Page 4 of Blood Sport

My heart is pounding in my throat and my thighs are slick just by being in his mere presence. Shit, I don’t know how he can make me as weak in the knees as he does, but I’m not complaining. Sometimes, I wonder if he can feel the energy pulsating between us, but then I’m reminded of who he is and have no choice but to give up on the idea.

Because not only is he the captain of the soccer team, but he’s my brother’s best friend.

This means Jaylen Black is completely off-limits and it fucking sucks. He’s the forbidden apple that I so desperately want to take a bite from but know I’ll be poisoned if I do.

2

Evie

I desperately need a shower when I return home from the showdown with Roman. Sweat is slick across my skin, making my clothes feel heavy on my body. I just feel… gross and want nothing more than to rinse off under the spray of the showerhead. Maybe even a cold shower might do me some good.

Especially after seeing Jaylen.

Fucking Jaylen.

God the man is the most attractive human being I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I’m not being dramatic. He’s every girl’s wet dream. Not only is he insanely handsome and easy on the eyes, but he’s so damn charming that it makes my heart pulse so hard in my chest that I’m afraid it’s going to crack a rib. Something about him makes me want to rip his clothes off and be taken by him in such a primal way that it makes my cheeks flush and my core ache.

Not only is he good-looking, but he’s smart, too. He’s studying engineering at WSU with Miles. When I was in high school, Jaylen would talk about his interest in the structure of high-rise buildings and the way they’re designed. I often found myself intrigued listening to him talk about buildings he wanted to design in the future, even though at my young age I had no clue what he was talking about. But it was the way his face would light up with joy when speaking about it that would make me smile. It only made me like him more.

The only problem is, he’s my brother’s fucking best friend.

Miles would blow his top if he knew I had the hots for his best friend. The same person we’ve known since we were kids and used to come by the house almost every afternoon to play with us. Well, mostly Miles, but I always liked to jump in, especially if Rylee wasn’t around.

When we were younger, we were like three peas in a pod. We were always together, and when we weren’t, Miles and I would talk about how excited we were to see Jaylen the next day at school. Thankfully, Miles was cool with me tagging along in their friendship. Most big brothers would find it annoying, but not Miles. He always found a way to make sure I was included and never felt left out, which is something I have always appreciated.

As we got older and Miles and Jaylen started to get into playing soccer, to the point where they were on track to get a college scholarship, that’s when Miles began to become more… aware of me and Jaylen. It wasn’t until I was sixteen that Miles made the point that Jaylen was off-limits to date because he didn’t want me to get hurt. At the time, I didn’t know what he meant by that and was pissed that he was trying to control who I dated. But when I got to college, I finally understood Miles’s warning.

Jaylen is the biggest playboy in all of Washington State University.

It wasn’t until I went to my first fraternity party that I understood just how much Jaylen had grown into himself over the years and how much women loved him. At that party, it was clear that multiple women were ready to drop their panties for him in the blink of an eye if he asked them to, and he loved the attention. I mean, you would have to be blind to not be hypnotized by his charm.

From then on, I realized that it was okay for me to be attracted to him, but maybe Miles was right about not dating him. With the way that man smiles and makes my knees weak, I just know he would break my heart if given the chance, and I don’t know if that’s something I would be able to handle.

When I walk through the front door, Rylee is sitting in the living room with two other girls who live down the hallway from our room. They are watching the news like little old women. The headline reads, ‘Another body found in Pullman, bringing the victim count to five.’

Jaycee smiles at me from her spot next to Candie. “Evie, were you able to make it to class on time? I saw you flying down the stairs this morning like a bat out of hell.”

I plop on the couch opposite them, right next to Rylee. “I made it just on time, thank God. If it wasn’t for Rylee, I would’ve been much later than I was.”

Rylee nudges me with her elbow, and I look over at her. “Aren’t you glad to have me as a friend?”

I smile, knowing I’m more than grateful to have her as my friend. I would be fucking lost without her. “Absolutely.”

Jaycee’s short black hair swishes across the top of her shoulders as she looks at us, her eyes wide with excitement. “It’s Friday night, so how does everyone feel about going out tonight? I was told about this new hot club downtown called Black Rose. It’s supposed to have great vibes and even nicer cocktails. Who’s in?”

“Me!” Candie squeals, her brown curls bouncing around in small waves with the movement of her body. Her pale blue eyes are wide with excitement. “I’ve also heard about that place. Everyone is saying it’s going to be the hottest club in Pullman soon.”

I raise a brow at her. “Who has said that? I’ve never heard of this club.”

“It’s meant to be exclusive,” Jaycee explains, her eyes almost black. “You can only get in by invite, and thankfully, I know a guy from my class who was able to get us on the list for tonight.”

“Really?” Rylee says, looking between me and the girls. “Well, if we’re already on the list I don’t see why we shouldn’t go. Right, Evie?”

I sigh. I love a good night out hitting the town with my friends as much as the next college student, but I’m exhausted after the horrendous nightmare I experienced and the bad mood seeing Roman put me in. My mind is telling me to decline and stay in for the night with a good book, but my heart is telling me that I should enjoy this night out because I won’t be in college forever with these girls, so I should enjoy moments like these when they arise.

“Fuck it,” I say with a smile, which makes Candie squeal with excitement. “Let’s do it. But I have to shower first and attend my online class, but afterward, I’ll be ready for a drink.”

“That’s the spirit,” Rylee cheers, her smile wide. “This will be a night I’m sure we won’t forget.”

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