‘Hmm? Oh, sorry. Yeah, just the guys talking about the game. Tactics and such.’ Jake put the phone down and gave his mother a smile. Without responding to my text.
Rude.
I sent another.
You’re going to finger-fuck your girl while I watch.
That elicited a reaction. Jake’s face flashed red, creeping from his throat right up to his forehead. He caught my gaze for the briefest of moments, shock palpable in his baby blue eyes.
Delightful.
Sarah tipped her head while his fingers grazed the screen in a flurry.
Absolutely not. Have you lost your mind?
His response brought a smirk as I typed.
‘Still the guys?’ Sarah asked, looking from me back to Jake.
‘Yeah,’ I answered for him. ‘Just need to discuss a few things. We’ll be quick.’
Eloise’s lips pressed into a thin line as I typed, clearly wanting to berate me for being rude, but unable to without it reflecting on Jake. My father seemed oblivious to everything, too busy eating and glossing over the conversation as usual.
You want to keep her, right? This is the sort of thing she wants. Catch her by surprise. Be filthy. Tell her how you want her to behave. Use eye contact. Be firm. She’ll love it.
It was fifty-fifty whether she would. Especially given how she despised me. Sarah clearly wanted to be dominated, but was she looking for high-risk? Or for being watched?
I hoped not. I wanted her to dump my stepbrother so I could snatch him up and heal his broken heart with a truckload of orgasms.
Not at the table. Not in front of you.
How can I help you if I can’t see where you are going wrong?
Jake swallowed, placing his phone face down and drumming his fingers on the back of it. Indecision warred on his chiselled face, and the fact he was even considering it had me fighting a shit-eating grin.
‘All done?’ Eloise asked, her voice clipped.
‘Our illustrious team captain is struggling to decide on his play for the game. Whether to play it safe or grow some balls,’ I said.
Jake choked on his beer before meeting my eyes. A flare of determination lit those blues up like a sunny sky. He slid an arm around Sarah’s waist and pulled her toward him, her chair scraping on the wooden floor with a groan. Such a manly show for someone so unsure.
Sarah melted against him; the sudden movement likely misconstrued as lust. The way she stroked her hand up his chestwas instant karma for my meddling. I gripped my phone until my knuckles whitened to avoid throwing it at them.
Jake didn’t pick up his phone again during dinner.
I stewed mostly in silence, watching him trace his fingers over Sarah’s side. Each touch stoked her need as she squirmed against him, closer to him.
Needy bitch.
There was no doubt it was jealousy that set my stomach roiling. A deep, disturbing heat that flashed with each touch he gave her.
Conversation came in fits and starts as Eloise pressed Jake about the upcoming few games in the season, and his training to ensure he stays ready to impress the scouts. None of it was directed at me despite being in the same team. Countless times I’d felt invisible in the house. Being back under Eloise’s roof had ignited it all again. I had to get out as soon as possible, but I had to take Jake with me. Otherwise, he’d move on with his life and leave me behind.
Which was unfathomable.
Eventually, Eloise and Dad excused themselves from the table, with Jake offering to clear up so they could go relax in the hot tub together. Their weeknight ritual.
Then there were three.
