Chapter 2

I look up at Derek after I send the location.

"What if I do mind?"

Something flickers across Derek's face. Guilt, maybe. He tries to push Jade off, but she melts into him like she's boneless.

"Oh, come on," Jade laughs, slapping his chest. "You've been sleeping with me how many times now? Don't play the good husband."

She turns to look at me.

"Didn't you tell me yourself? That Avery just lies there in bed like a dead fish? Zero effort, zero fun?"

She's talking to Derek. But she's looking straight at me.

Derek glances at me nervously.

"That was just a joke. I was messing around with her."

My nails dig into my palms. I keep my voice flat.

"Oh."

Then I say, "I'll go with you to drop her off."

"What?" Jade stares at me.

I look at both of them.

"You said your head hurts, right? Derek and I will take you home together."

I grab Jade's arm and pull her off him. She has no choice but to lean on me.

Derek blinks, then lets out a surprised laugh. He reaches over and taps the tip of my nose.

"Well. Finally jealous, huh? Look at you, showing some teeth. I like it."

His voice is warm. Playful. Like nothing happened.

My stomach turns.

But my face gives away nothing. I've had practice.

In high school, the school bully's girlfriend cornered me in the bathroom and shredded my clothes with scissors.

I had the same face then. Blank. Calm. Nothing.

Derek was the one who found me. He stared at me for a long time, then pulled off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

"You should have some fight in you," he said.

That girl never came back to school. Derek thought it was because of him. Because he'd warned her.

He didn't know it was because her dad caught her making out with her boyfriend behind the bleachers.

And I'm the one who made sure her dad was there to see it.

She got pulled out of school. She never bothered me again.

I was happy to let Derek play the hero. So I never told him the truth.

"But I booked a hotel room," Jade's voice breaks through my thoughts. She bats her eyes, looking smug. "Who said anything about going home?"

She looks at Derek. "You want to come, right, baby? But bringing Avery along would be a little awkward."

Derek's eyes bounce between us.

Before he can answer, I speak first.

"Derek. Come home with me."

I stare at him and let my voice go soft.

Jade wraps her leg around his right there in front of me. Her eyes lock onto him.

"That outfit you wanted me to wear? I already sent it to the hotel. If you skip tonight, I'm never putting it on."

Something shifts in his eyes. His jaw tightens, and I can see it. He wants to go.

"Ave, go home first."

That's what he says to me.

I stare at him, eyes burning. "You sure?"

He nods. Then frowns. "Be good. Unless you want a divorce."

I take a breath. The air feels like a blade going down.

Jade scoffs. "What, you want to stay and watch? That's a little cruel, even for you."