Page 2 of The Run Option

“I’ve heard that stuff can kill you,” Jason says. He must have walked over while I was ordering because now he’s close. Too close.

I give him a saccharine smile. “So can bothering the wrong person.”

He chuckles. “I take it your date isn’t going well?”

He leans against the bar, his t-shirt riding up his large bicep with the movement. His green eyes are dark beneath the brim of his Lions cap, but I can still see the amusement flickering withinthem. As per usual, I’m simply a game for him. The same as on the field.

“What makes you say that?” I ask as the bartender arrives with my drink.

“Add that to my tab,” Jason says to him, ignoring my question.

I frown. “Why are you paying for my drink?”

“Because I’m stealing you from your date. The least I can do is pay for your drink and save the guy some money.”

My mouth drops. “You are not stealing me from my date. I would never go on a date with you.”

“We’re sharing a drink at a bar, having a conversation. I’d call that a date.”

“I wouldn’t.”

He smirks. “I could watch TV instead of talking to you if that would make it fit your definition.”

My face heats and I tell myself it’s anger, not embarrassment. I pull my wallet from my bag, yank out a five-dollar bill, and slap it to his chest. “This is not a date. I willnevergo out with you.”

His expression falters, but only for the briefest of moments before he smirks again. A large hand encircles my wrist, sending tingles up my arm. “Careful where you put your hands. Your boyfriend might look over and get the wrong idea.”

I jerk my wrist back, but he holds on to it. My stomach flutters. “Jason, let me go before he sees us.” I hate the desperate tone my voice takes on. While I’m eager to get away from Axel, I don’t want to hurt him. I also can’t afford to have anyone see me and Jason in a compromising position. It could end up all over social media and tabloid sites.

Slowly, Jason pulls my hand away from his chest, takes the money with his other hand, and then releases my wrist. I cross my arms, trying to ignore the lingering warmth from his touch. He stretches his arm down the bar counter, shoving the bill into a barely full tip jar.

“Seems like he could use it,” Jason says when he notices me watching him.

He’s right, and I don’t know what to make of the fact that instead of pocketing the money or doing something humiliating like taking it over to my date, he tipped a grumpy bartender. This is another one of those times that Jason has shown a different side of himself. It doesn’t match up with the teasing flirt who parties too much. It doesn’t erase what he did two years ago either, though.

“I should get back to my date,” I say and pick up my drink.

Jason nods, not saying a word until I turn around and take a step away.

“He’s an idiot,” he blurts out.

I stop, glancing over my shoulder at him. “What?”

“Any guy who stares at a TV when you look likethathas a negative IQ.”

For the second time tonight, my face heats. I hope my makeup and the low lighting help hide my blush.

His words mean nothing,I remind myself.

“Whatever game you’re playing, Jason, I don’t want any part in it,” I say and keep walking away.

Maybe his compliment was real, but it’s more likely to be empty flattery to get in my head. I won’t let him. Not again.

If he thinks Axel is an idiot, then I wonder what he would call himself, since he doesn’t even remember the first time we met.

Chapter two

Jason Kingsley

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