Page 16 of Crossing Lines

I huffed and faced the bar, planting both my elbows on it, then scrubbed my face. I didn’t normally mind having two guys fighting over me, but this was awkward as fuck.

A warm hand rested on my shoulder and Owen came in close. “You came here to be with me. You’ve already spent all night with those guys.”

Keeping my gaze affixed to the blackboard behind the bar, I said, “But thoseguysare my players.” I didn’t know how much more of this I could take. It wasn’t fun. I wasn’t letting off steam like I needed to.

I snuck a glance toward the players, some laughing, others making obvious eyes at some of the men cruising the bar. Would Jonah find a hookup tonight? My gut clenched. Looking like that, he certainly would. My attention shifted to Jonah.

He stared back at me, his lips pressed into a thin line, then he sipped from a beer bottle.

Owen scoffed. “Come on, let’s go somewhere else.” Grabbing my elbow, he hauled me from the bar and across the dancefloor, winding through gyrating men to the other side of the room.

Was Jonah planning on watching me all night? He’d obviously sensed something was off with Owen. Or had he sensed my unease with the situation?

Owen dropped onto the end of a black velvet sofa backed up against a wall, then pulled me down next to him.

The men across from us on a matching sofa kissed and fondled each other under their open zippers.

I watched them for a moment. Normally, I’d find it hot. But not tonight, not when Owen was next to me and Jonah wasn’t. Fuck, I was a mess.

“Come on.” Grabbing my cheeks, Owen twisted my face to his. “Kiss me.” He leaned in, pressing his mouth to mine.

I forced my tongue between his lips, the taste of stale beer assaulting me. Leaning against him, I cupped his cheek in my hand and shoved all thoughts from my mind.

As his kisses grew heated, he slid his hand down my shirt and rubbed over my flaccid dick through my jeans.

“Stop.” As an unpleasant shiver wound up my spine, I flung his hand off me. I didn’t want him touching me. I couldn’t do this. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave.” I hopped up, my knee twinging. Fuck, not now.

Owen rose up. “What’s wrong?” He lowered his brows. “Your players can’t see you from here if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I shot a glance toward the dancefloor. Could I still see Jonah?

Jonah danced with a man in the middle of the floor, his hands on the man’s hips as they ground on each other. He cut his gaze from the man’s face to me and pushed him away, then stalked toward me.

“Fuck, I’m out.” I couldn’t do this anymore. I had no idea what to say to either of them, and I damn well didn’t want to watch Jonah pick up some guy. I strode toward the door, pushing men aside as I went.

Owen shouted at my back, “Where are you going? You can’t leave. I won’t let you leave!”

If Owen caught up to me, I might slug him. I glanced behind me. Jonah was almost reaching Owen. If Jonah got into it with either of us, fuck, I’d certainly blur the lines between player and coach. I wasn’t strong enough for this shit. After reaching the door, I raced down the stairs, two at a time. My fucking knee better not fail me now.

I took off running as soon as I hit the ground. I’d deal with the fallout tomorrow.

CHAPTER FIVE

JONAH

What the hell did that asshole do to Coach Gibson? I stomped my way to Owen, standing at the door to the club. Grabbing his shoulder, I twisted him around. “Hey, what the fuck, man? Why did he run off like that?”

He glared at me, his chest heaving with deep breaths. “Hell if I know. I didn’t do anything. He just freaked out on me.” His gaze darted around the bar. “Fuck, I better text him and get him back here.” He ripped his phone out of his pocket and stabbed the screen.

I stared at him. This guy was off. Why was Coach Gibson with him anyway?

“What’s going on?” Ace stepped beside me, puffing out his already wide chest. His gaze swept between me and Owen.

“Nothing. Nothing’s going on.” Owen peered into his phone. “He’s not even reading my text messages.”

“What did you do to him?” I poked him in the shoulder.

Fixing a glare at me, he said, “I told you, I didn’tdoanything.” He faced Ace. “And you can call off your guard dog.”

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