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My eyes fixate on Addison, and for a brief moment, her gaze flicks up at me, only for her to panic and drop her eyes back between the book. If I didn’t know better, I’d say her cheeks are turning a crimson red.
She’s always been an easy target, and even though she spends a lot of time with Cruz, it doesn’t mean it’s not fun to torment her when she’s around. It’s not my fault I’m bored, and the only entertainment is making her squirm.
“Why don’t you join us, Addison?” I continue to watch her, intending to make her uncomfortable, so she cracks and covers for us. “Surely, you must be into boys now?”
Ava laughs at the same time Cruz takes his eyes off the screen. “Hey, Jerk. Leave her alone.”
No surprise, my baby brother is all protective over his best friend. If I want to, I can make this kid’s life hell. The kid is a damn pussy.
Actually, I want to.
“Worried some older guy is going to take your girl from you?”
Cruz’s nostrils flare, his focus no longer on the precious game. He flexes his arm muscles, preparing himself like he can take me on. I may not play sports religiously like him, but I enjoy spending time with my dad at the gym every morning. Besides, the girls love my body. At least that’s what they like to tell me when underneath me naked.
Slowly, he turns his head, so our eyes meet. He plants his feet on the floor, standing up, then takes a step toward me as I stand up as well. I’m one of the tallest boys in our year, so why he thinks he can fight me is beyond me right now.
His stare is cold and flinty, my words triggering him like always.
“You may be my brother by blood…” he begins with an arctic tone, “… but believe me when I say I’ll always protect my best friend over you.”
“C’mon, baby bro,” I tease with a smirk. “Will you relax? We’re just having fun. Stop acting like I’m going to steal your girlfriend from you.”
The second the words leave my mouth, Cruz’s arm swings at me to punch my face, but I grab his wrist just in time.
“What’s your problem?” I ask him in annoyance.
Cruz tries to shake his arm out of my grip with no luck. “My problem is always you.”
“C’mon, guys,” Amelia begs softly. “Let it go.”
“Yeah, Addy can defend herself,” Ava butts in. “And, Cruz, for the record, wait until you’re in college and trying to protect her. You’ll be up against every guy with how beautiful she is.”
Addison continues to sit quietly, but then she closes her book, directing her eyes onto my moron of a brother.
“Cruz, I can defend myself, but thank you for always having my back,” she says with sudden confidence. Then, her gaze shifts to me. “As for your comment of stealing me from Cruz, I’d rather bathe in a pile of dog shit than ever be your girlfriend. At least with dog shit I won’t catch a sexually transmitted disease from all the whores you sleep with.”
Ava bursts out laughing, placing her hand on my shoulder for comfort.
Amelia tries to hide her smile. As for Cruz, of course, he’s gloating.
I continue to stand here, furrowing my brows over her distaste toward me. Not like I fucking care. She’s fourteen, and I don’t care whatsoever for girls this young. I stick to my own age, seventeen and sometimes above if I lie and say I’m older.
I have the perfect comeback inside my head but decide against it. I’m not going to waste my breath when Taylor will be outside with his Jeep in a few minutes.
“Let’s go, Ava. I’ve had enough playtime with the kids.”
Ava punches my arm, causing me to scowl.
As for Addison, she goes back to her book but not before glancing at me one more time. She may have won for now, but I swear, one day— I’ll get her back for that comment.
The moment she least expects it…
One
Addison
Present
