Page 117 of The Trade

“Okay.” I take a step back, creating some distance between us. “Rule number one: don’t touch a girl without her permission.”

“That’s a good tip.” He smirks. “What else you got for me?”

Pausing, I pop the top off my beer, taking a moment to draw in a deep gulp. “Don’t flirt with a girl that’s taken.”

“So, you and West are still going strong, huh?”

“That’s not your business,” I say sharply. “And he’s your teammate. Don’t you think you’re crossing a line here?”

He just shrugs. “Teammates share all the time.”

“Gross.” I recoil, making a face. “One last tip, don’t say shit like that.”

“I don’t see the problem with sharing, Jade.” He licks his lower lip, eyes unabashedly roving over me. “You’re hot. I’m hot. West is hot. We can all have some fun.”

“Alright.” I back away further. “Well, I’m gonna go vomit now.”

“Oh, come on,” he protests with a lazy drawl. “I’m just fucking around. You think I want West to kick my ass?”

“Honestly, I don’t know what you’re playing at,” I snap, frustration bubbling in my voice. “But I’m leaving.”

As I turn to go, he calls after me, his slimy parting words sending a shiver down my spine. “Come find me if you get bored.”

Wending my way back to Shannon, I find her seated amidst a group of her fellow teammates. They’re all immersed in lighthearted banter, their laughter echoing off into the night. A soft smile tugs at my lips as I approach.

“Hey.” Shannon gives me a wide grin, patting the space next to her. I take a seat, allowing the comforting buzz of their conversation to wash over me. Emmy’s here, too, and she gives me a sweet smile, her cheerful demeanor perking me right up.

Despite not being part of the team myself, the girls are all welcoming, and it helps me to relax, to feel a little bit more at home here.

But the moment is abruptly shattered when Cassidy strides up to us, her coy smile setting my teeth on edge.

“Hey, you,” she drawls, the faux sweetness in her voice forcing a grimace. “I don’t believe we’ve crossed paths tonight.”

“No, we haven’t,” I say, trying to maintain my composure. Her presence is like an unwelcome gust of wind, disturbing my small sliver of peace.

She slowly sips on her drink, eyes narrowing slightly. “Seen West tonight?”

I shake my head with a wince. “No, I haven’t. I didn’t realize he was here.”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” She smirks, the pretense of innocence doing nothing to mask her malicious intent. “I forgot you two broke up for a moment. It’s a good thing, though. He just had me on my knees earlier.”

The cheerfulness of the group evaporates instantly, replaced by a tense silence. Shannon’s eyes flash with anger, while Emmy stiffens, her friendly demeanor hardening.

“Cassidy, that’s enough,” Shannon snaps, her protective instincts kicking in. “Stop trying to stir up drama. It’s not welcome here.”

“Seriously, Cass,” Emmy chimes in, her voice tight with annoyance. “Enough with the mind games.”

Caught in the middle of this unexpected storm, a familiar discomfort creeps in. The night suddenly seems too long, the party too loud. A need to escape this situation claws at me.

“Shannon,” I lean in to whisper, my voice barely audible over the sound of the bonfire. “I think I’m going to head home. I’m ... tired.”

Her gaze softens, and she gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll come with you.”

I shake my head, not wanting her to abandon her post. She’s been working hard to ensure everything goes smoothly tonight, and she deserves time to enjoy it. “No, you need to stay. I’ll be fine.”

“But—”

“Really, Shan. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

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