Free Misbehaving by Abbi Glines

me. He actually laughed at my sarcasm and he got when I was kidding. He didn’t roll his eyes at me or ignore me.
    It was a unique experience.
    “Yeah, sounds good,” I replied.
    He grinned and turned his attention back to the field.
    “Uh-oh, Jess. You might want to go get Rock,” Amanda said in a worried tone.
    I glanced over at her. “What?” I asked. Her frown was focused on something or someone else. I followed her gaze to see Hank walking across the parking lot beside Carrie, who was holding the hand of their little boy. He was just barely walking now. Hank hardly ever went anywhere with Carrie and their kid. Normally, I just saw him with the little boy. Me being here with Jason and him being here with Carrie was drama I didn’t want tonight.
    “What is it?” Jason asked.
    I tore my gaze off my ex and his little family. “You ready to go eat now?” I asked. It was the beginning of the third quarter, but staying was a bad idea. I didn’t want to explain Hank to Jason.
    “I’m just hungry,” I replied, standing up and reaching for his arm to tug him up too. He stood up beside me willingly. I tried hard not to let my hand dwell on his arm too long. The hard, defined muscles under my palm were a little distracting, so I dropped my hand. “See you later, Amanda. Let Rock and Trisha know that I had to leave.”
    She nodded and gave me an understanding smile.
    When we reached the bottom of the stands, I glanced over to see if Hank had noticed me. Or worse, if Carrie had. She hated me and was very verbal with her hate for me. I didn’t want to go near that with Jason here to see and hear it.
    “You gonna tell me what’s going on, or do I get to guess?” Jason said close to my ear.
    Hank’s eyes found me at that moment. I stopped walking and reached for Jason’s hand. Shit. The anger in Hank’s eyes wasn’t good. This was going to be one big mess. I turned to Jason. “The guy’s truck I bashed. He’s here,” I explained.
    Jason’s eyes went wide, and then a grin tugged at his lips. “Good thing I didn’t drive the Porsche.”
    This wasn’t funny. Why did he have to look so dang sexy and amused?
    “Yeah, well, he knows it was me. Let’s go.”
    Jason’s hand found mine, surprising me. I glanced down at our hands as his fingers threaded through mine. What was he doing?
    “You’ll be fine. I promise,” he said in a firm, calm voice that soothed me. Even if he didn’t know how insane Hank could be.
    “Thanks,” I whispered, straightening up as we walked toward the parking lot. Hank had stopped walking. I wasn’t going to make eye contact with him. Maybe he’d just let us walk by without saying anything.
    Jason didn’t say anything as we got closer, but Hank’s heated gaze felt like it was burning a hole in my head. He was pissed. I didn’t even glance at Carrie. I knew she’d go to screaming if I gave her any reason to think I wanted Hank.
    I heard Hank’s angry snarl. “Shut up.” Fantastic. Carrie was saying something about me being here. I picked up my pace, and Jason tightened his grip on my hand but refused to walk faster. He forced me to keep his steady pace.
    “Take the baby, Hank. I mean it. If you talk to that skank, I’ll walk away. I won’t have it. I swear I won’t.” Carrie was talking loud enough for people around us to hear her. She loved making scenes.
    “Shut up, bitch,” he roared, and I winced. I knew what that felt like. Hank’s angry words. I also knew what Hank’s fist felt like. Surely she realized getting him worked up was not safe.
    “Excuse us,” Jason said smoothly as we walked past them. Jason moved me to his other side so that he stood between them and me. It wasn’t even obvious, he did it with such a casual ease.
    “Who the fuck are you?” Hank demanded, and I thought Jason was going to ignore him. But he didn’t.
    He stopped, and moved me to stand behind him before he turned back to look at Hank. “Excuse me?” he replied. The warning