1. Chapter 1 Brownies & Broken Promises #2
“I hooked up with Gerald in the drama club broom closet!” Jaslene shouts.
“I wanna have sex with your brother,” Britt gasps, slapping a hand over her mouth.
“Me too, me too!” Hanna chimes in, giggling.
Okay, this isn’t how Truth or Dare works.
But I’m too high to care, sitting inside these fancy teepees, wearing these soft robes I could live in forever.
The rest of the night is a blur of laughter and ridiculous confessions you’d only feel safe saying stoned.
And for the first time, I feel like I really fit in.
Not with all these girls—but with Izzy. With this city. It all just feels right.
I glance around, still in disbelief that I’m here. That I have a best friend. That maybe I won’t have to move again.
When I get married and have kids, I swear I’m never leaving my husband. Or Nashville.
The thought sobers me just as Izzy’s voice snaps me back. “Your turn, Jenna. Truth or dare?”
“I’ve never kissed a girl,” I blurt out.
Izzy doesn’t waste any time. She leans in and plants a kiss straight on my lips. “Now you have!”
The room erupts into cheers.
I laugh awkwardly. “Well, that settles it. Guess I’m not into women. Too bad. Life would be easier if I could just fall for women.”
“Lame! We need something juicier!” Hanna demands.
“Fine.” I raise my hands in surrender. “How about this? I’m cursed.
Since I was nine, I’ve moved six times—three of those were my fault.
I’ve broken the same arm twice, spilled literally every liquid imaginable on myself, and last week I almost burned down my kitchen.
Oh, and in ninth grade, I walked around all day with toilet paper sticking out of my a—”
The room falls dead silent. The girls stop giggling. Their eyes are locked on something behind me. Britt licks her lips, and my stomach drops. I already know who I’ll find when I turn around.
Jacob.
Standing there in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Please, don’t stop on my account. Toilet paper sticking out of your—?”
Izzy screeches. “Jenna Jinx!!” She throws herself at me. “My bestest friend isn’t cursed—she’s jinxed ! Now let’s go swimming!”
“No swimming, kids,” Jacob says, half playful, half protective. “I’m in charge tonight, and you’re all higher than the stars outside.” His eyes flick to me, lingering a little too long.
“Boooo, Jacob’s no fun.” The girls whip him with pillows like he’s the villain in a rom-com.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Jenna Jinx. I kinda like it.” Or maybe I’m just too baked. Or is it smoked? Or fried?
After too many truths and zero dares, I wander off to find a bathroom and almost get lost in Izzy’s massive house. The quiet stretches around me, making me feel smaller, lonelier than usual. Like I’m drifting through someone else's life.
Then Jacob’s voice stops me cold. “Hey, Polka Dots. Wanna know the third thing?”
I spin around. He’s shirtless, pajama pants slung low, wearing a smile that could ruin me.
“It’s Jenna,” I snap. “And no. Izzy hasn’t said much about her brother, but you have a penis, so I’m guessing whatever you have to say is bad news.”
He chuckles, unfazed. “Ouch. Not all of us are walking red flags, Jenna. And I’m practically family since Izzy’s your best friend. Also the smarter, more reliable sibling.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Alright, Jacob. Humor me. What’s the third thing? Let me guess—you love chasing girls who are off-limits?”
His smirk deepens as he moves closer towards me. “Not exactly. I do like a challenge, sure. But I was going to say I don’t date my sister’s friends… unless they can pull off a yellow polka-dot thong.”
I roll my eyes so hard I might sprain something. “That’s just… wow. Is this your idea of flirting, or are you always this charming?”
He laughs, warm and easy. “Relax, I’m kidding. Mostly.”
But his gaze lingers, and it makes me question everything. Where’s he going with this? I should leave. Why am I still here?
“So, cats or dogs?” His voice is light, but I hear curiosity beneath it. “You seem like the type of girl who can’t make up her mind.”
I narrow my eyes. “Maybe I do suck at making decisions. But why do I have to choose?”
“Exactly. You’re probably full of contradictions.” He grins wider. “I bet you order salad with your pizza to feel better about the pizza.”
I fight the smile tugging at my lips. “It’s called balance, genius. And the first thing I’m doing once I’m out of my mom’s place is getting a kitty and a puppy.”
Jacob cocks his brow, studying me like I’m some weird puzzle he wants to solve. “Guess you’re off the hook. Cats are usually a deal-breaker for me. I'm allergic, and my ex’s demon cat nearly blinded me once.”
He leans in, close enough that I catch the scent of cedar and spice. It’s warm, comforting. And a little too damn inviting, pulling me right in. His finger traces the faint scar above his eyebrow. “Scratched me right here.”
I should step back. But instead, I drift closer. My pulse pounds from the heat of his breath. “Seriously? A cat did that?”
“Swear on my Xbox.”
I laugh, and for a second, it's easy. But then guilt slams into me. Ryan. I haven’t texted him. My stomach twists… and I already know what’s coming.
“I have a boyfriend.” The words come out sharper than I intend.
Jacob’s expression shifts, his voice dripping lower. “Yeah. I figured.” Then his eyes lock on mine. “But not for long, Jenna Jinx.”
I fold my arms. “You don’t even know me.”
His gaze doesn’t waver. “Not yet. But you’re different. And I want to know why.”
Before I can fire back, he walks into his room, leaving me standing there, heart racing, no clue what just happened.
Alone in the dim hallway, I let myself imagine what it might feel like to be with someone like Jacob.
