Page 31 of The Trade

The next morning,I make a stop at the Grind before heading over to Jade’s apartment. I stand outside her door for a full minute, steeling myself. If she’s inside wearing that barely there outfit again, I’ll just have to avert my fucking eyes this time.

After all, I’ve seen women wear much less ...and with much more intention.

Drawing a deep breath, I force myself to knock on the door. It swings open to reveal a beaming Shannon, her cheerful greeting instantly easing my nerves. “Hey, West!”

Well, that’s one problem solved.

“Oh, hey, Shan,” I say, forcing a casual smile. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” she murmurs in return, her eyes lighting up with genuine warmth. “Jade just ran to the store. She said you might stop by while she was out.” She steps aside, creating a clear path for me. “Do you want to come in?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.” I nod, making my way inside, even as a strange sense of disappointment tugs at me.

Disappointment? No, it’s just ... well, surprise that Jade already left, especially since she knew I’d be coming over.

Shannon reaches for the iced latte in my hand. “Here,” she offers. “I can stick this in the fridge for now.”

“Alright. Will Jade be gone long?” I find myself asking, even as I wonder why I care so much.

“I don’t think so,” she reassures me, her gaze flicking toward the door. “She said she’d be right back.”

She glides toward the fridge, her movements graceful and poised. And once she’s placed the drink inside, she ushers us over to the living room couch. As I settle in beside her, my gaze falls on a pair of large posters on the wall—a framed image of the Bobcats’ team mascot and a Superstars action poster from years ago.

Jade’s favorite team, presumably. It’s a bit random, but I suppose she must have grown up somewhere in the state.

“Awesome.” I lean back, draping my arms over the back of the couch, as I force my attention back to Shannon. “I’ll just wait until she gets back, then.”

“Sure,” she says, shifting to face me directly. Her expression turns curious as she asks, “Are you guys ... So, you’re actually friends now?”

“Yeah,” I affirm quickly, “I’d say we’re friends.”

Her gaze flickers over my face, as if trying to determine the sincerity of my statement. “She told me you asked her to the banquet.”

“Yeah, I did,” I confirm, raising a brow. “I mean, I thought ... you’re going with Cam, right? It could be a good chance for all of us to hang out.”

“That’s true,” she says, her wary gaze softening into a smile. “To be honest, I was kinda surprised he asked me.”

“Why’s that?” I probe, genuinely curious.

“Well ... I thought you might ask me.”

I swallow hard, a tinge of guilt washing over me. Okay, I had just insinuated I wanted to sleep with her a few weeks ago. Now my best friend is inviting her to the banquet while I’m here playing some juvenile game with her roommate.

“Oh, uh, yeah,” I mumble, attempting to gather my thoughts. “Well, Cam and I both wanted to go with a friend this year. He thought of you first. You know how it is.”

Her soft laughter fills the room, the sound easing some of the tension. “I am glad you’re taking Jade, though.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” she echoes. “She keeps going out with these complete duds. I’ve been trying to set her up with an athlete, but I’m not sure who to choose.” She pauses, twirling a strand of honey-red hair between her fingers. “Maybe she’ll meet someone at the banquet.”

“Wait, are you serious?”

Shannon’s been trying to set Jade up with a random athlete while I’ve been secretly maneuvering her toward Cam. I mean, simply to fulfill the terms of the Trade ... not to actually date the fucker.

“What?”

“You’re trying to set her up with someone?” I ask, my tone edged with a mix of disbelief and caution.

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