Page 46 of Out of the Shadows
“Haulbrook already made a pass at her, but she shot him down.”
My eyes went to the slender guy in the classic frat boy uniform that reminded me a little too much of high school. Well, he could fuck right off. Over my fucking dead body.
“Been keeping an eye on her or something?”
“You bet.” Jax cracked his knuckles.
“Thanks, man. I trust her, but these idiots here are capable of anything — rich people don’t like to be told no.”
Knox snorted. “What the hell are you talkin’ about, you’re a rich boy.”
I flattened him with an unimpressed stare. “Funny. Look at them, and then look at me again. Notice anything?”
He shrugged. “Whatever.”
I didn’t give a shit what he thought. I knew better. After all, I’d grown up surrounded by elitist, preppy idiots. Almost all of them were the same, and I wouldn’t take any chances with Hailey.
Once again, I found myself at a crossroads, not knowing which way to go. My first priority had been to get here — I hadn’t thought about what I would do once I got here.
Watching Hailey from a distance was second nature to me; I’d had years of practice. Not to mention, I enjoyed it. Iliked watching her do the most trivial things, liked seeing what made her tick, almost as much as I knew I would like watching her engage in all the depravity I dreamed of sullying her with.
I could just walk over, let her know I was here, and we could continue our charade.
Or … I could keep doing what I’ve always done — wait quietly on the sidelines. But this time I’d switch things up, see if I couldn’t push her just far enough to realize the decision had been made. The trap had snapped shut, the axe had fallen — and she’d walked straight into my waiting arms. Now, only the devil himself could pull her out of them.
“Is there anything to drink around here? I’m always parched after games.”
“Sure. Kitchen.” Knox pointed behind him with his thumb.
“Don’t you want to go say hi to your girl?” Asher asked.
“Nah. Not yet.” I shook my head, the corner of my mouth involuntarily tipping up.
“So you’re just going to watch her?”
“Yup. I like watching her.” That wasn’t a lie.
“Okay, TMI. Also — kinky. Wouldn’t have guessed that of you, Michaels.”
I snorted and shrugged, my eyes never leaving Hailey. This didn’t even scratch the surface of the things I wanted to do with Hailey Brentwood. Ever since I’d decided I wouldn’t let Hailey go, it felt like a different me was in the driver’s seat.
We got drinks, talked about tonight’s game, dealt with jersey chasers, some of whom surprisingly even made a pass at me. Considering my dick hadn’t gotten hard for anyone but Hailey in years and I had the physical specimen of my desires right in front of me, it was ridiculously easy to send them on theirway.
With my gaze literally burning into Hailey and a group of guys our size, it was surprising they hadn’t noticed at least one of us. It appeared they were too deep in conversation with each other and a couple of other girls from the cheerleading squad.
I couldn’t resist so pulled my phone out of my pocket.
Me: What are you up to?
From across the room, I watched Hailey check her phone and slap Ella excitedly.Interesting.
Hailey: Party at Beta house, wondering where my boyfriend is.
Chuckling, I put my phone away. I could have given her a hint, but where was the fun in that?
Hailey was a little tipsy and let out a bark of laughter as she gestured so wildly that she almost knocked the drink out of the hand of the girl next to her. Ella put a hand on her shoulder, and they exchanged a few words, then disappeared into the back of the house together.
That wouldn’t do. I jerked my chin toward the boys and strode off.
