Page 70 of Catch
“Our hockey team never comes to our regattas,” Reese comments. “Clearly there’s a close friendship between your groups.”
Ethan nods.
“Dane’s our captain and he’s dating Jackson, so it started there. We’ve also attended school events together and now we’re all friends. And on occasion, rivals.”
“Rivals?” I scoff. “Please, there’s no competition. We creamed your ass at soccer.”
Ethan blows a raspberry, and I shake my head at his ridiculousness.
“Once. I still say we deserve a rematch.”
“Want to get another buzz cut?”
“Fuck no,” Ethan exclaims as he runs a hand over his head.
“What’s a soccer game got to do with your hair?” Reese asks.
“The bet was that the losing team had to shave their heads. Jett took way too much pleasure in cutting mine.”
“You still look hot, so stop complaining.”
Ethan gives me a heated stare, and I’ve never wanted to have a party over and done with so badly before.
“Are you guys looking forward to hosting the national competition?” Reese asks.
I startle, and shit, I almost forget Reese was standing there.
“Yeah, I’ll be the student ambassador for rowing, and Ethan for hockey. We’ll be leading the Welcome Day event.”
“Cool. We should hang out,” Reese says as he taps my arm. “We could get together one-on-one? Maybe have dinner? I’d love to take you out.”
I don’t miss the flirty tone or the implication. A few weeks ago, I might have taken Reese up on his offer. But now I have a preoccupation with a mouthy, infuriatingly hot hockey player.
“Sure. I mean, hanging out is great, but?—”
“Jett’s got a boyfriend.”
I glare at Ethan. The fuck is he playing at? Boyfriend? How did we go from fooling around to that?
“Oh, where is he?” Reese asks. “Didn’t he come to watch you today?”
Ethan slides his hand up my back to cup my neck.
“He certainly did.”
CHAPTER 17
JETT
There’s no mistaking Ethan’s proprietary gesture, and I break out in goosebumps while my skin flushes hot. My mouth is so dry that I can’t say a word as Reese stares at us. I look around, but everyone else is busy with their conversations and not paying us any mind.
“I see.”
“Good,” Ethan remarks and drops his hand as if nothing happened. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to grab another drink. I’ll be right back.”
He stalks off, making his way through the crowd and into the restaurant, and I stare after him.
“Jett, I didn’t mean to overstep—” Reese starts.
