4. My Second Mistake

The room was silent. Other than the sound of clicking forks and some gulps here and there, no one said a word.

Jayden's eyes which were staring right into mine made the atmosphere even more anxious. What was going through his mind, and why did I care?

"So, Jayden—how are you liking Barfile University so far?" Mom broke the silence for the first time in minutes. Jayden put down his fork and shot my mom a polite smile.

He was good at pretending.

"I like it…it's different, but I like it."

"I'm glad to hear that." Mom nodded. "I hope Maison is treating you well."

Jayden chuckled. "Of course he is," He answered. What I did not expect was for him to give me a wink. "Everyone's been extra nice."

Could he not stop?

"How did he do at practice?" JR looked at dad. As expected, also he was someone who couldn't go a day without talking about football. It was not surprising.

The confident smirk on Jayden's lip had quickly changed into an uncomfortable smile. I bet he wasn't really into the football talk either. Maison, on the other hand—stuffed his mouth with some chicken, waiting for dad to answer.

"He's a good team player. He has outstanding athletic ability, amazing footwork, great arm, knows what he's doing." Dad praised him, but I could not understand a single word. "There's always room for improvement, but that's what I'm here for."

JR tensed after hearing the word 'improvement' and turned his head to Jayden. "Do you hear that? No fun for you, boy." He spoke in a serious tone.

Way to make things awkward.

"He's going to be a big one, just like his brother." Dad tried saving the day as if he hadn't done enough damage already. "As an alumnus, Diego Cruz is the pride of this university."

"True, I just wish Jayden could be a bit more like his brother." JR raised his brows. Everyone ate their food in silence while my eyes were still glued onto Jayden. His own dad embarrassed him at the table, which was something even my dad didn't do. At least he had the decency to embarrass me in my ear.

"And you're doing art, sweetheart?" Katie addressed me. I felt nervous as all heads, including Jayden's, turned to me. I wasn't that much of a speaker because I didn't have that much to say. I just wasn't an interesting person.

"Yes, she's a great painter. The best in her class." Mom answered for me. That woman could not live a second without turning everything into a competition. Everyone knew she couldn't give two shits about my art.

Katie hummed. "Unfortunately, there won't be that many opportunities for her."

Well, that wasn't the first time I heard that.

Jayden chuckled. "I'm sorry, Katie." He spoke in a mocking tone. "I didn't know you knew that much about job opportunities, considering you never had one."

My jaw nearly dropped while mom covered her mouth with her hands and let out a giggle. One sentence from Jayden was enough to keep her quiet. My lips curled into a slight smile as I gave Jayden a grateful look.

How could one guy be that difficult to read? One second he was a playboy, and the next second he was prepared to be my knight in shining armor.

After several minutes of Jayden and I watching each other like snacks, the dinner had finally come to an end. I knew I looked desperate, but after Jayden had excused himself to the front porch, I didn't know how fast to follow him.

Shamelessly, I checked him out as he leaned against the wall. He could see me, I know he could—but he refused to acknowledge me.

I joined him without saying another word and waited for him to take the first step. Was he even going to address what had happened between us?

"Thanks."

Jayden gave me a questioning look. "For uh…sticking up for me? Thanks." I slowly lost my confidence. There was something about the look in his eyes, and I couldn't put my fingers on it just yet.

"It's the least I can do after the special service from yesterday." Jayden turned halfway and placed his hand on the wall, trapping me. "I saw the way you were staring at me, by the way."

I shifted my weight from one foot to another as I lowered my head to hide the blush on my face. Jayden was unpredictable, but in a way, I liked it. He was a fresh breath of air between these predictable rich snobs.

"Was I staring at you, or were you staring at me?" I spoke nervously. Jayden chuckled, moving his finger to my chin, and forced me to look into his eyes.

"I guess we were both staring at each other." He shrugged. "But to be fair, you can't blame me—you're not that bad to look at."

"Is that so?"

The sound of the door was enough for us to step away from each other. I cleared my throat as Jayden placed his hands into his pockets. "There you guys are!" Maison walked out the door.

He shot me a disgusted look and slammed his arm around Jayden. "Is this ugly horse bothering you?"

