Page 90 of Triple Power Play 3
He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. “Please. I heard hergiggling”—he draws out the word, as if it means something far more sinister—“in your office. She’s practically begging for it.”
That’s what this is about? I couldn’t wait to get rid of Patty. Reece’s text was a godsend. I left right after.
Aurora sucks in a sharp breath and rubs her sternum with her fist.
Forget Hugo. I’m going to murder Jax.
With my hand out, I step toward her, and she steps toward Reece. He smirks and draws her to him.
I drop my arm to my side. “She was showing me pictures from earlier today—of the players holding puppies. She drives a fucking minivan! She probably has kids and a husband.”
Maybe she’s recently divorced. Maybe she knows I’m divorced. Maybe she’s aware of my history—that is her job, after all—but I have no idea why Patty is suddenly interested in me.
“How do you know what she drives?” Aurora’s gentle voice is elevated. She’s working herself into a panic.
I point a finger in Jackson’s direction. “Hetold me!”
“Only because I planned to light it on fire if she continued to flirt with you!”
Reece has the audacity to snicker while Aurora appears horrified.
I glare at Jax and growl, “Why are you like this?” through clenched teeth, attempting to gain some composure. “Please tell me you didn’t set her van on fire.”
His lip curls and his brows lower in incredulity. “I wouldn’t set her van on fire during a game. I’m not an idiot.”
“You could’ve fooled me,” I shoot back.
A thought comes out of nowhere.Is this what he was like with Aurora? When they first started dating?ButI toss it aside—that’d be ridiculous and crazy for him to turn that intensity on me.
And obsessive.
Right up his alley.
“Is she cute, Jax?” Aurora asks, her tone stronger but still apprehensive.
“No. She’s not,” I cut in. “It doesn’t matter.Nothingis happening—except for your husband skating laps until his legs break. Or I break them. One or the other.”
He shrugs off my threat. “Anyhow. Why are you all meeting without me?” He flops into the chair across from Reece as if he didn’t barge in here and provoke Aurora’s insecurities.
“No. We’re not brushing this aside.” With every word I speak, my irritation grows—and here I thought nothing could kill my post-sex vibe. I gesture to Aurora, whose face is tight with worry. “You deliberately upset her to retaliate against me for something that exists solely in your imagination.”
He clenches his jaw. His demeanor shifts, becoming rigid and indifferent, but I know him. He’s anything but indifferent.
“Whatever. Just tell me what the fuck is going on.”
I don’t miss the flicker of hurt in his eyes. It stabs at my chest, but I can’t allow him to keep using her as his outlet for anger.
Sometimes, I think he acts absurd to lighten the mood or take the heat off others by directing it at himself. Most of the time, his antics are entertaining, but Aurora doesn’t find the threat of other women funny.
Unlike with him, she hasn’t got my ring on her finger as security. All she can rely on is my word.
And whose fault is that?
With that thought, I drop into my seat and rake my fingers through my hair. I release a heavy sigh and lift my head to meet his gaze. “What did I tell you? If you have a problem, come to me. I’m not stepping out on this family. Ever. I was with Aurora because something happened, and instead of focusing on that, we’re focusing onyou.”
“Do I even matter? From the looks of it, you had no intention of including me.”
Reece straightens in his seat and adjusts Aurora on his lap. “That’s my fault. I asked him to come without you. I didn’t want to ruin your game.”
