Page 34 of Obey

"Find something else to do, Jace."

"Already finished everything I needed to do."

"Then find something new."

Naturally, he pushes away from the doorway and walks inside as I disengage the safety catches and begin another set.

"Someone's in a mood," he observes.

"I'm working out."

"Yeah, I can see that." He approaches the bench, running his fingers across my sweat-slicked abdomen. "You only load this heavy when something's eating at you."

I don't answer, focusing instead on the weight suspended above my chest.

"So," he continues, moving around the machine until he's standing beside my head. "Did you two fight?"

I finish another one before answering.

"Who says we fought?"

"Well, for starters, you came home early. Nate's still at work, and you're in here trying to kill yourself with gym equipment." He pauses. "Plus, he called me."

I push the handles upward and secure the weight.

"Did he?"

"Mhm."

"And what did he have to say?"

"Not much. Asked if I'd made it home yet. Told me you were probably going to be in a shitty mood."

I reach for my water bottle.

"How thoughtful of him."

"He's a considerate man."

"He's an asshole."

"He's our asshole."

Despite myself, I almost smile.

Jace catches it, and his expression brightens like he's just won the first round.

"Don't push your luck."

"Oh, baby." He drags the words out with entirely too much satisfaction. "You know me better than that."

Unfortunately, I do.

I know every version of Jace Narváez. The brilliant engineer. The affectionate menace. And the shameless masochist who considers my temper a personal invitation.

Nate knows when to challenge me. Jace prefers to see how far he can push before I finally give him what he's asking for. Which is exactly why I don't trust that smile.

"How long are you going to lie here pretending you don't want me around?" he asks.