Shattered Ties(57)

“No, I won’t. I’m not leaving Emma.”

“Would you still feel the same way if you weren’t with Emma?”

“Yeah, I would. I wouldn’t leave Andy and Ally either.”

She rested her chin on her hands. “Jesse, I don’t know what you want me to say. If you stay here, you’ll be responsible for the bills and the rent. How do you plan to make enough money for all of that and go to school?”

I had no idea. Maybe I could get another job for the days when I didn’t work at the shop. “I’ll figure something out. I always do.”

“You’re seventeen, Jesse. You shouldn’t have to figure anything out.”

“I’m done with this conversation. I’m not going with you, and nothing you say will change my mind.”

I turned and walked right back out the front door. Screw this. If she wants to give up everything for some * she barely knows, then more power to her.

But aren’t you choosing Emma over your mom when you barely know her? a voice said in the back of my head, but I ignored it.

What I had with Emma was completely different from what my mom had with Mark. But then again, how would I know that? I’d refused to be around Mark since we had dinner that one night.

I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about this shit right now. So, I didn’t.



I grabbed my board and spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach by myself. As always, surfing helped to clear my head. I focused only on the board underneath me and the waves I was trying to catch.

I had no idea what time it was when I finally climbed out of the water, but I knew I needed to get back to the house to meet up with Emma for Andy’s party. I hadn’t seen Andy all day, but I knew where we always partied. It was a few miles down the beach in a spot only the locals knew about. I had to climb a ridge and a few decently sized rocks to even reach the place. Most of the locals knew about it, but they stayed away because of the effort it took to get there. We’d used it for years and had never had any issues.

I floored it all the way back home, hoping to get there before Emma did.

She’d beat me though. Her car was sitting in the driveway when I pulled in. At least my mom had already left for work. I didn’t want her to tell Emma about the move. Emma would feel like my decision was based on her, and I didn’t want her to feel any guilt. I knew I had to tell her what was happening eventually, but tonight wasn’t the night.

Tonight was all about having fun and introducing her to everyone else I’d grown up with. I knew she’d be nervous, but I wasn’t worried. Once they get to know her, they’d love her as much as I do.

I froze in mid-step as I realized what I’d just thought. I’d thought I loved her. I didn’t though. At least, I didn’t think I did. Love was a scary concept to me, and I didn’t want to even think about it.

“Jesse? You okay?” Emma called from beside her car.

“What? Yeah, I’m good. I just need to change before we head out.”

“Okay, that’s fine. Do I look okay?”

I grinned as I inspected her. She was wearing a bright pink bikini under an almost completely see-through cover. The colors coupled with the dark tan of her skin were striking. Suddenly, I didn’t want to go to this party. I wanted to take her to my room and keep her there all night.

“You look fine.”

“Just fine? I brought a few different bikinis in case you thought this didn’t look good. I just want to fit in.”

“You’ll never fit in. You’ll always be the one who stands out from the crowd.”

Her frown turned to a smile at my words. “You’re so sweet.”

“Don’t tell anyone that, especially at the party tonight. I have a badass reputation to uphold.”

“I don’t know how you got that reputation. You’re definitely not a badass.”

“I don’t have to be when my best friend is Andy. He gets in enough trouble for the both of us. I’ve always been guilty by association.”

She laughed. “Well, I don’t think you’re a badass, and I never have.

Occasionally, you can be intimidating though.”

“Is that so?” I asked as I stepped closer to her.

She automatically took a step back and bumped into her car. I placed a hand on each side of her, blocking her in between the car and me.

“You’re not intimidating me right now.”

“Are you sure about that?” I whispered as I leaned down to brush my lips against her ear.

She shivered. “I’m sure.”

“I think you’re lying.”

I pulled back to look down into her eyes. There was lust in them but no intimidation.

“Maybe I am, but maybe I’m not.”

I grinned as I stepped away from her and started walking to the house. She was definitely holding her own when it came to me. That was good. I didn’t like timid girls. She followed as I walked inside, and I continued back to my room. As soon as I was inside, I slipped out of my swim trunks and started searching through my dresser for a dry pair.

“Jesse!”

I turned around to see her blushing furiously as she stared down at the floor. “What?”

“You’re...you’re naked!”