Free Crave by Violet Vaughn Page B

looks at my chest, and I’m sure he sees my nipples are hard. He shifts too.
    He says, “Jesus, don’t do that.”
    Exactly. Don’t do that, Jason. What is wrong with me? Get a grip, Casey. Get a freaking grip.
    I comb my fingers through my hair. Putting both hands on the table, I press down and take a deep breath. Hands cover mine, and I look into his hungry eyes. They glisten. Damn it, now I tear up too.
    I sniff. “Where’s a T-shirt when you need it?” And force a smile.
    His mouth turns up a bit and he slides his hands away.
    I clear my throat. “So do you have a job this summer?”
    He lifts his burger. “Matt hired me to do construction with him.”
    “That’s great. I need to find something. My cleaning gig is getting old. What about a place to live?” I fiddle with my straw.
    “That might be tougher, but I’m going to spend tomorrow finding one.” He takes a sip of his beer.
    “I know someone you should talk to. I’ll give you his number. You can tell him Casey from Vermont sent you. I’m sure he’ll remember me. The lady that owns the boarding house I live in is the receptionist.”
    “Will you stay there?” He sticks a fry in his mouth.
    “Probably. It keeps me out of trouble.” Well, sort of. “If Cassie comes and is stuck, she can always live at the boarding house. I’m happy to put a good word in for her.” Seriously? Did that just come out of my mouth?
    He cocks his head at me with uncertainty. “Thanks. I’ll tell her.”
    I pick up my burger. Why do I do this to myself? I put it back down. I’ve lost my appetite.

Chapter 17

    “You should have told him, Casey. He feels betrayed.” Clara doesn��t sing today. She drops the bucket full of supplies with a thud.
    Betrayed? I know how that feels. I suck. “Clara, I didn’t know Jason was here. Matt told me, and I went and found him.”
    “Matt?”
    Sigh. This is going from bad to worse. “Jason came out here on vacation and applied to teach next year.” I grab my yellow gloves and shove a hand in one.
    “You can’t be serious. You, Jason, and Blaine could all be in the same locker room?” She shakes out a garbage bag with a snap.
    Welcome to my current nightmare. “I know. Blaine wouldn’t take my calls or answer my texts last night. Do you think he knows Jason is teaching here next year?”
    “Yes. Tim knows everything Matt does. Blaine went out with Tim to drown his sorrows last night. Blaine doesn’t drink much now that you’re in his life, so I imagine he feels awful today.” She takes the dust rag and polish out of the bucket.
    Poor Blaine. My first instinct is to nurture him. Hangovers. This is a pain with which I am intimately familiar.
    I slide my phone out of my pocket and text him with the ungloved hand. “Can I bring you anything when I get out of work? I know a few good hangover cures. <3.” Yeah, the heart is pathetic. I’m groveling here and I know it.
    “He told me you two had an amazing night last weekend and he’s falling for you. Now he wonders if he’s about to be hurt.” She starts to walk off and then stops. She turns back to me. “Is it true you were mad that he kissed you in front of Jason?”
    Shit. “It was more than just Jason. It felt so awkward in front of all those little boys.” I’m lying. And from the look on Clara’s face, she knows it.
    “Blaine is a great guy, and you’d better figure out what you want. He doesn’t deserve this.” She walks off.
    Amazing? Falling for me? Was he referring to the thing we did? Oh, sweet Jesus, I don’t even know what to do here. Great. I’ve offered to go cure his hangover. Damn it. I can’t even talk to Clara about this. She’s Blaine’s friend first. Plus I would never share something that personal about him with people he knows. That’s just mean. I send Gretchen a text. “Skied with Jason yesterday. Ran into Blaine. He’s pissed and feels betrayed. Now what?”
    I hear the buzz of her reply. “You did betray