My right eyebrow darts up in warning because I won’t let anyone mess with my cousin, and it has me answering, “We don’t need the company.”
Nate saunters closer to me, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “Don’t be a bitch about it. We’re all here to have fun.”
“This is her being nice, Sparks,” Hunter suddenly talks behind me. “You better go before she gets violent.”
Glancing over my shoulder, I scowl at Hunter, but before I can let him have a piece of my mind, my cousin Ryker and his best friend Tristan head toward us.
I haven’t seen Tristan in a while, and go to hug him. “Hey, stranger. How are you?”
Smiling, he hugs me back. “Good. How’s the academy?”
With a disgruntled look, I reply, “Probably still the same as when you attended.”
Tristan is five years older than me and has already been working for two years. Lucky him.
“It’s not all bad.” Tristan moves to greet Mila and Fallon, and when he gets to Hana, his smile warms, and he hugs her a little bit longer.
Come on, Jade. You’re just seeing things. Not all your friends have the hots for each other.
When Tristan keeps his arm around Hana’s waist, both my eyebrows pop up. He only has to stare at Justin and Nate, and they retreat into the crowd.
Yeah, no one would dare screw with Carter Hayes’ youngest son. It’s the same as trying to take on Hunter or Jase. And it’s definitely not my imagination. Something is going on between Tristan and Hana.
Leaning closer to Ryker, I ask, “Does Tristan like Hana?”
My cousin nods. “Hana keeps playing it down, but I think she’s starting to warm up to the idea.”
Wide-eyed, I stare at Ryker. “When did this happen?”
“At the Christmas gathering. You were at the ranch.”
“Oh.” My gaze turns back to Hana and Tristan, and I comment, “They’re complete opposites. Tristan is just like his father, all sharp edges where Hana is soft and quiet like her mom. Do you think they could work as a couple?”
“Anything is possible,” Ryker replies, then he frowns at me. “Why are we standing on the dance floor. Let’s go upstairs.”
I leave my friends to dance with Tristan and Hunter and follow Ryker to our table where Kao and Noah are enjoying their drinks. Jase has probably already found his next lay.
Once we’re seated, I glance around the room, then ask, “Aren’t there any girls here you like?”
Ryker doesn’t even look around and just shakes his head. Grinning at me, he says, “I’d rather spend time with you.”
A waiter interrupts us to take Ryker’s order.
I glance down to the dance floor and see that only Tristan and Hana are left dancing.
Soon the conversation around the table is flowing smoothly, and I’m lulled into a relaxed state.
Who would’ve thought Hunter and I could be civil for so long. Not that we’re talking to each other, but hey, I guess miracles do happen.Chapter 8HUNTERAfter spending the last hour being Jase’s wingman, I’m ready to call it a night.
Jase is talking to a brunette, and I’m stuck with her friend. I’m pretty sure her hair is gray, and I keep wondering why someone would willingly do that to their hair. My mom’s been dyeing the ever-loving shit out of her own in her fight against gray strands.
“So, you attend Trinity Academy?” the girl asks for the tenth time.
I just nod in response. At this rate, I might die of boredom.
“That must be so cool.”
I’m busy zoning out and totally caught off guard when another girl snuggles up to my side, linking her arm with mine in a possessive way. My eyes dart to her face, and then shock ripples over me.
What the hell?
Jade smiles lovingly up at me, and it has me doing another double-take.
“Did you drink?” It’s the only reason I can think of for her weird behavior.
“Just a little. I stole the last of Ryker’s whiskey when he wasn’t looking. Did you miss me, baby?” Jade takes hold of my arm and positions it around her.
Baby?
What. The. Actual. Fuck?
Jade doesn’t let my shocked silence hinder her and snuggles even closer to me, and it makes her cleavage look double the size where it’s pressed against my side.
When she stretches her body and presses a kiss to my jaw, I swear it feels like my mind is malfunctioning because all I can do is blink while staring at her.
Then Jade turns her head to the girl I was talking to and sneers, “I don’t appreciate it when girls drool over my man. Get lost.”
I begin to frown, still at a total loss when it comes to finding the right words for this fucking weird moment.
The girl leaves with an offended look on her face, and when she’s out of hearing distance, Jade gives me a grin that’s nothing short of evil. “Payback’s a bitch, Chargill. If I don’t get to be happy, then you don’t. How does it feel to be cock blocked?”