Clipped by Love (Bellevue Bullies 2)

aving them off. “You guys are messing with me, trying to get me to admit something and shit.”

“Admit what?” Delanie asks innocently. “That you love him too?”

Glaring at them, I roll my eyes before reaching for the door. “I’m leaving.”

And as I walk out, their laughter follows, but I can’t hear it. My heartbeat is loud in my ears, my chest is aching from my heart pounding against it, and my palms feel clammy.

Is he in love with me?

Letting out a hysterical laugh, I shake my head.

No fucking way. Why would he be?

My weekend with the girls is passing faster than I thought it would. I’ve been waiting for them to come visit since I left them, and now that they are here, I’m kinda sad that Sunday is closing in on us so fast. They are so much fun, and it’s like old times hanging out. We’ve done all the fun, girlie things that I can only do with them. It isn’t like I can convince Jace and Markus to go get manis and pedis with me. Or even Jayden. Not that I would try, though. It’s also fun to talk to girls. They don’t smell as bad or fart on command, so it’s been nice.

But I do miss Jayden.

He’s giving me space, letting me hang with my friends and not giving me shit for missing our nightly ritual of watching Supernatural. But I have to admit, I’d rather be watching TV and cuddling with him. It’s weird how much of a staple he’s become in my life so quickly. As much as I want to go over to his room and jump up into his bed, I know that I need to put some distance between us. Every time I think of how much I miss him, Delanie’s and Mandie’s accusations weigh heavy on my heart.

That I am in love with him.

Or that he is in love with me.

It’s total insanity, but to be sure, I’m taking advantage of the distraction of my friends. That is until it’s time to go to the Gilroy with the guys, because as soon as I see him in the kitchen, I’m breathless. He looks all tall and big and manly and… Ugh, I just want climb up his body to nuzzle my nose in the scruff of his jaw. He meets my gaze, and I think he’s thinking the same thing I am.

Which is a whole lot of sex.

Drinking him in, I grin as he tucks his hands into the pockets of his jeans, his beanie hanging low on the back of his head, while his shoulders look like they’re gonna bust out of the jacket he wears.

“I forgot how sexy Jayden was,” Delanie says as she walks past me. “Good job, Baylor.”

Rolling my eyes, I watch as she squeals before running to Jace and wrapping her arms around him, kissing him fully on the lips as if they’ve been dating since forever ago.

“He is mighty fine,” Mandie says from my left, and I grin as he comes toward me.

“Do I look okay?” I ask, my gaze stolen by his as he heads my way. I went out on a limb and wore skinny jeans with a cropped top, not that he can see it, but my hair is down in big, fluffy curls and my makeup is insanely awesome, thanks to Delanie.

“Yes, you’re hot, babe,” she says just as he stops in front of me.

Leaning over, he gives Mandie a sideways hug as he says, “Hey, Mandie.”

“Hey, good to see you again.”

“You too,” he says before his gaze falls on me again. I feel all warm and fuzzy under his gaze, and soon I’m grinning like a fool as he reaches out, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Stunning, as always.”

Wrinkling my nose, I look away, shaking my head. “Shh, Jayden.”

He laughs before looking over at Mandie. “She doesn’t take compliments well.”

“No, not at all, unless she asks for you to give one to her,” she laughs.

“She asks?” he asks, feigning shock. “Really?”

As I roll my eyes, Mandie laughs. “Oh yeah, two seconds before you walked up, she asked me if she was hot,” she says with a wink. “But excuse me, let me get my sister before she stays in to have sex with your brother instead of going out.”

That has us all laughing as she leaves us to go to where Delanie and Jace are now making out. I look from them to Jayden as he says, “So I have to wait for you to ask me to tell you that you look good for you to receive the compliment?”

“No, she’s delusional. Come on, I’m getting better at the whole compliment thing,” I say but his brow rises.