Page 29 of A Dark Duet

He swallows, and he looks at me. “I was always your friend, Giselle. I just made a stupid high school mistake in taking money for something I always wanted.” I blush, not expecting him to say it aloud.

Jace smirks. “Yeah, Brie, we did things that were stupid but also did things that we always wanted. You were my girl first.”

He stays looking at her with desire and I know he is referring to the time when Brie gave him her V-card.

I clear my throat. “The usual for you boys, the traditional breakfast with orange juice?” I ask.

They both nod.

“We will pick you girls up on Friday for the game,” Jason says.

“Okay, we will be ready at five p.m. at our place.”

“We know where it is,” Jace says.

I’m not surprised they know where we live. In a small town, word travels fast. He probably asked Joe.

When they’re finished, they give us a big tip, like last time. Jason grabs my hand before I turn to go. I look at his hand on mine and he releases his hold. If it was Nate, I would have gotten flushed and wet with goose bumps. I kick myself inside my thoughts, always thinking about him. I need to remind myself that he doesn’t want me. He made sure of that.

“Are you seeing anyone?” he asks.

“You asking if I’m seeing Nate ‘The Reaper’ Phoenix?”

He nods. I look at the television, replaying the entertainment channel where Nate signs the girl’s breast. He follows my gaze, and he watches the same thing. I turn to look back at him.

“That should answer your question.”

I clear the table as he gets up to leave in his white, fitted T-shirt and blue jeans. It’s a shame I don’t feel the instant pull, but attractive he most definitely is.

He stops before he leaves and says, “He doesn’t deserve someone as beautiful as you. See you Friday.” When he passes by me, I can smell his cologne that I will soon compare to the man who caused me many sleepless nights.

Brie walks up to me and says, “I’m sorry I accepted for you like that, I just saw the TV, and it pissed me off for you.”

“It’s okay, I get it, you’re tired of me moping around.”

“He really likes you, and I think he always has. It will be great for you to go out for a change of pace.”

“How about you and Jaden?”

“It was just sex. He doesn’t want me. Imagine when he finds out where I come from, or finds out who my mom is,” she says.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

* * *

Friday comes quicker than expected. Brie is at my apartment, and we are drinking some white wine, wearing jean shorts and tank tops with a raven logo to support the team.

I can hear the loud muffler of a truck pull up since I’m on the lower apartment floor. I hear a knock on the door and it’s Jason and Jace wearing windbreakers that are part of their team uniform to pick us up. They smile and hand us special passes with lanyards around our necks. I catch Jason looking at my ass when I turn around to leave my apartment.

He turns red and runs his hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Giselle. Didn’t mean to...”

I hold up a hand. “I get it, you’re a guy. Just make sure I don’t catch you all the time.”

I don’t mean to flirt, but it must be the wine.

We walk up to Jason’s big black lifted truck with big tires. I’m glad it has electronic side steps so I can get in without climbing to open the door. Once inside, the plush leather seats hug me as I sit in the front with Jason, while Brie and Jace sit in the back.

We reach the players’ entrance of the football stadium. They are playing here in our home state even though they are the opposing team.

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