Page 37 of Wrecked Rose

For several moments, we’re silent. It’s as if each of us is waiting for the other to do something or say something but each of us is a little confused as to what that would be.

Finally, Griff questions gruffly, “Are you okay?” before glancing down at his feet, clearly frustrated.

“Yeah. I’m fucking fine.” My harsh response makes his head snap up. “Jack’s an asshat who thinks he’s better than anyone who is even a little different than he is.”

He sucks in a breath, his chest heaving as he does. “Max, if Jack did what we think he did, I will help you kick his ass. He won’t get away with it. I promise I will try to find out who else was involved.” The swirl of angry emotion in his eyes makes them a brilliant blue. “I’d like to figure that out before we do anything, though. If that makes sense.”

“There will be no helping them once I know who was involved.” I grasp the back of my neck, looking up at him from under my lashes. “You shouldn’t get in the middle of it. It will only cause you trouble on your team.”

On a harsh exhale of breath, he grinds out, “I’m nervous that you standing up to him will put a target on your back. I wish you’d just let me tell him what a douchebag he was being.”

I force a laugh. “Fuck that.” At his startled look, I continue. “Sue meif I didn’t want to give him that ammunition against me.”

He stares at me, heat blazing from his eyes as he steps close. “What the fuck are you talking about?” he whispers furiously.

My jaw clenches as I stare into his blue eyes. “Look. I don’t need a white knight riding to my defense. I can take care of myself. He doesn’t get to watch you step in and save me.” I close the distance between us and murmur low, in a voice meant only for him. “It doesn’t matter who I want in my bed, who I want to be with, I’m no less of a man.” I hesitate a beat, my eyes studying his features as his discomfort visibly plays out across his face. On an exhale, I say, “And it wouldn’t make you less of a man either.” We’re chest to chest, close enough to look deeply into his eyes and see the torment, the angst, and the confusion that lie within him.

He releases a shuddering breath. “Max, I’m not ready for this.” His voice hitches. “I’m not ready foryou.”

I nod, because the only fair thing for me to do is accept what he’s saying, no matter that it’s tearing me apart inside. I would give anything to pull him to me in front of everyone and claim him for my own.

But he’s not ready.

A spark of hope ignites within me. He didn’t say he’s not into me. My gaze softens. “Okay. I get it. But if and when you are… I’ll be waiting.”

From inside the bathroom, the toilet flushes. “I’m heading down to the auxiliary gym. I don’t want to be here when he comes out.” Step by step, I back away from Griff, our gazes still locked together.

“Max.”

I stop. “Yeah?”

“Can I do anything?” His teeth sink into his lip, and based on the way my cock swells in response, the sight of him doing so definitely does something for me.

I laugh quietly, glancing at the bathroom door. “You mean besides keeping your asshole friend away from me?”

He gives me the cutest fucking smirk ever, complete with a dimple. “Yeah. Besides that.”

“Could you let Scar or Daph know I’ve already headed down to see Lyla?”

“You got it.” He nods.

I feel like there is some sort of understanding between us. Maybe it’s dumb to keep hoping this will ever go anywhere. It really all depends on Griff.

Chapter 25

Max

It’s not long after I take off toward the auxiliary gym to the gymnastics meet that I hear the sound of more than one person jogging to catch up to me.

Scarlett and her runner’s legs reach me first, with Daphne right behind her.

“Griff told us you were going to see Lyla. He said he thought you were okay but he mentioned a run-in with Jack.” Scarlett winces as she gazes into my stormy eyes. “What’s going on?”

“Yeah. It’s all good. I’m used to his brand of bullshit.”

Daph puts a hand on my shoulder as she finally is able to draw a full breath. “Is this about Sam?”

I wish it were as simple as that. “Kind of. First, the dude is a raging homophobe.” I keep walking, and they fall in beside me. “He had some really cute comments about me attending the wrestling match to look for spank bank material and then insinuated I’d get off on looking at his dick while he takes a piss. And of course, there was the thing he said at lunch—”

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