Chapter Four

The Bachelor Auction is just days away, and I am still stuck dealing with Jaxon Walker.

It should be illegal to spend this much time with one person—especially when that person is as infuriating as Jaxon Walker.

"Carter, tell me again why this auction needs rehearsals? It's not like I don't know how to be charming," Jaxon says, leaning back against the bleachers with that insufferable grin.

I roll my eyes, flipping through my notes. "It needs rehearsals because, shockingly, we need to make sure everything runs smoothly. And knowing you, you'll turn it into a circus if left unsupervised."

Jaxon places a hand over his heart. "I'm offended."

Ethan snorts. "She's got a point. You're like a walking disaster when given free rein."

I shake my head, trying to focus, but it's nearly impossible when Jaxon is actively ruining my life.

And then, of course, Ryan Porter appears again.

He strolls into the gym like he owns the place, his eyes immediately locking onto me.

Ryan always had a way of making an entrance. It used to be charming. Now? It just puts me on edge.

"Lena, glad I found you," he says, his smirk firmly in place.

I freeze. Because this—Ryan approaching me, looking like he has a plan—never leads anywhere good.

Jaxon notices immediately. I can tell because his body language shifts—just slightly, his arms uncrossing, his smirk slipping the tiniest bit.

Ryan ignores him entirely, his focus still on me. "Listen, I was thinking—maybe we should grab coffee sometime. You know, catch up."

I blink, caught completely off guard. Did Ryan just ask me out?

A million thoughts rush through my head, but before I can even process what's happening, Jaxon moves.

Before I can even form a response, Jaxon steps forward, casually slinging an arm around my shoulders. His warmth seeps through my shirt, his grip just firm enough to make it clear he isn't going anywhere.

"Oh, she's a little busy these days," he says smoothly. "Lots of Bachelor Auction preparations to do. Right, Carter?"

I go rigid, my brain short-circuiting at the sudden closeness. His arm is heavy, solid—too casual, too easy, like he's done this a thousand times before. I glare up at him, but my body betrays me, warmth creeping up my neck.

I glare up at him, but I'm too flustered to respond.

Ryan's eyes flick between us, his smirk fading slightly. "Right. Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Ethan, who has been watching this entire train wreck unfold, stares at us with raised eyebrows.

"Uh, what was that?" he asks.

I immediately shove Jaxon's arm off me. "Yeah, Walker. What was that?"

Jaxon just grins, completely unbothered. "Just making sure Carter doesn't make any bad decisions."

I narrow my eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry—what?"

"You heard me." He shrugs, still so irritatingly smug. "Looked like you were about to make a questionable life choice. Thought I'd save you the embarrassment."

I groan, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You do realize I can handle myself, right?"

Ethan claps his hands together once. "Cool. I'm officially done. You two can battle it out for dominance, but I'm going to go spend time with people who don't give me a headache."

I watch him go before turning back to Jaxon, who is still standing there like he didn't just flip my entire morning upside down. "You are insufferable."

"And yet, you'd be lost without me."

"I'm literally going to lose my mind."

Jaxon chuckles, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets, the picture of cocky confidence. "Not before this auction, you're not."

I glare. This auction cannot come soon enough.