Ryker doesn’t even look around and just shakes his head. Grinning at me, he says, “I’d rather spend time with you.”
A waiter interrupts us to take Ryker’s order.
I glance down to the dance floor and see that only Tristan and Hana are left dancing.
Soon the conversation around the table is flowing smoothly, and I’m lulled into a relaxed state.
Who would’ve thought Hunter and I could be civil for so long. Not that we’re talking to each other, but hey, I guess miracles do happen.
Chapter 8
HUNTER
After spending the last hour being Jase’s wingman, I’m ready to call it a night.
Jase is talking to a brunette, and I’m stuck with her friend. I’m pretty sure her hair is gray, and I keep wondering why someone would willingly do that to their hair. My mom’s been dyeing the ever-loving shit out of her own in her fight against gray strands.
“So, you attend Trinity Academy?” the girl asks for the tenth time.
I just nod in response. At this rate, I might die of boredom.
“That must be so cool.”
I’m busy zoning out and totally caught off guard when another girl snuggles up to my side, linking her arm with mine in a possessive way. My eyes dart to her face, and then shock ripples over me.
What the hell?
Jade smiles lovingly up at me, and it has me doing another double-take.
“Did you drink?” It’s the only reason I can think of for her weird behavior.
“Just a little. I stole the last of Ryker’s whiskey when he wasn’t looking. Did you miss me, baby?” Jade takes hold of my arm and positions it around her.
Baby?
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
Jade doesn’t let my shocked silence hinder her and snuggles even closer to me, and it makes her cleavage look double the size where it’s pressed against my side.
When she stretches her body and presses a kiss to my jaw, I swear it feels like my mind is malfunctioning because all I can do is blink while staring at her.
Then Jade turns her head to the girl I was talking to and sneers, “I don’t appreciate it when girls drool over my man. Get lost.”
I begin to frown, still at a total loss when it comes to finding the right words for this fucking weird moment.
The girl leaves with an offended look on her face, and when she’s out of hearing distance, Jade gives me a grin that’s nothing short of evil. “Payback’s a bitch, Chargill. If I don’t get to be happy, then you don’t. How does it feel to be cock blocked?”
Jade pulls away, and all I can do is stare at her ass as it sways its way back to our group's table. I don’t know whether I should be impressed she can act so well, or to be pissed because she’s decided to play games with me.
Tapping Jase on the shoulder, I gesture toward our table. “Let’s go get a drink.”
Jase gets the girl’s phone number, and as we make our way back to the VIP section, my eyes are glued to Jade.
If I’m honest with myself, even though I was shocked out of my mind by what she did, I can’t deny the fact that she stirred something in me I haven’t felt before around another woman. It’s fucking confusing.
Jase and I take the only two open seats left, and it situates me across from Jade. We place our order for drinks, and while I wait, I keep staring at Jade. She’s either oblivious or making a show of not giving a fuck that my eyes are on her.
Jase suddenly jumps up, almost giving me a heart attack as he yells, “We have to try this game!”
If only my friend knew how tired I was of games.
“What game?” Tristan asks. I’m surprised he managed to take his attention off Hana long enough to ask. It’s clear the guy is head over heels for her. Then again, with Hana being half Korean, she has an exotic beauty you can’t help but notice.
“The arrow spins and whoever it lands on has to do the dare the app gives.”
“I’m bored out of my mind, so we might as well give it a try,” Noah approves.
Jase places the phone in the middle of the table and presses the spin button. We watch the arrow turn, and it lands on Mila.
Hug the person you like the least.
Mila grins as she gets up and walks around the table. Jase isn’t offended in the slightest when she stops next to him.
“I’ll take it any way I can get it,” Jase teases as he stands up and folds Mila in a tight embrace.
Seconds later, Mila’s arms wrap around him, and I notice how she grips fistfuls of his shirt. They stand for so long it’s well past the point of being just a hug.
When Mila finally pulls back, she ducks her head low, so her hair falls across her face, and hightails it back to her seat.
Ryker presses the button next, probably to draw our attention away from his sister, and a moment later, the arrow stops on Kao.
Admit how you feel to the person you like most.
“What happens if I don’t take the dare?”
“You have to down a drink,” I give him an out. We know Kao has feelings for Fallon, and I don’t think this is the place for them to have that talk.
Kao grabs Jase’s drink and downs it in one gulp, then gets up and makes the arrow spin again. It stops on Ryker.
Give someone a compliment.
Ryker turns to Tristan. “It’s about time you pull your head out of your ass and go after the girl.”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment,” Tristan chuckles.
“Oh, and I’m proud of you,” Ryker quickly adds. He gets to his feet. “I have to meet Danny, but it was nice seeing you all again.” Ryker reaches for Jase’s phone and presses spin on the screen before he walks away.
The arrow points to Jade.
Virgin Yes/No
Jade lets out a burst of air and rolls her eyes. “Well, that’s no secret. Everyone knows I’m still a virgin thanks to a certain someone who couldn’t keep his nose out of my business.”
My right eyebrow shoots up because I didn’t know she was still one. It’s been two years. Does that mean she hasn’t dated since Brady?
Jade presses the button, and the arrow falls on Noah.
Do you have a secret crush?
“We can drink, right?” he asks, already picking up his tumbler. He downs the last of the liquid then gets the arrow turning again.
It slows to a stop on me.
Kiss your enemy.
Oh shit.
My eyes dart to Jade, who’s staring at the dare with apprehension.
Figuring I’d just give her a quick peck on the lips to fuck with her, I get up and say, “A dare’s a dare.”
“No, you can drink,” Jade quickly objects.
Reaching her side, the corner of my mouth curves up. I take hold of her shoulders and pull her up from the chair.
“Payback’s a bitch,” I grumble, lowering my head to hers. I press my mouth to Jade’s just as she brings her hands up to my biceps.
I expect to be pushed away or punched at the very least, but instead, Jade goes still against me. Her lips begin to tremble, and when I move my own, something unexpected happens.
Awareness of the woman she’s become trickles through me. All our cruel words and intimidating touches sparked a flame that should’ve had us going down in a blaze of hatred, but instead, makes desire sizzle to life.