Jesse clenches his jaw, staring daggers into Brody’s skull. I knew these two didn’t part on good terms, but I didn’t think it was that bad. Eyes as dark as the sky, Finn untangles Brody’s arm from his shoulder.
“Don’t fucking start, Brody,” Finn warns.
“What? Just being honest.” Brody pauses. “Shit, Jesse, my bad. I forgot you don’t know what honest means.”
Wait, what?
Struck dumb, I peek at Jesse to find his jaw locked tight and a rage I’ve never seen on him clouding his features.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I question, waiting for my brother to deny Brody’s claims.
“Why don’t you ask your brother?” Brody shoots Jesse a cruel glare that reeks of blackmail.
I get the feeling that he knows something Jesse didn’t tell anyone. Is that why they stopped being friends?
“Brody, I’m not fucking kidding,” Finn repeats, and his brother takes the hint.
“All right, all right. Relax.” Brody sticks his hands up and turns away, only to give me a parting glance over his shoulder. “It was nice meeting you, Dia. Maybe do some squats. You know, for your… problem.”
I have to hold Jesse back from smashing Brody’s face against his windshield. People have started to amass outside, drawn to the chaos. I recognize Theo in the crowd.
“Jesse, let’s go. Please.” I tug on my brother’s clothes. “Get me out of here.”
Jesse doesn’t listen until my third plea, glaring at Brody from afar. At last, I manage to drag him to the car. I glance into the rearview mirror as we drive off and discern Finn’s silhouette standing completely still in the middle of the driveway, watching us leave.
Sneaking a peek at Lexie in the back seat, I feel the weight of the world lifting off my shoulders at the thought of waking up in my own bed in the morning. There isn’t a doubt in my mind.
Tomorrow, I’m quitting.