Page 27 of One Last Puck

“Aye, nigga, let her go.” Jax yanked Liam away from me. His voice was low and commanding. “Don’t fucking touch her.”

His fist was balled up.

“Chill out, Jax. I’m just trying to help her to her room.”

My room?

“Nah. She don’t need any help,” Jax replied.

My heart stumbled for a second. Was he coming to my defense?

“What’s wrong, Jax? Couldn’t handle me winning the bet?”

Bet?The word “bet” sliced through the air like a knife, deflating the little bubble I was floating in. My chest tightened, and my eyes widened.

“What bet?”

Jax’s face tightened, and he dropped his head.

“I can explain, Faye,” he said quickly, but the tightness in his jaw told me I wouldn’t like the explanation.

“What bet, Jax?” I repeated, holding my breath, waiting, and dreading the words I knew were coming.

“We bet on who would sample the hot new reporter first.” Liam shrugged, smirking with way too much satisfaction.

“Nigga!” Jax moved to him, shoving him again. Now, there were eyes on us.

“Y’all bet on who could fuck me?” I clarified.

“Yep, and I would have won too if it wasn’t for this hating ass nigga.”

Liam’s words hit me like a punch to the gut. They’d bet on me.

“How could you?” My voice was shaky.

I stared at Jax. He didn’t seem like the type to entertain something so destructive or childish. He played me. Anger wasn’t even the word for how I was feeling.

“Faye…” Jax started, but I held up my hand.

“No. Fuck you! Fuck both of you!” I spat, turning to flee.

I needed fresh air and to get out of here before someone started recording.

“Wait, Faye!” Jax yelled, chasing me out of the party as I pushed through the crowd, ignoring him. My heart was pounding as I raced toward the exit. There was nothing he could do or say that would erase the fact that he’d bet on me like I was a damn racehorse.

I stepped outside, and the cool night air slapped me in the face and burned my unshed tears. I pulled out my phone to order a ride.

“Three minutes away. Great.” I paced back and forth. My thoughts were spinning out of control. Why did I even entertain letting my guard down? Why did I almost fall for his game? I leaned against the curb, biting back the tears that threatened to fall.

“Faye!” Jax’s voice was behind me, but I refused to look at him.

“Leave me the fuck alone,” I replied, my voice cracking.

“I’m sorry, Faye. I didn’t mean for you to find out like that. It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“That’s supposed to make this better?” Tears spilled down my cheeks now. “You have no idea how messed up that is! You voted on who could fuck me and then sought me out like damn predators.”

I was speaking through clenched teeth, not wanting to make a scene.

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