AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This is what I thrive off—insults and irritation and one-upping him. If all else fails, and this thing with Stanley winds up being an epic failure, at least I can piss Jace off in the process. “How about you,” I croon. “Have any more bimbos in your pocket or has the well finally run dry?
Jace snorts. “Finding women who want to be with me never runs dry.”
I purse my lips, hating that he’s right. In high school, girls flocked to him. He was a hot commodity at Riverside. It didn’t matter that they knew full well they were getting a bit of fun and nothing more. Quite frankly, I never understood it. I can’t fathom not demanding more for yourself.
“Ah, yes,” I drawl, “it’s getting rid of them after that’s the hard part. Am I right?” I ask sweetly.
“Something like that.” He studies me, and it’s like staring into the aqua waters of the Caribbean.
I freaking hate it.
“Have you kissed him again?”
“What?” I blink, thrown off guard.
“I’ll take that as a no.” He smirks.
My glare deepens. “Some guys take their time, you know. It’s not all about rounding the bases as quickly as possible or sucking face every chance they get.”
“Yeah, there will be no rounding the bases withStan. Let’s get that shit straight right now.”
“I hate to break it to you, Jace, but I don’t take orders from you, and the day is young. There’s no telling where it might lead,” I say, even though I’m full of shit. This date is leading nowhere but with my head on my pillow, hiding under the covers from Creepy Cate.
“Brynn . . .” He narrows his eyes, his tone a warning.
“Hey, man, do we have a problem?” Stanley interrupts.
I jolt in my chair, but Jace just glares at him, unfazed by his presence.
“It depends.” Jace crosses his arms over his chest, his expression transforming to an easy confidence most only dream of replicating. “What are your intentions with Brynn, here?”
“Don’t you think that’s between us?” Stanley asks, glancing down at me, and for a moment, I get a glimmer of hope this day will turn around, because my date sticking up to Jace is a sight to behold.
I grin as Jace’s gaze hardens on the side of Stanley’s face, though if I’m being honest, I’m a little concerned for him. Stanley isn’t small by any means, but he’s no match to Jace in build or strength, I can guarantee it. Anyone can see Jace hasthe upper hand with several inches and twenty pounds of muscle on him, along with the kind of cocky demeanor that makes men dangerous.
“No, actually, I don’t,” Jace grinds out.
I roll my eyes and decide to do Stanley a favor before he gets his limbs torn from their sockets. “You can go now, Jace. Wouldn’t want your coffee to get cold before you’ve even had a chance to drink it,” I say archly.
I know him well enough to know he drinks his coffee super hot and black. There’s no other way—I’ve heard him say a time or two. If it so much as turns lukewarm, he tosses it.
“Whatever.” Jace stands, stretching to his full height and towering above Stanley. Did he grow in the last five minutes? “I’ll call and check on you later,” he says pointedly. “Answer.”
I huff out a breath of indignation, but before I can say anything, he’s gone.
“You ready to get out of here?” Stan asks.
I deflate a little, both relieved and disappointed Jace has gone and this somewhat unsuccessful outing is coming to a close.
I stand, grabbing my purse and my empty cup, backtracking to the table when Stanley forgets his, and throw them both in the trash before catching up with him at the door. Once we’re outside, the sun heats my skin, and I inhale the fresh air, wondering what Stanley has in store. We may have gotten off to a rough start, but if he’s willing to stand up to Jace, he must like me, right?
I smile up at him, squinting against the sun as he runs a hand down my arm and asks, “Wanna come back to my place?”
And just like that, my hopes fade.
I try to keep my disappointment from showing on my face as I hedge. “Oh, uh . . .”
“I mean, it’s the one place we can guarantee we won’t run into Jace, right?”
