How am I going to go to school on Monday? Everyone will be spreading different versions of what happened like a venereal disease. I groan thinking about all the shallow people at our school. Ninety-nine percent of them are followers, and it takes one bad rumor to fuck up your reputation. Not that I ever cared before. But this is different. This time, Reed and I are not united. It’s uncharted territory and it terrifies me. When you go to one of the most expensive, exclusive high schools, you must accept the truth: it breeds shitty people.
Reaching for my new Prada bag and phone, I wish I could call my mom. For the first time since I was eight, I feel alone again. No one’s here to talk to about what has happened to me. My best friend, my soul mate has gutted me. And my other best friend is his twin. I’m sad. I need to make a friend, my own friend! It’s like an epiphany exploding in my head.
Leaving my room, I walk down the impossibly long Chinese runner and stop outside Jax’s room. I can hear them.
“Reed, you’re not listening. I get that you were drunk. But come on, you can’t be delusional. No matter how many people we intimidate, someone was bound to tell Tess.”
My pulse starts race. I should knock—it’s the right thing to do.
“You know what blows?”
“What?” Reed’s voice sounds pissed.
“That I begged you to stay home. I told you that you suck without her. But you had to go, knowing in the back of your head it was not a good idea. And now Tess is hurting.”
Leaning hard on the door, I notice my hands are shaking.
“It makes me want to punch you. You know I hate when she cries.” Jax’s voice is so close I almost stop breathing.
“Jax! I need your support right now,” Reed snaps. “And for the record, had you not been fucking the redhead, I would have pawned that girl off on you, saving me a lot of grief.”
Jax snorts. “That’s weak even for you. I’m not Tess. You think I’m going to let you blame me? A thank-you would be nice, seeing as I’m the one who cleaned up your shit.”
“I did nothing wrong but get drunk!” Reeds voice is getting louder.
“Right? And I didn’t have to pay Aaron off to keep his mouth shut?”
“That dick was asking for it. Everyone knows Tess is mine.”
“Except everyone saw the blonde hanging all over you.”
My stomach churns; I can’t move. When was the last time I ate? Probably yesterday. Good thing because nothing is coming up as I stand frozen.
“You know I didn’t touch her, right?”
“Yeah! I was watching. I’m kind of impressed. Let’s be honest—not many guys would be able to refuse that girl.” One of them sighs.
“I’m only sorry Tess is humiliated.”
Collapsing against the wall behind me, my legs are shaky as relief floods me. Reed was telling me the truth.
“Tess will be fine,” he mumbles, sounding like he’s losing patience. “I know everyone thought that blonde was hot, but I didn’t even want her. I might have a real problem.” I can almost see Reed running his hands through his dark wavy hair.
“What are you talking about?” Jax sounds amused.
“I mean… I’m obsessed with Tess. I want to control her every move. The thought of anyone, even you, having her attention makes me crazy. Is that normal?”
Jax snorts. “I always said you were pussy-whipped.”
“What’s fucked up is that I told Tess the truth, and she didn’t trust me. She wants to talk to you. It’s making me kind of lose it, Jax.”
“You love her, Reed.”
“Yes! But it’s more… I don’t know how to describe it other than I’m obsessed.”
“Wait until you and Tess start fucking! Talk about obsession. I’m not joking. It felt so good, I wanted to live inside that girl, and I don’t even know her name. But if I loved someone, I can’t even imagine how fucking intense it would be.”
Holy shit, Jax had sex last night. My mind is spinning.
“When a girl comes, her pussy squeezes your dick.”
My cheeks heat up at the image in my head. A bit guilty about spying on their private conversation, I rationalize it—this is what Reed has reduced me to. So, I lean closer staring at the dark ornate door.
Jax had sex, and he said it feels amazing. The first time Reed and I kissed was amazing. He took control and I had to hang on to him because it was like he was eating me alive. His lips were warm and full when he growled for me to open my mouth, and I did. His tongue took over. Wet and frantic and dizzy, as though I’d become a different person, I wanted more, never wanting him to stop. He finally did because I had no self-control. At that moment, I knew I would always give him anything. “You and I are going to have all our firsts together,” he whispered.