Slicing Me Open

There are few things more embarrassing than walking in on your boyfriend's brother while he's standing naked in front of the mirror. Unfortunately, I'm speaking from experience. Not that looking at Jackson Sutterfield without clothes was a hardship. It did make things a little weird though, I must admit. For a moment, neither one of us moved. In the time we were both standing there, stupefied, I took in the sight of him. His six-pack of stomach muscles, his muscular legs, what was between his muscular legs. Jackson just sort of stared at me, his toothbrush hanging from his mouth.

Finally, my mind started working again and I backed out of the bathroom, blushing bright pink. I rushed back into my boyfriend's room, feeling absolutely mortified.

"What's the matter with you, Sophie?" Simon asked.

I grimaced. "I kinda walked in on Jackson in the bathroom. He was brushing his teeth... naked."

He laughed. "Man, Jackson really needs to learn to lock the door when we have company. Don't feel awkward, it happens to everyone at least once."

Simon and I had been dating for about six months and so far I'd avoided running into anyone in the bathroom. I guess that it was bound to happen some time. A moment later, there was a knock at the door.

"Come on in!" Simon called.

Jackson opened the door wearing rumpled khaki shorts and no shirt. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes off of him, and it was making me feel really terrible. I'd always prided myself on my self-control.

He gave me a sheepish look. "Sophie, I'm sorry! I just didn't think to lock the door."

"Jackson," Simon began patiently, "People walk in on you all of the time. When is it going to sink in? Either get dressed right after you shower or lock the door! Poor Sophie is scarred for life!"

"Hey now! It's not like I'm fat and hairy! Right, Sophie?"

I felt my cheeks grow hot. Jackson wasn't too easy to get along with. He was one of the most popular guys in school and thought the world of himself. He'd just now started to accept me and I didn't want to get on his bad side. What I didn't realize was it was easier to be on his bad side, than his good one.

"Um..."

"Back off," Simon growled at his brother. "You've sufficiently harassed my girlfriend for the evening, so be on your merry way."

Jackson left the room, holding his hands up in mock surrender. When he closed the door Simon shook his head.

"God, he's a dick," he muttered. "Sorry, sweetie."

I kissed his cheek. "It's not your fault."

"He told me that you were hot last night... he has this habit of stealing my girlfriends."

That was no secret. Almost every one of Simon's girlfriends ended up in Jackson's bed. I didn't get it, Simon was adorable. Sure, Jackson was amazingly sexy and older, but he was also an arrogant ass.

"Don't worry, Simon, I'd never sleep with your brother. He's been with almost every girl in school."

He smiled. "Well, I don't need anyone else, baby, 'cause I got you!"

I kissed him lightly. "Yes you do, Simom... yes you do."

"I saw Jackson Sutterfield naked!" I told my best friend, Ellie Foster.

"Oh my god!" she gushed, fanning herself. "That boy is so hot! Did you have an orgasm, like, right there?! I know that I would've. I swear I almost have one sitting next to him in history!"

"Ellie!" I said with disapproval. "He is Simon's brother!"

"That doesn't change the fact that he is freaking delicious!

I shook my head. "It was awkward... really awkward." I leaned closer to her, lowering my voice to a whisper. "His body is killer, though."

"Well, that's flattering, Miss Sophie Charm," someone drawled.

"Jackson's right behind me, isn't he?" I asked Ellie, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Uh-huh," she replied. "I'm gonna go."

I turned to face him as my best friend scurried off to find a less uncomfortable situation. His expression was one of amusement and his demeanor was casual. "Well, hello Sophie. Having a little girl talk, are you?"

"What are you doing here?!" I said, trying to hide my embarrassment. I'd never seen him over by the sophomore lockers before; I'd felt like it was safe to talk.

"Well, I go to this school. I was just wandering the halls and I decided to stop by and see my favorite brother's girlfriend."

I rolled my eyes. Simon was Jackson's only brother. I took in the sight of him while I was trying to think of something witty to say. He was dressed in faded jeans and a blue and white striped polo. His shaggy dark hair fell across his forehead and into his icy green eyes. He had the prettiest eyes, much more interesting than Simon's muddy brown—

"Imagining me naked?" He asked, interrupting my thoughts. He took a step closer to me.

"Jackson!" I cried, outraged. "I'm Simon's girlfriend! What do you think you're doing!?"

He backed off, grinning wickedly. "Relax, cupcake," he said with a chuckle. "You're cute when you're angry."

I gave him one last glare and stomped off. What a prick! Just because he was popular, he assumed everyone wanted him. Okay, sure, before I started dating his younger brother, Ellie and I had worshipped him; but that was freshman year. He had only seemed so amazing because he was a big bad junior boy that could get you to melt with just a glance from under his thick, dark lashes. I went to first hour, still feeling flustered. I was glad that Simon had stayed home sick, because I would've died if he had caught me standing so close to Jackson.

I felt really guilty, even though I'd told Jackson to back off, I hadn't exactly disliked his teasing. What was I thinking?! Simon was a fabulous guy, I wasn't going to throw him away for a one-night-stand with Jackson, who probably only found me attractive because I was Simon's girlfriend.

"Sophie, page 120, please," my history teacher, Mrs. Dodge said. I jerked my head up to look at her. She was glaring at me through her cat-eye glasses her hands were on her hips.

"Um, okay." I shook my head, as if it would make my thoughts of Jackson disappear. "I'm sorry."

"That's fine. Why don't you read this page for us, though, so that you can regain some focus."

A few people snickered, and I rolled my eyes. "Yes ma'am."

By lunchtime I'd basically gotten Jackson out of my head. That is, until he walked over to my table. I was in the middle of telling Ellie about our math test when I watched her eyes widen. Either someone had pulled a gun, or Jackson was standing behind me. My money was on Jackson.