Jaded (Jaded #1)

“Can I help you?” A deputy glanced up and raked his eyes over each of us. His eyes lingered on Bryce’s bruised knuckles.

“Yeah. I’m here to post bail for a friend of mine,” I spoke up.

When he asked, I gave Corrigan’s name and a moment later we were given some paperwork to fill out. It seemed to take forever, but in truth it was probably fifteen minutes before we saw Corrigan smirk cockily when he was hustled from the back holding area. They took off his handcuffs just before he was allowed his personal items and moved through the gate.

“Hey,” Corrigan greeted us both with a hug.

Bryce thumped him on his back while I punched him in the stomach.

“Ow,” Corrigan grunted, feigning pain, but he grinned a second later and wrapped me in another big hug.

We trailed back out to the car in silence and I took the backseat.

Once we were inside, he asked Bryce, “So did you…?”

Bryce flexed his knuckles in response and let out a hiss in pain.

“Man,” Corrigan whistled. “You did him good.”

I rolled my eyes in the back, but remained quiet.

Corrigan twisted in his seat and asked, excitement in his eyes, “Wanna hear about the chase?”

I groaned, but a chuckle slipped out.

“They could’ve shot you, Corrigan,” I pointed out.

“Nah, man,” he laughed. “When they cornered me, I got out all slow with my hands in the air. It was awesome, but they were rough when they cuffed me.”

Bryce asked, “They pull their guns?”

“Yeah. A few. They put ‘em away quick though when they realized I was just a kid. I bonded with my arresting officers. I was cracking jokes on the way to the station.

And I told them all about Chad, what he did.”

“What?” Bryce asked sharply. “Why the hell did you do that?”

“They said they’d keep their eyes out for him.”

“Man,” Bryce groaned. “If they go over there, they’re going to want him to press charges against me.”

“What? Nah.” Corrigan shook his head, but a cautious look flashed across. He laughed again and exclaimed, “No way. Yerling won’t say a thing. He knows what’ll happen if he does.”

“What is this? Like Fight Club?” I mumbled.

“Yes,” Corrigan answered while Bryce replied, “No.”

They glanced at each other and shared a meaningful look.

Corrigan corrected himself, “I mean, it’s not anything like Fight Club.”

“Right,” I scoffed in disbelief.

“The first rule: no one can talk about it. The second rule is: no one can talk about it. And the third rule is: if they do, they’re out. Did I get it right?”

“It’s not like that.” Bryce met my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Yerling’s pulled some other stunts lately. He just needed to be put back in his place. That’s all.”

“Let’s grab some food. I’m starving.” Corrigan pointed at the closest fast food and we trudged inside.

One of the girls whispered to her friend behind the counter and soon two additional employees were at the counter.

I groaned when Corrigan literally licked it up.

I sat at a nearby booth and waited as the two morons got their food. Bryce grabbed a soda for me, but neither moved for a moment when their food had been placed on their tray.

I marched up and grabbed the tray. As I moved past, I bumped shoulders with both of them on purpose.

“Hey,” Corrigan protested when he spilled his drink.

“Oops,” I deadpanned.

Bryce came to sit beside me on my side of the booth. Corrigan sat, inhaled his food, and grabbed the rest of his burger. He stood at the counter while he finished it and his drink.

Bryce relaxed against the booth and slid an arm on the back. He purposely stretched and slid his leg beside mine.

“Stop,” I murmured.

Bryce chuckled and leaned closer to me. He whispered in my ear, “It’ll be fine.”

I shrugged him off.

Bryce frowned and asked, “What’s wrong with you? You’re usually up for this stuff.”

I was, but I acted like a ‘girl.’ That pissed me off more.

“Nothing,” I mumbled.

“What? Is it Yerling?”

Nothing.

“Is it what Steele said to you?”

Nothing.

“Oh.” He got it. “It’s the counselor thing.”

I tensed beside him.

He leaned closer and pressed a kiss underneath my ear.

I relaxed slightly and closed my eyes when his hand slid onto my leg. He massaged just inside my thigh before he continued his exploration around my neck. I hung my head down, helpless and turned so he could capture my lips with his. I felt his fingers dip inside my pants and murmured, huskily, “If you wanted to take my mind off that, it’s working.”

Bryce chuckled and his breath teased my skin.

“Let’s go. Now,” I breathed.

Bryce shot up and called out, “Corrigan, we’re leaving.”

Corrigan finished talking with one of the girls and jogged over to us with a suggestive smirk on his face.

“You two go on. I’m going to grab a ride home with this girl.”