Chapter 21.

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I went home after my encounter with Nathan. I told the girls that I must've ate something and that I didn't feel well. They both gave me their worried condolences and I left without a second glance. My heart to this minute is still pumping as if Nathan is right next to me.

I try to focus on the road as much as I can, but my hands shake so badly that I'm sure I look like a drunk driver. Not drunk, just fearful for my life.

I need to get to Nikki's house as soon as possible to see Jackson. I don't know what happened or what Nathan was talking about, but I can't stop the sick feeling in my stomach. The worst case scenario to me, would be him having slept with her. What I wouldn't understand is why? Did I do something that he didn't like? I just don't get it.

I finally pull up into the Long's driveway and turn off my car. It takes me a total of five seconds to get up to the front door. I don't even bother knocking, I never have and probably never will.

"Hey, Brittni!" Nikki smiles, her body laying on the coach while E Network plays on tv.

"Hey," I try to smile, but I can tell she doesn't buy it.

"What's wrong?" She sits up, looking alert.

"Um," I know I can't tell her, so I say instead, "Is Jackson here?"

"Yeah, I think so," she nods. "Why? Are you guys okay?"

"I'm not sure," I mumble and head up stairs towards his room. I need answers, and now. Without thinking, I burst through the door to his room, finding his body laid across his bed. He's sleeping.

He's sleeping, but he hasn't called me back? He got home somehow, he was awake at some point, so he chose not to call me? The worry that plagued my mind only minutes before now is replaced with straight up anger.

How dare he not call me back when I've been worried all day? Does he not care?

Breathing hard, I walk into the bathroom across the hall and fill up the cup with ice cold water, ready to jolt this fucker up. Smirking to myself, I dump the water all over a shirtless Jackson and his bed.

He jerks up in less than a second, eyes wide and lips parted. When his eyes land on me, they immediately harden.

"What the fuck, Brittni?" He growls, swiping a hand through his water drenched hair.

"Don't what the fuck me?" I cross my arms over my chest while trying not to let my anger consume me. "You know exactly why I did that."

"I wish I did," he snarls, the pissed expression never leaving his face. He'll get over it.

"Where were you last night?" I question, really really trying to keep my tone calm.

"What do you mean where was I?" He clenches his jaw, his eyes never staying on my own. "I was at the party."

I narrow my eyes. "Which party? Because it sure as hell wasn't James'."

"What are you talking about?" He rolls his eyes, stripping of his now drenched boxers. I try not to let my eyes wander lower than his waist line. It's hard, really hard.

"I went by there last night," I speak confidently. "Your car wasn't there. And I know for a fact you saw all the calls I left you."

I here him release a breath, his arms pulling up a dry pair of underwear before he turns to me with a bored expression.

"So what you're saying is," he pauses, looking directly in my eyes. "You don't believe me?"

I nearly stomp my foot in frustration.

"You weren't at the party, Jackson!" I yell. "I went there and you weren't there like you had said! I'm trying to let you explain yourself before I jump to conclusions."

"Oh my god," He groans. "This is fucking stupid."

"Stupid?" I gasp, hurt seeping its way into my veins. "How is this stupid? My boyfriend lied to me!"

"I didn't lie," he runs a hands through his hair.

"Oh really?"

I'm ten seconds from saying screw it and walking out. The fact that he lied to me is one thing, but him still denying it is another. He must really have something to hide and that scares me. It makes me afraid that this could be the beginning of the end because I don't do the back and forth bullshit. Not anymore.

"Really?" He rolls his eyes, mocking me.

"Then where were you?" My voice cracks.

"Fuck!" He yells, startling me. "Do you have to know every single detail of my life? It's fucking psychotic!"

I take a step back from him as if he physically hurt me. It feels that way. The fact that he thinks it's "psychotic" to wonder where he is, is absurd.

"Psychotic? Psychotic? How is worrying about my boyfriend crazy?"

"Because it's suffocating," he spells out, his anger taking up half the room.

"You know what?" I don't dare let my emotions get the best of me, especially not in front of him. "If that's how you're going to be, good luck being single."

I turn around, ready to open the door when Jackson grips my forearm, pulling me into his chest. Our faces are millimeters apart, and I can feel his breathes on me.

"You're breaking up with me?" It's not a vicious question at all, he looks vulnerable in this moment. So sad and hurt.

"I'm too psychotic for you, right?" I growl, ripping my arm away from his grasp. "When you feel like apologizing, you can find me."

I leave after those words. It hurts, but I can't deal with this bipolar stuff from him. I only wanted to know one simple question and he had to turn it into the worst thing ever. Just answer what I asked? How hard can it be?

