Page 3

CHAPTER 3

Tristan

W ithout a word, I spin on my heels, racing for the front door. I need air. The stinging betrayal and volcanic-level rage coil through my body like a snake, taking me over. Although Josh and I aren’t that close, he knows about the tragedy that stole my entire world in an instant. He knows each day that ticks by brings me closer to reliving that horror and blaming myself.

My hands clench into fists as I step onto the porch. My palms ache from my fingernails digging into them as my bare feet slap down the stairs to the sidewalk. I should’ve known better than to trust anything that came out of Josh Fowler’s manipulative mouth. That asshole only cares about himself.

Sucking in a big breath of oxygen as my feet hit the sidewalk, my gaze lands on Jordyn. She places her suitcase on the pavement of the driveway, her eyes lifting to mine. The concern in them as we engage in a silent stare down causes my anger to dissipate. She’s like a soothing balm, calming my frayed nerves.

“Jordyn, wait.” I jog over to her, my breathing accelerating as I draw to a stop, admiring the way her golden strands glisten beneath the sun. Her lightly tanned skin glows, a pink tinge coloring her cheeks as her gaze moves from my face to my bare chest. Her breathing accelerates as she looks away. I engage in a silent victory of beating my hands over my chest like Tarzan at her reaction to me. I affect her.

“Let me do that.” My voice is low as I move closer to her, breathing her in. Goddamn. She smells like strawberries.

She stiffens, her grip tightening on the handle of her suitcase. “I got it, Tristan. You focus on?—”

“I don’t wanna focus on her .” My words rush out in an attempt to remove the doubts from her mind. “I want to help you. And not because?—”

My mouth snaps shut as Janelle’s heels stomp on the pavement behind me. Tensing, I look over my shoulder, waiting for the tirade I’m certain is coming.

“I can’t believe you ran out on me to chase after this meek little nerd.” Her eyes rake over Jordyn, disdainfully, a disgusted smirk on her lips.

“Don’t fucking insult her,” I snap, losing all patience with Janelle. “Her name is Jordyn, and she has more class in her pinkie than you have in your entire trashy body.”

“Ohhh…. This is rich.” Janelle crosses her arms over her chest. “All protective over a little nerd you just met.” Her eyes slide to Jordyn, a calculating expression on her face. “Josh’s stepsister, right?” She smirks, her snakelike eyes narrowing on mine. “Didn’t Josh warn the team that his nerdy sister is off-limits?”

“I’m not his sister,” Jordyn straightens, crossing her arms over her chest, an irritated scowl on her face.

“Semantics.” Janelle’s eyes dart back to mine, a contemplative expression on her face. “I’m pretty sure that wanting to fuck Josh’s stepsister is something he won’t like.” The venom in her voice makes me want to grab her by the hair and drag her to her car .

Nausea churns in my stomach . I can’t believe I let this bitch touch me.

Grinding my teeth, I step closer, my demeanor threatening. “You’re a fucking bully.” My cold gaze slides over her disdainfully as I forcefully spit out my next words. “You’re not going to spread lies about Jordyn and me.” Another step brings me toe-to-toe with her. “I have a pretty good story I could tell daddy that involves you and three members of the Wolverines.”

Janelle’s eyes widen slightly before she shakes it off, attempting to hide the fear flashing in her eyes. “That’s just a rumor.” She waves one perfectly manicured hand dismissively. “He won’t believe it.”

I cock my head, a vile smile on my lips. “Is it, though? Because the video I have on my phone says otherwise.” Reaching into the pocket of my gray sweatpants, I grab it and hold it up. “Care to watch?”

Janelle takes a step back, her face turning white. “N-Noo. I don’t need to see that.” She takes another step back. “I-I won’t say anything.”

“That’s right. You won’t say a goddamn word, or this video goes straight to daddy. Now, apologize to Jordyn and get the fuck off the premises.”

“Tristan, it’s fine. She doesn’t need—” Jordyn stumbles as she moves toward me, her hands flying out, bracing for a fall that doesn’t come because I whirl around and catch her. Soft, warm hands are planted against my bare chest, sending tingles coursing through me. There’s a jolt in my chest like I’ve been hit with paddles to restart my heart. Goddamn. What the hell is that?

