“And don’t sweat about what lip gloss to wear on Saturday.

I always collect debts.” My chem partner’s eyes go from dull to shining mad and full of fire. “It might not be a date, but you still owe me a kiss. The loudspeaker music isn’t playing so class is still on. I grab my book and hurry into the hallway after her. “It’s not a date, Alex,” she says over her shoulder. “It’s a date,” I say while Miss Koto, obviously eavesdropping, finishes wrapping my arm with dorky gauze.īrittany gathers her books.

“You sure you can pencil me into your busy schedule?” “I can’t Friday, either.” My hard-on is officially deflated. She bites her bottom lip that she thinks is glossed with the wrong color. Although I caught her at a time when she’s vulnerable and still shaking from seeing my blood. Testing a girl like Brittany could put a serious damper on my ego. “Friday then,” I say, testing her although I probably shouldn’t. Obviously she’d rather be with that pendejo than me. First, I need to stop thinking about getting naked with her in front of Miss Koto. You know, to work on the outline,” I tell Brittany for two reasons. Where’s a large chem book when you need one? Gracias a Dios the nurse walks over to the medicine cabinet. I’m sporting la tengo dura right here in front of Miss Koto just thinking about it. I could swear back there she was thinking about getting it on with me. She’s focused on my arm and Miss Koto’s ministrations. Who knew it’d be my bloody arm that would crack her. She’s always looked and acted like a princess on camera every time I’ve seen her. Does her freakout session mean she really doesn’t hate me? I’ve never seen that girl do anything not scripted or 100 percent intentional. “I’ve got to get Brittany alone if I’m gonna have any chance of saving face and saving my Honda. I'm okay,' he chants over and over again, his voice catching.” 'Shh.' He puts his arms around me, rubbing his hands across my back. I swear.'īeaten? Branded? I'm feeling sick to my stomach and tears sting my eyes. 'I'll never push you away again, Brittany. I thought if I pushed you away, I'd be protectin' you from what happened to Paco and my dad.' He looks up and his eyes pierce mine. If I could take back every word I said in the hospital, I would. Bein' beaten to within an inch of my life and branded like cattle was nothin' compared to losin' you. 'It took me a long time to realize I needed to fix everything The choices I made. His eyes are intense and dark, like they were the first time I noticed him in the parking lot that first day of school senior year. He takes my hand and places it on his chest. 'Gary Frankel?' The nicest, geekiest guy in school? For the first time I scan Alex's face and see a faint, new scar above his eye and nasty ones by his ear and neck. If it weren't for Gary Frankel, I probably wouldn't have made it.' “You quit? I thought you said it was too dangerous to quit, Alex.

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