Page 51 of Triple Power Play 3
“Well, isn’t that convenient?” Jackson grumbles before dumping an entire box of Snow Caps in his big mouth.
“Actually, it is. When she wanted to leave the game, she was able to tell me without worrying about others overhearing.”
“Wow, it’s incredible how you have a secret language with everyone except me.” From the death glare Ethan is giving her, he doesnotthink it’s incredible—at all. “You communicate with Jax through your eyes and understand each other’s thoughts. Now, you speak Spanish with him.” He nods in my direction.
“That’s because with us, she’s quieter,” Jackson says, quick to calm his bestie. “But with you, she speaks her mind. You both get heated and yell. Nothing is secret.”
“Clearly, something is secret.” Ethan cants his head at Aurora. “Got something you wanna tell me?”
Jax grabs the bowl of popcorn from the coffee table and pops a piece into his mouth. “Yeah, share with the rest of the class.”
I’m glad his snarky attitude has recovered. It’s better than worrying if he’ll take off. But fuck, he’s aggravating, and he knows it.
She presses her lips together and shakes her head.
Ethan arches a brow. “Easy way or the hard way?”
I push from my seat and place my hands on the table. He’s too rough. I understand he pressures her to open up, and Jackson must trust him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be sitting back and stuffing his face, but I’d never tolerate anyone threatening her, even Ethan.
Her shoulders slump. “I’m not hiding anything.”
His expression remains rigid, his steely gaze locked on hers. “Do we need to discuss this alone?”
I stand to my full height.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “I gave him a hug.” She gestures my way. “You didn’t say no hugs. I told him I wanted him to stay, and he got angry. That’s it.”
Jax makes a show of the popcorn. “Ooooh, this is getting good.”
I’m about to dump it over his head.
“Angry, how?” Ethan asks.
Walking into the living area, I lean against the counter and cross my arms over my chest. I guess we’re doing this.
“He said I was playing with his feelings.” She glances at me. “Which wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry.”
Jackson scoffs. “He wanted you to play with him in other ways.”
“Can you shut the fuck up?” I snap. “You make no sense.”
“Dude, she isn’t gonna fall all over you. She’s not like that. Whatever girls you’ve been fucking with, she’s not them.”
Aurora’s gaze drops to her fingers in her lap.
Ethan chimes in. “I don’t think that’s it. I think she was being playful, and he’s not playing. This is too serious for him.”
“Same thing.” Jackson shrugs.
Except it’s not the same. He knows talking shit about other women will drive her away from me. He tried the same with Ethan.
I let out a slow, frustrated breath and roll my neck. “It doesn’t matter. I’m staying. I’m sorry for getting angry, princess. It won’t happen again.”
They might discuss everything with each other, but that’s not me. I’ll figure this out with Aurora when the time is right. I’m afraid my feelings for her will ruin our friendship—if they haven’t already.
It was unfair of me to expect more from her, to be resentful when she didn’t explicitly sayshewanted me to stay.
23
