Stephanie leaned her reclining seat back. “I hope more people come.”
“Why? You afraid to be alone with me in the dark?”
His tone was teasing, but there was an underlying question there. Kind of like he was asking if she trusted him. Which was silly. She trusted him wholeheartedly.
She just laughed off his comment. They sat for a few minutes, snacking on the popcorn. The mood became relaxed between them, until their fingers brushed against each other in the bucket. “Oh, sorry,” she said, pulling back. She waited until he’d grabbed a handful to get her own.
Brandon gave her a look, but she wasn’t quite sure what it meant. He worked his jaw, then steeled his gaze. “How long has it been?”
His voice was soft, as if he was concerned for her. She knew what he meant, but she asked, anyway. “How long has what been?”
“Since he hurt you.”
Stephanie swallowed back the rush of emotion that swelled into her throat. Her instinct was to turn away, to shield herself from the questions. She wanted to tell him to shut up, and not to ask about Kyle. But for some reason, she found herself talking instead. “Not that long.”
“Months?”
“No.” She stared down at her jeans. She hadn’t told anyone the whole story. Not even Jade, who knew pieces but not the entire thing. She took in a breath and let it out. “It’s only been a few weeks since…it happened.”
“Tell me.”
She didn’t need a lot of prompting. The words kind of starting falling out on their own. Like she’d bottled them up inside and now needed to release them. “He first asked me out for the Homecoming dance. He was so attentive to me. And he was attractive. I fell for him fast.”
“I hate him already.”
Stephanie glanced up at Brandon. He seemed like he was trying to be casual about this, but his hand was balled up into a fist and his jaw muscles were tight. It kind of melted her heart a bit that he would care so much. It also made her want to tell him the truth even though it was embarrassing.
She gathered up her courage. “He was the perfect date that night. A real gentleman. He bought me flowers. Showered me with compliments. I was so into him, I thought he was going to be the perfect guy. You know, the one you date through high school, and then you get married, go off to find a life together and have three kids.”
She could feel the heat creeping up her neck. This was the embarrassing part. “But it didn’t take long for him to start to get demanding.”
“What do you mean?” Brandon’s voice was low, hoarse.
“We kissed that first night after the dance. I thought it was sweet how he kissed me at the doorstep. So tender, and he left with my heart in his hands. But soon after that date, he became more aggressive. He wanted to spend every evening with me. I didn’t mind at first, but soon, all he wanted to do was make out with me. It started to make me uncomfortable. And then he got handsy and I told him I wasn’t ready for any of that. But he got mad.”
Brandon didn’t say anything, but his eyes held a silent fury. She sucked in a breath and continued. “I thought he was just passionate about how much he liked me. I thought he was so in love he couldn’t help himself. I allowed things to go further than I had wanted, because I thought it would make him happy. And it did, for a short time, but he wanted more.”
This was so embarrassing, but she continued, because Brandon looked like he was going to jump out of his recliner and punch someone. “Two weeks after we started dating, after school, he didn’t come by my locker like usual, so I went looking for him. Sometimes he stayed after to get help with his math, so I went to the classroom where he usually met his tutor.”
She blinked, the memory still stinging. “I found him making out with her. And you know what he said to me?”
Brandon sat rigid, deathly still. “What?” he said, almost growling.
“If you’re not going to give it to me, I’ll get it from someone else,” she whispered, the words too horrible to say very loud.
Brandon narrowed his eyes.
Stephanie wanted to bury her face. To hide from the humiliation. But she forced herself to continue. Even though she didn’t want to, this is the part not even Jade knew. “He broke my heart. But even worse, as I ran out of the building, one of his friends called out to me. He said Kyle had wasted good time with me. That he wanted to thank me for putting him ahead in the game.” She swallowed back the bile threatening to come up. “See, it was nothing more than a challenge between him and his friends.”
“Steph,” Brandon whispered, his jaw clenching. He reached over to her and tenderly wiped at her cheek. She hadn’t even been aware that a tear had escaped until his fingers came away wet.
“I was so stupid.”
“Hey,” Brandon said, leaning closer. “You’re not stupid. Don’t ever say that. He’s a jerk. End of story.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek, and this time the gesture sent waves of electricity through her. His skin was warm. Soft. “You should be relieved he didn’t talk you into it.”
Stephanie swallowed, hurt and humiliation rising within her. He didn’t know the worst part. That she was about to give in to Kyle. It won’t happen again. She wouldn’t let it. She was never going to be stupid like that again. She’d learned her lesson.
He cupped her cheek. “I want to pound that jerk into the ground for what he did to you.” He closed his eyes for a second, like he had to gain control of his emotions. “But I don’t want you to ever blame yourself.”
A couple of people filed into the theater and took their seats a few rows above them. Stephanie lowered her voice, moving even closer to Brandon. “Okay. I won’t.”
“I hope you mean that.” Brandon settled into his chair and she did the same, but she missed the warmth of his touch on her cheek. As the room darkened and the pre-show stuff started playing on the screen, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder.
