Chapter 3The Art Of Breaking A Toxic Quartet

He instinctively loosened his grip on Stella, making a move toward me.

But Stella snagged his hand, smiling widely in my direction. “Sorry, Sasha. Jax is mine today.”

Jax froze, rubbing his neck.

“I promised to teach Stella first. Just wait your turn.”

They both slid into the water. Stella immediately began flailing, clinging to Jax like a human barnacle.

As I stood watching, a complete stranger walked up to me and smoothly offered a pickup line.

“Hey, beautiful. I can teach you how to swim.”

Jax, looking over from the water, saw the exchange and his face went instantly dark.

“She’s my girlfriend. Mind your own business.”

The stranger looked from Jax to the girl plastered to his chest and gave a look of pure contempt.

“Got one in your arms and one on the sidelines, huh? Not a lot of respect for your girl.”

Jax bristled, immediately angry. “What did you say? Stella is just my little sister.”

“A 'little sister' you’re kissing in the water? Sure.”

The stranger’s sarcasm was so spot-on that I almost burst out laughing.

Seeing Jax truly losing his temper, and worried about a scene, I quickly intervened. “Thank you, but I’m fine. I’ll just chill out for a bit.”

The stranger gave up reluctantly, but not before delivering a final jab.

“Here’s my number. When you break up with this guy, give me a call.”

Once the stranger was gone, Jax glared at me, his expression nasty.

“Those guys are just looking to take advantage of you. Can you be a little more careful?”

I looked at him forlornly. “But I’m so bored sitting here alone. If you’re busy teaching Stella, could Kian or Spencer teach me instead?”

“You’re all such close friends. They won’t try anything, right?”

Kian, sitting nearby, snapped his head up. “Who said I wanted to take advantage of you? Don’t flatter yourself.”

I didn’t take offense. “So, it’s settled. You two can teach me.”

Kian and Spencer were roped into the job. They reluctantly helped me into the water, carefully keeping their distance.

Then, Stella’s dissatisfied voice drifted over. “Jax, can you focus, please?”

I looked over and met Jax’s gaze.

Ever since I got in the water, he’d been completely distracted, his eyes constantly flicking over to me, which was clearly starting to piss Stella off.

I gave him a quick blink. Then, my foot seized up with a cramp. I immediately lost all strength and tumbled straight into Kian’s embrace.

Kian went stock-still, paralyzed, unable to move a muscle.

“My foot hurts so bad. Could you rub it for me? I forgot to stretch before getting in the water.”

I whispered the request near Kian’s ear, then glanced across at Spencer with a pained expression.

Spencer paused for a moment, then dove underwater to massage my calf.

“Kian!” Stella’s high-pitched, almost shrill voice suddenly exploded.

Kian flinched, immediately pulling away from me and swimming toward Stella.

The abrupt movement sent me sinking. I choked on a gulp of water.

In the sheer panic of drowning, I instinctively wrapped myself around Spencer’s body, locking my mouth onto his to suck in oxygen.

Spencer’s eyes went wide with shock.

Once the cramp subsided, I scrambled out of the water, looking completely distraught.

Spencer’s eyes darted away, mortified, unable to meet my gaze.

The second I was on deck, Stella marched over, her face indignant. “Sasha, you’re Jax’s girlfriend! How can you be so intimate with Kian?”

“Kissing and hugging in front of everyone—where is Jax supposed to put his face?”