Page 33 of Confusing Hearts

“No, thank you,” Anita said. “That’s Jenna’s thing. I hate those stupid games.”

“Jenna’s thing, huh?” I asked, turning towards my mate with open curiosity. She blushed and shrugged. “Okay, so me and Jenna, against Liam and Patrick.”

My brothers high fived each other happily.

“Easiest battle ever,” Patrick said.

“You’re going down, little brother,” Liam added. “And Jenna, FYI, he hates to lose.”

I laughed, knowing it was true, but the thought of my mate actually enjoying video games and wanting to play with me brought more pleasure than winning ever could. It only took minutes into the game to realize Jenna knew how to play, too. We pulled ahead quickly.

Anita laughed. “Jenna’s only competitive in two areas: academics and video games. She’s competed in Worlds the last four years.”

“Damn,” Liam said. “If I wasn’t already mated, I’d marry you.”

The growling bubbling out of me was cut off when my brother nudged me in the side. I pushed him back and soon we were play fighting, flipping over the back of the couch onto the floor as we wrestled.

Patrick shrugged. “Wolves. What can you do?”

Jenna gave one quick glance our way and then turned her full focus back to the game. “Just you and me then, leprechaun.”

Patrick laughed heartily. “You’re on, princess.”

A few of my frat brothers started trickling back in. And at some point I hadn’t noticed, Anita and Matt disappeared. The brothers all cheered on the game as Liam and I joined in. It had felt good to wrestle with my brother. So much felt like it was changing fast, but my family was one thing that I knew would always remain constant.

It was a close matchup, but in the end, Jenna easily defeated Patrick all by herself. Pride welled within me. Others were already forming teams and claiming next challenge. A few tried to take on partners with Jenna, but she was firm with them.

“Sorry, Chase is my partner. He just got a little distracted”—she gave me a stern look—“but I’ll give him another chance. Do it again and I’ll be hunting for a new partner,” she threatened half-heartedly.

We spent the next five hours taking on team after team. She was relentless, amazing, probably the best Call of Duty partner I’d ever played with, and she was mine. She held her own with all my brothers, both family and fraternity.

Anita and Matt had snuck back in at some point, and I couldn’t help but wonder if the stupid challenge was already over. They seemed quite cozy together, and happy. It didn’t go unnoticed that she was no longer wearing the sweats I’d given her.

“In your face, Damon!” Jenna yelled, taking the final shot to end our closest game yet.

She had been on her feet, fully invested in the action, for much of the match. Her victory dance was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen.

“You’re a nerd,” I said as she sat back down next to me.

“That’s really no big secret,” she admitted. “But you, Chase Westin—who knew you were such a nerd?”

My brothers all laughed.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a chick over to play with us, so it’s a well-kept secret. You’ll have to sign a confidentiality agreement. We can’t have it get out that our most eligible bachelor and campus ladies’ man is a closet video game junkie,” Damon teased.

I hated the title, and I really hated that I couldn’t claim my mate before them. Even my fraternity brothers couldn’t know about us. So, I kept my mouth shut and took the ragging while chancing a sad look at Jenna. I could see the emotions swelling in her eyes and knew she felt the same.

Looking at the clock, I realized it was 3 a.m. already.

“We should get you girls home, it’s getting late,” I said, not really wanting her to leave, but not wanting to press my luck, either.

“Jenna, you’re welcome anytime. Xbox is always open,” Neal told her.

“My purse is in your room,” she whispered as we stood up and I led her back to my room. The second the door closed, I pulled her in for a kiss, but I knew we couldn’t indulge. The last thing I wanted was the others thinking that my mate was easy and available.

She took off the sweats, showcasing the sexy little outfit she had chosen to wear to the party. It felt like that had been ages ago. My stance on the thing hadn’t changed. Alone, in my room, for my eyes only, it was the sexiest sight in the world, and I loved it. Knowing she was about to walk past most of my brothers in the skimpy little thing, set my wolf on edge.

“We still on for the library tomorrow?” I asked hopefully, trying to distract myself.

---