Life with Jesse Daniels

By Chrissy Favreau

CONTENT WARNING: This YA Contemporary Romance is recommended for ages 16+ due to non-graphic sexual content and some strong language. -

Anna can’t believe her life is such a mess. She’s dating Derek, but she’s in love with his brother—and her best friend—Jesse Daniels. To make matters worse, Anna’s dad is about to make them her stepbrothers!

Now she’s graduating high school, but instead of thoughts centered on her future with Derek, all she can think about is Jesse. When had he slipped past her defenses, with his blond hair and soulful eyes...and that grin that makes her knees wobble? When had her crush become full-blown desire?

Everywhere she turns, Anna’s confronted with her love for the Daniels’ boys, and she knows she can only choose one. Even her twin, Tiffany, is gaga over Jesse’s cousin, Greg—a bad boy with a mean streak! Anna is torn and doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t want to hurt either of them, but she can’t stay away from Derek any more than she can stay away from Jesse.

Derek and Jesse are egged on by Greg, and it’s only a matter of time before they come to blows over Anna.

As the summer heats up, so do emotions. At a beach party one night, Greg—as always—fuels the emotional fires to a raging blaze and the unthinkable happens. No one, not even Anna, could have imagined the unspeakable tragedy that awaited them, or the bittersweet aftermath that could be the balm to heal their hurting souls.

LIFE WITH JESSE DANIELS is a poignant exposé of young love that is sure to become a keeper with everyone who reads it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chrissy Favreau
• Release date: Dec 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310190117

Chrissy Favreau

Chrissy Favreau is a crafter, coffee-brewer, and writer of witty young adult fiction. In the not-so-distant past, she's worked with tigers, mountain lions, and a despicable monkey named Mario. She owes her life to a Siberian tiger named Reba, who could have killed her, but didn't. That's why you're reading this today.Chock-full of hot guys, Favreau's YA books are meant for an older teen audience; but they're so relatable that they can be--and often are--enjoyed by adults, too.Visit her online at: MyBestFriendsBrother.com

Book preview

Tuesday, May 3

Wanna do it?

A text from Jesse Daniels.

I looked across the bus aisle, and he raised an eyebrow. My thumb brushed the y key on the phone.

Why do you people do that? Tiffany demanded. "He can't be more than four feet away. Isn't it easier to just talk?"

My sister has a problem with absolutely everything I do. It's our thing, I mumbled.

"Well, your thing is stupid." She put down her version of the bible—a steamy romance novel—pulled out her compact mirror, and freshened up her lipstick for Greg.

I peeked over at Jesse again who was cleaning his glasses. Without them, he looks a lot like a blond River Phoenix. Think young Indiana Jones. Think charming. Think hot.

My eyes rolled down his bulky arm. My fingers slid over the letters on my phone.

Yeah, let's do it.

Within seconds he looked my way and grinned. After a soft smile, I turned off my phone, put it in my pocket, and prepared for our stop. I'd spend Thursday night with him. Right after my shopping trip with his brother.

~ ~ ~

Like the Daniels, Greg moved to our rural, Sleepy Hollow Vermont town from New York. He moved in with the Daniels three years ago, at the end of freshman year. That's the summer we started camping out in the woods behind my house. We'd set up two tents, built a fire in the clearing, sat in a circle, and roasted marshmallows under the stars. It gave me a chance to drool over Derek Daniels. Admiring him was my favorite thing in the world to do.

No, I don't have much of a life at all.

On this particular summer night, an owl landed in a tall, ancient maple a few yards away and uttered a distinct Who-o-o-o?

Your mother! Derek howled. He chuckled and rammed his speared marshmallow into the fire. I think we should catch it and cook it, he said, trying to spot it by firelight. He wore designer jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and a new pair of three-hundred-dollar Nikes. His hair had the habit of getting into his eyes. I don't see why he didn't just cut it an inch, so he wouldn't look through it like an Old English Sheepdog.

