NovelEnglishLUKE I was leaning against the side of my Jeep, arms crossed, eyes locked on Jess and Tom. The midday sun was beating down on the parking lot, but the heat was nothing compared to the fire simmering inside me. I should've been the one standing there with her, not Tom. Especially not Tom.
Well, Tom would be leaving soon anyway, I thought, then stopped myself right there. What does it matter if Tom leaves? I can have her, but it means open season on this school's prettiest girl.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtNo scratch that the most beautiful woman on this earth.
My gaze zeroed in on the way Tom held her hands, the way he looked at her with those puppy-dog eyes, like he had any idea who she really was. My fists clenched at my sides, knuckles turning white. The tension rippled through my muscles, coiled tight like a spring ready to snap.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go. I was supposed to stay away, to keep my distance for her own good. I'd promised myself I wouldn't get involved, wouldn't let my feelings get in the way of what was best for Jess. But seeing her with Tom, watching as she plastered on one of those fake smiles she always used when she was trying to hide her hurt, was pushingto my breaking point. 0757 286 Vouchers.
I ground my teeth, swallowing down the wave of anger that threatened to boil over. Tom was falling for it. Of course, he was. He didn't know her like I did. He didn't see the way her eyes dimmed just a little, the way her shoulders tensed ever so slightly. He spoke right over the flash of disappointment that passed if I blinked, I would have missed it.
No, Tom had no idea that Jess was hurting, that she was barely holding it together. But I did. I knew every little tell, every subtle sign that something was off. I knew because I'd spent years watching her, stopping assholes from even looking at her, but also years of wanting Now I fucking jumped over it, and I can't get myself behind it again... and I don't want to.
But that was the problem, wasn't it? I'd spent all this tin the shadows, and it was safer for both of us. I'd made a promise to Josh again, and this time, I wouldn't fuck it up.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe rough metal of the Jeep's door handle dug into my palm as I gripped it, my eyes never leaving Jess. Every instinct inscreamed to march over there, to tear Tom's hands off her, to tell him to get lost because she didn't need him. She needed someone who really saw her, someone who understood her, someone who could protect her from everything, including me. But I stayed rooted to the spot, jaw clenched so tight it hurt. This was the battle I fought every single day-the war between what I wanted and what I knew I could never have. I wanted to be the one to wipe away that fake smile, to pull her into my arms and make her forget that Tom ever touched her. Hell, that CHAPTER JA 288 Wouchers Bryan ever tried to touch her. That's what she wanted that night. in the pool house, to forget his touch, and I couldn't stop myself.
Taking a slow, steadying breath, I tried to calm the raging sea inside me. I had to keep my distance. I had to stay away for her sake, no matter how much it hurt.
Jess glanced over atthen, her eyes meeting mine for the briefest of moments. I saw the flicker of confusion, the question in her gaze.
She scowled, and it madesmirk. She was like nede, a a little ball of fire, but the only way to unleash her was to get her out of her own head then, just as quickly, she looked away, her attention pulled back to Tom, who was saying something I couldn't hear. Something that made Jess's smile waver, just for a second, before she plastered it back on, brighter than before.
My hands curled into fists again, the urge to do something, anything, clawing at me. But + swallowed it' down, just like I always did, and I leaned back against the Jeep. I had to stay in control. I couldn't afford to slip, not now, not ever.
I watched as Tom leaned in, pressing a kiss to Jess's lips. I looked away, my jaw tightening as I forced myself not to react. It didn't matter it wasn't el real it was just another moment I had to endure, another test of my resolve. But deep down, I knew the truth. I was madly in love with her, and it was killing me. But I'd rather die a thousand times over than let her get hurt because of me. So I stayed where I was...
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