Bree fixes me with a “make it right” look, and I subtly nod. “Don’t go.” I curl my fingers around Ash’s slender wrist. “I’ll leave. I don’t want to ruin your lunch date.”
“If you’re expecting a thank you, you’ll be waiting.” She levels me with a biting look, and I want to smash my lips to hers and show her sassy ass how much I adore her.
Bree grins, and I already know these two will become the best of friends. I like that for them. They need one another. It also means I have another way of staying close to my girl.
Taking my sandwich from the tray, I shove it and my bottle of water into my backpack before removing the tickets from the inside pocket. I was hoping to give these to Ash after practice, but now works better. It’s not advisable to give the team another show so soon after the last one.
“I got these for you,” I say, offering them to Ash. “I know how badly you wanted to go to that photography expo. I was hoping we could go together.”
Ash audibly gulps as she stares at the tickets in my hand. “How did you get these? That expo has been sold out for months.”
“I have my ways.” Grinning, I unfold her hand and place the tickets on her palm. Her fingers brush against my arm, sending a flurry of tremors cascading over my skin, and I visibly shiver.
Bree smirks, and I’d flip her the bird if I wasn’t so laser-focused on Ash.
“So, will you go with me?” I ask, closing her hand over the tickets and keeping it there.
Her chest heaves, and I see the conflict raging in her eyes when she tips her chin up to look at me. “No.” She places the tickets down on top of my bag. “It was a thoughtful gesture, but it won’t sway my mind.” Pain glimmers in her eyes as she stares at me. “I can’t go on a date with you when you’re planning to marry her.”
Rejection slams into me, but I don’t know why I’m surprised. I knew this would be her answer.
“Please stop trying, Jase,” she adds in a whisper. I spot the tears welling in her eyes before she lowers her gaze to the floor. “You’re hurting me and only making it worse.”
Sympathy splays across Bree’s face, but she doesn’t interfere. I like that she’s not picking sides or forcing anything.
“I’m sorry,” I say in a quiet voice. “That is the last thing I want.” Plucking the tickets up, I put them back in her hand. “Take the tickets, Ash. Go with Chad. Maybe you’ll be inspired to use that new camera he got you.”
I don’t wait to hear her reply, walking off and leaving the girls to their lunch.
ChapterFifteen
Jase
“Fuck, I ache in places I didn’t even know existed,” Chad complains after we exit the showers in our bare feet with towels wrapped around our waists. Coach put us through our paces today, and it was an especially rigorous training session.
“What’s the matter, Cap? Can’t hack the pace anymore?” I tease him, using his old nickname, with a heavy heart. I’ve been singing the blues all afternoon since my conversation with Ash at lunchtime. I think I have seriously blown it with her, and if I don’t fix things soon, I will lose her forever.
“As if.” He elbows me in the ribs, and I laugh as I pad to my locker to grab my clothes.
“Ash told me about the tickets,” he says, opening his locker alongside me. “You did a good thing.”
He wouldn’t say that if he knew I let the air out of her tire this morning. The guy I sent over to fix it said it was already pumped up when he arrived. Ash must have arranged for someone to do it. I doubt Chad even knows she had a flat, and there’s no way that dick Ares would have done something nice for her.
“Fat lot of use it’s done me.” Dumping my bag on the ground, I sit down on the bench. “I think I’ve lost her for good, and I can’t even blame her.”
“You should tell her you love her.” He drops down beside me.
I shake my head as I dry off and pull on my boxers. “I’ll only admit that truth when I can offer her my whole heart and my dedicated commitment. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us otherwise.”
“Maybe you’re right.” He pulls his boxers on before tugging his shirt down over his head while I shimmy my jeans up my legs.
I stand to fasten the button as O’Sullivan and Wentworth approach.
“Sup, dudes?” O’Sullivan asks, injecting himself into our conversation.
I jerk my head at the newcomers as I continue getting dressed. I have zero desire to talk to the douche.
“Is something up?” Chad asks in a cool tone while stepping into his jeans.
