When I am finally able to look back at Jett, his chest is still rising and falling steadily with each deep breath, like he’s trying to compose himself. It had to be more than just average for him too, surely.
But before I can ask, Jett is turning away from me, heading back inside the house.
“We should try to get some sleep,” he says, over his shoulder.
I try to hide the wobble in my voice. “Okay.”
Following him back into the house, he closes the floor to ceiling sliding door behind me, and we retreat to our respective rooms.
Something in me drops as I replay the last ten minutes, trying to think of an explanation for why he retreated so quickly, why he shut down. All I can come up with is that my initial suspicions were wrong, and that I imagined a deeper meaning that was never there. It didn’t mean anything. It wasn’t real.
It was just any other kiss for Jett.
CHAPTER 18
JETT
“Maybe just keepyour mouth shut for this meeting?” Brooke taps her pen on the conference table in front of her. “You’ve already done enough damage, punching that waiter in the face.”
I roll my eyes in my usual aloof way, but under the table, my foot won’t stop bouncing. If Brooke wants me to kiss ass and apologize for that, I’m not going to. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The memory of Poppy’s face as she realized the criticism was being hurled at her still makes rage burn inside me. Still, Chase Montgomery never said why he called the meeting today, and I’m assuming that’s it. Either to slap my wrist or officially drop me as an athlete, I don’t know.
Jason is seated across from me and keeps fiddling with the knot in his tie as we all wait for Chase to grace us with his presence. So much for his values and ethics. Clearly those don’t extend to being a colossal waste of everyone’s time.
I’m supposed to be at training today, and although training means getting bullied by Mark and Dan, I’d take thatover sitting in this stuffy board room in a suit and tie getting a proverbial spanking any day.
“I mean it, Jett,” Brooke says when I don’t respond. “I’ve done a shit ton of leg work to convince Chase that this engagement isn’t just a publicity stunt. Behave, and don’t fuck this up.”
“Sure.” I cross one leg over the other and lean back in my chair. I don’t care what Brooke wants from me as long as we get in and out of this meeting quickly, and I can get to the gym.
I’m already going to be missing out on training this weekend. We’re officially in the throes of wedding planning, and despite much protesting from my end, my last full weekend to prep for the next competition will be occupied by an engagement party, a tux fitting, and God only knows what else Brooke has in store.
Suddenly, the door opens and in strides Chase. I’ve never met him in person, most CEOs don’t take the time to meet with their sponsored athletes, but I guess that makes me special.
I realize now that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a picture of Chase, and the tall, trim man in the grey suit isn’t at all what I imagined. Not based on the outdated morality clause he insists on putting in his athlete’s contracts. Because he’syoung.
Brooke and Jason both stand to shake his hand. I offer him a nod that’s really just a tilt of my chin.
“There he is,” Chase says, his blue eyes piercing through me as he takes his seat at the end of the table. “Great run last week. Put on a hell of a show.”
The way he emphasizes the wordshowmakes the hair onthe back of my neck stand up. I wonder if he already knows about the engagement, and if he’s here to tell me that the jig is up before it’s even happened.
“And I hear congratulations are in order.” Any trace of suspicion that I may have been imagining is gone from his voice.
“We’re very excited,” I offer. It’s a safe response, though I don’t miss how Brooke is clenching and unclenching her jaw, just waiting for me to screw up and say something stupid.
“And busy,” Brooke cuts in. “We have a lot to organize for the wedding in just a few short weeks, so if we could just get down to business here, that’d be great.”
Chase’s expression drops, as if he removed a mask, and suddenly the tone of the conversation shifts.
“As you know, Jett, Nuclear has a strict morality clause written into each athlete’s contract. Because we have strong morals and values that we hope everyone who works with Nuclear can uphold.”
I nod, grinding my molars together. I’m well aware of the clause.
“You’ve really put me in a tough position.”
“More of a missionary guy, are ya?” I mutter, earning myself a sharp kick to my shin from Brooke under the table. I clench my jaw to keep from cursing.
