Page 47 of This Is War: All's Fair Duet
“How’d the game go?”
Pivoting ever so slightly, out of the corner of my eye, I catch the broad smile on Jaxon’s face before he answers. “Coach said he wanted a win for our first game, so he put me in to pitch. And”—the jackass draws it out, and Rya’s excited squeak comes through loud and clear before he finishes—“we won. It was a pretty epic start to the season.”
He has to know I’m fucking paying attention, and I’m certain he’s trying to needle me with his words. But whatever. I’d known I probably wouldn’t be starting tonight, so even though I’d held out hope, it wasn’t a surprise that Coach Kimball had chosen him over me. I grit my teeth. Especially since I haven’t had much of a chance to prove myself or make up for any of the bullshit that Coach is pissed about.
“Oh my god, Jaxon! That’s great. I’m happy for you.” After a notable pause, Rya’s voice floats into the room again. “Um. I take it that means Logan didn’t play?”
Jaxon wets his lips, his grin now stretching his face. “Nah. He’ll pitch one of the next few games. We rotate. But he’s fine. He gets it.”
“Oh. Okay. That’s good, I guess.” I hear the indecision over what to say next in her voice, almost as if she knows damn well she shouldn’t be talking about me to Jaxon.
My eyes crash shut. Why is she doing this? A bitter taste hits the back of my throat. Did she only come to me because Jaxon wasn’t there? The idea that I was her second choice has me struggling to maintain my composure. I raggedly inhale, bringing one hand to my eyes as they close. My thumb and forefinger rub ineffectively over the lids as irrational, gut-wrenching thoughts spin through my mind that have my head beginning to pound.
Jaxon chuckles. “Coach actually put us in the same room for the night, if you can believe that.”
There’s dead silence on her end of the call for a count of three heavy beats of my swiftly breaking heart.
After an audible swallow, Rya hesitantly asks, “He’s there now?” The worry in her voice is palpable, and it’s doing a number on my stomach. A sense of betrayal washes over me.
Unable to stop myself, I fully turn, my blazing eyes connecting with Jaxon’s. His lips quirk. “He’s not here right now, no. He’s shooting the shit with some of our teammates next door.”
My brows shoot up on my forehead, and I fumble withmy phone a second before tapping out a message to Jaxon and hitting send.
Is that how we’re playing this, asshole?
I don’t have a fucking clue if telling her I’ve been here this entire time listening to their conversation would be any better, honestly. Silently stewing, I stare at the screen. It hasn’t been more than five seconds when the message clicks over from Delivered to Read. Is he going to respond while he’s talking to her? A twitch of his lips gives me my answer. He hears me. And he doesn’t fucking care what I think.
The unrelenting pounding in my head is telling me to fight fire with fire. Two can for fucking sure play at whatever his game is. I grit my teeth, then blink, realizing I’ve missed more of their conversation.
“We won’t be back until sometime after lunch.” Jaxon casts a stealthy look in my direction. “If you’re not busy, we can meet after your last class.”
“Okay. That should work. So … five o’clock, maybe?”
Jaxon nods. “Yeah, sounds good.” He pauses, and I note that the expression on his face has changed, and I can’t quite read him.
Rya apparently doesn’t know what to make of it either.Quietly, she murmurs, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
There’s a hint of a smile on his lips as Jaxon runs a hand over his bare chest. “I just—” With difficulty, he works a swallow that I watch move all the way down his corded throat. Biting down on his lip, those dark eyes smolder as he peers at her from under a hooded gaze. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” His hand slides slowly down his bare chest where it comes to a rest on his abs. Can she see that? If she can… does she like it?Fuck.I wish I could see her face.
But— Eyes crashing shut, I slowly shake my head, my jaw locked. I also don’t want to know. It kills me to admit I’m terrified of what I’d read in her eyes if I were to get a look at his screen.
“I miss hanging out with you, Jaxon. I’m sorry I’ve been out of it lately.” Rya’s soft voice aimed at someone other than me is a shot to my gut.
“We’ll fix that soon enough. I miss you, too. Miss touching you. Miss burying my face in your neck. Miss the way you fuckin’ taste.” His words come out on a rolling growl that eats me up inside. A moment later, his eyes flick to me. To make sure I’m still watching, no doubt.
And I can’t fucking tear my eyes from him. My skin prickles with unease.What’s he up to?I shoot him anothertext.
Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.
His lips curve just before his tongue slicks over his bottom lip. “Rya.” Her name is ragged and needy falling from his lips. “Show me what I’ve been missing out on.”
My phone vibrates with a notification and then another, making my chest jerk. Holding my breath, I thumb it open. The air I’d just taken in gusts out as I read.
Don’t?
Don’t what, dickweed?
Rya’s halting voice reaches my ears. “Like this?”