Jayden tried his hardest to hold back his laughter. "You're the one with the horse face!" I argued. Maison calling me every disgusting name on the planet was nothing new.

"You're the one who snores like a horse!" Maison embarrassed me. Before he could say anything else, I stood on my tippy toes and covered his mouth with my hands.

"Don't believe him. It's not true!" I told Jayden, who could only laugh at our interaction. I yelped in pain when my brother bit my finger and stepped back. "Ow!"

"Deserved." Maison rolled his eyes. "Jayden, I think I'm crashing here tonight—do you mind?"

Jayden shook his head. "No, of course not—it's your house."

"How about you, horse face?" Maison asked. "Thanks, but I'll pass."

Although the thought of my parents living on campus was nice, I was the type of person who needed my space. Between dad and Maison's conversations about football or mom's rants about designer clothing—I could not tell you what's worse.

"We're heading out, son!" JR Cruz walked out the door with Katie by his side. My attention had quickly moved to the tensed look on Jayden's face. He was not a big fan of his dad or his stepmom, that was for sure.

Jayden gave his dad a nod of acknowledgment, and that was all. No hug, nothing.

"We'll be back for your first game," JR spoke. "Don't disappoint me, boy." He gave Jayden one last pat on his shoulder and walked off with his plastic wife by his side.

Maison, who also didn't miss the show, had an awkward look on his face. He had never been the most comforting person. "It's a bit dark. Can you walk horse face back to her dorms?" Maison switched the subject. At least he was trying to be a brother for once.

For someone who didn't want me around his teammates, he sure had no problem sending Jayden on this mission.

Jayden smirked at me. "No, of course not." He said. "I'll be a nice gentleman and walk her back to her dorms."

"Thanks, dude!"

Maison walked off, leaving me alone with Jayden, who stuck out his hand. "Are you coming?"

All I could feel were butterflies in my stomach as I looked at his large, invitiny hand. "I-I'll manage, don't listen to Maison."

"Oh, trust me—I'm not." Jayden grabbed my hand without a single hesitation. "I'm doing this because I want to. Let's go."

Jayden and I walked back to the campus yard in silence, but there was only one problem. We weren't headed towards my dormitory but the apartment complex. "Uh, I think I have to go the other way," I spoke with a blush on my cheeks, recalling the events of last night. "Or are you kidnapping me?"

"We can't exactly call it kidnapping if you come along willingly." Jayden brought his lips close to my ear. Jayden's presence worked like a magnet. I was supposed to turn away, but for some reason, I couldn't.

Maybe that was the reason why I was stupid enough to end up in his apartment for the second time within twenty-four hours. It was almost as if my body moved on its own, and before I knew it—Jayden had me pressed against the apartment wall.

I looked into his eyes, waiting for him to make the next move. I could feel his warm breath on my lips as he almost stared through my soul.

Anticipating his next move, I stroke my hand up and down his arm. What were we even doing?

Defeated, I rested my forehead against his. "Are you just going stare at me, or are you going to kiss me?"

Those words were enough for Jayden to slam his lips onto mine. I gasped, parting my lips, and slammed my arms around his neck, letting myself melt into the kiss.

Just as I remembered, his lips felt as soft as silk. I didn't know whether it was because of nerves or because this was forbidden, but I felt weak to my knees. Jayden placed his firm hands on my behind, lifting me from the floor, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist.

His hands traveled to my hips as he pulled me in closer, letting the tip of his tongue brushed my lip—begging me for entrance.

"Stop, we can't do this." I pulled away before it could get any further. I could not have a repeat of last year, and I had to think of Maison and my dad. I couldn't do this to them, not again.

"Why? Because of your brother?" Jayden began trailing his lips down my neck, sending thrills throughout my body. "Do you want me to stop?"

I couldn't do this to Maison and dad. I couldn't. But did I really want him to stop?

I opened my mouth to give him an answer but was overwhelmed with pleasure. All which could leave my mouth was a delightful moan.

"Myah, do you want me to stop?" Jayden spoke against my neck. "I…I," I found myself lost for words.

We shouldn't be doing this, and there were still so many questions.

Why did he kick me out last night?

Was he going to do it again in the morning?

F*ck it.

"No, please." I gave in to my desires. "Please, don't stop."