I think the owl's cute, I said. I'd parked myself across from Tiffany, between Derek and Jesse. Their enormous dog Manny slept by Jesse's side. Tiffany and I wore sweats to beat the night chill, even though they didn't make me desirable for Derek. Wearing good clothes while you're camping just ruins them anyway. Unless your name is Derek—then you don't have to worry about ruining clothes, 'cause Daddy can always send money to buy more. Can I have Zorro back now?

Jesse dumped the baby ferret in my hand. Dad got me Zorro for getting straight A's throughout freshman year. Zorro wore a tiny black tee shirt and a red bell collar, and I had him on a matching leash. He's mostly white, with a pitch black mask across his face, hence the name Dad thought up. I'm not a Zorro fan or anything.

Anna, let me hold him!

I shot my sister a look, annoyed at her demanding tone. Couldn't she ask politely? Better yet, couldn't she get her own?

My nasty look came right back at me. Hey, I'm still older than you—you can't get an attitude with me! She waited, arm extended. Ferret…

Her obsession with being an hour older than me got old so long ago. Yes, she's my twin, but she's fraternal. She looks way different. I actually look a lot like Amy Adams, which isn't a bad thing. I have blue eyes, fair skin and a wonderful complexion. The only bad thing about me is my auburn hair. While the color is great, it's curly, it hangs past my tailbone, has volume, and boy does it tangle! I'd trade it in for my sister's calm, dark brown princess locks any day.

Tiffany was always an inch taller, and it looks like I'm a permanent five-foot-two. She's actually popular, she hangs out with the cool crowd. As for me, that bug geek Jesse is practically the only friend I've had since grade school.

Tiffany glared at me and grabbed Zorro. For some reason, she thinks Mom left her in charge. When our mom called it quits, Tiffany went mute for a year, but it didn't last. I prefer her mute—now you can't shut her up, and she won't stop giving orders.

Manny stirred in his sleep. He's a red and white Giant Alaskan Malamute with a shaggy tail and deep amber eyes. At age two, he was 135 pounds and forty inches tall at the top of the head. You'd think Jesse named him after an Ice Age mammoth. No. Jesse named him after the praying mantis in A Bug's Life.

We were so focused on browning our marshmallows that we jumped like jackrabbits when Manny leapt to his feet, heaved hard on the leash, and barked up a storm.

Did you guys hear that? Derek's eyes skimmed the woods, his expression spooked.

We all looked at Derek, wide-eyed. No, we said, and shook our heads. Tiffany passed Zorro back to me. I held him close.

Manny's barks intensified. He growled and yanked on his leash so hard, Derek could barely restrain him. His choker blocked his windpipe, yet he pulled eagerly still, snarling and wheezing.

Then we heard it, shuffling in the bushes about a hundred feet away. We gazed, petrified. I trembled from my core.

"What is that?" Jesse pulled the hood of his sweatshirt over his head. I inched toward him, dragging my butt on the ground.

Maybe it's a black bear. Derek's voice cracked. "Black bears are dangerous. Once they attack, you can never get them off. They eat humans when they're starving!"

Beads of sweat gathered on my forehead. It had to be a large animal, from the way the underbrush shook. A bear would make sense. And it grew closer.

Manny jerked the leash again. I'm surprised that choker didn't pop his head off! Derek held onto him like his life depended on it.

Even through all the racket, the bear drew closer. It was too dark to see it. Blood drained from my face. The thought of a starving black bear ripping us apart—limb from limb—was horrifying.

Then it charged. It plunged its heavy mass through the bushes, heading straight for us! Jesse grabbed my arm. I jumped into his lap. We screamed as it emerged.

"ROAR!"

Eyes closed, I screamed at the top of my lungs, completely paralyzed from the neck down. I could barely move or think. Jesse's head collided with mine. We cowered in fear.

Oh my God! Tiffany shrieked, surprise in her tone.

Then there was an outburst of laughter. Manny kept barking. I peeked. It wasn't a bear, it was… Matt Damon?