And when he did put his arm around her, she didn’t move out of the way. She closed her eyes and let herself be comforted by him.
Chapter 20
After the movie, Brandon climbed into Stephanie’s car. His arm was starting to ache, and he wasn’t sure if it was just the meds wearing off, or the falling on the ice, or a combination of both. He just knew the rest of his pain killers were at his aunt’s house, and he couldn’t wait to get there.
Stephanie turned on the ignition. “Where does your aunt live?”
“Staplehurst Street. I’ll point the way.”
“Okay.”
As they drove, he realized he was bouncing his knee. Was he nervous? That was odd. He was never nervous around girls.
“Did you like the movie?”
“Yeah, it was awesome. I love edge-of-your seat stuff.”
“I thought it was okay.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, no. Here we go. The movie critic comes out. What the heck was wrong with that movie? It was good-natured scary fun.”
She made this face and he could tell exactly what she was thinking. “You thought the acting was sub-par.”
“A little.”
“You didn’t like the horror movie clichés that abounded.”
She winced. “Yes.”
“And you hated the fact that the entire plot would have been ruined had just one person not taken that letter seriously.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You picked up on that?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “But it was still fun. Horror movies aren’t art. They’re not even that well plotted usually. They’re just for jump scares and silly fun. This was no exception. You jumped a few times, I noticed.”
She smiled and gave him a quick glance as she turned the corner to his aunt’s house. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Okay, then. The movie did what it was supposed to. It entertained you. And scared you a little.”
“I suppose so.”
When she pulled up into the driveway, he leaned toward her. She gave him a small smile, but he could tel
l she was holding something back. It was reserved. “You okay?” he asked.
She blinked slowly. “Yeah.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
“Probably because you’ve gotten to know me really well.” She stared at the console sitting between them.
She was like one of those wooden puzzles that look simple when they’re put together, but after you take them apart, you can’t figure out how they go back. She intrigued him. He wanted to know her secrets. “Steph—”
“It’s late. You should probably go inside.”
“What is it you’re not telling me?”
She ran a hand over her hair. Not like most girls do, though. This wasn’t a flirty move. She looked like she wanted to grip it and pull it out. She exhaled. “Do you really want me to tell you?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t want to sound like an idiot.”
“You could never sound like an idiot to me.” He played with the zipper of his jacket while he looked at her. “Is this about your ex?”
She nodded. “I didn’t tell you the worst of what happened.”
Oh, no. What else did that jerk of a boyfriend do to her? He was almost afraid to ask. “What?”
She took a moment before meeting his gaze. “I had decided to give in to him,” she whispered.
Brandon wanted to punch something. Someone. Preferably her ex. She was sweet. Innocent. She’d believed he was in love with her. If he ever met the guy, Brandon was sure he would go ballistic on him.
Stephanie rushed on. “I didn’t, of course. But only because I found him with his tutor. If he had held out one more day, I would have.”
Words failed him. What do you say to something like that? ‘I’m glad you didn’t’? No, that was stupid. Lame. And didn’t really cover what he was thinking. Sure, he was glad, but he was also angry at the guy who would do that to her. Angry that things like this happened to girls. All the time. He wanted to say something that encompassed those thoughts, but nothing came to mind. He couldn’t think of anything that might take the pain out of her eyes. Luckily, she continued.
“It’s stupid, and I know I should be relieved he showed me his true colors before I slept with him, but just knowing I was about to makes me feel like he won. He got his way. Even though he didn’t…he broke me down. I was about to make the worst decision of my life.”
He let out a breath. “Steph,” he said.
“He took something from me. He took my trust.” Her fingers trembled as she played with her seatbelt. “He showed me how weak I really am.”
Brandon shook his head. “You are one of the strongest women I know. You were a victim.”
“But I don’t want to be a victim.”
“Then don’t let what happened change you.”
She looked at him, her eyes full of sadness. “It already has.”
He wanted to smack himself upside the head. “Of course, it has. That was dumb of me to say. Forget I said that. Let it change you. Strengthen you. You now know what to do if someone pressures you.”
She raised one eyebrow. “What?”
“Deck the guy.”
A smile crept onto her face and she ducked her head. “Yeah.”
“Seriously. You’ve been through something awful, but now you know. If a guy is trying to do something you don’t want to do, you can say no.”
She slowly nodded. “I know.”
“So, put all guys out of your mind.” Wait. That wasn’t what he wanted. Now he had to backtrack. “Except me,” he added on, grinning.
“Especially you,” she said, her gaze returning to his.
Ouch, that hurt. Was she rejecting him again? To his face this time? How did she expect him to react to that? He decided to play it off as a joke. He faked an arrow to his heart. “Why you gotta hurt me, girl?”
Her shoulders slumped. She wasn’t taking the joke bait. He could see the corners of her mouth twitch downward. “It’s not about hurting you. It’s about not making any more mistakes.”
What exactly was she saying to him? “And I’d be a mistake?” he asked quietly.
