Broken Hill High (Broken Hill High #1)(25)

Mom gives an affectionate smile while placing her hand on her chest. Her whole face suddenly changes as the hand on her chest covers her mouth and a gasp comes sailing out. “Are you two on a date?”

“What?” I shriek as Jesse starts laughing. “No, mom. Jesse doesn’t date women. He objectifies them.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she says with a shake of her head. “Though, from memory, it was always Nathaniel you had a crush on.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say as Jesse laughs even harder. “Nate is more of a pig than Jesse is. I’d prefer to date a doormat.”

“Oh, stop,” mom scolds. “Those boys are the sweetest boys I’ve ever met. You’d be lucky to have either one of them.”

I let out a sigh. “I’m going to hang up now,” I tell her.

“Oh, fine,” she groans. “I’ll check in with you later.”

“Alright, mom. I love you guys.

“Love you too, angel,” my father says as mom starts blowing kisses towards the screen. “Love you, sweetie. Be good,” she finally says before ending the call.

I put my phone back in my lap and look over at Jesse who’s busy smirking at me. “What?” I grunt as I narrow my eyes on him.

“You know Nate isn’t as bad as you think he is,” he tells me.

“Are you delusional? I know he’s your big brother and all, but seriously? He’s done nothing but torture me for the past few years,” I remind him.

“There’s a method to his madness,” he says. “He took you to the race last night so you wouldn’t go to the party.”

“What?” I grunt. “Why the hell not?”

“Because your quarterback was bragging how he was going to get you drunk so he could fuck you.”

My eyes widen in shock as I watch Jesse pull into the 24/7 diner. “What?” I screech. “He did not.”

“I’m sorry to break it to you, Tora, but he did. The guy is a loser.”

I let out a sigh. “Well, that would explain why he told everyone we’re dating.”

“Wait. So, you guys aren’t actually dating?” Jesse asks.

“No,” I scoff with distaste. “I mean, we made out at a few parties and he flirts a bit at school, but that’s about it.”

“Hmm,” he says to himself before opening the door and sliding out.

I hop out of the car and hurry around to Jesse’s side. “I don’t get it though. Why would it matter to Nate if I was going to go to that party or not? Aren’t you guys all for screwing random chicks at parties?”

Jesse pauses at the door of the diner with his hand resting on the handle as he looks back at me. “Look, we’re assholes, but we’re not complete assholes,” he says. “We draw lines at screwing girls who have drunk more than they can handle. Josh was going to take advantage of you and that doesn’t sit well with us, especially not with Nate.”

“Why especially not Nate?” I question as he pushes his way through the door.

“He’s got a soft spot for you.”

“Ok,” I laugh. “Now I know you’re lying.”

“Trust me,” he says with a secret in his eyes. “Every single time he’s been a dick, there’s been a reason behind it.”

I fall silent as millions of confusing and conflicting thoughts swarm my mind. I mean, what the hell is going on here? It’s not possible that Nate would have been doing something nice for me. It’s a thought I completely refuse to believe.

Jesse walks over to a booth before indicating for me to follow. He shoves a menu in my hands before getting busy skimming over the pages of his own. “What are you having?” he questions a moment later.

“I’m not hungry,” I tell him.

Jesse pulls out his phone, presses a few buttons, and slides it across the table to me. “Too bad,” he tells me. I look down at the phone to see a chain of text messages between Nate and Jesse.

Nate – Get Tora and give her breakfast. Make sure she eats every last bite.

Jesse – Seriously? Forget about her. I’m still partying.

Nate – Tough shit. Go now.

Jesse – Fine. You fucking owe me.

Nate – Code for the gate is 1005.

Jesse – Dude! How the fuck do you know that?

Nate – Get on with it.

“Huh,” I grunt to myself before sliding the phone back over to him.

I mean, does he like me?

No. That couldn’t be. It has to be something else. Something is going on here that I just can’t work out as it doesn’t make sense for Nate to be looking out for me.

I mean, yes, he saved me from Josh’s dirty plans by taking me to the race, but he didn’t have to be such an ass about it. He could have just said ‘Hey, Tora. I heard Josh saying this. Maybe it’s a good idea to stay away’ in which I would have said, ‘Oh, thanks. I was planning on skipping the party anyway.’

He also forces me to eat as though he gives a shit.

This makes no sense.

“So, what’ll it be?” Jesse says, indicating to the menu with a nod of his head.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’ll go with the pancakes.”