Ace (Playtime Series Book 1) by Gemma Arlington (distant reading TXT) 📕

at the party he was more than happy to chat away. He joked with me, even if it was at the expense of Freddie, but then Freddie was his brother. Wasn’t it the right of the elder brother to tease the younger?

“Are you hungry?” I asked as I opened the front door to the place I knew as home.

“I’m a little famished,” he mumbled in reply as I made my way down into the

sunken lounge room.

“Make yourself at home, the remotes are under the coffee table,” I smiled, heading for the kitchen. I was hungry from spending the whole day in the studio, only surviving on cups of terrible coffee. It was not my idea of a good day on the job.

“Can I get you a drink? Beer, wine, water?” I yelled, as I slipped off my jacket and opened the fridge to find something to eat. The more I thought about it I realized I wasn’t in the mood to cook. Maybe ordering a pizza would be my best bet. I pulled out two beers and closed the fridge, coming face to face with two beautifully big brown eyes.

“I’ll have a beer,” Eric smiled, taking them both from my hands and placing them down on the kitchen bench beside him.

I couldn’t help but stare and I could guarantee I looked like some sick, groupie with a

crush, which was the total opposite of reality, since I’d had no clue who the band was until I landed this gig.

“Ace,” he smirked, while stepping closer to me, making me take a few steps back and bump into the island bench in the middle of the kitchen.

“Ace, do you think you could do me a favor?” he asked, while continuing to stare at me. I wondered what he was thinking.

I certainly couldn’t imagine what he

would want

help with, besides recording time in the studio.

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the lump in my throat. This was crazy; there was no way in hell I could be attracted to Eric! I wasn’t the type to fall for the bad boy, but there was something about those big, brown eyes. Something within them was calling to me and it made me realize that there was more to this guy then he was letting on.

“Sure, what can I do?” I asked.

“Do you think we can order pizza, it’s been a while since I just hung out and enjoyed a big, fat slice of pizza,” he smiled.

“I’ll order one,” I chuckled with relief, as I rounded the island bench and opened the top draw looking for the take out menus.

~Chapter Eight~

Ace

Within twenty minutes, we were having some weird picnic on the lounge room floor with beer, and the largest pepperoni pizza I had ever seen. I flicked through a million channels on the pay TV remote, until I came across something worth viewing. I wasn’t much of a TV watcher; I think it had more to do with my workload than anything else.

I did have to admit though, there was generally nothing on that ever held my attention long enough.

“How does NASA plan their party’s?  They Planet.” Eric grinned.

“Oh my, that was the worst joke I have ever heard,” I retorted with a giggle.

“I got you to laugh didn’t I?” Eric commented.

“But that was terrible,” I grinned. Guys and their terrible jokes.

“Wait, wait, let me redeem myself,” he said, pleading somewhat.

“OMG… no, no, no you don’t get a chance to redeem that horrid display,” I joked.

“What’s so funny?” Hank’s voice rang out through the room. I jumped up from the lounge room floor smiling.

“Some lame ass joke Eric was telling me,” I answered, as I bit down on my lip. I wondered how awkward this could get.

“Are you hungry? There is plenty of pizza leftover.” I smiled.

“No thanks Ace. I think I’m off to bed, but I wondered, if you don’t mind, can I please have a quick word with you?” he asked, giving me a half smile and heading towards the kitchen. I followed, wondering if he was alright; he looked tired and I guess work was keeping him very busy.

“What’s up?” I asked as I went to the fridge for a bottle of water. I had a busy day tomorrow and the one beer I’d had earlier was my limit for a work night.

“Please be careful,” Hank sighed. The subtle warning in his tone spoke more than the three little words did. He was concerned and I knew why, the boys of JED were heart breakers. Did Hank seriously think I was going to mix business with pleasure?

“I just don’t want to see you get taken advantage of, or worse, have your heart broken,” Hank exhaled.

“Hank,” I pouted and placed my bottle of

cold water on the bench, before stepping forward and wrapping my arms around his neck to hug him. He was so sweet and kind to be looking out for me, in fact, he was the only one ever looking out for me. I liked Hank maybe a little too much than I should, but I knew never to cross the line with him or with Eric either.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, my head pressed against his chest. His heart was beating a little faster than it should have been, and it made me wonder if he was as nervous as I was. The one thing that was making me a little weak in the knees was the divine scent radiating from him.

“Someone has to look after you Ace,” he pulled back and smiled. Those beautiful pearly whites were a smack in the face. Hank had a unique form of sex appeal and I liked how he was almost oblivious to it.

“I’m a big girl. Don’t you think I can