Jezebel's Lion(17)

“Get her away from me, Mac, or God help me.” He moved from behind her, and Jess grabbed him as he stalked the girl who backed away. “You, little girl, have just insulted my mate. Your parents will be hearing from me.”

The girl with Mac paled, and Mac dragged her away muttering, “Steph, you just dug your own grave by insulting a Pride’s mate. Even I’m not that stupid. My dad won’t…” His words were lost the further he walked away.

Jess turned to face Brandon. “Thanks for sticking up for me, but I can look after myself. I’m used to hearing stuff like that. I’m sorry you had to hear it.”

Brandon cupped her face. “No one should ever treat you like that. I will never let anyone speak to you like that. You are not what she said.” His hands trailed down her body, and Jess almost forgot they were at the movies. “I love your curves. I think you are the most beautiful woman in the world.”

It was corny, but Jess couldn’t help melt at his words.

The line moved, and she and Brandon sat in their seats. As they sat Jess reached for Brandon’s hand. She liked his touch, and she realized that usually after a bunch of name calling or getting into a situation like she’d just had with Mac and the girl, Jess would withdraw, but Brandon had defused the situation and made her feel good. Jess knew then that she could very easily fall in love with Bandon. He made her happy.

****

The last two nights had been the best nights she’d had in a long time. Brandon was amazing. He made Jess feel beautiful and desired. It was a new feeling, and Jess liked it.

Jess was going shopping after school. She needed new clothes. If Travis or Zeck wouldn’t take her she’d get her mother to take her. Jess wanted to look nice for Brandon. He’d told her when he’d left her at her house that he’d see her today. Jess was eager to see him. She loved the feeling he gave her.

Travis had picked her up this morning to take her to school. Things didn’t feel right with her friend. Travis was quiet the whole trip to school. He didn’t ask her how the date went, and it was almost like he was brooding. Jess thought if they were still acting weird at lunch she would say something.

Lunch was unusual. Britney, Brandon’s sister, called her over. She’d sat with them very rarely and only when Sasha was with them and she couldn’t find Travis or Zeck. Sasha wasn’t at school today. Jess really didn’t want to go over to Britney, but she wasn’t the kind of girl you said no to or ignored. Looking longingly over at Travis and Zeck, she slowly walked over to Britney and her friends. Jess wasn’t a fan of most of the girls Britney hung around with. Kelsey had been a nasty bitch to her since primary school.

Think of the devil. And as she thought that, Kelsey appeared. She came and sat at the same time as Jess. Then she sniffed the air as she sat with her food tray next to Britney. “Why the hell does Jell-O Jezebel smell like your brother Brandon?”

Jess cringed at the name and clenched her fist in her lap and told herself not to smell herself. She’d showered. Jess had no idea why Kelsey thought she smelt like Brandon. Maybe the girl last night had told her she’d seen her at the movies.

Britney punched her friend and glared at her. Jess stared opened mouth at the scene before her. “Don’t be a bitch.”

Kelsey smirked. “But I am.”

Britney punched her again. “You know what I mean. Jess smells like my brother because she is his mate. He mated her.”

Jess shut her mouth and smiled at Britney as Kelsey let out a screech that was deafening. “What?” Her black eyes turned to Jess, and she shrank in her seat at the deadly stare. “Your poor brother. How did he get stuck with a heifer like her for a mate?”

Okay, that was it. Jess didn’t have to listen to this. She stood with her tray and didn’t wait to listen if there was a response from Britney. She walked, well almost ran, over to her friends. As she sat next to Travis, she told herself she would never again listen to people treat her like that. If Britney wanted to speak to her she could come to her.

Travis’s arm came around her, and Jess knew everyone had heard what was said. “Don’t worry about them. They’re just a bunch of stuck up bitches. Not everyone is thin like them. Not all men like that. I don’t.”

Snuggling into Travis’s safe hold she leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Travis. I’m so lucky to have you as a best friend.” He flinched, and she frowned wondering what she’d said. He sighed and hugged her tighter, and Jess pretended it was just her and her friends, that the rest of the world didn’t exist.