I squinted at the brown-haired guy with a huge white smile. He wore black jeans and a matching jersey, and looked about Derek's age. He gave Derek a high five, fell beside him by the fire, brushed his hair aside, and waved at me, still grinning with those big teeth of his. Hey, I'm Greg—Derek and Jesse's cousin.

Okay, so it wasn't Matt Damon.

Jesse and I exchanged looks, still locked in an embrace. My heart fluttered. I pulled away and inched back to my spot.

What the hell did you do that for, you dumb jock!

Greg's expression darkened. Hey, Jesse, the next time you call me that, you'll have a lot more to be scared of!

Derek laughed. It was just a prank, Jesse! Chill.

Tiffany laughed like she wasn't drop-dead-terrified seconds earlier. She crept closer to Greg and started talking to him about all sorts of things she knew absolutely nothing about—football, video games, weight-lifting, and sports teams. She was so interested when she heard he didn't have a girlfriend.

That's when it happened. Derek crept up behind me and wrapped his arm around my neck. My heart leapt. He chuckled. "Sorry. I thought it'd be funny…"

Thoughtlessly, I nudged him away. Realizing what I'd done, I tried to think of how to get him back. I knew all along it wasn't a bear!

He laughed and wrapped his arm around my neck again. No you didn't!

Sure I did. I was just playing along to scare Jesse.

We looked at him. Jesse's eyes were steady on Derek. I stared blankly for a second. Jesse, what's wrong?

I'm going to sleep. He got up, glanced back at us for a second, and disappeared inside his tent.

Derek's face touched the side of mine. Think he's mad we tricked him?

Our faces are touching! I could feel his breath! My heart hammered my ribcage. Why was he acting like this all of a sudden? Did he actually like me? I figured it was my overactive imagination, as I read into things a lot. He'd only teased me before. He's too popular for me. Total friend zone. Best not get my hopes up. Think he'll let you sleep in there now? I pointed to the tent.

I don't know. Our eyes met. Where else can I sleep?

Then, like a total moron, I said, Manny's got some room on his blanket.

Derek's smile faded. Oh.

Yeah. He didn't hit on me again for a month. I'm surprised he even talked to me again at all, after I said something so cluelessly stupid.

~ ~ ~

We dated for three years. Three years with a boyfriend who looks like a young Leo DiCaprio, and I didn't even sleep with him.

I know, I can hardly believe it myself.

So far, he hasn't complained too much, though at eighteen and after three years, I'm sure he'll start soon. As soon as Friday night, actually. Because Friday is my senior prom.

Derek and Greg just finished their freshman year of college, but they're alumni and under twenty-one, so they can escort us to the prom. Not that I'm looking forward to Greg's presence on what's supposed to be the best night of my life.

The bad thing about the prom is that Jesse will be there. After all, it's his prom too. He's expected to have a date, and I don't look forward to meeting her. Or finding out it's his on-and-off-again girlfriend, Zoey Jacobs.

Thursday, May 5

Oh my God, I have a brilliant idea! Tiffany hissed in the night.

What? I groaned, annoyed that it was after midnight and her mouth kept moving.

We should hook Dad up! Her head hung from the top bunk, staring through the darkness.

Is she out of her mind? Dad hasn't dated in years! "Who would date Dad?"

Claudia.

Claudia?

Hello! They're both single! If we hook our dad up with their mom, the boys will move in!

That's all she ever does—think of more ways she and Greg could be together. They're already together all the time. Derek and Greg commute to college, so when he's not in class and we're not in school, guess what they're doing? Yeah, he's like a drug, and she has a serious addiction.

Miss D needs a man, anyway. Her white teeth practically glowed in the dark. This is genius! Can you help me pull it off?

I knew it'd be better to not get involved. All her plans are stupid and she always gets caught.

Well?

I wanted to get to sleep. I knew her dumb plan wouldn't work, and I wanted to stop hearing about it. That's a good idea, I said sarcastically.

Of course it is, she breathed, laying back in bed. "After all, I thought it up!"