“S-she doesn’t n-need to a-apologize.” Her voice is low and shaky, an embarrassed flush stealing over the apples of her cheeks, enhancing her beauty. Her eyes widen before lowering to her hands on my chest, and I inwardly groan as she shivers. Dazed eyes lift to mine, two liquid pools of desire. My gaze moves to her mouth, nearly growling when her teeth sink into her bottom lip.

Goddamn. I’ve never been so jealous of teeth before in my life. A strong desire to lift my hand to her face, free her lip from her pearly whites, and then kiss the hell out of her in the middle of broad daylight consumes me. I’m barely able to resist the urge.

Jordyn snatches her hands away from my chest. Despite the warmth of the day, I’m immediately cold from the loss of her touch.

She looks down at her untied shoelace, and I follow her gaze. “I’m such a klutz.” She shakes her head before looking up at me. The sadness tingeing her aqua irises steals the breath from my lungs. But her next words shred my insides. “You don’t have to defend me. I’m not worth it.”

Who the hell made her feel insecure and like she’s not worth defending? I wanna beat the shit out of them.

I do my best to keep my anger at them in check as I answer. “I want to defend you, and I will.” My voice shakes from the passion in it, surprising us both.

The engine’s roar pulls my attention to the car idling on the street. Janelle slams on the gas, racing away. I shake my head, glad she’s gone but pissed at the chaos left in her wake. You helped create the chaos. You never should’ve touched her.

My gaze moves to Jordyn, who kneels, tying her shoe before she stands. Casting me a furtive look, she bites her lip before focusing on the lone suitcase in the driveway. “Well, I should?—”

“I’ll help. No arguments.” My voice lowers, embarrassed by what she witnessed. “It’s the least I can do after the shit show I put you through.”

“Please don’t feel obligated to help because of… Well, all that.” She makes a feeble gesture, emitting a nervous laugh. “It ’s a memorable way of meeting your new roommate.” She flashes a lopsided small, easing the sting of my humiliation.

“Yeah, this is definitely a first for me.” A bitter laugh escapes me. “Not my finest hour.”

The smile dies from her lips. “Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve made my share of them.” A shocked look covers her face as though she’s embarrassed at the words she just said. “Well, umm… thanks for defending me, although you didn’t have to.”

“Yeah, I guess we all make mistakes.” Stepping closer, I gently touch her arm, noting the goosebumps that immediately spread over her skin when I touch her. “Don’t thank me for defending you. You’re worth defending.”

Her soft expression warms my cold heart. I jerk my hand away as though someone dumped ice water over my skin. What the hell are you doing? You made a promise to yourself not to get involved with anyone. You have goals to focus on. The last thing you need is to drag anyone else into your darkness.

Turning away, I move to her suitcase. Just help her get her stuff inside and leave her the hell alone.

As I bend to lift her suitcase, her words haunting me, I make the mistake of looking at Jordyn. Her doe eyes stare down the street in the direction Janelle’s car traveled. Her shoulders slump in defeat, a wistful look on her face before she looks down at her outfit and frowns.

A protective vibe I haven’t felt in a long time rises, taking me over. For so many reasons, I should force it away.

But I can’t . Something draws me to her, tethering me to her like a rope.

My reactions and movements are raw, unconscious, as I set her suitcase down and straighten. I step into her personal space, my finger sliding beneath her chin, lifting it to mine. “I don’t know who failed to defend or protect you, but they’re assholes.” A lump is in my throat when I see the gratitude shimmering in her eyes. “Janelle had no right acting bitchy to you. She did because she’s insecure. She’s beneath you, and she damn well knows it.”

We stand there, our chests rising and falling in unison, unable to look away. The heat rolling between us and the electricity in the air is something I’ve never felt before.

The roar of a car engine coming down the street rips us from the moment. The rope tethering us together snaps, and in unison, we step back, averting our eyes. My teeth gnash together as I inwardly berate myself . What the hell are you doing? You know better than to get involved with anyone , least of all her . My teammate’s stepsister.

The car continues down the street, and we exhale, relieved that it’s not Josh. It’s a crude reminder that I need to get my shit together.

The sound of Jordyn’s retreating footsteps draws my attention back to her. “I’ve got this, Tristan,” she calls over her shoulder. I hate the coldness in her voice.

She hauls another suitcase out, slamming it on the pavement. My brows furrow as I watch her, silently fuming as she hauls out a duffle bag.

Realization spreads through me . She felt it, too. That’s why she’s reacting so coldly toward me.

I shake my head, irritated by my reaction. Everything was going just fine until Janelle and Jordyn showed up.