He shoots me a glare while winding a guitar cable around his arm. “For your information…Mercury…” he sneers my name, “… I’m here checking out the arena. The Atlanta Hawks play here, and I think that’s cool.”
I snort. “Since when are you into basketball?”
Effa’s hand rests on my knee, grounding me with that one simple touch.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Mercs,” Jett says, his tone shifting. There’s an edge to his voice, like a warning. He sets the cable down and walks to the edge of the stage, pausing beside Effa. “Full house tonight,” he mutters.
She nods. “Twenty-one thousand. I love a full crowd.”
Then he turns to me, smirking. “Can’t imagine you care about size, cupcake. Unless we’re talking ego.” He chuckles. “Because I know there’s not much going on in your pants... if you know what I mean.”
Effa has seen me naked more times than I can count. The guy can try all he wants, but he’s just making himself look pathetic.
“Why do you have to be so mean?” Effa asks gently, her voice all soft concern.
I wrap an arm around her carefully and kiss her temple, so I can watch Jett’s jaw tighten.
“Because, Eff,” I say casually. “He’s jealous. He hates that I have you, and he doesn’t. So now he’s trying to prove something. It’s textbook shit. But it won’t work.”
She smiles up at me, and that alone is enough to make it worth saying.
But Jett’s not done.
He shifts his weight. “If you ever change your mind, cupcake, you know where to find me.” His tone darkens. “But just so you know, Mercs has been calling another woman behind your back. Tells her he loves her all the time. Some girl in Ligonier. That’s why I’m like this,asshole. Because I care about Effa, and you’re using her. Hurting someone else who’s waiting for you back home.” Then he turns away, leaving one final word hanging in the air like a hammer. “Shame.”
Effa’s gaze jerks to mine, her eyes wide, shimmering like she’s seconds from crying.
Shit.
I grab her shoulders, turning her to face me fully. “Effa… listen to me. I’m not calling a girlfriend. I don’t have one back home or anywhere other than right here,” I say firmly. “But I am calling a girl. Two, actually… my gran and Kiera. I tell Kiera I love her all the time.”
Her breath releases in a rush, her whole body sagging in relief as she closes her eyes tight. “Fuck…” she whispers, then lunges into my arms. “I can’t believe I even let myselfthinkJett was telling the truth.” She pulls back just enough to meet my gaze. “But hearing you say you love your sister… that’s honestly the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I tighten my arms around her. “I wouldn’t do that to you. I’mnotthat guy.”
Her big eyes lock onto mine, soft with emotion. “I know. I mean… I knew that.”
“He heard me say ‘I love Kiera’ and ran with it. Didn’t know who she was, didn’t ask. Just decided he needed to play hero. I can’t stand him, but he thought he was protecting you.”
“See, he’s notthatbad.” Effa giggles through the tension.
I raise an eyebrow. “Sweetheart, you’d find something good to say about a venomous spider. But that jackass needs to back off. And now, I have an idea.”
She tilts her head. “Oh?”
I take her hand, “Come on,” and I lead her toward the crew room. She follows, giggling as we weave through the mostly empty stadium.
“Should I be nervous?” she teases.
“Nah… maybe,” I reply with a smirk.
In the crew room, I grab my backpack and pull out my iPad. I gesture for her to sit. Her brows knit in curiosity before she takes a seat.
“Mercs… what are you doing?” she asks as I tap open Facebook Messenger and start a video call.
The screen connects, and the camera shows a kitchen counter.
Gran’s voice calls out, “Kaden, sweetheart, I wasn’t expecting your call!”
