Brady Remington Landed Me in Jail

Joshua just looked at me.

"I mean if it was something Kid said or—"

"What makes you think it was something that Kid said? It was that guy over there. I know my cousin. He doesn't fight. That guy went psycho on him. That's what happened."

Brady got into his fair share of fights and most of them were his fault, but he never started one unless provoked. It was just that he was too easily provoked. "I know Brady and he doesn't react like that unless something's been said."

Joshua sighed in disgust. "I thought you were different. I mean, you look different. You don't look like them and yet, you're defending him—like them."

I was different.

Joshua taunted, "You'd probably sleep with the guy if given a chance. Wouldn't you?"

I sucked in my breath and froze. I blinked back tears, but Joshua saw it all and laughed. "See. You would, wouldn't you?"

"You don't know what you're talking about." I still blinked away more tears. "You don't know me or Brady or anyone here. Who are you to judge us?"

Joshua stared. "Sorry. You're right. It's none of my business if you like the guy or not. I don't know you. I don't need to care about you."

"You shouldn't judge, me or him."

Joshua shot me a look. "I wouldn't go that far. He put my cousin in the hospital. I can judge all I want."

"Yeah, but—" I'd been about to argue the same argument, Brady only fought if and when provoked, but Joshua silenced me when he leaned forward and put his mouth on mine. I gasped and then his lips moved over mine. He drew me against his chest and shifted closer with a hand around my neck. His head tilted for a better angle.

I did nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Joshua's hand slid down my back and pressed my hips against his.

Oh, God…I silently chanted in my head.

As he turned and started to press me against the tree, I wrenched my mouth from his and shoved him. He moved only a few inches, but I was able to breathe again.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

Joshua gave me a smug look and leaned closer. "I couldn't help it. I've wanted to do that since I saw you. You're cute."

"Yeah, but…you don't just go around and kiss people because they're cute."

"I saw that guy coming over here. I didn't want to be polite to him or get into a fight with him."

"And kissing me was your best idea?"

"Well…yeah."

"Well…don't," I blurted out.

Joshua grinned, looking relaxed as he studied me. "You know," he started, "you're wasting your time if you're waiting for him. You're really cute. I could go for you, but if you're saying no to me because of him—you shouldn't hold your breath. He's into girls like that." He nodded in Clarissa's direction, but Brady was staring at us—at me.

I gulped and ducked underneath Joshua's shoulder to hide.

"And you're even cuter when you blush like that," Joshua whispered. I felt his breath cake my cheeks, but I didn't dare look him in the eyes. I knew he'd kiss me and, truthfully, I didn't know what I wanted. I just knew that Brady was watching. I could feel his gaze on us.

"You shouldn't do that," I finally said.

"Do what?"

Joshua didn't move.

"The leaning thing. You shouldn't do that. Not with me, anyway," I fumbled out my words.

Joshua barked out a laugh, but shook his head. "I like you. You're honest, but you're completely wrong. I think you're the only girl here who I should do that with."

I just shook my head. The guy was wrong.

"I mean it," Joshua insisted. "Most of these people are posers. They just 'pose' for what role they're supposed to be playing. Take a look at your Brady; he knows that he's the king around these parts. He doesn't even have a shirt on. He's too good for a shirt or something. And that girl with him, she's probably his flavor of the week or his recurring flavor of the week. Everyone's predictable. Not you, though. You're just…I don't know who you are. I think I do, but the more I talk to you, the more intrigued I get."

"You don't know anything."

"I think I do," Joshua retorted. "And I think that you're the girl who shouldn't be here. But I'm relieved you are. You don't belong with these people. You're not fake. You're better than them, but you don't think that. You're one of those girls that wants to be popular, but you have no idea how to do it. So you're here, awkward, and hoping that something will change because of your presence. I hate to say it, but no one else has come over to talk to you. There's probably a reason for that."

I didn't know what emotion I was feeling first. Anger. Outrage. Disbelief. So I reacted on instinct and slapped him. Joshua's head was turned to the side from the force of my slap, but the first person to speak wasn't the two of us.

Brady rushed over. "What happened?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but Brady pushed himself in between us with me behind him. He wasn't listening and he was a breath away from punching Joshua.

I caught his fisted hand. "Don't."

"But—" Brady started, but I shook my head.