~ ~ ~

Tiffany planned over breakfast. I ate my eggs, toast, and practically inhaled my hash browns.

When Dad came in for his morning coffee, Tiffany hid her stupid little notes like a third grader. She smiled at him in the most obvious way imaginable, watching him pour his coffee. Dad wore a navy bathrobe, matching slippers, and his shoulder length, wavy brown hair in a ponytail. He's 6'3" and built. I've always adored my dad, he's my hero. When we were young, we thought our dad was a giant. He would always intimidate the boys, because they'd never stay out of trouble long enough for him to be nice. A fine example was what I considered—to date—the best day of my life.

~ ~ ~

Summers earlier, Derek rang our doorbell. Behind him stood Jesse, who nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose and held a praying mantis.

"What do you want?" Tiffany put her hands on her hips and pouted. A bouncy curl slid into her eye, and she tucked it back behind her ear.

I need to use your bathroom, Derek said with a crooked smile, hands behind his back.

"Why don't you use your own bathroom? You live right across the street!"

"Because we were playing in the woods all day and I have to go really bad. Our mom locked us out."

She sighed, moved aside, and he quickly vanished up the stairs. My sister didn't seem to like Derek much. Maybe she wasn't into boys yet, though she did carry around these Young Adult novels she was way too young for. I snuck a look at one once, and it had guys and girls kissing passionately. It seems my sister was always a pervert.

Tiffany crowded the doorway as Jesse tried to enter. Drop the bug first!

Jesse set the thing down. Anna, wanna play tag? There was dirt caked to his dirty blond hair, which I thought was really nasty. We were eleven—when would his hygiene improve? I mean, even then I showered daily!

Tiffany sneered as Dad wandered into the foyer, wearing his commonly wide smile. Jesse, how are you? How's your mom today?

Jesse shrugged carelessly, looking up at him like he was miles high.

We're having hot dogs and French fries for dinner. Would you like to join us?

Can we have ketchup, too?

"Sure we can! I've even got the green ketchup!" Dad can be so cheesy at times.

Cool!

Derek descended the stairs wearing a huge grin. He stood beside me, eyes glimmering. Even back then his hair hung down past his eyes, parted down the middle.

They ate like pigs at the dinner table and ironically, Dad still seemed thrilled to have them there. Doesn't your mom feed you boys? he joked, dragging a fry through a puddle of ketchup.

Derek answered with his mouth full. We were in the woods all day.

We dissected a frog! Jesse added.

As if eating hot dogs wasn't gross enough!

Dad looked amused. Did you? And what did you find?

We pulled its guts out! Jesse exclaimed. And it had a poor bug stuck in its belly!

Tiffany snickered. "You killed a frog to save a bug? She rolled her eyes. Boys are so immature!"

Derek grinned. "Who said we killed it?"

Tiffany's expression was blank.

It's been dead for weeks!

I practically gagged.

The boys laughed and shoved their remaining fries in their mouths.

Tiffany sneered. "Really, for weeks? Exaggerating much? I'm taking a shower. Hopefully you'll be gone by the time I get out!"

Tiffany, that isn't nice, Dad scorned.

After she left, the room grew silent. I grimaced at the hot dog on my plate. The smell alone made me nauseous. I'll bet Tiffany asked for hot dogs so often just to piss me off. I pushed it aside so my fries wouldn't touch the so-called meat. Dad shot me a look, so I picked at the bun and grabbed a fry.

So are you two going to be explorers when you grow up? Dad asked a few minutes later, tossing his napkin on his plate.

Derek showed me his chewed-up hot dog. My teacher said we were born in the wrong generation. There isn't much left to explore.

Dad laughed his deep, warm laugh. But it was drowned out by Tiffany's bewildered screaming.

Practically tossing the table aside, Dad ran up in a panic, with the rest of us on his trail. Tiffany was in our bedroom, wrapped in a towel, dripping on the carpet, crying feverishly. She held a chunk of long hair, her face deep red. Daddy, my hair's falling out! She