I don’t need to ask this, but I want to hear you say it. You’ve made a choice?”
“You’re my choice, Brody. Always have been.”
He nodded once, and a small grin touched his lips. “That’s what I hoped to hear. So, I guess this is our big coming out of the closet, so to speak.”
“Yup,” I said, rubbing my hands down my thighs.
He watched the movement. “Any idea what you’re going to do?”
“Not a clue.” I gave a nervous laugh.
“Well, it’s always good to have a plan,” Brody teased and put the Jeep in gear.
It was official. Brody knew my choice was him. Now, it was time to tell Jaden.
Holy hell. What have I done?
Breathe. Just breathe. I can do this. I just have to breathe.
We arrived at the football game a half hour before it was set to begin. Jenna and Tim were already there. Their expressions were priceless when they saw Brody and me walk to the bleachers and sit next to them, holding hands.
“Oh shit on a shoe,” Jenna whispered. “Does he know?”
I shook my head. “Have you seen Karen yet?”
“I saw her wandering around,” Tim said. “Hey, can I be there when you tell Jaden?” He bounced in his seat like a little kid.
“Yeah, why not? Everyone here will see it anyway.” I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth.
“Damn, I wish I had a camera.” Tim laughed and fist bumped Brody.
“Yeah, the more witnesses the better,” Jenna muttered, folding her arms in front of herself and rubbing her hands up and down her arms.
Brody squeezed my hand, pulling me closer to him. “I’m going to get us something to drink. Slushie or caffeine?”
“You have to ask? Do you not know me at all?” I rolled my eyes, but smiled.
“Caffeine it is, then.” He started to walk away, and our fingers slipped slowly apart.
“Wait!”
Brody turned toward me. I hurried to catch up to him. “I want to go with you.” I threaded my fingers with his. “I think I’ll need a fix, too,” I said, looking at the cotton candy.
“Cotton candy? Or should we go straight to the hard stuff and get the chocolate bars now?”
“Don’t mock the calming effects of the combination of pure sugar and caffeine. Hmm…” I tapped my finger against my bottom lip, looking from the chocolate to the spun sugar and back again. “I think I’ll get two cotton candy and two chocolate bars, you know, just in case.”
Brody nodded. “Always be prepared.”
“Exactly.” I reached to pay, and Brody shook his head.
“I’ve got it.”
“Thanks,” I said, smiling at him. I couldn’t stop smiling. My cheeks were starting to hurt, but it felt so good. I felt as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Brody made me happy—giddy, even. I never felt that with Jaden, even when we first started dating. I never realized it was missing until I met Brody, and he showed me how it should feel.
Are my feet even touching the ground when I walk? Cuz I feel like one of those little cupids with the wings on their feet… yeah, I’m definitely a lost cause. He’s so gonna break my heart. I’ll think about that later, when he’s not buying me chocolate. Tonight, not even Jaden can kill my buzz.
When we got our order and turned to walk back to the bleachers, I stopped dead. There, not two feet from me, stood Karen. I knew it would happen. It had to happen. But I was hoping she’d just see us and report back to Jaden. I didn’t want to come face-to-face with her.
“Hi, Karen,” I said, shoving a huge piece of medication—cotton candy—into my mouth.
She didn’t answer. Her eyes traveled down and locked on my hand intertwined with Brody’s.
We stood looking at each other for a few seconds. “Well, it’s been nice chatting with you. I gotta get back to my seat. It’s gonna be a great game tonight. We’re playing Stanton. That’s your old school, isn’t, babe?” I looked up at Brody and smiled.
“Yes, it is. I know who I’ll be rooting for.”
“See you later,” I called over my shoulder as Brody and I walked away. “Well, that went much better than I’d expected.” I shoved more cotton candy in my mouth. At the rate I was stuffing it in, I’d deplete my stash before the game started, not to mention have major tooth decay by the time the night was over.
“Babe? Since when do you use pet names other than Ace?”
; “Well, Ace didn’t sound very loving so I improvised. But don’t worry. You’ll always be Ace to me.” I bumped my hip into his.
“Good, I kinda like it. How long do you think it’ll take for her to tell Jaden that she saw us?” Brody looked over his shoulder. “She’s already gone.”
“Oh, I’d bet money that she’s already texted him,” I said. More cotton candy went in, and I licked the sticky sugar from my fingers.
Brody put his lips to my ear. “You’re killing me. I don’t know if I can sit next to you and watch you lick your fingers like that. I might have to scoop you up, take you back to the Jeep, and do all kinds of naughty things.”
“Promise?” I peered at him through my lashes.
“Ugh, you’re such a tease.”
“But I wasn’t teasing.”
Brody gazed at me, his eyes darkening.
“Hey guys, come on,” Jenna called. “Did you see Karen? She walked by here, and she didn’t look too happy.”
“Yeah, we saw her,” I answered, my gazed still locked on Brody’s.
“Then Jaden knows. He’s gonna have a fit, and it’s gonna be epic. We’ll be lucky if he doesn’t move the earth off its axis.” Jenna rubbed her hands together and shivered. I think she was more worried about Jaden’s reaction than I was.
When the football players ran through the stupid banner that the cheerleaders held for them, Jaden’s gaze immediately found me on the bleachers and if looks could kill, I would’ve been dead twice over. He wasn’t just mad. He was livid. I expected no less. This was going to be fun. Or not.
I still had no idea how things would go down. No plan on how to tell him. I was secretly hoping that seeing me with Brody would be enough and Jaden would just leave it alone, but I knew that wouldn’t happen. Jaden’s moods were all over the place. I had no idea what type of reaction we’d get. And it scared me. I tried to stay calm in front of Brody. If he knew how scared I was, he’d insist on leaving, and that would only prolong the inevitable. We had to confront Jaden at some point. And like Jenna said, the more witnesses, the better.
We watched the game. Well, I pretended to watch. My mind was reeling with thoughts of what would come after the game ended. My knee bounced up and down with nerves. The closer the game came to an end, the faster my knee bounced. Finally, Brody laid his hand on it and squeezed.
Unspeakable (Freedom Series Book 1) Page 20
