I drag a hand down my face and let out a low laugh. No, JB. I’m not going to like it. Being around you is torture.

Chapter Nine

Devin

“How ’bout you dial it back a notch,” Austin complains, shaking out his padding-coated hand.

I don’t listen as I pummel the focus mitts he holds up in front of me, my glove hitting with a satisfying thwack. I’ve got too much pent-up energy to take it easy on him. He makes it another five minutes before he bows out. I transition to the heavy bag, and Austin slides in behind the bag and holds it steady.

“What’s got you so worked up, Big Man?” He uses Jessie’s stupid nickname and laughs. The fucker laughs. I hit the bag hard enough to knock him back a few steps. “She’s getting under your skin, huh?”

He’s got that stupid smirk on his face. I fantasize about punching his teeth out. Maybe hitting my best friend will release some of this tension, because destroying this damn punching bag isn’t doing shit.

I pull off the gloves and let out a long groan. “This is your fault, asshole.”

“Oh no, I can’t take credit for you being so damn irresistible.” He licks his lips and eye-fucks me like a depraved pervert. “You know you’re delicious man candy.”

He’s impossible sometimes. Everything is a joke to Austin, including my torture at the hands of a sexy, sadistic co-ed. I shove the gloves into my bag and head towards the door.

“Hey, wait up.” Austin chases after me. We walk next to each other silently, until we make it to my car. I toss the gym bag into my passenger seat and slam the door closed.

Austin runs his hands through his golden locks and gets serious for half a second. “Dude, I kept my mouth shut. It was Elizabeth. She seems to think you and Jessie would be good together.”

I like Elizabeth. She’s good for him. The weird little geek keeps him focused on not fucking up his life. He needs that—a purpose. I don’t. I know who I am and I’ve got everything I need. Elizabeth playing matchmaker and wreaking havoc on my life pisses me off.

“If you could keep your girlfriend out of my business, that’d be fucking fantastic.”

“That woman knows a thing or two about how to love. Plus, she’s smarter than both of us combined. Maybe she has a point.” He laughs. In only a few months, he went from serial player to lovestruck dipshit. It’s obvious he’s totally gone, beyond in love with her. “Besides, the damage seems like it’s already been done.”

“Don’t I know it.”

“It can’t be that bad. Having something a little nicer to look at than greasy dudes. Or is that your thing?” Austin winks.

“Fuck off.” I wipe my hand down my face, trying to erase the image of Jessie’s bright smile. “You have no idea. She’s everywhere, man. Getting into everything.”