Page 22 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

When you “look” like the bad guy, you’re one to the rest of the world until the facts are forced to the table. By the time that happens, the damage is already done. Reputation ruined because you looked the part far too well.

That’s why I had to be careful.

I couldn’t afford to get into public fights right now.

“You what?” Jayce questions. He doesn’t buy it. Can see it written all over his face.

As if Mikayla would text anyone aside from him.

When I dated Mkaykay, he absolutely hated it and did everything in his power to break us up.

I doubt Mikayla really knew the extent he’d go to have her back and get me out of the picture, but destiny played in his favor in some way because I became her second ex.

“I texted him,” she states again and even pulls out her phone real quick. “See.” She shows the screen to him before she reads what she texted me.

Or my reply.

“You texted both of us when you were drunk,” he complains, looking utterly irritated.

It’s funny how he’s here making trouble but acting like we’re wasting his time.

Priceless.

“Well, you both left me on read,” she replies and shrugs.

“I didn’t leave you on read,” I counter, which surprises her.

“Yes, you did,” she replies and looks at her phone.

Only for her eyes to grow all wide with horror.

I’m smiling by the time she’s peering up at me with those red cheeks that make her far too cute.

“Y-Y-Y…” She can’t even fathom a word, which has me chuckling because it’s far too adorable.

I’ve missed this side of Mkaykay. Her bottle of anxiety makes her mind short-circuit and relies on me to fish her out of it, so she doesn’t drown. She always thought of it as some con or a disease that crippled her from being the perfect teenager, but I never saw it as a flaw.

It complimented her in different ways and helped her in others.

“When you texted, I was boarding a plane here,” I reveal to her surprise. “I couldn’t reply before we were taking off, so I had to put my phone on airplane mode after I pressed send. Was coming back from Hawaii so the flight was a bit extensive.” Thirteen-hour flights are brutal.

“I doubt it sent until after I landed. Wasn’t sure if you’d be down for dancing on short notice, but figured I should hold my side of the bargain.”

Speechless, she gawks at me.

I take that as a ‘checkmate, I win’ move and glance back at Jayce, who’s obviously disappointed.

“So I’m here to see Mkaykay and enjoy some movement on the dance floor.” I know Jayce hates dancing, which is why I’m using it against him.

Fierce tactics to get what I want.

“Been a long time since I’ve seen our Heartbreaker Queen, so figured a kiss was in order.”

His eyes only further darken at the nickname.

He wants to kick my ass.

I know he does.

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