Page 43 of Jump on Three
“Yeah, due diligence. I sat through Evelyn dating Charles fucking Bloomberg last semester. Now that Charles was kicked out of school, she’s free and clear, and I’m letting her get to know me. That’s what you’re doing too, huh?”
Get to know him? Pfft. Evelyn barely even acknowledged his presence. And what the fuck did he think she wanted to get to know about him? How flippy his hair was? That he could kick a ball marginally well on a soccer field? The way he was the same as seventy-five percent of the guys at this school? It would take a lot more than him to catch her ephemeral attention.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about, and I would appreciate you keeping Delilah and Evelyn’s names out of your mouth.” I lifted my chin, looking down at him. “I’m not in competition with you or anyone.”
He cocked a grin and winked at me. “Yeah, okay, big man. When I’ve got her in my arms and you’re sitting there, watching the second Kastanos sister walk away from you, you keep telling yourself that.”
I’d never had a problem with Ryan, but as he strolled off, whistling, I had to fight the urge to pick his smug, skinny ass up and toss him in the brick oven used for pizzas.
Ublyudok.
By the time I made it to our usual table with my food, Evelyn’s salad was half gone. I dropped into the seat beside her and picked up my burger, taking a big bite.
Rhys and Delilah were cuddling on her other side. Bella and Luciana were arguing over the best women's field hockey players. Beckett was watching his girlfriend with pure adoration. Felix was at the table across from ours, staring at Bella with an expression that looked a lot like longing, and Freddie was finally quiet, playing on his phone as he ate.
I turned to Evelyn, expecting to find her dreamy eyes staring off into the distance, headphones covering her ears, absently eating her salad or bread.
That wasn’t what I found. She was looking at me from under a furrowed brow, examining me while I’d been examining everyone else.
“Do I have food on my face?” I asked.
She leaned closer, really checking. “Not right now.”
“Is there something you want to say?”
Her eyes narrowed. “Not really. I’m thinking at the moment.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
I liked that—her honesty and that I was on her mind.
“But you won’t tell me what you’re thinking?” I asked.
“I’m sorting my thoughts out.”
I lowered my chin, sweeping over her pretty face. “I hope they’re good thoughts.”
Her mouth opened, but before she could respond, Rhys fucking Astor called her name.
“Evelyn, darling, it’s time for my next knitting lesson,” he singsonged.
She sighed, tearing her focus away from me to give it to him. “I’m still eating. If you expect me to teach you while I’m hungry, you won’t like the results.”
His eyebrows waggled. “Oh no. Is hangry Ev scary?”
Delilah spoke up. “You laugh, but my sister is no good when she hasn’t been fed. She’s sweet until her stomach starts growling.”
Rhys chuffed. “Ev hasn’t been sweet to me even once in our acquaintance. It’s lucky I’m a glutton for punishment.”
“That’s because I don’t love you yet, Rhys. One day, I might,” Evelyn informed him.
He pressed two hands to his chest. “And I live for that day. Until then, I’ll strive to be the best brother-in-law you’ve ever had.”
“You aren’t married to my sister,” she argued.
He hooked his arm behind Delilah’s neck. “That is only because she has this silly idea that getting married in high school would be reckless.” He rolled his eyes. “As if I’ll ever love anyone else.”