Page 61 of The Game

Although the thought of standing up there in front of a crowd and letting some girl bid on me is not appealing. Not if it’s someone other than her.

“Let me know if you need anything else from me before then,” she says. And it feels a little too close to a goodbye. Leaving it up in the air whether we’ll see each other or talk to each other before the auction.

“I’ll text you.” I promise her. I may not get an in person meeting, but at least I’ll text her. Remind her I’m still here for her whenever she needs me. God, how did things get so fucked up so quickly?

“Good night, Cole.

“Night, Coffee Girl.” I want to steal a kiss. One more before I go. Taste her lips. Let me know she’s okay after all that happened, but I don’t have that right.

She’s pale and a little shaky, and every cell in my body is aching to reach out. Comfort her. To explain why I lost it like that. Finding him towering over her, touching her. All my protective instincts came roaring to life. Seeing her threatened like that intensified the feelings that have been growing ever since she walked into my life.

My palm falls to the door after she shuts it, and I linger there for a minute, ten. I’m not sure, but it’s a struggle to leave her here by herself, and vulnerable.

Chapter 22

Mistakes Were Made

Jazz

“Okay, so this isthe list of silent auction donations I’ve got set up so far. I’m waiting to hear from the Blue Bottle downtown. I think they’re going to donate a voucher for a prix fixe dinner for two and it looks like Salazar’s is going to offer a VIP tasting and tour. Where are you at?”

I lean back against the comfy yellow couch in Amira’s shared house, pulling a stack of papers out of my bag. I rifle through them, searching until, yes. Those are the ones I was looking for. I hand them to her. “I’ve got us all setup with the Bean Bar for their coffee cart and snack service. And Jordan has hooked us up with Lena Gold for a book signing, so that will draw a good crowd of the bookish girlies, and we’ve got several special edition signed copies ready to go for the auction as well. The space is rented, and our insurance is all set up.”

The closer we get to the event, the louder the buzzing running through my veins gets. I’m a chaotic mess of nerves and excitement. It’s going to have a totally different vibe from a fancy charity gala, but with some similar components. More casual and eclectic with the coffee shop, bookstore vibe. Totally up my alley and perfect for the college crowd we’re trying to bring in. It feels perfect to me, but what if it’s too eclectic for my professor?

“Fantastic. We’re at about fifty percent capacity for the ticket sales and once we get our line up of bachelors firmed up, I think the rest will fly.” She’s nibbling on the end of her pen. “How’s it going with the hockey guys?”

I blow out a breath. “They said they were on board when I asked them last Saturday, but I haven’t finalized the details about who is for sure going to be there.” Procrastinating? Who me? No way. My last interaction with Cole has been running through my head on a continuous loop, and it is not helping the nerves.

Amira is pretty perceptive, though, and she must catch the slight hitch in my voice. “Trouble in paradise?”

The list of book donations in front of me is suddenly very fascinating.

She reaches out, placing a warm hand on mine. “Hey, is something going on with Cole? If it’s a problem for you, we can get by without them. I’m in this for you.”

Her words ease my shoulders a little. I know I’ve been avoiding contacting Cole after everything that happened. The incredible sex and closeness we shared that was blown awaywhen I saw that ugly edge of jealousy and possessiveness. That’s exactly the opposite of what I need in my life right now. Another controlling man in my life.

I sigh. “Everything is okay. Something happened with Darryl and Cole got all defensive and it freaked me out a little.”

Her eyes are narrowed to suspicious slits. “Did he do something to you, Jazz? Are you okay?”

A hard knot settled in my chest after he left, and it hasn’t left. I’ve been keeping everything locked down so tight, but I need to talk to someone. I need a friend. I’m used to relying on myself because there wasn’t always enough space for my thoughts and needs in the crowded house I grew up in. But it’s time. It’s time I let go a little. “Darryl showed up drunk at my house on Halloween. I opened the door, thinking it was Cole coming back after he dropped me off. Darryl got handsy and pushy. He wasn’t taking no for an answer. Turns out, Cole came back and came charging to my rescue. He yanked Darryl away from me.”

Amira gasps. “Did he hurt you before Cole showed up?” She squeezes my hand.

“He grabbed my arm, tried to kiss me, but then Cole got there.” That first moment after I laid eyes on him, something clicked in place. So much relief, but then when he called me mine, he claimed me. It was suffocating.

“I’m so sorry that happened. Did you call the police?”

“No. He ended up leaving, but the problem was, Cole took it too far. He really laid into Darryl. At first, I was relieved and a little smug, but then it was scary. It turned into a pissingcontest of male dominance, and I’m not an object to claim. I didn’t really like that side of Cole. I didn’t want to be alone, but having him there was overwhelming, so I sent him home, and haven’t seen him since. It was my fault. I know better than to open the door without checking who it is. I was just so excited to see Cole again.” There’s the real truth. I was looking forward to seeing him and it made me foolish.

“Jazz!” The harsh edge to her usually soft tone jerks me up from the paper I’m staring blankly at to find her focused on me, brow pinched together in anger. “Listen to me. You are not responsible for what they did. You’re not responsible for Darryl harassing you and you’re definitely not responsible for the way Cole acted. They’re both grown ass men who should know better, and if they can’t handle their own emotions, that’s their problem. Did Cole hurt you?”

I shake my head. “No. It just scared me a little seeing him like that. And… Can I tell you a secret, Amira?” I look around as if to make sure no one is eavesdropping, even though I know there’s no one else here.

“Of course.”

I check out the ceiling, the picture of a galloping white horse on the walls. Anything but her. This sounds weird even to me. “Cole and me. We’re not really dating.” A sharp twist of pain squeezes my heart as I hear myself saying the words.

---