Page 68 of Fractured Faceoff

Had she… actually cared about him?

Had I misread her? I always thought Ava played with hearts like they were toys, but maybe she truly cared for him.

“Are you all right, sugar?” Jared’s drawl pulled me from my thoughts.

I blinked, meeting his gaze. “Yeah,” I murmured, trying to shake off the discomfort.

“You ready to go?” he asked, his expression open.

“Are you?” I countered, surprised by the question. I thought he’d want to stick around for a while longer, basking in the warmth of friendship—or whatever this was. Maybe linger for Ava's sake. This had all been for her, right?

He shrugged, glancing back at the group. “Yeah. Leave 'em wanting, you know?”

I didn’t reply. The air thickened with unspoken words as he pulled me into his arms. His fingers brushed back a loose strand of hair that had fallen across my face, and a shiver danced down my spine.

“How you handling everything? You good?” His voice lowered, almost intimate amidst the party noise.

I nodded again, grateful for his concern even if it felt foreign coming from someone like him.

“Good.” He smiled softly, relief flickering across his features. “I’m going to kiss you now, okay?”

“Glad for the warning this time,” I muttered, yet my heart trilled at his words.

The weight of everything fell away as I leaned into him, eyes fluttering closed as our lips met.

Jared’s lips brushed against mine, warm and tentative at first, like he was testing the waters. I leaned into the kiss, my body responding instinctively as his hand found the small of my back, pulling me closer. The world blurred—no sounds, no party chatter, just him and me. The heat of the moment ignited something deep inside me, something I hadn’t realized I’d been craving.

He deepened the kiss, his mouth moving against mine with a confidence that made my heart race. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once, like gliding down a steep hill on a bike without brakes. I could feel every tension I had dissipating, replaced by an electric buzz that left mebreathless.

When we finally pulled away, reality rushed back in like a cold splash of water. I blinked up at him, still reeling from what had just happened. Jared’s eyes sparkled with mischief and surprise.

But as I turned to look for Ava and Hazel, dread settled in my stomach. Ava stood off to the side, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her face burned with fury, her brows knitted together in disbelief or disappointment—maybe both.

And Hazel? She looked… conflicted?

I didn't know.

“Guess that didn’t go as planned,” Jared murmured, his voice low as he caught my gaze flitting toward them.

I shook my head slowly. “Nope.”

He offered me a half-smile but didn’t say anything else as he led me to his truck. He opened the door for me with an ease that felt oddly protective and old-fashioned. I slid into the seat, still feeling the warmth of our kiss lingering on my lips.

As he climbed in beside me and started the engine, I took a deep breath to steady myself.

“How do you think tonight went?” he asked casually, but there was an edge in his tone.

I shrugged, forcing a laugh that sounded more nervous than lighthearted. “Could’ve gone better? Your sister looked like she might throw something.”

He chuckled softly as we pulled out of the driveway. “Hazel’s always been dramatic.”

“Yeah?” My gaze darted to him; uncertainty twisted in my stomach.

“She’ll figure it out.” His tone remained easygoing, even though it didn’t sound entirely reassuring.

I sighed and leaned back against the seat, replaying ourkiss in my mind while worrying about how things would unfold now that everyone knew about us.

“Still worth it?” Jared asked softly, glancing at me as we cruised down familiar streets illuminated by streetlights flickering through shadows.

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