Page 20

I fell back down onto my heels in defeat and spun around, forcing him a few steps back with two hands on his chest. It wasn’t that I didn’t like Jaymes. It was just that…sometimes I really didn’t like him.

He was pushy. And pushy got old, quick.

“You leave my bed empty for weeks and then come in here and try to sneak my top-shelf? Tsk, tsk,” he said, stepping back into my space.

I scoffed, mildly amused. “If you think I’m going to feel sorry for you, you’re delusional. I’m sure you’ve had no trouble at all finding a new bedtime companion.”

He smirked. “But you’re still my favorite.”

“God, you’re such a douche,” I said through an unwitting smile.

Honestly, I didn’t know why I liked him. Probably because he made me laugh with his stupid and blunt honesty. There weren’t enough wholly honest people in this world, so sometimes the rare ones who were came off as complete assholes. Prime example: Jaymes. Could I really fault him for that?

Absolutely. I absolutely could. But I also respected him for it.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, running it down the length of my arm before taking my hand in his and pulling me to the side. He reached up and grabbed the bottle I’d had my eye on and poured us each a shot. I held my glass up to him, and he clinked his against mine, his dark eyes boring into mine.

Something I hadn’t mentioned about Jaymes before? He was far from unattractive. Tall, toned. Mischievous eyes and a dimpled smirk to match. Sometimes I didn’t understand why I couldn’t let myself like someone who made it so blatantly clear that he wanted me.

“To getting you back into my bed, and hopefully under me, real soon,” he toasted, biting my chin before tossing back his shot.

Ah, there it was.The understanding I was missing two seconds ago.

I swallowed my shot in one gulp, wiped his slobber from my chin, and started making my way back to the living room.

He pulled me back by my hand, forcing me to turn around and face him again. “In all seriousness, I miss you.” He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in for an aggressive, arms-squished-to-my-sides hug before releasing me. “I miss our sleepovers. I miss the way you crazy-talk when you’re dreaming, and most of all,” he paused for dramatic effect, “I miss accidently copping a feel in my sleep.” He winked, and I shoved him away with a sarcastic laugh.

“Always a pig. Tell me again—why are we friends?”

He clutched his heart as if my words hurt him, mocking me. “That’s cold, Jess. It really is.”

I shook my head at his stupidity, biting back a smile. Why did I like him? Why did I hate him? Once again, it wasn’t lost on me that Jaymes plus Jess equaled complicated.

When I turned back around to leave the kitchen, Sara was standing there eyeing me suspiciously. I shrugged my shoulders and rolled my eyes, relaying a silent:Typical Jaymes,and left for the living room, plopping down onto the couch. Two seconds later, Jaymes followed, sitting down right next to me. He threw his arm around my shoulders, giving me zero space.

I saw the way Greyson’s jaw clenched from clear across the room. His eyes were burning holes into the side of Jaymes’ unsuspecting face.

And yeah, this whole scenario was not good for my case.

“You know what,” I said, tossing Jaymes’ arm up and off of me. “I think it’s time for me to go. I’m tired.” I yawned.

He quickly nudged my head towards his crotch. “Aww, babe. Right here, in front of everyone? Okay!”

I smacked his hand out of my hair and sat back up. “In your dreams,” I groaned. Jaymes had the lovely habit of shoving my head towards his manhood every time I yawned, saying I was already halfway towards a blowjob, so I might as well make that last stretch.

“Every night,” he responded, making a crude gesture with his fist.

Yep. He never failed to remind me of the many reasons I also couldn’t stand him.

Greyson stood suddenly. “I’m heading out, too. You need a ride home, Jess?” He was simply asking. At least that’s what it must have looked like to everyone else, but I felt the way his eyes reached into me, pleading, demanding. It made my stomach flip.

“Um, sure. Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks,” I replied. I stood from the couch and gave everyone in the room a small wave before following Greyson outside; he hadn’t acknowledged any of them.

We made it halfway to his car before he spun around on me. “Does he always talk to you like that?” he asked.

It took me off guard. The anger behind his words more than anything. “Who, Jaymes? Have you met the guy?” I laughed. “Of course he does. It’sJaymes.”

“Doesn’t it bother you?”