Jada squirmed some more, and I didn’t care that I was sounding pissed off. “He’s kind of intimidating.”
My head fell back as I let out a loud laugh. “And you want to fuck him?” Her face was beet red, and I didn’t care.
“Quinn!” Jada hissed as she stepped forward. “Shh! I just want to know if he’s interested.”
Shaking my head in pity, I looked at her hopeful gaze, and with exasperation, I turned to look for him. He was easy to spot, deep in conversation with two of the defense for the team. He was leaning against the wall, a beer in his hand, his face tight with concentration as the three of them discussed who knows what. Football, most likely. I would bet my life it was football. His eyes flicked tomine and held. An eyebrow was raised as he looked at me, and completely pissed off with the whole situation, I made my way over to him.
I noticed the other two guys looked me over the same way Gray did, but the heat oftheirstares meant nothing to me.
“What is it?” he asked as I reached them.
“Jada wants to know if you’re interested in her,” I said to him and ignored the two other guys’ laughs and whistles.
Light blue eyes held mine, and I glared back at him.You’re pissed, his look said.
Yes, I’m fucking pissed, my stare said back. I saw his mouth curl in a smirk, and I broke the stare as I looked over the crowd.
“Why she sending you?” Gray asked as his grin stretched.
“Because she thinks you’re scary,” I sneered at him, my tone telling him exactly what I thought of that.
Gray laughed. He so rarely laughed freely, my eyes snapped back to him in surprise. “Why’s that funny?”
Gray stepped up beside me and looked over at Jada, his eyes running over her. “Because I am.”
He took another step, and my hand caught his wrist as I turned my back to the crowd and looked at the wall behind him. “Don’t.” My head dipped down, but I still felt his stare as he turned his head to look at me.
“Don’t?” His tone was low, angry. “Why should I listen toyou? You never listened to me.”
“Gray . . . please.”
“I wouldn’t.” His breath tickled my ear, and I felt the knot in my stomach unravel as I turned my head slightly to look at him. “Any girl who can’t tellmeshe wantsmeherself, I’ve no fucking time for.”
We stared at each other for a heartbeat more, and then he stepped away from me, my hand dropping from his wrist, and as I turned back to look at the crowd, I caught Ash watching me. Ididn’t see where Gray walked to, all I saw was Ash, and I saw his hurt.
God, this was messed up.
With a tilt of my head, I gestured to the door, and I saw his small nod in acceptance. I really needed another drink, but I walked toward the front door anyway. Turning to look over my shoulder, I saw Jett watching me. Ava was held close to him, her back to his chest, with his arms wrapped around her as they watched the party. He gave me a small, encouraging nod, and it gave me a boost as I reached the front door and headed outside to have a long-overdue conversation with my ex, but more importantly, my friend.
Several people were still outside. The scarers were still doing their jobs, and I was startled as a skeleton jumped out at me. With a laugh, I carried on walking until I spotted a bench a little way down the street from the house, and feeling a bit self-conscious, I sat down as I zipped my costume over my chest.
I watched him walk down to meet me. His hair falling loose over his forehead, he needed a trim. Ash walked with his shoulders straight, which meant he wasn’t comfortable, but he was still coming, so that was a positive . . . right? With no hesitation, he sat down beside me, his manspread taking up half the bench.
“Still hogging the seat,” I murmured with a small smile, and I heard a huff of laughter as Ash sat up straighter, his legs closing a little.
“Habit.”
“I know,” I replied as I crossed my hands on my lap.
“Strange to do it now, isn’t it?” he began as we watched people pass us by. “Is this too open?”
“Probably,” I admitted. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“Want me to walk you home?” he asked, and I could hear the hesitation in his voice, which is why I said yes. I shot a quick text to Jett to tell him to tell Ava I was heading home, and I put myphone back in my bra. Ash noticed my “pocket” and grinned as I shrugged.
Slowly, we walked to my apartment, and neither of us spoke. The silence was actually companionable, and despite the chill in the air, I enjoyed it. At the foot of my stairs to my door, he looked at me for the first time since we started walking, and then at the door.
“I don’t know if my cousin would let me survive the night if I go in,” Ash told me gruffly.
