Choose Me (A Blissfully Sinful Small Town #2)

Emily

My brother crosses his arms over his chest. “I hope you’re meeting the girls in that outfit and not going to hang out with some loser.”

“Yes. I’m meeting Bella and Ruby at the gym. We’ve decided to start our New Year’s resolutions a couple of weeks early.”

“It’d better be a private gym at Bella or Ruby’s house.” Jake’s eyes flash with what I’m going to call jealousy as I bite back the smile that’s fighting to bloom across my face.

He always claims that he’s jumping onto my brother’s overprotective bandwagon whenever complaining about what I’m wearing or where I’m going. I’m his pseudo kid sister. But big brothers don’t look at their sisters the way he looks at me.

“No, the gym on Main Street.” It’s the only public gym in town.

“All the guys there are after one thing.” Jake’s hands ball into fists at his sides. “Stalking young girls. Like the old guys at Rusty Nail Tavern.”

“Please….” I swipe my palms on the sides of my shorts. “You act like I can’t handle myself around a bunch of jerks.”

“Jake’s right.” My brother joins so that he’s not left out of the lecture.

“The guys at that gym are all in their thirties and forties and preening for barely legal girls. It’s gross.

Not to mention, wearing that shirt makes you look immature and cheap.

No self-respecting guy would want a girl who’s advertising she’s easy. ”

Jake’s eyes narrow. “You’re brother’s not wrong. Your shirt reeks of desperation, and those shorts are a clear invitation for something you don’t want to ask for.”

My eyes sting at his jab. Did I read everything wrong over the summer? That moment on the front porch. When we were alone. Our legs touched. He leaned closer. But then, he left. A pain jabs me in the chest.