His Trouble Maker

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

you mean weird?” I ask, trying to sound

further into the room/Just–off. He’s

I physically

He notices.

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Chapter 22

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even know I spilled.

squints

words come out. My body’s already betraying me–heat crawling up

giving you

I force the words out

an eyebrow, unconvinced. “Really? ‘Cause I can talk to him. Seriously, why do

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

like he’s trying not to laugh. But

forever”

the blanket off me, sitting up with the 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 words spill out sharper than

the truth.

can tell when something’s up, right?” His voice softens, but

Always hovering. Even with Grayson. Especially with Grayson, Pierce has always made it clear that Grayson doesn’t belong in my world. That I should

and Pierce

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

my insides twisting like I swallowed

runs a hand through his hair, eyes narrowing, “I don’t care if you two are playing whatever little games you’re playing. But if you’re gonna do this whole thing,

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

eyes hard now, no trace of teasing left. “You know exactly what I mean. Grayson’s an ass. Don’t let him mess

get the sting of his words out of my chest. “It’s not that simple. It’s not just black and white like

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.

stops me, makes me freeze for a second. He’s not wrong, Grayson is a mess of contradictions, and for some godforsaken reason, I keep getting tangled in

watches me like he’s waiting for something–some kind of acknowledgment that I’m hearing him. And for a second, I want to tell him everything. To explain why I even let Grayson get that close, but the words feel like

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

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Chapter 22

stares at me for a moment longer. Then, finally, he sighs, his shoulders slumping in resignation. “Fine. But so you know? The idiot’s outside, asking for

eyes widen. “And you’re just telling me that

and I end up crashing to the floor in a tangled mess of limbs and

cutting through the air like it always does.

crossed. “You really know

him a glare, heat flooding my face. “Shut up,” I growl, pushing myself up from the floor. My hands shake, frustration and panic swirling inside me. “What do you mean he’s out there! What the hell is he