With his perfect life and house. Someone who didn’t leave bruises with their words or turn apologies into weapons.
Someone who wasn’t fueled by whiskey and insecurity.
But I know better. Guys like Jacob don’t fall for damaged girls like me with daddy issues.
We don’t get fairy tales—we get scars, broken promises, and regrets.
My phone rings. Ryan. I swipe to answer, fingers trembling.
“SERIOUSLY, Jenna! Why the fuck haven’t you called me?” His voice is sharp, slurred, cutting through me like a ten-inch blade. “I’ve been worrying. All fucking night!”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, stuttering each word. “I… I was about to—”
“Don’t you dare pull this shit. Is this how you treat the only man who’ll ever put up with you?” The words hit hard like they always do. But he’s not wrong. He’s the only man who’s ever loved me. So I take it.
“I’ll call you tomorrow morning. Answer this time, unless you wanna piss me off again,” he snaps, and then, click. The line goes dead.
I stare at the phone in my hand. Angry at myself for not calling. Angry at him for acting like this. Then I plaster on a smile and go back to the girls like everything is fine.
The next several months blur together in a haze of fights, apologies, and brief moments of calm with Ryan. Izzy’s home has become my sanctuary—rare moments where I almost feel normal. We don't talk about Ryan. We don’t talk about her parents’ drama. And it works.
But Izzy wasn’t the only one there for me.
Jacob was too. At first, it was subtle. Watching movies.
Helping me clean up the mess of takeout containers and beer bottles after Izzy crashed.
We’d talk about random stuff. Well, mostly I’d talk and he would listen.
He never tried offering empty advice, just made me feel safe in a way I hadn't felt in years.
One night, Izzy was passed out on the couch after way too much wine and our True Blood marathons. Jacob was slouched on the floor beside me, laughing at a dumb story I shared, while I was curled up in a blanket on their fancy leather couch.
“Why do you do this?” The words jumped out of my mouth before I could think.
He glanced up, brows raised. “Do what?”
“Stay. Watch bad movies with your sister and her friend. Listen to me ramble about my mom… school… everything.”
He paused, meeting my eyes. “Because I want to,” he said gently. “Because… I don’t think you should be with Ryan. But I won’t tell you to leave. I’ll just be here, whenever you’re ready.”
I wanted to thank him, but the moment was wrecked by a sudden bang on the door.
“Jenna! I know you’re in there!” Ryan’s slurred voice echoed through the house. My heart practically jumped out of my chest as I braced myself for the fight… for his rage.
Jacob shot to the door, shirtless and stone-faced like he was ready for anything. No matter the cost.
“It’s okay,” I tried to reassure him, even though nothing was okay. “I’m alright. I’ll talk to him,” I added, my voice and legs both shaky as I threw the blanket off and jumped from the couch.
Izzy woke up and reached for my hand. “Jenna, don’t—”
“I got this.” I forced a smile, gently pulling away.
I walked toward the door and turned the knob. The stench of whiskey hit me first—sharp and sour. Then came Ryan’s icy cold stare. Before I could say anything, his fingers clamped around my arm, hard enough to leave a bruise.
“I told you… to stay… the fuck… away from here,” he stuttered, tightening his grip. “You trying to turn into a whore like your mother? Get your stuff. We’re leaving. Now.”
Jacob stepped forward, his voice calm but lethal. “Let. Her. Go.” Each word cut through the air as Izzy rushed in, trying to hold her brother back.
Ryan’s lip curled, his eyes laser-focused on Jacob. “This isn’t any of your fucking business.”
The shove came fast. Jacob’s hands were on Ryan. The impact sent him stumbling back onto the porch railing. Shouts erupted. Accusations. Fists. Izzy screaming.
Then silence.
I don’t remember the exact words we exchanged. Only the look on Ryan’s face—angry, hurt… maybe even desperate as he walked down the driveway and disappeared into the darkness.
That night should have been the end. The moment I finally walked away. But it wasn’t. The next morning, a dozen red roses waited on Izzy’s doorstep. And a note in his handwriting.
I’m sorry. I love you so much, Jenna. It won’t happen again.
This is what he does. What he always does. These flowers weren’t an apology—they’re a reset button. A way to erase everything. A promise. A lie. A warning I never listened to.
I should’ve burned those damn roses and left the ashes in his car.
But I stayed. Again. Like my mother always did.
And I hated myself for it. The cycle was familiar.
Comfortable, in a sick, twisted way. If only I could bottle up the worst nights and hold them in my hands when the good moments came.
Then I could remind myself not to get lured in.
Maybe then I wouldn’t fall for his promises.
I wouldn’t believe him when he swore he’d change.
But I was desperate for love. For validation.
So I clung to the scraps of his affection and kept going back for months.
Luckily, I had Izzy and Jacob. They never judged. Never pushed or pressured me. Never acted like they knew what was best for me. They gave me a place to fall apart. A place where I could breathe without breaking. A place where I could feel safe and trust someone again.
And Jacob? I tried to ignore the heavy weight of his feelings, but it was always there. How he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t watching. The way he stepped in between me and Ryan, his fists curled tight when I cried. Or how he swore—quiet but certain—that he’d never let anyone hurt me.
I never expected his words would come true.
Not for long, Jenna Jinx.
He was right. Almost a year after Jacob punched Ryan, and as our friendship grew stronger, I finally left. But instead of healing—of figuring out who I was without Ryan, I ran straight into Jacob’s arms. From one relationship to the next, hoping love could fix my fractured pieces.
And we lived happily ever after. Or at least, that’s what I told myself.