Maybe he's acting this way because he really did sleep with Brinley.

I'm irritated as I drive home, it's when I realize that I need gas do I feel the stress finally take its place inside me. I want to cry, scream, throw a tantrum all because of these unanswered questions. It's not supposed to be this hard.

I pull into the nearest Gas Station and park next to a pump. The cold weather sparks some type of life into me as I walk towards the building.

"Twenty dollars for pump five," I tell the desk clerk. He nods and takes my money, I thank him before heading back outside. While I lean against my car, staring at nothing in particular, a voice speaks through the air.

"Brittni?" I turn around to see Tristen Dunn heading my way. Tristen, the guy that I let take my virginity this past summer. It was before I met Nathan, obviously, and something that I did for myself.

"Hey, Tris," I smile.

We had met last year due to football, and immediately became friends. We hung out a lot, both of us enjoying each other's company. As the time went by, we became more of a friends with benefits. We did other things than - sex - that resulted to this name. It was towards the middle of the summer that I finally agreed to give myself to him. We only did that once, but we talked a lot after. That's until he found a girlfriend, forcing us to cut the arrangement.

I was upset. I didn't understand it at first, but I realized that it was because I started developing feelings for him. I'm glad we broke it off.

"You look upset," he frowns, standing in front of me now. "What's up?"

I sigh. "Just a little fight Jackson and I had."

I notice the way he visibly tenses at the mention of my boyfriends name. I don't understand why, they're friends. Right?

"I see," he nods, crossing his arms over his chest. "That's a good reason to be upset."

I crack a smile. "What about you? Janelle and you doing good?"

His face falls again, a sorrowful look in his eyes. I want to kick myself for bringing her up. It's obvious they're not doing too well. Wish I had known.

"Uh," he scratches the back of his head. "We actually broke up a few weeks ago."

"Oh," I frown. "I'm sorry. I know you really liked her."

Obviously enough to where he'd ditch me that is. Not that I have any ill feelings towards him. El-oh-el.

"Eh, it's whatever." The smile returns to his face. "Since you're so down today, do you mind going to our favorite place to hang?"

My own grin graces my lips at the mention of our favorite arcade type thing. It has go-karts and other obstacle courses with games and such. I always loved going there, he was always fun to hang out with.

"I'd love to." Screw Jackson, if he can go about without telling me where he is, I can do the same. This is a two way thing.

•••

Two hours later, I'm pretty much crushing Tristen at everything we do. First in bumper cars, than go-karts and now motorcycle arcade.

I laugh as Tristen swears at his person through the screen.

"Come on!" He yells. "I'm sure you can go faster than that."

"I win!" I shout, throwing my hands in the air for victory.

"You cheated!" He complains, a cheeky smile on his face.

"I did not," I scowl playfully. "I don't even think you can in this game."

He rolls his eyes and wraps a casual arm around my shoulders as we walk around the indoor park.

"Want some pizza?" He asks as we make it to one of the concession stands.

"Sure," I smile at him and we order a large box of pizza before finding a seat to eat at.

"So," Tristen starts, taking a bite of his pizza. "What's up with you and Long?"

I sigh, taking a sip of my pop. I guess I should probably tell him what's up, he's always been good at listening anyway. Plus, what's better than spilling your boy problems to a boy?

"He told me he was going to a party last night," I tell him.

"James'?" He asks and I nod.

"But, he was acting weird that afternoon so when Nikki and I were out, I decided to swing by to see if his car was there." I swallow harshly, thinking of the events.

"He wasn't?" Tristen questions, with furrowed eyebrows.

"No," I blow out a breath. "And I went out with Stacy and Lizzy this morning and they told me Brinley said she was with him last night."

I take a deep breath when thinking about my worst enemy being anywhere near my boyfriend. She just can't find her own boyfriend can she?

"I went to talk to Jackson and he practically called me crazy for wondering where he was," I scoff, feeling the embarrassment from his words make a reappearance.

"How is that crazy?" He questions with a glower. "You're supposed to be honest with each other which he obviously didn't do."

"See!" I roll my eyes. "I said that to myself too, but I can't help thinking-"

"No, Brit," he stops me with a glare. "Don't listen to him, you weren't crazy for being hurt when he lied. He should be lucky to have you, I know I would be."

___________________

Hey!! Yay another update and there will also be one tomorrow :)

What do you think? How do you feel about Jackson's reaction? Did he actually hang out with Brinley? What do you think of Brittni and Tristen's friendship?

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