Chapter 22 Jackson
Sweat rolls down my face as I stand in front of the volleyball net, blaring sunlight beating down on my back.
This is the first time I’ve broken a sweat since arriving in Mexico. Hell, this is the most physical activity that I’ve done since getting here.
Aside from…bedroom activities.
I glance to the side where Cassidy, Sarah, and the other bridesmaids are tanning on the beach while me and the other guys play a very intense, competitive game of beach volleyball.
She looks gorgeous as always, but why is she wearing a tank top and shorts while the others are wearing swimsuits?
She can’t be insecure. She’s the most beautiful woman on this beach.
“Everyone, focus up!” Ryan shouts to our team before slamming his palm against the ball, sending it flying over the net.
Derek stands in front of me on the other side and launches upward, spiking the ball down toward me.
I don’t have time to counter. It hits me in the chest, knocking me back a step.
Derek and his team cheer, high fiving each other in celebration.
“That’s okay. We got the next point,” Ryan tells us.
I quietly grind my teeth in annoyance. The last person I want scoring a point on me is Derek. He has managed to piss me off every single day on this trip for one reason or another.
Call me a hater. I don’t care.
The guy is a douchebag.
“You good?” Marcus asks from my right.
“I’m fine,” I mutter, turning back forward.
“You know how competitive he is. He’s probably fuming on the inside,” Tyler says from my left.
I shoot him a warning glare before directing my attention to the other team as they prepare to serve.
The ball sails over the net.
“Got it!” Ryan calls out from behind me before popping the ball up with his hands joined in one fist.
“Mine,” Tyler says before thrusting it up with his fingertips, lining it up perfectly for me.
I spike it down on the other side of the net, but it doesn’t hit the sand.
Aaron throws himself down and manages to get his hands under it, sending it upward for Derek to slam down on our side.
Marcus dives for it, but he doesn’t reach out far enough.
The ball hits the sand with a thud, and their team erupts in cheers again.
“Damn it,” I grit out under my breath as an overly pleased look crosses Derek’s face.
Some of the bridesmaids cheer, coaxing my eyes over in their direction.
Cassidy lightly claps with them, but she doesn’t look all that excited. I doubt she wants his team to win.
I tear my eyes away from her and look through the net, my jaw tightening at the sight of Derek staring at the bridesmaids. I can already guess which one he’s ogling at.
The fact that he’s the one who broke her heart and now he’s trying to show interest in her infuriates me. It’s like he’s playing some sort of twisted game with her heart.
I’m not going to stand here and let that happen.
Derek’s teammate serves the ball, and Ryan and Marcus counter, popping the ball up into the air above me.
“All you, Jackson!”
My eyes are still on Derek, and his eyes stray to Cassidy once again.
Frustration snaps within me, and I direct my attention up to the ball as it falls back down toward me. I jump up and slam my hand against it, spiking it down toward Derek with all my might.
He has no time to react before the ball strikes him square in the face. He grunts in pain and stumbles back so jarringly that he falls on his ass.
“What the hell, man!”
His teammates rush over to him to help him up as he grabs his nose, his eyes squeezing shut in pain like it’s broken.
I roll my eyes. It was a volleyball. Not a bowling ball.
Ryan jogs up to the net. “Derek, you good?”
Derek lowers his hand, his nose looking slightly red. “What was that about?”
All eyes shift to me, but I’m not intimidated. Certainly not by the likes of him.
“What? Me playing the game?” I question him.
“You did that on purpose,” Derek grits out as he approaches the net. “What’s your problem?”
“Woah, okay. Let’s calm down,” Marcus says as he steps closer, holding his hand out to keep Derek from crossing over to our side.
I remain rooted to my spot, my eyes straying over to Cassidy as she and the other bridesmaids watch us.
Concern fills her face, her eyes gluing to me. I don’t want her to be worried, and I’m not trying to cause conflict.
I’m just correcting behavior.
Ryan certainly isn’t going to do it. He doesn’t know Derek like Cassidy does. Like I do.
I wish Cassidy would just say fuck it and drop that bomb, but she cares too much about the whole group staying close and getting along with each other.
Sometimes, she’s too nice for her own good.
“Did you do it on purpose?” Ryan asks me quietly.
I could lie, but what would that teach Derek? Actions have consequences, and he doesn’t get to act like he didn’t just shatter her heart and deal a blow to her confidence just a few months ago.
“I didn’t like how he was looking at your sister like she’s a piece of meat,” I tell him.
Tyler bites his bottom lip to stifle a laugh.
Marcus remains silent, hiding whatever emotions he’s feeling right now far better than Tyler.
Derek scoffs. “Oh, come on. You know we dated, right?”
I really have to bite my damn tongue. I could make him look like a real asshole right now.
“Yeah, but you’re not dating anymore. You should keep your eyes to yourself and wipe the drool off your chin.”
Tyler has to walk away, his shoulders shaking silently.
Marcus clears his throat, covering up a laugh.
I’m probably going too far, but I’m this deep. I’m not going to wimp out when he needs to be humbled and taught a lesson.
Derek rolls his eyes at me. “This is ridiculous.”
“Let’s take a break,” Ryan announces to everyone, prompting them to scatter to get something to drink or sit down in the sand.
Derek stares me down for a few moments before walking away, shaking his head. He acts like he’s confident, but he can’t ever stay face to face with me. He always walks away before things can really get heated.
Ryan turns to me with a sigh. “You didn’t have to spike a ball in his face, Jax.”
“They’re not dating anymore, and he has a girlfriend at home. He doesn’t need to be looking at Cassidy like that,” I tell him, my voice coming out firm.
Maybe a little too firm.
Ryan nods after a moment before patting my upper arm. “Thanks for looking out for her. I’ve always been able to count on you to do that for me.”
Guilt hits me like a punch to the stomach, and all I can do is muster a weak smile and a nod before he walks over to Sarah.
Cassidy pitches me a questioning look, but I look away, feeling even worse.
Ryan trusts me to look after Cassidy, and I’m taking her to bed behind his back. Derek may be staring at her, but I’m doing way more.
I’m doing too much. Going too far.
And Ryan thinks I’m doing what’s best with pure intentions.
Fuck. I’m the asshole.
“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Marcus comments as he makes his way over to me.
“I might,” I mutter as I drag my fingers through my hair.
Marcus frowns and steps closer to me, lowering his voice so that only I can hear. “Did Ryan say something to you?”
I look over at him, my expression stiff. “He thanked me for looking after Cass.”
Marcus grimaces a little. “I mean…you are. Derek is an ass.”
“And we’re that much better than him? We’re sneaking around behind our best friend’s back to have sex with his sister. It’s fucked up.”
“We’re not going to hurt her, though,” Marcus says. “We care about her.”
“We haven’t hurt her yet,” I correct him. “It’s just a matter of time before everything falls apart, and you know it.”
Marcus remains silent, a frown lingering on his face.
“I’m done for this game,” I mutter before walking away from the net, needing some space.
I feel Cassidy’s eyes on me as I pass by her, but I don’t meet her gaze. I can’t. The more I get involved with her, the more reckless I become.
And not in a good way. Not in a way that saves lives.
In a way that jeopardizes all of us and the people we care about.