“I’ve been drooling over it since I first arrived,” she tells him, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Let’s do it.”
“Gah. Yes!”
Gah?I didn’t take Jenna as a “gah” type of girl, but what do I know? And what the fuck has she been drooling about?
The letter comes to mind and my stomach sinks. Not that I get time to process it before Jack’s phone erupts in a siren and the room stills. Me included. Jack curses while Jenna steps back,her subtle eye roll making it clear she knows what that particular ringtone means.
Though, I doubt she has anything to worry about this time. Not with the way tonight’s playing out. If Jack wants Jenna, now’s his chance. Even he’s smart enough not to walk away from that.
“I’ll be back,” he says, surprising me, my eyes flashing to Jenna’s to find her expression neutral.
“Sure thing. I’ll get my bikini on and meet you by the pool upstairs.”
Jack leaves the room and I groan under my breath.Mother. Fucker. The pool on our balcony runs right past my bedroom window. I should have gone out. Why the hell did I cancel—
“What’s that about?” Jenna asks, cutting into my thoughts, her eyebrows perfectly arched.
“What about?” I expect her to ask about Jack, but I’m off base.
“The groan.” She playfully smirks.
“Oh, nothing important,” I lie. “I’m shocked you’re bothering with a bikini. You’re not shy about your body. It’s dark; why not skinny-dip?” I’m trying to be an ass except now I’m picturing her naked in my pool and that’s not ideal.
Jenna’s head drops back as she laughs out loud. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you? Maybe you could join us. I believe I’m owed a peep show.”
“As tempting as that sounds…” I fake a smile, letting the sarcasm drip from my tone. “I’m good. You kids have fun.”
Jenna grins but I don’t let her say anything else as I turn, walking away quicker than I need to, her parting giggle sending a shiver down my spine.Why am I letting her get under my skin?I promised myself I wouldn’t.
I pass Jack as I walk into the hall, and the regret in his eyes stops me in my tracks.Nooo. Fuck. Surely not.Come on, Jack, you’re better than that.
Taking a deep breath, I spin around at the same moment he delivers the blow to Jenna. “I have to go. I won’t be as long this time but—”
“No,” I boom from behind him, making him jump. “For once in your life, think about what you’re doing.”
“I am.” He looks back at me, a scowl marring his expression. “Tracey needs me. She’s—”
“Using you, Jack. Can’t you see that?”
“She doesn’t have anyone else, asshole. Just because you’re not capable of caring about others doesn’t mean I have to be selfish.”
Jenna gasps as her gaze bounces between us. “I don’t think—”
“It’s fine,” I cut her off. “You’re right. I’m the selfish one. Go.”What do I know about being there for someone who can’t look after themselves?
With a glare my way, Jack steps closer to Jenna and whispers softly so I can’t hear what he’s saying. She smiles back at him before he turns to leave.
My jaw aches from how tightly I’m clenching my teeth, but it stops me from saying more as he stalks toward the garage.What the hell is he thinking?
He flips me off, slamming the door, and I lose my restraint. “Real mature, dickhead.”
I huff as I turn around, finding Jenna’s curious gaze locked on mine. “You didn’t have to do that. He’s free to do as he pleases.”
“I love him but he’s a fucking idiot. All he ever does isdo what he pleases.”
She laughs and the lightness of it instantly calms me. She’s clearly not as affected by this as I am. But she has no idea how fucked up that relationship is. She calls, and he goes running. I used to think he had a crush on her, and that he was waiting for his shot. I’ve since discovered he likes being her hero. It giveshim some kind of fucked-up high, which was fine when it wasn’t affecting anyone else, but now, he’s ditching Jenna for her.
