Page 112 of Ensnared

“No.”

Iglare at him. “Get.Out.”

Heexamines his nails. “Nah.”

“Forfuck’s sake,”Iexplode. “Weare not friends.”

Shovingaway from the work bench,Istare around the barn, not sure what to do next.Theuncomfortable acheI’vehad in my chest the past few weeks turns hot.I’llraid the doc’s supplies later.

It’sprobably heartburn.

IpullRyan’sold pocketknife out of my side pocket, then start flipping it between my fingers—butI’venever been able to nail the tricks the way he used to do. “YouthinkIdon’t knowI’mjust some guy in the same regiment that just happened to be around when it all went to shit?”Iscoff. “Idon’tcare.You’reall slumber buddies who like to braid each other’s hair or whatever, that’s fine.Whatevergets you hard.Butleave.Me.The.Fuck.Alone.”

Theoutburst feels good.Theyalways do.Butunderneath that is a sick, gnawing feeling in my gut.There’vebeen a lot of different run-ins with the guys over the years.It’salways been pretty clearI’mthe ugly duck of the heroic little swan crew.

Heatherwas the first one who made me seriously think about leaving, but it didn’t get much better after she left.Theshit the other day, realizing just what kind of person they really thinkIam... that’s got to be the end of it.Idon’t belong here—and they don’t want me here.Notreally.

Andas for her... well, whatever.She’sjust the latest girl around.She’llchoose one of them, and there ain’t a speck of doubt in my mind thatI’mnot making that shortlist either.

IrealizeI’mtowering overLucky.Wideeyed, he stares at me. “Forthe record,Ibraid my own hair.Beau’sthe only one with any skill at all, and he pretty much always refuses to help me.”

Myfists lift of their own accord and it’s fifty-fifty whetherI’mgoing to strangle him or chuck him out on his ass.

Luckygrins, lifting his own hands defensively. “No,Jayk!Domalready took my lunch money this week!”

Igrab him by his shirt and drag him off the bench.

“I’msorry.I’msorry!” he says, laughing. “Dude, chill,Ilove this shirt.I’llstop,I’llstop!”

Huffingout a breath,Iglare down at him.Hisdimple winks at me and, rolling my eyes to the ceiling,Ilet him go.

Hissmile changes in a way that makes me uncomfortable, andI’mjust about to throw him out again when he says, “Look, just for the record?Inever thought of you as just some guy who happened to be there.AndIget thatIdrive you nuts and you’re a grouchy bastard, butIlike having you around.”

Heeyes my head. “AndIwould totally braid your hair too if you grew it out.”Hisgaze drops down my body, and he grimaces. “I’mnot braiding it anywhere else, though.Idon’t care who you are, manscaping is important.”

Ishove him toward the door again. “Imanscape, dickhead.”

“Youmanscape your dick head?Wow, you should talk toBeauabout that.Prettysure you’re not meant to have hair there.”

Ipick him up and put his squirming ass over my shoulder, intending to toss him out this time, when the barn door opens.Inthe next two seconds,I’vedumpedLuckyand grabbed for theMK16 strapped under the workbench.It’sonly as my fingers wrap around the cold metal thatIrealize it’s justJasper.

Tensionbrackets his mouth and lines his shoulders, and an additional crease forms between his brows as he glances between me andLucky, who somehow managed to land neatly on his feet.

Flippyfreak.

Jasper’snext look at me is nothing short of hostile, andIslap the rifle on the bench and bare my teeth.Smiling.

He’salways telling meIneed to work on my body language.

Whenhe doesn’t say anything,Icross my arms and wait.Jasperdoesn’t come here without a reason—and it’s not because he’s worriedI’mfeeling up his boyfriend.

“Edenisn’t here.”It’snot a question, but his eyes scan the barn anyway like she might pop out of a shadow.Theylinger on the door at the back.

Yeah.Right.LikeMissMannersis coming anywhere near my bed before she’s due.

“Ithought she was spending today with you,”Luckymumbles.

Runninghis hands down the front of his shirt, he stops when he seems to realize what he’s doing.Hecrosses his arms, then uncrosses them.Asif giving up, he shoves his hands in his back pockets and leans against the battered truck.

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