Empire High Betrayal(14)

I felt my cheeks blush. “You also really wanted to sing to me again. And you kept making farting noises with your mouth.”

“Well that’s another lie. I definitely didn’t make farting noises with my mouth in front of you when I was trying to win you back.”

“No, all of that was true.”

He laughed. “Well, I guess it worked.”

I smiled up at him. “It did.” I shifted my head and felt him beneath me. I locked eyes with him. “You also said if I wanted to, I could take advantage of you and you wouldn’t press charges.”

He laughed again. “What the hell is wrong with me?”

“It’s probably because of all those naughty dreams you have of me. And all those cold showers you have to take because of me.” I could feel the heat in his gaze at my words.

“Well, that’s true.” His fingers played with the strap of my tank top.

“Yeah?”

“You drive me crazy, Brooklyn. Whenever we’re not together, I’m thinking of you.”

My stomach churned. I needed to tell him about Miller. I’d tried to tell him last night, but Mason interrupted us. “We also promised that there wouldn’t be any more secrets between us,” I said.

“That sounds like a good plan.” He looked over at my dad talking in the kitchen. “Full disclosure…I’m pretty sure Mr. Pruitt hates me.”

“I think it takes him a little while to warm up to people.”

“That’s one way to put it.”

I laughed. “He’s just protective of me.”

“Pretty sure he just hates me. Last night is fuzzy, but I think he said something about how I should go home and send Mason.” He shook his head.

Now I knew what it was like to have an overprotective father. “I don’t want to be with your brother. I want to be with you.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “But I need to tell you something.”

“Please don’t tell me you kissed Mason. I already lost my two best friends. I don’t want to fight with my brother too.” He rubbed his thumb along my cheek. “I love your freckles.”

I smiled underneath his hand. “I didn’t kiss Mason. And I love your 5-o’clock shadow.”

He lifted his hand and ran it across his jaw. “Yeah?”

“It looks good on you.”

“I guess I’ll keep it then.” He smiled down at me.

“So you really don’t remember our conversation at all last night?”

“Just bits and pieces.”

“Do you remember that I kissed James?” I cringed as I said it.

“That’s a little hard to forget.”

This seemed like the best place to start. It was easier to tackle than the Miller thing. I’d gone to James for help. Matt would understand that.

“Did they score again?” my dad asked as he sat back down on the couch.

“Yeah,” Matt said, even though he hadn’t been watching the game. “Mr. Pruitt?” He looked over at him.

“Yes, Matthew?”

“While you’re fixing up the security at your place, could Brooklyn come stay at my house?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

As much as I loved being surrounded by my mom’s old things…I wanted to go with Matt. Mr. Pruitt didn’t let boys spend the night. It was one of the only rules I knew. But I had a feeling Matt’s house would be different. I missed falling asleep in his arms. I didn’t want to have to spend the night here without him. “Please, Dad?”

His eyes softened. “Is that what you want?” he asked.

I nodded.

Mr. Pruitt looked back at Matt. “Do you still have that security system?”

“Yes,” Matt said.

“And you’ll let me send a few of my own people?”

“I’m sure that will be fine.”

“Well, let me call your mother to make sure it’s okay. Separate beds though, yes?”

“Of course, sir,” Matt said.

I hoped he was lying.

“I’m serious about the sleeping arrangements,” Mr. Pruitt said, as if he could read my thoughts.

“As am I,” Matt said.

Mr. Pruitt nodded. “I’ll call your mother then. Maybe we can head over after the game?”

“That would be great,” I said. “And maybe we can swing by Kennedy’s to check on her?”

“She’s resting. How about you wait to chat with her until tomorrow when she’s feeling better?”

“Oh. Okay.” I wanted to press it, but he was already letting me stay with Matt. I had to take that win. I just hoped Kennedy was feeling better soon because I missed her terribly.

My father pulled his phone out of his pocket and stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

“Separate beds?” I whispered up to Matt.

“No. I’m not letting you out of my sight after last night. I just knew your dad wouldn’t approve.”

A little white lie was worth getting to be back in his arms where I belonged.

He ran his fingers across my bottom lip again. “I swear I’m going to protect you, Brooklyn. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you again. I promise.”