Page 27 of Trip Through Your Wires

He turns around and when he sees me, holds up both hands. “My bad.”

I wipe the drops from my shirt and give him a quick nod. “Careful next time.”

I wait for Mallory to find her footing before letting go. When she does, he looks at her and smiles. “You okay, gorgeous?”

As if I hadn’t just saved her ass from face planting, she turns her back to me and tosses her hair over one shoulder. “I’m good, thanks.”

He runs a hand through his hair, then sticks it out. “Troy.”

She places her hand in his and returns his smile with one of her own. “Mallory.”

The two start talking and seconds later, he leads her away and the two disappear into the sea of people.

I shake my head and turn around, starting back for the living room when I catch a glimpse of a long, dark ponytail, heading downstairs. I’d know that head anywhere. It’s Jenica, and she’s being followed by O’Brien, our new shortstop.

Not liking the thumbs up he flashes to one of the frat bros he passes on his way down the stairs, I set my drink down and follow them. Snaking through the labyrinth of halls that make up the lower level of the fraternity house, I pass by open doors and couples making out inside, but no Jenica.

When I don’t see her anywhere, I turn to leave, but as I reach the foot of the stairs and prepare to head back up, I hear a faint but distinct laugh I’d know anywhere.

Turning around, I storm down the hall and yank the door open at the end. I’ve never been here before, but thanks to a black light and a few posters on the wall, I can see it’s a game room. I scan the space, eyes adjusting as I do, and then I see her sitting on a pool table in the center of the room and O’Brien standing between her legs.

“Sparky!” I call out from the doorway.

O’Brien turns and looks at me over his shoulder. “Hey Chambers,” he smiles smugly. “This room’s taken.”

Taken my ass. The only thing that’s taken is her. “Didn’t you come here with that naughty nurse?”

“Yeah,” he shrugs. “And?”

“Think I just saw her getting ready to leave with one of the guys from the frat.”

He turns around to face me, back now to Jenica. “You what?”

“Headed out the front door last I saw.” I hike a thumb over my shoulder, pointing down the hall. “If you leave now, you should be able to catch her.”

I don’t have to say another word. He bolts across the room and out the door.

“See you at practice,” I call out, while keeping my eyes on her.

Once he’s gone, she pushes up from the table and storms over to me, eyes flashing. “Why’d you do that?”

“You shouldn’t be down here with guys like that.”

“Guys like what?” She glowers at me.

I match her stance, my own eyes narrowing. “Players.”

“Funny,” she smirks and folds her arms. “Isn’t that what you are?”

“Depends,” I smirk. “Are we talking about baseball, or something else?”

“Oh please,” she rolls her eyes. “You’ve had your share of play, Jake.”

“Oh, so I’m Jake now? What happened to Hot Shot?”

“You don’t need to watch over me like some kind of guard dog,” she fires back. “I’m fine.”

“Guard dog?” I jerk my head back. “What the hell are you talking about?”

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