The Strings Attached

Chapter 9 - Jace

Jace

I'm not up to her standards?

Okay, I wasn't eavesdropping... actually I was. I'm good at reading lips and I can tell when women are talking about me. They get this glistening look in their eyes and their cheeks get all red.

But for Loni to say I'm not her type and she has standards, low blow. I'm not trying to be cocky, but I'm every woman's type. I've been with an array of different women and none have complained.

Also, I must mention that the two of them weren't very discrete. Voices echo well off the gym walls and they weren't trying so hard to whisper. I heard every dot and dash of Loni's little sex plan. And for her to say I'm not her type and she has standards, offends me a little.

She obviously doesn't have good standards if she's going to pimp herself out on a hookup app. Trust me, I've been on multiple dating apps, and I know what the men on there want. I know what they will do to get what they want.

I don't know Loni well, but she is a member of this team and I feel a sense of obligation to her. As I do to all the girls on this team. Plus, I don't want anything happening that will cost us a win. If I help coach a winning team, Coach Harris will see me in a new light. He'll see me as something other than a fuck up.

Plus, behind Loni's hard, and kind of mean exterior, I know there's a sweet and sensitive girl who shouldn't be fucking around with a bunch of sleazeballs.

Coach Carr is back this practice, and she's finally better after her little— who am I kidding — major fucking meltdown. But she's back now and taking control of the team.

I help out where I'm needed. Assist during spiking drills and take over completely anytime Coach Carr gets a phone call. She's keeping me pretty busy and yet I can hardly concentrate. All I can think about is Loni.

I'm so invested in this little plan of hers, which should really be called a mistake. My ears perk up anytime she whispers to Hadley or anytime she looks at her phone. This is only going to end badly for her.

Why do I even care? I barely know this girl. And from our encounter last night, I don't think we will be friends anytime soon. Is it the thrill of the chase? The fact that she said I'm not her type? Or do I recognize myself in her a little bit? A part of me that was a complete dick and hurt a lot of women.

All of those thoughts cloud my mind for the rest of practice. By the end, I can't control myself. I need to talk to her.

I wait outside the gym. Waiting for her.

This is creepy. I should go.

As I take a step to leave, the main doors of the building swing open. Loni strides out, adjusting her large gym bag on her shoulder.

I waste no time and follow her. But damn this chick moves fast. I'm practically jogging to keep up as she makes her way through the campus.

"So I'm not your type huh?" I call out, causing Loni to freeze and snap her head around. I slow my pace and catch my breath. "Tell me, what is your type then?"

"Why are we even talking about this?" She grits out.

"You think one of those guys on that app is more "your type"?"

She clucks her tongue, rolls her eyes, and crosses her arms over her chest.

I take a step forward, challenging her harsh stance and she drops her arms. "This little plan of yours isn't a good idea."

"Oh, so you were listening in on my private conversation?"

I laugh. "You weren't really trying to be discrete."

She lets out a huff and rolls her big green eyes again. 

Damn in this light, they are fucking gorgeous. 

"Why do you even care?" She wipes her hands on the sides of her head, letting out a harsh breath. "I mean fuck, Jace, you don't even know me."

"I have an obligation to you since you're on the volleyball team."

She flaps her lips together, giving me another eye roll. "Oh my gosh. You are the assistant coach. You've only been with the team for two practices. You have no obligation to me whatsoever. Plus I am a grown woman, I can take care of myself."

She turns the other way before I can get a word in.

For a brief moment, I look in the other direction, the sounds of voices distracting me from her. But as soon as I snap my head back around, Loni is running towards me. Desperation in her eyes.

"Just go with it," she says under her breath before slamming her lips into mine.

My eyes widen and I can't catch my breath. But my body soon settles into hers when she doesn't stop kissing me. Her lips are so damn so soft. 

What the fuck is going on? 

She wanted to rip my head off less than two minutes ago and now she's kissing me. Obviously, I take advantage of this situation.

I kiss her back with even more passion and I let my hand explore every subtle curve of her body. Down the middle of her back, over her hips. My dick twitches in my shorts, craving to feel her brush against it.  

"Loni?"

Her lips rip away from mine and a very loud and noticeable groan escapes my mouth as she does. She turns to face some guy that approaches us and completely ruins our moment... Or whatever the hell that was.

"Eric, hey," she says in a cheerful voice.

I glance between the two of them. Eric's eyes are locked on me and his jaw ticks. I on the other hand can't help but hold onto the smirk that lines my lips. Especially when Loni's hand wraps around my bicep.

"How are you doing?" she leans her head against my arm.

"Who's this?" Eric's eyes frantically flash between the two of us. They grow increasingly more angry anytime they land on me.

"Oh," Loni says, cuddling deeper against me while my arms rest loosely at my sides, not sure what the hell I'm supposed to be doing with them. "This is Jace." Her other hand, that's not wrapped around my arm, slides up my torso and pats me on the chest. "The new man in my life."

I glance down at her and she's wearing the ugliest smile I've ever seen. Forced, toothy, disgustingly uncomfortable. Then I look at him. He's sporting a good old scowl. His dark eyes are hooded and his brown hair is messy against his forehead. Pretty scary I might add.

Suddenly, my body perks up when his name registers in my brain. Eric. Loni and Hadley talked about him at practice. And from what I heard, this is the guy that took her virginity.

Who the hell gave this guy that opportunity? He doesn't seem worthy enough to breathe the same air as Loni, let alone be inside—

Wow, that thought makes my skin get hot.

I shake off that feeling and slap a warm smile on my face. Pulling my arm out of Loni's intense grip, I wrap it around her shoulders, pulling her against my hip. My thumb grazes the exposed skin on her arm and I don't miss the blush that rises to her cheeks.

"Yup, that's me. I'm her man. It's nice to meet you, Eddie."

"It's Eric," he practically growls.

"Yeah, whatever," I say under my breath, never taking my eyes off of her while she watches her feet. "See ya around."

Keeping Loni close by my side, I shove us past him, not letting her go until we are far enough away. When I release her, he shoulders instantly relax, but her chest still moves at a fast pace with each heavy breath.

"So, you want to tell me what that was all about?" I ask, shoving my hands in my pockets, tilting my head to the side. 

"No."