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

I ask, trying

the room/Just–off. He’s not

blink. I physically

He notices.

U9:44 Tue, 5 Aug

Chapter 22

$5 Aug

I didn’t even know I spilled.

squints

words come out. My body’s already betraying me–heat crawling up my neck, fingers twitching like they want to

you a

the words out like they don’t taste like shit in my

unconvinced. “Really? ‘Cause I can talk

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

lips twitching like he’s trying not to laugh. But his eyes stay serious. “Come

forever”

the first excuse I can think of

the truth.

up, right?” His

Even with Grayson. Especially with Grayson, Pierce has always made it clear that Grayson doesn’t belong in my world. That I should stay the hell away from him. And the worst part is, I’ve never fully disagreed with

and Pierce sees

but don’t make this harder than it

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

playing. But if you’re gonna do this whole thing, don’t get too close to him, alright? Don’t get

up in it?” I scoff, not even trying to hide my frustration. “What the hell does that

into the room, his eyes hard now, no trace of teasing left. “You know exactly

that?” I shake my head, trying to get the sting of his words out of my chest.

to find the right words without making it worse. “But I know you. And I know him. He’s not worth it.” He stares at me for a second, making sure I’m listening. “Trust me. Don’t deal with him. It screw you

want to argue, but something in his voice stops me, makes me freeze for a second. He’s not wrong, Grayson is a mess of

like he’s waiting for something–some kind of acknowledgment that I’m hearing him. And for a second, I want to tell

I throw my pillow at him again, this time with less force.

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09:44 Tue, 5 Aug

14 Tue, 5 A

Chapter 22

budge, just stares at me for a moment longer. Then, finally, he sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “Fine. But

“And you’re

I end up crashing to the floor in a tangled mess

laugh rings out, sharp and loud, cutting through the air like it always does. “Smooth, Jess,” he

know how to

flooding my face. “Shut up,” I growl, pushing myself up from the floor. My hands shake, frustration and panic swirling inside me.

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