“Shut up, Allie.â€? Jason said.

“Why, Jason?â€? I whispered. “You could have just told me about it.â€?

“NO!â€? he roared in my face. “I COULDN ’T HAVE TOLD YOU BECAUSE IT HAS TO DO WITH YOU —“his sentence broke off. Either he realized he was screaming in my face or he said too much.

“What? How does that have to do with me?â€? I ignored the pain in my body as Jason sighed again. I wished he’d get off me.

“I … I can’t tell you.â€?

“You have to. Or I’ll stay here all night.â€? I told him.

“You do that and I put you on the balcony and lock the door.â€?

“Jerk.â€? I giggled but then stopped because that kind of hurt. “Well, first get off me please.â€? He heard the plead in my voice but didn’t move. “Tell me one thing then and I’ll leave.â€?

He got up, bringing me with him as he started to the door.

“Leave and never come back.” He whispered.

I didn’t answer.

Once I was in the hall, he whispered, “I’m Collin’s brother.â€? And then slammed the door on my shocked face.