His Trouble Maker

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

JESSICA

I gave Grayson freaking Westwood a chance.

Oh, Moon Goddess! What did I do?

I sit up too fast, feeling the dizzy spin of my head, the ghost of Grayson’s hands still burning on my skin. I shudder, trying to shake off the residue of last night–the way I let him touch me, how I let it all happen. But the thought only makes my stomach flip more..

I shouldn’t have said yes.

I shouldn’t have let him get that close.

fix it later. I’ll fix it later.

However, I glance at the clock and realize later is now. Training starts in twenty minutes. I’m already late. For the first time, I don’t want to freaking gol I know I told myself I’ll play with him, but it feels so wrong. I am not a bad person. The whole thing feels stupid now.

“Jess! Open t

the door!” Pierce shouts from the other side, his voice laced with impatience.

I roll back into bed, pulling the blanket over my head, as if it could somehow block out the chaos in my mind. “Go away, Pierce! I’m sick,” mutter, hoping my voice sounds convincing enough to make him leave.

Thear him pause on the other side, a soft sigh slipping through the door. “Really? You’ve been fine all week. What’s going on with you?”

I groan into the blanket, pressing it tighter around my face, trying to push the reality of everything away. Why is he so persistent?

“I’m not feeling good. Just leave me alone,” I mumble, squeezing my eyes shut.

But before I can think any more, the door creaks open, and Pierce steps inside, all tall, broad shouldered, and looking at me like I’ve just done something he can’t quite figure out.

“What’s going on with you?” He crosses his arms, eyes scanning me with that sharp look I’ve known my whole life.

“I’m fine, okay?”

“You don’t look fine.”

“I am,” I snap, and immediately hate how brittle I sound.

He sighs, runs a hand through his hair. “Look, Grayson’s been acting weird all morning.”

My stomach drops

He says the name so casually, like it’s nothing,ke it’s not soaked in sweat and guilt and me

do you mean weird?” I ask, trying to

into the room/Just–off. He’s not talking. Just sitting there like someone

I physically

He notices.

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Chapter 22

$5 Aug

even know I

squints at

body’s already betraying me–heat crawling up my neck, fingers twitching like

Grayson giving you

fine.” I force the words out like they don’t taste like shit in my

an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Really? ‘Cause I can talk to

pillow and hurling it at him. “You’re so annoying,” I mutter,

trying not to laugh. But his eyes stay serious. “Come on, Jess. You

forever”

urgency of someone trying to outrun their own mess. I grab the first excuse I can think of to shove him away. “I don’t need you playing therapist. Seriously. Just go.”

the truth.

I can tell when something’s up, right?”

clear that Grayson doesn’t belong in my world. That I should stay the hell away from him. And the

and Pierce sees

don’t care what happened with Grayson, but don’t make this harder than it needs to be,” he says,

my insides twisting like I swallowed a live wire, “What

whatever little games you’re playing. But if you’re gonna do this whole thing, don’t get too close to

even trying to hide my

teasing left. “You know exactly

I shake my head, trying to get the sting of his words out

worse. “But I know you. And I know him. He’s not worth it.” He stares at me for a second, making

voice stops me, makes me freeze for a second. He’s not

I’m hearing him. And for a second, I want to tell him everything. To

pillow at him again, this time with less force. “I’ll deal with

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Chapter 22

he sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “Fine. But so you know? The idiot’s outside, asking for

you’re just telling me

legs betray me, and I end up crashing

the air like it always does. “Smooth,

“You really know how to make

him a glare, heat flooding my face. “Shut up,” I growl, pushing myself up from the floor. My hands shake, frustration and panic swirling

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