“Honestly, I don’t get much time to do anything these days. I’m so busy with school and study that it seems I never get time to enjoy life.” I smile.

He grins. Gosh, he’s so handsome. “Yeah, I know the feeling.”

“What do you do for fun?”

He leans close. “Can you keep a secret?”

I beam. “Absolutely.”

“I paint.”

My eyes widen. “You do? What do you paint?”

“Mostly landscape, but I love it.”

“That’s impressive,” I say, nodding my approval. “How long have you been doing it?”

“Since I was seven, but most people don’t know. It would kill my reputation.”

I frown. “I don’t see why. I think it’s really amazing.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, well, my jock friends wouldn’t think so.”

“Who cares what they think.” I shrug, sipping my drink.

He laughs. “If only life were so simple.”

“Right?”

He takes a bite of his burger and his eyes scan over my face. “So you’re friends with Rainer, yeah?”

I blink in surprise. “Ah, sure, yeah.”

“I didn’t think someone like him had many friends.”

“Someone like him?”

He puts a hand up. “Not in a bad way,” he says quickly. “I just mean he seems so . . . difficult to get along with.”

“He can be, but we get along. I can’t really explain why.”

“Have you been friends long?”

So many questions. Strange.

“About four years now. Do you know him?”

He shrugs. “I used to. Not now.”

“He’s a good guy.”

His eyes flash but he seems to force a smile. “Sure, of course. Do you live near him or something? I see you ride to school with him.”

I have no idea why he wants to know so much about Rainer, but it’s interesting that Rainer has a problem with him, and he seems to have a lot of questions about Rainer.

“Yeah, he lives two doors down. It’s how we became friends.”

He nods. “Awesome,” he pauses as we finish our food. “Do you want to go?”

“Sure.” I smile, standing.

We take a long walk on the beach before he drives me home. My house is lit up like the fourth of July. That’s one of my mom’s quirks. She likes to have everything bright and out there, so everyone who drives by can see how rich she is. Honestly, it’s horrible, and sleeping at night can prove to be difficult.

“Your house is really cool,” Jack says, staring at it.

“Oh, thanks.”

I glance down to Rainer’s small two-story house, which I can see clearly from mine. I notice him standing out the front with a group of people. It seems he’s having a party. He does that a lot when his dad is out. I have no idea where he is this time, but he’s obviously not at home. Jack follows my eyes and his seem to darken when he sees Rainer, who has Missy tucked into his side.

My chest does that strange thing again.

“He’s having a party.” Jack grunts.

I shrug but my chest burns with hurt. Rainer didn’t tell me he was having a party. I don’t know why that bothers me, but it does. Still, I keep it casual, like it doesn’t bother me. Because it shouldn’t, right?

“He does that a lot,” I mumble, “Do you want to come in?”

“Sure.”

We get out of the car, and I don’t miss Rainer’s eyes following us as we walk up the path. I give him a lame wave that he doesn’t return. He’s glaring at me. It’s probably the dress I borrowed off Eva—well, the dress I borrowed for the night. When we reach my front door, I use my key to unlock it. The television is blaring from the living area, but otherwise I don’t see anyone around.

Mom doesn’t care who we bring home, so long as her house looks pristine. Dad is always working, and honestly, I sometimes forget what he looks like. My sister goes in and out whenever she wants, usually coming home later than me, but I have no idea if she’s here right now or not.

“Your house is awesome,” Jack says, staring around. “Holy shit, it’s huge.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, walking through the massive living area that’s decked out with the most expensive furniture. “Do you want to go to my room?”

His eyes grow a little lusty, and he nods. He takes my hand, and my skin prickles as I walk up the winding staircase to my room. Just as we reach the door, Eva pops her head out to yell at me about something, because that’s all she knows how to do, but she stops when she sees Jack. His eyes widen, as they always do when men see my sister.

She’s gorgeous. Long blond hair, legs to the sky, big breasts, full lips and sultry blue eyes. I’ve not met a man who doesn’t think she’s the best thing since sliced bread. Except Rainer. He can’t stand her and she feels the same way about him. The two fight like cat and dog, constantly.

I run my hand over my neck as if I’m slitting my throat, letting her know not to open her big mouth and embarrass me. Her eyes widen.

“Ah,” she says, “I was just checking if you were home. Carry on.”

That’s probably the least bitchy thing she’s ever said to me. I tug Jack’s hand and he looks back to me and we both disappear into my room. I turn on the light and then lock the door.

Jack stares around, and I know he’s impressed. My room is huge. I have my own king bed, bathroom and toilet, plus a lounge because there’s room for it. Not to mention my massive television that I never watch.

“Holy shit, is this all yours?” he asks.

“Yeah.”

I sit on the edge of my bed and watch as he studies my room. When he’s done, he turns and smiles at me. Walking over, he flops down beside me and we sit in silence for a while.

“So, thanks for tonight,” I say.

He turns to me. “Emily, is it too forward for me to ask if I can kiss you?”

My eyes widen, because that’s the most straightforward thing anyone has ever said to me. I expected lame conversation, awkward silences and him rushing out the door. That seemed more likely to happen. But no, he wants to kiss me. Jack wants to kiss me. I don’t even know how to react to that. I mean, of course I want him to kiss me.

“Ah, no, not at all.” I swallow. “You can. I mean, sure, yes, sure.”

Oh God, now I’m repeating myself.

He smiles and reaches over, cupping my cheek in his hand. I shiver, because it feels amazing. He leans forward and the moment seems to hang on forever. My breath hitches and his warm breath tickles against my skin. God, it feels so nice to be this close to someone. Just before his lips brush mine, there’s a loud bang on my window. Jack and I leap backwards, and I spin around to see Rainer sliding my window up.

Oh no.

No.

No.

“Rainer,” I hiss when he climbs in, stands tall and crosses his arms. “What the hell?”

Jack shifts uncomfortably beside me.

“Just seein’ what you’re up to,” he says, glaring at Jack.

He’s wearing boots that are undone, laces strewn over my floor. His jeans have rips in them and his shirt is tight and black, but God does he look rugged, and masculine, and hot. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Rainer look so hot. My heart stammers in my chest.