Page 65 of I Am Lioness

Well, everyone except Jason, that is. He was more irate and more unreasonable than ever. Most of the time poor Emmanuel had to play the part of messenger boy, sparing us having to even look at one another. I felt awful throwing him in the middle, but he assured me he was happy to help where he could, especially when Jason was in the wrong.

Knox often asked why I didn’t fire the bastard and save myself the stress and my answer was always the same... because the season was almost over. I’d ride it out until we made it home and then cut him loose, giving me plenty of time to find someone who would be the ideal replacement before the following season started.

Just days prior to the fight in NYC, Knox and I had plans to head out to dinner. I was ready much sooner than I expected and decided to run downstairs for the valet pull the SUV around while I waited for Knox. The elevator doors opened to the lobby and coincidently, there stood a piqued Jason.

I stilled, unsure of what to say or do. When he made no move to utter a word in my direction, I rolled my eyes and huffed in frustration, brushing past him with a cold shoulder. A firm hand curled around my arm, jerking me to a stop.

“What iswrongwith you?” He asked with an irritated tone.

I turned to face him, inhaling a deep breath to quell the anger quickly rising to the surface. For weeks I'd been biting my tongue, holding back what I really wanted to say in hopes to keep things civil between us, but clearly my efforts were futile.

It was obvious he had no intention of laying to rest his ill feeling towards Knox or salvaging our friendship and I had about reached my limit.

The fragile glass bottle that housed all the things I tucked away on a daily basis finally filled to brim and exploded into millions of tiny pieces, thus letting the words pour out in a rush, free of hesitation or gentle filters.

“You, Jason! You're what's wrong with me!” I snapped, yanking my arm from his grip.

His head jerked back, brows knit together in a seemingly stupefied expression. “And what exactly have I done to you?”

I put a hand up and shook my head, disgusted he would even try to go that route. He knew I despised liars. “Pleasedo not play the innocent card, Jason. You know damn well what you've done. The question should be whathaven'tyou done?”

He raked a hand through his dark hair, muttering something unintelligible under his breath. Out of nervous habit, he adjusted his tie, then his blazer. “You want to have thisconversation now? Fine. All I'm trying to do is help you, Hazel.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Help me how? By blatantly ignoring me for absolutely no reason and holding some sort of grudge against my boyfriend? How is that helping me?”

Jason’s arms flew to the air, head tipping back. He groaned, his frustration apparent. I didn't care. I was equally frustrated, if not more. This shit had to stop.

He leaned his back against the wall opposite of me, crossing his ankles then his arms. “Let me ask you something. You're seriously willing to sacrifice everything forhim?Some spur of the moment prick who knows nothing about you?”

“I love him.” I said, holding my chin up proudly.

It wasn't lost on me that was the first time I'd said it aloud to anyone. I’d only recently realized it, but I hadn’t shared it with Knox in fear it was too soon for him.

“Are you serious?” His question was barked incredulously.

“I wouldn't joke about something of such significance. Knox knows everything there is to know about me. He gets me, puts up with me when I'm being difficult and puts me in my place when I damn well need it. And he's here for good, Jason. So you can either accept it and treat us both with respect or you can pack your shit and walk. The choice is yours.”

“Are you hearing yourself right now? You do realize you've only been together a few months, right?”

I shrugged. “Love has no time constraints, Jason. No rules. It's unpredictable and takes over your life when you least expect it. It comes hard and fast without warning, whether or not the moment is opportune or convenient. All-consuming and explosive, it just happens.”

“All hearts and butterflies, right?” He shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “God, he has you so wrapped around his finger you can't even see this for what it is.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t say I wasn’t interested to hear what his theory was. “Enlighten me then since you seem to be an expert and clearly I'm a blind idiot.”

“He's using you, Hazel. Are you really that blind? He's fucking using you!”

“Why are you so quick to jump to that conclusion? Why does everything have to be about money? Why does the concept of him and I actually wanting to be together seem so farfetched for you?

“Because everythingisabout money these days, Hazel!” He said, regarding me as though I were a naive child. “You have it and people want it, men want it.Hewants it. He was all too willing to drop everything in California and travel with a woman he barely knows. Does that seem logical to you, rational even?”

“Does it have to be?” I asked. “Sometimes the best things in life aren’t logical or rational.”

He sighed profoundly. “I told you in Vegas and I'll tell you again. He is not the man for you, trust me. You can do so much better.”

“Knox is my better, Jason! He's changed me for the better.”

“He’ll ruin you, your career, everything. Just watch… And when Panterra kicks your ass at finals, don't say I didn't warn you.”

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