I stalk away, feeling like I’m on a high from the altercation with Mila.
Yeah, I’m definitely getting addicted to the push and pull between us.
But the real question is, does Mila feel it too?Chapter 5MILAWhat the hell was that?
The past two days, Jase gave me a break, and things were actually good between us. Then wham, we’re back to him giving me crap.
Ugh, for a moment back there, I was worried my secret was out.
My heart is pounding a mile a minute, but I’m proud of how I reacted. I stuck to my guns and gave Jase a taste of his own medicine.
I attend two lectures before lunch, and the moment I meet up with Fallon and Jade in the restaurant, Fallon gives me a confused look. “I can’t figure out whether you and Jase are flirting or fighting.”
I shrug and mutter, “He’s flirting, and I’m fighting.”
Fallon glances from me to Jade, then asks, “But he’s just teasing you, right?”
Jade leans her forearms on the table and wags her eyebrows at Fallon. “You can always ask Jase if he likes Mila and put us all out of our misery.”
I give my friends a look of warning. “Don’t ask him anything. Besides, even if he did like me as more than a friend, nothing will come of it. I’m not willing to risk our friendship for a fling.”
My friends stare at each other before they both settle their gazes on me.
“Do you like Jase?” Fallon asks, and her eyes sharpen on me.
Knowing she’s undeniably loyal to Jase, I give her a non-committal shrug. “Can we change the subject?”
There’s a flash of disappointment on Fallon’s face. “Not that my opinion counts, but I think you and Jase would make a perfect couple.”
I give her a pleading look to let it go, and lucky for me, a waiter comes to take our orders.
Everyone is starting to notice something is going on between Jase and me. The only problem is that Jase is just joking. And Me? I’m hopelessly in love with him.
I let out a sigh, and then I jerk when a hand settles on my shoulder. Glancing up, I give Justin a questioning look.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt your lunch.” He sits down in the empty seat next to me, earning frowns from Fallon and Jade. “Will you have dinner with me tonight? I’d like to get to know you better.”
For a split-second, I consider accepting his offer. Maybe then my friends will back down, and Jase will get the message.
But I’m not the kind of person who uses people, so I shake my head. “Sorry, Justin. I really appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested in dating right now.”
He hesitates for a moment, a confused expression on his face.
“You’re in my seat,” Jase suddenly barks from behind me.
Justin gets up, and giving me a rueful smile, he says, “Maybe another time.”
Jase slumps down in the chair Justin vacated, and giving me a pissed-off look, he growls, “I’d seriously fucking appreciate it if your boyfriend didn’t sit at our table.”
My jaw drops, and I stare at Jase while searching for the right come back.
Hunter takes the seat next to Jase, and leaning forward, says, “Calm down, Jase.”
Jase’s head snaps to Hunter. “I’ll fucking calm down when people start respecting boundaries.”
“Boundaries?” I hiss, my temper shooting through me like a missile.
Where were the boundaries when I repeatedly pointed out he was in my personal space? And all the times he’s flirted with me, giving me the impression he was about to kiss me?
And now he’s losing his shit with me? I haven’t done anything wrong to deserve him talking to me like that, and it’s the last straw.
“You’re one to talk!” Getting up, I throw my napkin on the table, and I glare at Jase as my breaths race over my lips. When Jase finally looks up at me, I say, “Lately, you’re a real shitty friend, Jase.”
I stalk away while another crack is added to my bruised heart. I can’t take much more. He’s pushing me to the point of breaking, and for the first time, I regret coming to Trinity.
I’m so damn angry I can’t stop the tears from falling as I rush out of the restaurant.
I… I just can’t do this anymore.
I can’t keep loving Jase while he treats me like one of his hoes.JASEMy anger gets the better of me, and before Hunter can stop me, I dart up and run after Mila.
I catch up to her outside the restaurant, and grabbing hold of her arm, I yank her back. She stumbles and crashes into me. Her head snaps up, and the second I see the tears on her cheeks, my anger diminishes a little, and I start to feel like shit.
Wrapping my arms around her, I hug her, and pressing my face into her neck, I whisper, “I’m sorry, Mila.”