Page 54 of Not A Whisper

Jason takes a deep breath before his smile returns. This one, however, has an edge to it. “Ok, you're pissed. I get it.”

“Do you? Because you’re still standing here. My fist is going to meet your lip next if you don’t get out of here.”

I’ve never punched anyone before. I don’t know if it would be effective against a guy like Jason. Then again, my first time hitting someone with my car and shooting someonewas effective enough to stop my attacker. Maybe I’ll get lucky again.

Grant sighs. “She’s picking up bad habits from you, Trip.”

“Perfect timing,” Trip retorts coldly. “Now shut up.”

Jason chuckles, clearly nonplussed. “I like you scrappy, dollie. Maybe once we have a little chat, we can redirect this energy elsewhere.” Before I can respond, he kisses me again. It’s a swift kiss, with him pulling back before I can react. He drops his hands and steps backward.

I glare at him. “You must be out of your damn mind to think?—”

“Before you chew us out,” Trip interrupts. “We should clear a few things up. And by we, I mean this asshole.”

Jason turns sideways to look back at his friends, giving me a clear view of the others. Trip looks over at Grant from the armrest he’s resting on. Grant flushes and his mouth is pressed into a tight line as he straightens up from his leaning stance against the wall.

“I don’t understand why any of you are here.” I glare at all of them but look back at Grant. “But especiallyyou.”

Grant shoves his hands into his pants pockets before strolling toward me. Wanting nothing to do with him, I slide past Jason and move around the coffee table to put space between us. Grant pulls a hand from his pocket to reach out and grab me.

Anger warms the blood in my veins, causing it to boil. Oh, he wants to touch me? Fine. I let Grant catch me and even go toward him as he pulls me into his chest. When I’m within reach, I strike.

The resounding crack as my hand makes contact with his cheek is the only sound in the room. Grant’s face jerks sideways. My chest heaves as my hand drops to my side. Trip cackles from where he sits.

“Do you really think I’d ever let you touch me again?” I hiss.

Slowly,veryslowly, Grant straightens. As he does, he reaches up to rub his cheek. My hands curl at my sides.

“I’ve been humiliated, debased, used, and assaulted in the time that we’ve known each other.” Self-loathing sits like a bitter pill on my tongue, dissolving and leaving a thick residue behind that I’m trying not to choke on. “Despite that, I came to you asking to try for something more than games. I can’t believe I wasstupidenough to expect anything different.”

He opens his mouth, but I don’t want to hear it. Grant must’ve seen the way my body tenses as I prepare to strike him again because he wisely shuts his mouth.

I point at the door. “Get out.”

“No.” Grant shakes his head. The sharp edges of his face seem accentuated as the color continues leeching from it. He stares at me, his eyes bright and imploring me to listen as he holds my gaze. “There’snotanother woman, Briella. This is just a misunderstanding.”

Before I can respond, Jason scoffs loudly. “Misunderstanding? Really, Grant?”

“You sound like your dad, downplaying his manipulative bullshit to justify his actions,” Trip snaps. “Just fucking tell her, Grant.”

Grant rocks back on his heels before turning halfway around. “I sound likemy dad?”

Grant’s deathly glare is nothing to his friend’s in this moment. Trip’s cold stare is so icy that I swear I see frost gathering at the corners of his eyes. A vein in Trip’s forehead pops up and the tendons in his neck strain.

Wait a minute, is Trip furious onmybehalf?

“You heard me,” Trip spits through clenched teeth. “Clearly, you’ve been spending too much time with Garry recently.”

Grant’s cheeks turn red. When he turns back to face me, a flicker of something akin to shame crosses his handsome features. He opens his mouth but a knock at the door interrupts whatever he’s about to say. I wince as all three guys look toward it.

Oh no, Lance. He doesnotneed to be involved in this. I take a hasty step toward the door but Jason is already there, flinging it open.

Lance stands just on the other side of the threshold, with a pizza box in one hand and my iron in the other. The smile on his face falls at the sight of Jason standing before him.

“Hey, is that our pizza?” Jason reaches out and takes the box from my startled neighbor. “Thanks man. Did you happen to tip the delivery driver? They have it rough these days. Oh… and an iron? Weird move-in gift, but thanks.”

Trip beats me to Jason’s side and takes both items. “I’ll grab some plates. I know our girl has to be hungry by now.”

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