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Chapter Sixteen

Trent

M y cell phone dings with a message from my brother. Tucker says he needs to talk to me and to meet him at the library. This must be serious. Since when does Tucker spend time at the library? As I approach the front stairs, I see the problem…

What the fuck is going on?

Jemma bursts through the doors with Tucker trailing behind, scratching the corner of his jaw. She looks pissed off, and he seems confused.

What are they doing together?

Tucker raises his hand to gain my attention. Jemma rushes toward me and halts on the top landing, her bottom lip trembling. Her gaze moves between Tucker and me as if she can’t believe we’re twins.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me.” Jemma balls her hands into fists at her sides, staring at me in disbelief. “Was this some initiation prank? Did my sisters put you up to this?”

I move toward her and attempt to reach out. “Put us up to what?”

She steps to the side. “You two are sick!”

“Okay, what’s going on?” Tucker shoots me a sideways look. “Are you hooking up with her?”

Jemma covers her face with both hands and sighs. “I can’t believe this is happening. Who was I supposed to meet today?”

I lift my hand. “Me.”

She peels her hands from her face, her eyes now puffy. Even though I can see she’s fighting it, a few tears spill down her cheeks. “I thought he was you.”

Jemma clenches her teeth. “Who did I kiss in the Quad?”

“Still me.”

She glares at me. “I’m so confused. What kind of game are you playing?”

“I’m sorry,” Tucker says. “I wouldn’t have followed you into that classroom if I knew you were with Trent.”

Yes, he would. Tucker has no problem taking my seconds.

Jemma briefly peeks up at my brother before her eyes are back on me. “I have to go,” she whispers as she pushes past me.

I run after Jemma, who’s power-walking toward the Student Activity Center. “Jem, wait up.”

She quickens her pace.

“C’mon, baby, talk to me for a second.”

Jemma spins around, her eyes filled with tears. “Who was I with this weekend?”

“Me.”

“I don’t get it.” She shakes her head. “Why did your brother kiss me?”

“Because he didn’t know about you.”

“If I hadn’t said your name, we would’ve had sex.”

The thought makes my stomach churn. “I’m sorry, Jemma. I never thought this would be an issue. I planned to introduce you to my brother at the party this weekend.”

Jemma sucks in a deep breath and lets it out, wiping tears from her cheeks. “I can’t do this right now. I have to go.”

I follow her toward the Student Activity Center, where my friends are waiting outside the building.

Drake smacks me on the back. “What are you doing here? I thought you had a date.”

Jamie looks at Jemma and moves closer to her. “Are you okay?”

Jemma’s head snaps in his direction. “I’m fine.”

She storms away, moving so fast she’s practically running down the sidewalk.

“Ahh, okay,” Jamie says. “So, what the fuck was that about?”

“She thought Tucker was me,” I admit.

Jamie’s eyebrows rise. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

But it’s the first time I’m going after the girl.

“I’ll catch up with you guys later,” I say before I run after Jemma.

I close the distance between us by the time she reaches the stoplight.

“Great,” she booms. “Now your friends know, too. Soon, everyone on campus will know, and I will be the laughingstock of Strickland University. What a wonderful start to my junior year.”

“No one will say anything. My friends can keep a secret.”

“I hope so.” Jemma blows out a puff of air. “I have to go. Please don’t follow me.”

“For what it’s worth, I like you. I meant everything I said. And I still want that date if you’re interested.”

Jemma sniffs. She opens her mouth to speak, but when the light changes to green, she walks away.