Chapter 5 Brooke #2
When he clasped my wrist to correct my grip, I prayed he couldn’t feel my erratic pulse.
When he brought both hands on my waist to correct my angle, I hoped he wouldn’t notice that goose bumps had broken out on my arms. I wanted to glance at him to see if he’d noticed, but I couldn’t get away with just checking out of the corner of my eye because he was slightly behind me.
I turned, and immediately realized I’d miscalculated the angle. He was much closer. Our lips nearly touched. The side of my breast brushed his arm. The contact electrified me. Could he feel it? Our gazes locked.
“Eyes on the game, Brooke.”
Heat rose in my cheeks as I returned my attention to the pool table.
I did notice that Jace touched me less afterward.
In fact, he seemed intent on keeping his distance.
I must have imagined that current of awareness before.
Or perhaps I’d been the only one who felt it, which was fine.
Just fine. I wasn’t interested in him like that.
Of course, I found him hot. Every woman on the planet probably did. But that was all this was.
After we won the second round, Henry and Andrew announced they were done.
“Man, there’s only so much beating my ego can take in one night,” Andrew said. “Especially with a newbie on your team.”
“Beginner’s luck,” I said jovially.
“Or you could just own up to the fact that I’m a great teacher,” Jace challenged.
“I don’t know. The jury’s still out on that.”
Henry laughed when Andrew said, “Ah, my ego’s recovering. Keep busting his balls, Brooke. Let’s call it a night. Or we’ll be no good at practice tomorrow.”
The rest of the team had already left, but the three of them hadn’t wanted to leave until we finished the game.
Henry and Andrew bid me goodbye, and then they clapped Jace’s shoulder. I had assumed they’d all leave together. Jace must have read the question on my face, because after they left, he said, “Come on, I’ll drive you home.”
“Thanks, but it’s not necessary. I’ll just order an Uber.”
“But I didn’t drink anything, and I’m going to drive anyway.”
“Jace. It’s late. You have practice tomorrow. Go home and sleep.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Then I’ll stay with you until your Uber arrives.”
I didn’t argue, because there were still enough drunk pub-goers around, and I couldn’t think of a more efficient way to keep men at bay than having Jace next to me.
“I’m just going to the ladies’ room first, okay?”
“I’ll wait.”
He leaned against the pool table, crossing his legs at the ankles.
When I returned a few minutes later, Jace wasn’t alone anymore. A bombshell brunette was sitting on the pool table at a weird angle, showing off her boobs. Jace was keeping his distance. What had the girl done, waited until I was out of the picture to pounce on him?
“Here you are,” Jace exclaimed.
The brunette smile’s faded when she saw me.
“Ready to go?” he asked, coming my way.
“Yeah. I ordered an Uber. It’ll be here in six minutes.”
“Let’s wait outside.”
As we walked out the door, I said, “Listen, if you’d rather stay and talk to—”
“I don’t.”
“Well, not to be Captain Obvious, but brunette beauty there looked ready to give you her phone number… or even go home with you.”
“I’m not interested.”
“Why?”
“Easy there. Personal talk goes into friendship territory.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Personally, I’d say I’m a great friend. Look at you. Stick by my side for one night, and you’re already a champion at pool.”
I looked up at him, which wasn’t the smartest thing because those green eyes were working their magic on me again, and my defenses were already weak tonight.
“What are you doing, Jace?”
“Pushing boundaries.” His gaze was scorching hot.
“Why?”
“Because I think you need it.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“You had fun tonight. Will you admit that, at least?”
“Of course I have.”
“Good. Because I’ve watched you around the club. You seem to be constantly tense.”
Was it that obvious?
“It’s a new workplace. I want to make a good impression.”
He was watching me curiously, as if he knew there was more to it than that.
“My previous boss was my best friend. My ex-boyfriend also worked with us. Let’s just say that when things went to hell on a personal level, I had to leave.”
“So now you’re trying out your dad’s workplace policy.”
“Yes.”
“But you’re nothing like Coach. And I don’t mean that in a good way or a bad way. You’re warm and sociable. Everyone’s different.”
I’d never met anyone who saw through me like this.
“Thanks for sharpening my pool skills tonight.”
“We won,” he said unnecessarily. The heat of his body was intoxicating. If he came any closer, my knees might weaken.
“I know.”
“I believe the deal was that I’d buy you a drink and negotiate the friends-vs-friendly thing.”
“Jace….”
“No, no! I don’t like the sound of that. You’re about to shut me down. I’ll rephrase. How about… negotiating that you’ll make an exception just for me?”
I didn’t know what else to do but laugh.
If it were anyone else, I might think that he just saw this as a personal challenge, something to tick off his list. But Jace had sort of taken me under his wing tonight, giving me tips about the players.
He didn’t have to do that, just as he didn’t have to change my tire the other day.
“One drink.”
He smiled broadly just as my Uber pulled in. When he bid me goodbye, his lips lingered on my cheek longer than necessary, and it was enough to make all my nerve endings jump to attention.
I had the suspicion that I’d just agreed to far more than a drink.