Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card (Jessie and Luke)

JESS

"Okay, ladies! We're hitting the track today, and I don't want to hear any excuses! I don't care if it's your time of the month, you've got a headache, or your boyfriend said your hair looks like a hot mess. If you want to pass this class and not be stuck taking it again next year, proclaimed 'ball-buster, she thrived off

intimidating us.

Laura and I exchanged exasperated glances. The heat outside was unbearable, and the very thought of running felt like a punishment.

Laura had been trapped in this dark spiral ever since my brother, Josh, confessed that he cheated on her with some girl from a rival school. Despite our efforts to lift her spirits, she remained stuck, so we hovered around her like worried mothers. Gripping her arm, I led her outside, ignoring the emptiness painted across her face. She didn't need more pitying gazes from our classmates. Everyone heard the rumors.

On top of that, I was doing my best to avoid Josh as

if he were the plague. Every time he entered the same space as me, I bolted in the opposite direction. I refused to have that conversation, especially knowing he was still friends with Luke after everything, which made sense. 07.56

The whole reason Luke wouldn't or didn't, or no- he did- was because of Josh and his friendship with Josh. He gave me all these excuses about why he avoided me and didn't want to go there with me... because of Josh. How wrong I was...

Turns out, it was me. I wasn't good enough for him, but I was good enough for a one-night stand... just not anything more.

As we stepped into the sweltering sunlight, my eyes zeroed in on Luke. He was shirtless, muscles glistening with sweat, running laps on the football field. Just like every other girl on the track, I froze for a moment, a little dazed just looking at him. Damn it. Why did he have to look like that?noveldrama

I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat, my tongue darting out to moisten my suddenly dry lips. I knew I should hate him, but honestly? Who would look away from that? Heat flooded my cheeks, and flashbacks of his bare chest hovering above me brought back me I shivered at the thought but pulled my gaze away, reminding myself that I needed to stop fantasizing about him. No more thoughts about us-or him.

Laura stood beside me, and against my better judgment, I cast another glance to see if she spotted Josh. She did - I could tell. But her expression was like stone-something worse than anger or sadness. She was... indifferent.

It was as if the world had dulled for her, and all I could do was look back at the field where Josh and Luke were now deep in

1288 Mauchers

conversation, Luke resting a hand on Josh's chest as if to keep him from approaching.

Good.

At least Luke had the common sense to keep some distance.

Our teacher's whistle shattered my thoughts. "It's simple! The more laps you run, the better your final mark. Let's move! On your marks!"

With a deep breath, I forced myself to focus and jogged

forward. Then, I ran, feeling the heat from earlier, not just from the sun.

After a few laps, I noticed a few girls dropped off, hands on their hips, panting heavily, and finding excuses to sit in the shade. But I wouldn't be one of them-not today, and neither was Laura, it seemed.

I needed this burn. I craved the sting in my lungs, the sensation in my chest like I was teetering on the edge. I pushed forward, enjoying the rhythm of my heartbeat and the sound of my breath as my feet pounded on the track.

Glancing sideways at Laura, I could tell she was battling her own demons. The tightness in her jaw registered that she had some things to work through. Right now, those struggles were between her and the track, but at least there was emotion on her face. As we continued to circle the track, one by one, the others faded until only Laura and I were left, pushing through the heat. I slowed my pace to match hers, refusing to let her fall behind. I could hear Mrs. Luther calling out from a distance, telling us we 07:56

288 Vouchers

could stop if needed, but I pushed that sound away; both Laura and I had more to get through.

We would run together-or I would run next to her as long as she needed me to.

We rounded the curve, ignoring the looks from the sidelines- especially those of Luke and Josh, as we passed lap after lap.

That was a world I needed to ignore right now.

But then came a familiar dull ache in my calf. "Shit," I breathed.

I pulled back slightly, closing my eyes for a split second, trying to breathe through the tightening sensation when suddenly, the ground felt unsteady beneath me, and then I was falling...