Free Nuclear Heat (Firework Girls #4) by J. L. White Page A

Jack and I never hug.
    I thought that was a really stupid question, until I thought about it.
    I didn’t realize it before, but we kinda don’t. When he comes over, he’ll hug and kiss all over the other girls, sure. But he and I will fist bump, or he’ll jolt the tickle spot on my side like a big jerk, or we’ll just kind of fall into each other’s presence. I don’t know. We don’t need to hug, I guess.
    “Why would I want to hug a dork like Jack?” I’d answered, teasing. Isabella just laughed and didn’t push it. I didn’t give it any more thought either.
    Well, seeing Jack walk through my front door now, I feel like running up to him and giving him a big, big, big hug. It’s a weird sensation. I don’t get the chance to find out if I would’ve actually done it though, because in the next second, who should come through the door with him but a woman I can only assume is named Emily.
    Well, the girls fall all over themselves with introductions and slyly examining Jack’s new specimen. I’m doing a little examining of my own. He spent weeks in Spain with this woman and hasn’t dumped her yet? What’s the deal with this...
    Um...
    Okay, not a bimbo, I have to admit. She’s in jeans and a cute, casual shirt and looks normal enough. Tall. Pretty.
    I don’t like her.
    Why is she here? Why didn’t Jack say he was bringing her?
    “Hey Sam,” he says, but he’s not looking at me. As for Jack, Spain’s been really good to him. He’s tan and... has he been working out? I guess he looks like he always does, but for some reason I’m noticing the muscles in his arms and his chest. Must be the snug tee he’s wearing that’s drawing so much attention to his really pretty amazing-looking pecs. “Uh, this is Emily,” he says.
    “Come on in,” I say, trying to catch my feet. I don’t know why I feel so thrown off. “There’s ice cream in the kitchen, if you want some.”
    “Oh, thanks,” she says, smiling right at me.
    God, her voice is grating. Why are the girls all grinning ear to ear?
    “We just had dinner though,” she says, putting a hand on her stomach. “I’m stuffed.”
    Lightweight.
    Jack’s arm is around her waist and hers is around his. We’re all just kind of standing around looking at each other—not that Jack will look at me —and my girls will not stop smiling at Emily.
    I roll my eyes. “Well, have a seat, everyone.”
    That gets everyone moving. Why is everyone acting so weird? It’s not like we’ve never met one of Jack’s girls before. Not that I’ve ever met one here .
    Which I’m kind of not happy about. Don’t ask me why.
    But I’m sure it won’t be the last time I meet some chick he’s dating.
    Okay, yeah, this one’s lasted awhile. But...
    I frown.
    Why has this one stuck around so long?
    I sink into a chair and pull my feet up, folding my arms against my chest. Isabella starts asking Emily questions about herself, trying to get to know her, I guess.
    Jack and Emily settle on one end of the couch. She leans against him and he hangs his arm over her shoulders, his hand hanging down. As Emily starts talking about what she does for work, Jack finally looks at me.
    My heart starts pounding in this irritating way as we just look at one another. What’s he doing? Why hasn’t he been texting me?
    He gives me a tentative smile and I feel pulled back into his orbit. I scrunch up my face at him. He kind of chuckles.
    Emily must think he chuckled at something she said—she has this big, stupid smile on her face too—because she just pats his knee as if to say, “I know, it’s so funny!” and goes on with whatever she’s saying. I’m not even listening.
    I stick my tongue out at Jack and he grins.
    I feel better for a moment.
    Then Emily reaches up and grabs Jack’s hand that’s hanging by her shoulder. She laces her fingers through his and settles deeper against him.
    The back of my neck tingles as I remember Jack’s fingers rubbing me there. I grow still