“The worst kind,” she whispered.
His heart beat out a heavy rhythm in his chest. Stephanie’s face didn’t hold a hint of a smile. She was being serious. And he suddenly wanted to know the truth from her. “Why?” he said, his smile gone.
“Because you come with an expiration date.”
Chapter 21
The air between them grew cold as Brandon stared at her. “What do you mean?”
She mentally groaned. Why had she said that? She should have guessed he was going to probe her about it. Now what was she going to say? Wasn’t it obvious? Emotion swelled in her throat and she swallowed it back. Now was not the time to get all teary-eyed. How stupid. She didn’t even really know him. Why was she getting like this? “You’re leaving,” she finally said, putting as much normal into her voice as she could.
“Leaving? I just got here.”
“I know.” She looked down at the small pieces of gravel that were on the car mat. She should vacuum her car. It had been forever since she had. “But you’re not staying.”
Brandon’s eyebrows pulled together. “That is a lame excuse.” He huffed and leaned back in his seat. “You’re so not telling the truth right now.”
Anger flashed through her in a wave of heat. “What do you mean? Of course, I’m telling the truth. I wouldn’t lie. You are leaving. You live in Hollywood. You’re famous.”
“So what? I’m here, with you, right now. And I think I’m making it very clear that I like you. You can’t tell me you won’t date me because you don’t think we’ll be together forever. Who thinks that way? You only want to be with me if we’re going to get married?” He scoffed. “That’s stupid. We’re seventeen.”
She ground her teeth. “Are you calling me stupid?”
“No. I’m calling you out in your lie. You were hurt, and I get that. But you’re making excuses now, and I’m calling out your B.S.”
Sweat pooled in her armpits, the car suddenly impossibly hot. Brandon didn’t know what he was talking about. She was staying away from him because she knew he was leaving. How could he say that she was lying? She clenched the steering wheel. “Get out.”
He let out a breath. “Why are you so mad? You get to call it like it is on your show. But I’m not allowed to when I see a load of crap coming from you? That’s hypocritical.”
Now he was calling her a hypocrite. She didn’t need to take this from him. She pointed, her hand shaking. “I said, get out.”
“Fine.” He opened the door and paused, turning back to her. “But you know I’m saying the truth. You’re scared of getting hurt again. That’s it. Admit it.”
“Get out!” Fury swept through her as he waited. Finally, he climbed out of the car and slammed her door shut.
She didn’t wait to watch him go inside his aunt’s house. She jerked the car into reverse and backed out of his driveway, her headlights sweeping over him as she turned. His eyes widened, and an expression she’d never seen crossed his face. The tires squealed as she stomped on the gas in her attempt to get away from him.
How dare he? He didn’t know what she was thinking. How could he be so pig-headed? So presumptuous? Why would he say those things? Her pulse pounded in her ears as she drove. She didn’t know where she was going to go. She just had to get away from him.
Brandon watched Stephanie tear down the street like a possessed woman. He’d really done it now. She was never going to forgive him. He exhaled and ran his hand through his hair. What was he supposed to say, though? She was being totally unreasonable.
It wasn’t fair for her to string him along like she’d been doing. He was interested in her. If she was never going to let anything develop between them, then it was better to know it now.
Right?
He sighed as her taillights disappeared out of sight, already wanting to take back his words. He liked Stephanie, but he’d agreed no
t to push things between them. And now what had he done? The first night with her and he’d pushed her.
Oh, man, was he stupid.
He would wait until she cooled down, and then call her. Apologize. Beg her to forgive him. He’d lost his head for a moment. Yeah, that was it. He’d just forgotten himself. It was an accident. He hadn’t meant to make her angry. Hadn’t meant to push her. He wasn’t like that.
His shoulders slumped as he walked toward his aunt’s front door. It had been a good night. Until now. Why had he even said anything? All he had to do was nod and get out of the car. Agree with her that yes, he was leaving, after a freakin’ year almost, and shut up about it.
But no, he had to challenge her. Tell her she was wrong. What an idiot he was.
He opened the door and froze. His aunt was standing in the living room, talking to the one person he hadn’t expected to see in Rockford.
His father.
Chapter 22
Brandon held back a curse word. What was his father doing in Rockford? He was in California this morning. What did he do, follow him to Rockford? Why? He entered his aunt’s house and closed the door, trying not to slam it shut. His father and aunt turned to him.
“You’re home,” his aunt said, wringing her hands. “I wasn’t expecting you quite this early.” Her gaze darted to the clock on the wall.
He stared at her. She seemed flustered. Like she’d been caught doing something. “What’s going on?”
“Your father wants to talk to you.” His aunt backed away, then quickly ducked out of the room.
“What’s this about?” He gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to talk to his father. He had nothing to say to him. Heat flashed over his skin. Just seeing him made him sick. “Why are you here?”
His father took a step toward him. “I need to talk to you.”
He narrowed his eyes as he worked through what to say. The clock on the wall ticked loudly. “About what?”
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