Page 9 of Fast Break
I try not to think about JT as I finish off the dishes after dinner, and I try not to think about him as I set off back upstairs to finish my homework for my other classes. But all I can think about is the extra chair under my desk that JT sat on, and he is never far from my thoughts.
And later that night after I sink into bed, I try really hard not to think about JT as I try to relieve the tension that has had me ready to perk up at the blow of the wind all afternoon. I try so hard, but I can’t help it if it’s his face I see when I touch myself, his sweet smile and that ridiculously peachy ass that stay in my head for the rest of the night.
***
Jace is waiting in the student carpark when I pull into a vacant space the next morning. He’s been doing this a lot recently, more specifically since my breakup with Devon, but I’m trying not to read too much into it. Jace and I have been friends for years and he’s always been an affectionate and generous guy.
He's holding two takeaway coffees in his hands, and I can’t stop the smile when he holds one out to me.
“For you,” he says.
“You don’t have to bring me coffee, Jace,” I say, taking it anyway.
“But I want to,” he pouts, sticking out his bottom lip and making me laugh. Jace is really very pretty with his long, copper coloured hair and unusual hazel eyes. Plenty of guys are into him but he’s almosttoopretty for me. My tastes run a little bit wilder and more overtly masculine. Once again, JT’s face pops into my head unbidden.
“How much do I owe you this week for all the coffees?” I ask, knowing he won’t take a cent from me. I try to make it up to him by getting something extra for him from the cafeteria at lunchtime, but I’ve started to worry he’s reading more into the gesture than intended. Benson even warned me about it the other day and if he’s noticed I know I need to cool things between us.
“Hit me with one of those smouldering smiles and we’ll call it even,” Jace replies, falling into step with me and knocking his arm against mine. Jace has no concept of personal space but it’s not just me he’s like that with so I don’t mind when he oversteps. He’s even more handsy with Benson. Eddie generally won’t put up with it though. The man sure likes his personal space.
“Well cheers,” I say, taking another long sip.
“How was your little science date last night?” Jace asks, eyeing me speculatively as we walk towards Specialist Maths.
“Fine.”
“Yeah? Does the basketball jock actually have two brain cells to rub together?” he scoffs.
“Hey, hey. No need for that,” I chide, aware there may be some jealousy in play here. Jace has caught me looking at JT a couple of times now and has made more than a few teasing comments already.
“What, you’re telling me the new boy is not just cute but also smart?” he asks, watching me for my response.
“People can be both you know,” I say, trying to keep my tone light. I’m not sure what to say here. I want to defend JT, but I also want to keep things easy with Jace.
“Case in point right here,” Jace laughs, motioning down his body.
“There you go,” I grin, neither confirming nor denying his statement.
“You could at least agree with me.” I think his eyeroll is meant to disguise a hint of hurt.
“I don’t think you need me to tell you anything you don’t already know, Jace,” I say instead.
“Which is that I’m hot and smart?”
“You never quit, do you?”
“It’s one of my best character traits.”
“Mmm,” I hum. “You say best, others might say annoying.”
“You say the meanest things to me, Quinn Dayton,” Jace gasps. “When all I do is buy you coffees and be nice to you.” He clutches a hand to his chest, swiping at imaginary tears.
“That’s what friends are for, right? Keeping our feet on the ground.”
“Why when all I want to do is fly?”
“You and Eddie do enough of that on the weekends already,” I chide as I push through the door to the maths building, Jace at my side.
“Speaking of, you in for Friday night? We’re meeting up at Eddie’s and then hitting the town.” He shakes his hips at me, and I pretend to sigh but I know I’ll be going with them anyway. It’s what we do, hang out on the weekends together. Have been doing since we started at Evergreen in our first year of high school. It also enters my thoughts that JT plays basketball on Friday nights so he’s out of the equation. Not that he was everinthe equation I remind myself as I follow Jace into maths class.
