It’s too late for that now.
When Slater reaches Jenni, her head cranks my way. The pulse in her neck twangs when she scans my body. I can tell the exact moment she’s finished her avid assessment because a shade of pink creeps across her cheeks.
I wink at her before making my way to Noah. “Do you need a hand?”
Noah’s brows scrunch when he realizes who the offer is coming from. “Oh, hey, Nick. I didn’t think you could make it?” He sounds surprised but pleased. His shock is understandable. I’ve attended more band functions the past four months than I have the past four years. “I’m nearly done here, but you can take these to the table.”
When he nudges his head to a plate of charcoal-grilled beef patties, I grimace. Noah has many talents, but BBQing isn’t one of them. The patties are so hard, you could throw them against the wall, and they wouldn’t crumble.
Just as I reach the outdoor table we regularly dine at, Jenni takes a seat across from me. Forever a cock-blocker, Slater rushes over to slip into the empty space next to her. He sits so close to her, their thighs touch.
Fighting to leash my unusual anger, my eyes drift to Jenni. With a slanted head, I cock my brow, wordlessly questioning if she's planning to tell Slater his protective big brother job is no longer required. My back molars smash together when she shakes her head, but before I can announce my annoyance, we’re joined by the remaining members of my band and a handful of their friends.
* * *
For the next hour, we sit at the wooden table eating Noah’s burnt burgers while talking all things band-related. Most of the conversations are held by Noah, Marcus, Emily and Nicole. I’m too busy studying every move Jenni makes to participate in anything intellectual.
Any time Jenni catches my gaze, she smiles before her cheeks get a rush of heat behind them. Then, not long later, I get kicked in the shins by Slater’s boot. My shins will be black by the end of today because I can’t help but stare. I know what Jenni tastes like. I know what she sounds like when she comes. And I also know the harder Slater fights to keep her away from me, the faster she’ll run toward me.
I’m reasonably sure Jacob is the only one noticing the exchanges occurring between Slater, Jenni, and me. Every time Slater kicks me, he bursts out laughing, startling everyone with his big chuckles.
When the girls begin gathering the dishes, a brilliant idea pops into my head. Slater avoids domestic chores like they’re the plague. I don’t think he’s ever stepped inside a kitchen, meaning this is the perfect opportunity for me to get some alone time with Jenni.
Emily appears baffled when I offer to dry the dishes upon entering the kitchen. She eyes me with suspicion while handing me a tea towel. In silence, Nicole and Emily wash the dishes while Jenni and I dry. I purposely slow down my drying technique, praying they’ll leave the kitchen long before Jenni and I are done with our share of the chores.
My ruse is working. . . until Jacob enters the scene.
When Emily and Nicole exit, he snags a fresh bottle of beer out of the fridge before leaning his back on the counter. His gaze flicks between Jenni and me, his watch noticeable.
Spotting my soured expression, Jenni giggles. I glare at her, lost on what she thinks is funny. Not deterred by my glare, she smiles even brighter.
Once she finishes drying the last dish, she throws her tea towel into the laundry attached to the kitchen, then makes her way outside. The smile she gives me on her way out nearly knocks me on my ass.
Confident she’s out of earshot, my eyes stray to Jacob. “Thanks for the cock block, Jake.”
A massive grin stretches across his face. “No worries.” With a shoulder bump, he shadows me out of the kitchen, happy his ruse worked.
Mine failed, but I’ll give it another go in a couple of hours.
Chapter Sixteen
Jenni
I’ve barely made it three steps out of the kitchen when Slater once again glues himself to my side. His sudden attachment exposes that Nick must be close on my tail. As I did nearly an hour ago, I glance over my shoulder to drink him in. He’s wearing his favorite designer jeans and a dark polo shirt, but I’m not seeing him with the same set of eyes I usually do.
Only mere hours ago, I saw him naked. The visual—My. God.I thought he was handsome with his clothes on. The view is ten times hotter when he’s stripped bare. He has a fit, athletic body that had no trouble keeping up with our rigorous activities last night.
Spotting my flamed cheeks, Nick awards me a knee-weakening smirk before he makes his way to Noah. Slater laughs, pleased his plan to keep us apart is working.
His chuckles halt when I elbow him in the ribs. “Stop being mean.”
He makes a face like he vomited in his mouth. “I’m not being mean; I’m saving you from catching something.”
I don’t have the heart to tell him I'm beyond saving. Last night set the bar way out of his reach. I can’t see anyone slowing this freight train down.
Well, not anyone who isn’t named Nicholas Holt.
I'm confused as to why Nick is here today. If you look up “player” in the dictionary, I’m reasonably sure a picture of Nick would be displayed. I gave him what he wanted, so why is he is still chasing me?
