Page 39 of Only Ever Yours
She blinked as if processing what I’d said.
With a jerk of my chin, I gestured downstairs. “I should get back. Night, Hollis.” And I, once again, walked away from what I really wanted.
Chapter Fifteen
Hollis
I slammed my bedroom door behind me and sank down on the bed.
Why was I getting upset over a stupid game? So what if Jase wanted to fuck and marry Felicity? It was only a game.
I shouldn’t have gone downstairs and got involved in the pre-stag shenanigans because now I was stressing about something that could never happen. Although, the more I thought about it, the more I wanted it to happen.
I want Jase.
I’d known him practically forever, and we’d always had a level of attraction to each other. An attraction that had only increased since I’d moved back home.
And now, I want more.
How had something so simple become so complicated in such a short space of time?
Trying to put the whole situation out of my mind, I snuggled down beneath my duvet and tried to sleep. As I was about to drop off, my phone vibrated on the bedside table. It was probably Ella checking what time we were meeting tomorrow. Ignoring it, I squeezed my eyes shut,only to hear it vibrate again.Probably an app notification.When it pinged for a third time, I had to find out what was that important.
Jase
I really don’t want to kill you…
Jase
I mean, any of the other options would be way better
Jase
Shit, I’m so drunk right now…
What the actual fuck? I debated whether to reply but took the last message as the truth. If Jasewasdrunk and I acted on it, and it all went pear-shaped, then I wasn’t sure I could handle it. Taking the sensible approach, I switched my phone off and tried to sleep.
Of course, my brain wouldn’t quit, recalling the events of the evening and going through several scenarios and what-ifs. I dozed on and off, never getting more than an hour. By the time I got up, I felt more tired than when I’d gone to bed.
When I went downstairs, Jase sat at the kitchen table, resting his elbows on the edge, head in his hands, a mug of black coffee in front of him.
“Morning,” I ventured.
At the sound of my voice, his head jerked up. Dark circles ringed his eyes, and he looked like he’d got even less sleep than I did. “Hi.” There was a gravelly rasp to his tone, like he’d drunk and smoked all night. His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “Did we message last night? Like, late?”
Oh, he can barely remember doing it.Thank God I hadn’t replied.
“No. What makes you think that?” I feigned innocence.
Jase frowned. “Not sure. Just thought I had.” He blew out a breath. “I really shouldn’t have had that last shot. Well, shots really. I have no idea what time I went to bed. My phone’s dead and I haven’t charged it yet.”
“I didn’t hear Barney and Liam leave,” I lied. The front door had banged loudly around three, and I heard one of the neighbours shout out about the noise.
“Yeah, they were still up with Finn. I was out of it.” He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms up behind his head. The movement made his T-shirt pull tight across his chest, outlining the shape of his nipple ring.
I swallowed hard, my mind going back to the first night I’d been there and seen him coming out of the bathroom, all pecs and tats. “Ready to do it all again tonight?” I asked, trying to drag my mind away from that vision.
“Remind me not to do shots, though.” He laughed. “Or who knows what might happen?”
