Page 28 of Jump on Three

Felix raised his chin. “I don’t have to leave. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Ivan’s shoulders rippled with power. “Did you tell that girl she was no good? Did you bother her when she told you to leave her alone? I think that is pretty fucking wrong, bro.”

For a moment, I believed Felix was going to keep fighting instead of walking away and facing the situation he’d created.

But Beckett and Rhys were both in his ears, probably trying to calm him down. Ivan remained steadfast in his position. He wasn’t going to let Felix get by him, no matter what.

Maybe that was what finally broke Felix, or perhaps it was what Rhys and Beckett had said to him. Either way, he swiveled on his feet and took off in the opposite direction while Ivan, Rhys, and Beckett followed him toward the exit.

When they disappeared from view, the tightness in my stomach unraveled, leaving my body feeling as wrung out as it did after a long swim.

I couldn’t wrap my head around why Felix would have acted like that when he’d been the one to tell her she was too much, effectively ending their relationship.

I would never understand boys and love.

From the lost look on Bella’s flushed face, I wondered if anyone did.

When I returned to my bedroom, music blasting in my headphones, the beat moving my feet as I slipped into my pajamas, a text vibrated my phone.

Squatter: Are you okay?

I sat down on the edge of my bed, frowning. What a strange thing to ask out of the blue at ten p.m.

Me: Why do you ask?

Squatter: The commotion in the dining hall tonight. Did it bother you?

Me: Did it bother you?

Squatter: I don’t like conflict very much, so yes.

Me: I didn’t love it, but I’m okay. Listening to music before bed.

Squatter: What kind of lullabies do you like?

Me: The loud kind.

Squatter: Tell me what you’re listening to now.

Me: Swedish House Mafia

Squatter: Okay. What song? I’ll listen with you.

Me: Hmmm…I don’t know if I want to reveal that to my nemesis.

I touched my face. My lips. I was smiling at this curious interaction.

Squatter: I’ll give you 3 all weekend if you tell me…

I didn’t know why, other than it felt right, but I sent him the link to my nighttime playlist.

Me: I’m listening to song 7 right now. Goodnight, squatter.

Squatter: I’m listening with you. Goodnight, angel.

My fingers slid over my lips. Yes, that was definitely a smile.

Chapter Ten