Getting Played - Emma Chase Page 0,79

at me in a way he hasn’t looked at me in weeks—like I’m not an asshole, not an enemy. His hazel eyes, the same shade as his Mom’s, are soft and open and a little hesitant.

“Hey.” He lifts his chin, hands shoved in his pockets.

“Hey.” I greet him back from the floor, with a wrench in my hand.

“What’s going on?” Jay asks.

“Nothing. What’s going on with you?”

He shrugs. “Nothing much.”

He points at the pieces of cream, wooden crib sprawled across the floor. “Do you, um, want some help with that? We could do it together . . . if you want.”

My throat squeezes and the backs of my eyes go hot. Because it’s a simple question—but it means so much more than what the words say. We’re guys—we don’t need to talk and analyze every detail and emotion. Shit happened, and it sucked, but now Jason wants to move on. Let it go. He wants us to be friends again.

“I, ah . . .” I clear my throat. “I’d love that, Jay.”

“Cool.”

He sits down next to me and reads over the instruction manual. After a few minutes of tightening bolts, Jason says, “So, I was thinking about asking Quinn to junior prom. Do you think it’s too early?”

“It’s never too early to lock down a date for prom.”

Jay nods thoughtfully.

“Are you asking her as a friend or more than a friend?” I ask, though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.

“The latter,” Jay confirms. “But I’m not sure if I should tell her that part. I don’t want to lose her as a friend, you know?”

It feels every bit as cool as I imagined talking to Jason like this. Passing on my vast knowledge and skills to such a worthy pupil.

“Would you not want to be friends with her anymore if she’s not into you?” I ask.

“No—I’d still want to be Quinn’s friend.”

I stand and line up the last side of the crib as Jason holds the other piece.

“Quinn doesn’t seem like the type to ditch you because you have feelings for her,” I point out. “Even if she doesn’t return them.”

Jason’s forehead crinkles as he takes this in. “No, she wouldn’t do that.”

I tighten the last bolt, and put my hand on Jay’s shoulder.

“Then go for it. Be bold.” I wink. “Girls dig bravery.”

Jason smiles, happy and sure, and that mixture of contentment and exhilaration slams into me again, even stronger than before. And I know without a doubt, we’re going to be okay.

Chapter Nineteen

Lainey

Spring comes early to Lakeside. I film and post videos on spring cleaning tricks and Dean carries me outside, where I sit in my overalls, in the dirt of the flower beds, and with him and Jaybird plant tulips and hyacinths, daffodils and peonies that are bursting with color all around the house. The cherry blossom trees bloom and scatter the backyard in a shower of soft pink petals every time the wind blows. Grams and the Gray Army refinish the dock—making for some hilarious videos that the Lifers absolutely love. Dean and Garrett build a brick firepit off the back patio—working shirtless—which the Lifers love even more. By the end of March, I have double the subscribers to Life with Lainey than I did when I first signed the contracts with Facebook.

It’s a magical time for me and Dean and Jason—for our family. A peaceful, beautiful time.

At the thirty-eight week mark in my pregnancy, I have an appointment with my OBGYN, and—blessed be—she takes me off bed rest! Off all restrictions. It feels like Christmas and my birthday and the 4th of July all rolled into one. Not that I plan on doing anything too wild and crazy—because I’m gigantic—but just knowing I’ll be able to stand and walk, dance and yes, skip again is more exciting than I can describe.

There’s also another fantastic benefit. . . one that Dean and I put to immediate use the minute we walk into the kitchen and see a note from Jason that he’ll be out for the rest of the day with Quinn.

I look up into Dean’s turbulent, hungry eyes—and I know he sees the same need in mine—because great, and insatiable minds think alike.

He takes the note from my hands, balls it up and throws it over his shoulder.

And then we’re kissing—hot and hard, wild and wet. I moan into his mouth as he sweeps me into his arms and carries me up to the bedroom. I suck on his tongue and tug on