Page 58 of Heartless As Puck

Warmth filled me. As my assistant, Jane had always been on my side, but this seemed like more than that. It felt personal, and it worried me how much I liked being able to tell the difference.

“You played well too, Nick,” Hazel said, turning to my friend. “If you guys are interested, the others are on their way to Rinkside. We volunteered to wait for you. We made sure to book a table this time, so they won’t be caught off guard when so many people turn up. Jane said it was a bit of a struggle to fit everyone in last time.”

I exchanged a look with Nick. “What do you say? Want a celebratory drink?”

He grinned. “I’m in.”

We wandered out to the parking lot together, but Nick broke off to take his own vehicle while Jane, Hazel, and I drove together. Jane got into the driver’s seat, and I took the passenger seat, wanting to be near her.

As we pulled onto the road, she asked, “What did that guy say to you that made Drew go off on him?”

I grimaced, not wanting to answer. “Nothing worth mentioning.”

Hazel laughed. “That sounds like a non-answer.”

“I agree,” Jane said, switching on the indicator and turning a corner.

I sighed. “He made a crass comment about you, Jane.”

“Oh.” Her voice fell. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to cause any trouble for you.”

My gut heated. Of course she wouldn’t be furious on her own behalf. She was just worried about the effect it might have on me.

“You aren’t,” I assured her, barely resisting the urge to reach across the space between us and take her hand. “Other people cause trouble. Never you.”

“You two are so cute!” Hazel squealed from the back seat.

I snuck a look at Jane, only to find her looking back at me with a hint of concern in her eyes before she turned back to the road. It concerned me too. I worried that Hazel was reading too much into this and that she’d be upset when the charade ended. I supposed we’d just have to deal with the fallout when the time came.

By the time we reached Rinkside, the rest of the team were already gathered along one wall, the tables having obviously already been set up like that earlier in the day. There were a couple of free seats at the nearest end, so I took the one at the head of the table, while Hazel and Jane sat to my left and Nick sat to my right.

“We ordered you the chicken salad with a side of potatoes,” Jesse said, leaning past Nick to speak to me. “We know how much you like your greens. Nick, buddy, it’s steak and steamed vegetables for you.”

“Thanks, Jesse,” I said. “What about the girls?”

“Fish and chips and a beer for Jane.” He winked at her across the table. “I remember what you said about your preferences. And for Hazel, we ordered a chicken sandwich.”

Jane thanked him, and Hazel followed suit. He did a typical dudebro up-nod, and I thanked my lucky stars once again that the team playboy seemed to have no interest in my sister. Or perhaps he just knew that I’d bury him if he ever looked at her sideways.

Our meals arrived soon after we did, and we chatted amongst ourselves while we ate. It was warm inside, and despite my tender nose and aching muscles, a pleasant, contented sleepiness washed over me.

Unfortunately, it only lasted until the lights over the dance floor dimmed, and Hazel grabbed Jane’s hand and tugged her over to dance. I watched them, uncertain whether I should join them or intervene and save Jane. I knew she was far from an extrovert. She seemed to enjoy dancing, though, and I knew she liked Hazel, so perhaps she didn’t mind being dragged around.

I stood and took a couple steps toward them, but at that point, she looked over and waved me away. I sat again, keeping an eye on her, but judging from her smile, she was happy enough with the situation.

“You have got it so bad,” Jesse said, draining a colorful drink that I sure as hell hoped didn’t contain any tequila. “You can’t take your eyes off her.”

“Can, too,” I protested, then pulled a face when I realized I sounded like a toddler.

Jesse smirked. “Uh-huh.”

“You are kinda preoccupied,” Matt observed, no teasing in his voice but a faint twinkle in his eye.

On the dance floor, Hazel twirled Jane around, and my fake girlfriend laughed, her lips parted, hair catching the light as it spun around her shoulders.

Jane captivated me. I couldn’t deny it.

She was the kind of person who, at first glance, you overlooked, but the more time you spent studying her, the more fascinating her subtleties became.