Free Torn (Torn Heart) by Annie Brewer Page B

when you need me, I’ll help with your homework.” He turns back around.
    “This weekend.” I blurt out, stopping him. “Let’s do something this weekend.”
    He walks back toward me on the porch, “Sounds good to me. I’m off on Saturday.”
    “Awesome.” I give him a quick hug before he climbs into his truck.
    I walk back inside and put my homework away, not wanting to look at my stupid Calculus book for the rest of the night.
    “I spoke to Jackson.” My mother says when I re-enter the kitchen. I fill my glass up with more tea and sit down.
    “When? About what?”
    “Friday night he came over.”
    Why am I just now hearing about this? I whip my head up to look at her, “And?” I prod.
    “Is he being nicer to you?”
    I run my finger down my glass, feeling the coldness it produces, wondering if that’s why he’s being nice. Did my mom put him up to it? Now I’m annoyed.

Chapter 10
    Jackson
     
    I drive to the gas station for gas and a pack of cigarettes. Being eighteen is good for something, I guess.
    “Ugh, seriously.” Amber sneers as I get back in the car.
    I put my pack in the center console. “What?” I don’t cover up my annoyance. I’m still pissed at her display the other day. We got into it; knowing damn well she tripped Skylar on purpose.
    She points to my smokes. “When are you going to quit? Kissing you is like kissing my Uncle James, which I try not to do.” She turns away.
    “Then don’t fucking kiss me. Geez, I’m sick of your bitching.” I put the car into drive and the tires screech. No one will tell me what I should or shouldn’t do. She pouts in the passenger seat and I have the sudden urge to find a secluded dirt road, dump her ass and take off, as my car blows dust in her face. Why didn’t I realize how shallow and fake cheerleaders were? At least, this one sitting next to me.
    She lightly touches my arm, “I’m sorry, Jackson. I’m just in a foul mood.” She’s always in a foul mood. I keep my eyes on the road, wondering if I should just take her home so I can do my own thing.
    My phone beeps, and before I can grab it , Amber’s already checking the text. Fuck, I should’ve kept it in my lap or on my side of the door where she can’t reach it so easily.
    She starts texting. “Oh, it’s Jake. He wants us to come over and have some beers with some of the guys and their girlfriends.”
    “What are you doing?” I ask, appalled.
    She looks up briefly, “I’m telling him we’re on our way.”
    I almost stop short, but remain calm as I glance at her in disbelief. “You’re fucking kidding me right?” I grip the steering wheel tightly, “You didn’t even ask if I wanted to go, you just decided we’re going since you wanna go.”
    She keeps her eyes on the phone. “What’s the problem?”
    “For one thing, you answer MY fucking phone, and for another, you check MY message, and then you just assume that I’m going to do whatever the hell you want me to do without so much as asking me. Why don’t you tell me the problem here, Amber? I’m sure you can figure it out, you’re not that dense.” I know she’d go ape shit if I ever tried checking her messages, and I’d be accused of snooping because I didn’t trust her. She makes sure I can’t get her phone; it’s a total double standard.
    “Do you wanna go?” Her voice sounds almost as if it was a simple mistake that she didn’t ask me before, like she just forgot. Oh, sure it makes it all better now. At this point, I need a drink so what the hell? God, I’m turning into an alcoholic.
     
    Twenty minutes later, we pull up to Jake’s driveway where five other cars are parked. I grab my cigarettes. Amber gets out and follows me inside, trying to hold my hand but I pull away and scurry into the game room where the party is going on.
    They’re playing pool, “Hey , you guys made it.” I pull my pack out and get to lighting.
    Amber enters the hall and calls out, “Okay, well I’m going to be