The Impact of You

Chapter 6

Avery

Hiding behind that dumpster seemed important at the time – I couldn’t have someone from my past spotting me, so I’d dived for cover. But now, awaiting someone named Stacia, I question what in the hell I’m doing in Jase’s bedroom. This isn’t me. I don’t follow guys home. I certainly don’t make myself at home on their beds. This is just asking for trouble. And now clearly he has a girlfriend, which makes me look like an even bigger idiot.

Trey leaves and Jase makes no move to explain. Since it’s too late to escape, I wait. A few seconds later, we hear footsteps climbing the stairs to the attic.

A petite girl with long blond hair rounds the corner and her megawatt smile fades as soon as she sees Jase isn’t alone.

“Oh. Hey, Jase,” she recovers and leans down to plant a kiss against his cheek.

God, could this be more awkward? I want to die.

Jase, having perfected his bored-with-life look, nods once at her and then flicks his gaze to mine. “This is Avery. Avery, this is Stacia.”

Stacia turns, but her smile was only reserved for Jase because it fades as she takes me in. There’s something she hates about me being up here with Jase, and the inner bitch inside me enjoys that fact. This girl just reeks of fake, and I’m instantly not a fan.

“I didn’t know you had someone over.” Stacia’s voice goes soft as she turns to Jase.

“Well, I do. Did you need something?” His voice is cool, unemotional.

Damn. This can’t be his girlfriend. Otherwise, he’s a real asshole. Of course I’m dying to know who she is, but I won’t ask. Not sure I could handle hearing that right now. Jase has treated me with nothing but kindness and respect, and I sort of want to continue thinking the best of him.

“No. Just wanted to say hi.” Stacia lifts one shoulder, then drops it and I can’t help but notice the way her chest sticks out when she does. The move is practiced, beyond obvious. God, this girl is annoying me in all of thirty seconds. Before the awkward silence has time to fully descend on us, Stacia bounds over toward me. “You look familiar.”

My heart stops.

Literally ceases to beat in my chest.

I hope to God she has no idea why I look familiar. I pull in a breath and shrug, working to convince myself it’s just a coincidence. She can’t know.

Desperately needing to change the subject, I ask, “How do you and Jase know each other?”

Jase answers for her. “Ex-girlfriend.”

Oh.

“Yeah, some days I’m his ex-girlfriend, some days I’m…what am I exactly, Jase, on those nights you call me and beg me to come over?”

“You wish, Stacia.”

curving into a victorious smile. “Kay,

My stomach cramps.

chair, watching her with guarded eyes,

you’re trying to

bites back whatever he wants to say. He steers

pouts but lets him guide her out into the

is firmly shut, I look at Jase. “Are

uneasily and crosses the room toward me. “You’re saving my

“How?”

me get rid of Stacia. She’d hang out all afternoon

doesn’t want company and if I should head

firm hands on my shoulders stop me from going

I smile up at him like a lovesick fangirl. Idiot. I silently berate myself that I’ve joined

Get comfortable.”

chemistry crackling between us, no matter

you can hide out here, so just relax,

bed. It’s much more plush and comfy than my narrow rock-hard

papers from the desk, balancing everything on his lap so he can face me. I grab the book from my early childhood development class and bravely settle back against his mountain of pillows. My eyes dart up to Jase’s but he doesn’t seem to mind in the

your major?”

work. What about you?” For some reason I expect him to say undecided, but he

Mostly because it pisses my dad

do you

to make a run for congress. He’s always been obsessed with politics…so of course

told them I wanted to work in the adoption field, they helped me research the social work

and since I’m shit at art and

like your classes?” I

the most

in pissing off your dad?”

He

and Jase’s mouthwatering goodness

really

act like it. And of course my frat brothers give me

clear she’d like to take a ride on Jase, ex or not. Hell, maybe she still does, like she implied. I force my eyes back to my book and relax into the inviting bedding. After a few moments of trying my damnedest to read this textbook, I feel Jase’s

you ever think about meeting your…um, the lady that gave

teaching people

the time,

don’t

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