Page 18 of Bad Moon Rising

Does she want to go to the stupid dance? She hasn’t said anything, but then again, we haven’t asked her.

Or does she think we’re not including her in the invitation to chill at our house? Does it have something to do with Brooks? I didn’t see what went down between them, but according to Orion, it was pretty bad.

Fuck, Brooks. I could deck him for upsetting her.

My internal musings are interrupted by the last person I expected to see at our lunch table. And the last person I wanted to see at our lunch table.

“Lily?”

Chase hovers just to the side of the rectangular table, a timid smile tugging up his lips and his hands white-knuckling his lunch tray.

Daisy finally glances up from her textbook with a surprised, but not insincere, grin on her face.

Jealousy arrows through me before I can stop it.

Just who the fuck does this guy think he is?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know he’s her friend—and I’m happy she has some outside of us—but goddammit. Chase doesn’t look at her as if she’s his bestie and they’re about to have a slumber party and gossip. I know guys…and I know when a guy wants to bone his friend. He’s staring at her the same way I imagine I do—as if she hangs the moon, sun, and stars in the sky.

And she’s completely oblivious. Like always.

On first glance, Chase is unassuming and entirely insignificant. His hair is shoulder-length and a shade of blond so fair it’s almost white. Almond-colored eyes peer back at us through smudged glasses, the lashes surrounding them sickeningly thick. All and all, he’s a pretty boy, but that’s about it. Nothing special. Not good enough for Daisy.

I cross my arms over my chest and try to hide the scowl that threatens to take over my face. I think I do a damn good job at it…until Orion kicks me underneath the table with a pointed stare.

I notice that my twin’s clenching his pencil like his life depends on it. I can see the fine, intricate blue veins peeking through his pasty skin. So he’s seen it, too.

“Hey, Chase.” Daisy smiles prettily at him. Why the fuck is she smiling like that? I’ve only seen her use that particular smile for three people—with me, with Orion, and with my asshole of a brother Brooks.

Burning, all-consuming jealousy claws at my stomach lining until I fear I’ll vomit all over the table.

“Did you need something?” I ask sharply, and then inwardly cringe. Fuck.

Tone it down a notch, Jackson.

Chase ignores me, surprise, surprise, and keeps his focus on Lily. A blush dusts across his cheekbones as he shuffles from foot to foot.

“I was actually hoping to ask you something, Lil.”

Lil.

They have fancy nicknames for each other.

How. Fucking. Adorable.

Orion kicks me underneath the table a-fucking-gain, and I retaliate by kicking him back twice as hard. He’s not exactly extending Chase an offer of friendship either.

Hypocritical asshole.

“Me?” Daisy blinks at him, seemingly at a loss for words. She slowly closes her History textbook, and I swear my vision goes green with jealousy.

Oh no.

Lily has never—not ever—shut a book for another person before. I half believe that all of us humans come second to her books.

So for her to willingly close one to grant Chase more of her attention?

It’s a kick to the balls.