Chapter 11

MILA

So, no, Ward isn't beating up on Jax right now.

Why would I even think that?

Jax doesn't even look at me.

He's staring forward.

"There are more of the guys lingering around," the frat boy calls out. "Maybe drunk. Maybe naked…"

A lot of the girls cheer.

"Hey, I'm sure there are plenty of empty beds around here," the frat boy says. "Anyone want to play with a hockey stick tonight?"

More cheers.

I roll my eyes.

Jax pushes from the wall he's near and moves closer to me.

Without looking at me, he says, "You're so worried about me looking… you're staring at me…"

"Just wondering what makes you think you shouldn't be up there with your friends," I say.

"Because I hate this shit," Jax says.

He finally looks at me.

It's like his eyes burn right through me. In a good way. No. In a bad way. Everything about Jax is bad!

"You hate… hockey?" I ask.

"I love hockey, Mila. I hate this stuff. This does nothing to make us play better. This is all an excuse to pretend to be part of the team."

"That's a little harsh."

"I've earned my spot here."

"Actually, you haven't," I say with a smile.

"How so, honey?"

Honey. Ugh.

"You need a freaking tutor to be here, Jax," I say.

"You're mouthy tonight, aren't you?"

"I think it's PMS," I blurt out.

Then I gasp and cover my mouth.

Jax nods. "What are you doing here then? Nothing worse than someone at a party that doesn't want to be there."

I lower my hand. "And you want to be here?"

"Don't think that matters to you."

"Maybe it does."

Jax gives me a weird look.

"Forget I said anything. Doesn't matter. I don't want to be here. I'm kind of forced here. I feel dragged here."

"Sounds like a great night for you. Attitude matches."

"You know, you don't have to be mean."

"I'm not being mean. I just don't want to be accused of anything like last time."

"The coffee thing? Seriously?"

"What?"

"I thought…"

"Yes," Jax says. "You thought. And you attacked. Here I am just wanting a cup of coffee. A minute to myself to think. You know, not all jocks are big and dumb."

"But most enjoy looking at a girl's ass."

"So that's a crime?"

"Are you confessing, Jax?"

He smiles. "Is that what you want, Mila? Huh? You want me to tell you that I stared at your ass? Would that make you feel sexier?"

I catch myself swallowing hard.

Red lights are flashing in my brain to step back and get away from Jax right now.

"And now, everyone get a drink!"

The frat boy's voice booms.

Everyone cheers.

The crowd all at once starts to push toward the kitchen.

I feel unsteady and reach forward. For Jax.

Of course he grabs my arms and pulls me closer to him.

I make sure to wiggle his hold free.

I don't need him touching me.

I don't need him to-

Someone crashes right into me.

I feel myself lift off my feet for a split second.

I let out a scream from the surprise.

I look at Jax for safety.

He somehow grabs me to keep me steady.

Then with his other hand he reaches out and grabs someone by their collar and pulls them back.

Some frat guy spins around. "Oh, yo, listen, did I bump into you?"

Jax's right fist slams against the guy's face.

With such ease. With such force.

Blood sprays into the air as the guy's head snaps back and almost detaches from his body.

He falls back, yelping in pain.

A few people scream but nobody seems to care that much.

It's not like this is a real fight.

The frat guy smashes into a wall and stares forward at Jax and I.

The look of shock on his face…

He's frozen in place, unsure what just happened.

Blood is running freely from his nose down over his top lip, hitting his mouth, bottom lip, then running down his chin to his shirt.

"Watch where the fuck you're going next time," Jax barks.

The frat guy comes right back to life, jumps to his right and takes off running.

Chills move through my body as Jax looks down at me.

"Couldn't have said that without hitting him?" I ask.

"He wouldn't have gotten the point, honey. You could have been hurt just now. Fuck that guy."

The intense macho violence thing is not my cup of tea.

At least not usually.

I should not be thinking this right now…

But… Jax… makes the macho violent thing look really sexy.