Regret Me Not by Danielle Sibarium

but Brayden's strong arms hold me up and secure me.
    "I love you!" Olivia acting out of sorts, grabs my face and presses her lips against my cheek. "I love you so much, Kenzie."
    "Oh yeah?" Brayden teases. "How much do you love her? Enough to let Josh and me watch?"
    I slap his chest. "Pervert!"
    He laughs. "Hey, she's the one that kissed you."
    Before I know it, we're surrounded by Brayden's friends. Parents make their way over, and the barrage of flashes coupled with the orders being shouted at us give me sympathy for stars hounded by paparazzi.
    "I'll pick you up at ten?" he asks before we part.
    I shrug.
    "It's graduation night, and there's no one I rather spend it with than you."
    My stomach twists. I force a smile on my face. "Sure. I can't wait."
    As the building empties out and we head for the car, the rain has slowed. Still large, heavy drops fall from the sky. I can't help but think even the universe is crying for me.
    *
    We've been at Carlos' house for all of twenty minutes and already I want to leave. I feel like shit. I want to be happy. I want to laugh and cheer and spray beer on my friends too, but my heart isn't in it, and I can't seem to fake it.
    I don't want to bring Brayden down. He's bursting with energy. They all are. I haven't seen the guys this happy and rowdy since the first game of the season. I think if I go outside for some fresh air I might be able to pull myself together.
    "So is this what you do?" I cringe at the voice, and hope it's aimed at someone other than me, but I have no such luck. "You come out here and play the damsel in distress hoping someone will follow and rescue you?"
    "I don't need to be rescued, Scott. I just want some fresh air."
    "That's what you think. Give it some time, Kenzie. Once he's away at college and dumps your ass you'll be begging . . ."
    "Shut up!"
    I snap my head to the left to find Brayden approaching.
    "What is your fucking problem Scott? She didn't want you because you were an obnoxious pig. You want to keep proving that's all you'll ever be?"
    Scott looks me over from head to toe with a sarcastic smirk, "I gave her what she wanted, and I treated her the way she deserved to be treated."
    I jump in front of Brayden as he lurches for Scott. I place my hands on his chest and press lightly, wanting to back him up. I thought things were better between them, I guess I was wrong.
    "You know what, seeing how whipped you are, I'm glad I was smart enough to leave her groveling on her knees."
    I place my hands on each of Brayden's cheeks. I need to diffuse the situation.
    "Look at me," Brayden peels my hands off him. I close my fingers tight around his, "Let him go."
    He shakes his head. I understand he wants to defend me, but he needs to realize he doesn't have to. Scott doesn't matter to me, he never did.
    "How do I let him say that about you?"
    I shrug. "I don't care what he says about me. You're here with your friends, you should be celebrating, not letting Scott piss you off."
    He brushes a piece of hair back behind my ear. "I'd rather be celebrating with you. Why are you out here?"
    "I'm sorry." I lean into him and rest my head against his chest. "I just needed a minute."
    "Don't be sorry. Tell me what's wrong."
    "It's nothing."
    "Kenzie," he pulls away and looks down into my eyes. "Don't lie."
    "I'm just nostalgic I guess."
    He kisses my nose, "I know you're worried, about school, I promise we're going to be fine."
    I don't say anything.
    "I mean it, Kenzie."
    "I know you think you mean that but you can't possibly . . ."
    "Hey, I mean it. End of story." He tilts my head up and presses his lips against mine. "Besides all I ever hear is how I'm just like my father, and he married his high school sweetheart."
    "Really? Your parents met in high school?"
    He smiles down at me and nods. "Yep. And they weren't much older than us when they got married."
    "I bet he didn't leave her to go away to college." I regret the words as they spill out of my mouth. I don't want him to