Page 28 of Trip Through Your Wires

“Don’t be like that,” she shakes her head with a purse of her lips. “It’s not a good look on you.”

“Like what?”

“Mad.”

“I don’t get mad.”

“Fine,” she counters. “Jealous then.”

“Jealous?” I laugh incredulously. “Are you kidding?”

“Hey, you’re the one who came in here with guns blazing.”

“I came in here because you shouldn’t go off alone with guys you don’t know. That includes teammates that I barely know.”

“Give me a break.”

She starts to turn her head and I grip her chin gently and bring it back to look at me. “I swore to you that night I would keep you safe.” I drop my hand. “And I meant it. No matter what.”

“It’s…just a party.” Her reply is gentle, her eyes warm.

“I know, but you came here with me so it’s my job to look after you.”

Her eyes pierce right through me like she’s seeing into my soul, and damn, that same wall of air that hit me the first time I saw her, hits me again.

“How can you keep me safe if you’re with someone else?” she whispers.

My eyes search hers, not understanding. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw you.”

“Saw me…what?”

“It’s okay.” She steps back. “You’re allowed to have a social life. I knew who you were when we met.”

“Social life?” I shake my head.

“I shouldn’t assume you aren’t seeing anyone just because you don’t talk to me about it.”

I drop my chin to my chest and take a deep breath. “Sparky, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Sex,” she spits out. “I’m talking about sex.”

I lift my head and grin. “Didn’t they just play that upstairs?”

“Jake…”

“Jenica…”

“Come on.”

“Come on, what? What do you want me to say?”

“I want to know if me being here is stopping you,” she says in exasperation.

“Stopping me from what?”

“Getting laid!” She throws her hands in the air.

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