Page 70 of Play Maker

Jace’s eyes darkened.

“Oh, so now you believe me?” Jace scoffed. “And I was dealing with it. I don’t need you to rescue me.”

“I didn’t like it,” I bit out.

“Him insulting me?” Jace asked. “Or coming on to me?”

“Him,” I snapped. “Both.”

Shit.

“I need another beer,” I groused and made to move away.

Jace gripped my—his—t-shirt tightly in his fist and pulled me in closer.

“Oh no,” Jace hissed. “You can’t just say something like that and walk away.”

I bit my lower lip in frustration. Jace was so close, his wicked lips right there, and there was nothing I could do about it. I wanted to kiss the fuck out of him, and I didn’t want to stop.

“But you can. Right?” I scoffed, irritated and frustrated. “There’s nothing going on here. Nothing at all.”

“You’re a liar,” Jace declared, leaning in until his breath teased my ear. “And for once, I’d say we’re two of a kind.”

“What?”

“Back away, Ax, or swear to God, I’ll kiss you right here, right now. And I know neither of us is ready for that. You, especially.”

No. No, I wasn’t. I think?

But instead of leaving, I reached up and grabbed his biceps, sparks of electricity racing over my skin.

“Ax.”

I didn’t notice—or care—that people nearby were staring at us. Not that anyone would remember much of anything given the amount of alcohol being consumed.

“Break it up, Hot n’ Honey.”

Fucking Ethan. How’d he get the sneak on us?

“There’s nothing to break up,” Jace replied, his voice hoarse.

“You gonna let go of him, Axel, or do I have to intervene?” Ethan asked with one raised eyebrow.

I dropped my hands and shoved them in my pockets.

“We were just having a conversation.”

“Seemed pretty intense for a chat,” Ethan remarked as he studied Jace and then me.

“Like Jace said—” I started.

“It’s nothing?” Ethan interrupted with a laugh. “You’re so full of shit.”

“Ethan,” Jace warned.

“Alright, I’ll butt out. For now.” Ethan shook his head. “Anyway, I came over here for a different reason. Hailey wants to get to know Axel.”

“What?” Jace snapped.

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