“You sure? I’m still open to kicking his ass.”
“No, Jesse and I have talked it through and we’re all cool now.”
“Okay,” I murmur. “So, tell me who this new version of yourself is because I’d really like to get to know her.”
Elle shakes her head before forcing her way out of my arms. “The new me is a good girl. Someone who doesn’t mess around with random guys and focuses on her grades. I’m not the easy chick whose going to fall into bed with you at the click of your fingers so if that’s what you’re after, then you need to go and find it with someone else.”
“As tempting as slamming you up against one of these trees sounds, that’s not why I’m here. I’m not lying, Elle. I do want to get to know you. You’re fucking gorgeous and I’d be a fool to run you off like that.”
Elle considers me a moment before dropping down on the rock I’d claimed earlier. “Alright,” she finally says. “I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and let you get to know me, but the road goes both ways. It’s your turn to spill the beans. You’re Jackson Millington. You’re bound to have an epic fuck up too.”
Now I’m the one cringing as Henley Bronx flashes through my mind. “You don’t want to know about my fuck up.”
The curiosity radiates out of Elle as a devilish smirk crosses her face. “Oh, but you see, now you’ve got me all intrigued.”
I groan, not wanting to open up about this, but after everything she just told me, it’s only fair. I take a deep breath and look up at Elle whose waiting with bated breath. “I made a bad judgment call, got drunk and slept with my little sister’s best friend who thinks she’s been in love with me for the last few years.”
Elle’s eyes widen in horror. “Holy fuck. Everyone knows you stay away from your sibling’s friends. Oh, my God, Jackson. How stupid can you be? What happened? Does Kaylah know?”
I cringe again. “Kaylah walked in.”
Elle bursts into uncontrollable laughter and falls down off the rock, wiping the tears that spring from her eyes. “Holy shit. I really needed that laugh.”
I glare across at her, wanting to rip her a new asshole for shitting all over my situation but also wanting to continue watching her laugh like that. It looked fucking good on her and I can’t wait to make her do it again.
Fuck, I want to kiss her.
“You know, this shit ain’t funny,” I tell her lightheartedly, not really caring that she’s finding humor in my downfalls. “Kaylah has had a chip on her shoulder since it happened and refuses to forgive me. Not to mention, it completely destroyed her relationship with Henley.”
“She’ll come around,” Elle promises. “I don’t know about her friend, but as for you, you’re her big brother and she can’t avoid you forever. Soon enough she’s going to remember all the reasons why she loves you so much.”
I scoff. “You think?”
“Oh, no,” Elle laughs, dusting herself off. “You’re fucked. She’s going to hold that against you until your dying days.”
I shake my head and grin at her while I find myself moving forward. Elle watches my advance, taking in every little movement and suddenly the humor is gone from her eyes.
I step into her as her hand falls against my chest and her back hits the tree behind her. Silence falls between us, only the sound of the birds in the trees and our heavy breathing can be heard.
My eyes drop to her lips and I can’t resist her any longer. I need to taste her lips on mine.
I dip my head, slowly moving toward her as she sucks in a breath and fists her hands into the fabric of my shirt. Just a little bit closer and I’ll be there.
My lips gently brush against the tip of her lip before she hastily pulls back. “No,” she panics with fear in her eyes. “Please don’t.”
I pull away, not wanting to frighten her. “What’s wrong?” I ask, searching her panicked eyes.
“I just…I. I can’t,” she pushes back on my chest, giving herself some extra room before stepping out around me. Devastation and regret flash in her eyes before a fierce resolve takes over. “I’m sorry. I can’t. I’m not that girl anymore.”
With that, Elle takes off at a run, disappearing into the trees and leaving me wondering what the hell just happened and how I’m going to make this right because one thing is for sure, I like this girl more than I possibly realized and now that she’s opened up and shown me what’s inside her soul, I’m left desperate for more.
Chapter 7
Elle
I walk toward the student parking lot with my mind an absolute mess of everything Jackson.