Page 27 of The Lies We Tell Ourselves

I’d never admit it, but my jealousy grew as I took in the group he sat with. Or, more importantly, who was wrapped around him. Jamie may have a heart bigger than anyone I’d ever known, but he was also terrified of meeting new people, let alone talking openly to those he knew. But the boy sitting before me seemed confident, adjusted, and content.

I fucking hated it.

I exhaled a ragged breath and clenched my fists, nails digging into the palm of my left hand while the bottle in my right groaned under the pressure. My jaw clenched so hard, I was amazed my teeth didn’t turn to dust as jealousy turned to visceral anger. The guy wrapped around Jamie nuzzled into his jaw before tilting his head in an intimate gesture. The two were nose to nose, and I knew as sure as the sun would rise tomorrow, that the guy with dark blond hair was going to kiss what was mine. Fuck no.

Without conscious thought, I pulled my arm back and launched the bottle in my hand, aiming for the guy who was about to learn I didn’t share my toys. The bottle landed with precision, smashing into the side of the douchebag’s head. The accompanying scream made me smirk as I made my way through the little copse of trees to the back of the group.

“Hargraves?” Someone called after me, their footsteps trailing in my wake, but my eyes were laser focused on the guy wrapped around Jamie. He was older, that was clear. I’d seen him around before, but like everyone else, he just blended into the background of unimportant faceless people that existed around me.

“Dillon!”

I turned on a dime, a snarl curling my lips. “What?” I demanded as a guy with red hair stumbled to a stop beside me.

He braced his hands on his knees, panting. “Taylor said you needed my help with something?”

I canted my head to the side and looked at the guy as confusion washed over me. “Did he say why?” My brain was still focused on the guy Jamie was tending to.

“No, just that I was the guy you needed.” He shrugged and kicked the dirt, looking all kinds of uncomfortable.

“Right.” I shook my head and tried to focus but… Jamie. No, not now. “Buchanan said you’re taking journalism and working for Briar U press?” He nodded his assent, and his gaze wandered over me, the unmistakable heat in his eyes making my hackles rise. “I need you to follow someone. I want to know everything about him. Who his friends are. Where he goes, what he eats, routines, everything. Also, I want background on all the people he hangs around with. I want you to be his shadow. Know him better than he knows himself.”

With a raised brow the guy looks at me. “I…umm… that’s a bit extreme, isn’t it?”

“What’s it matter to you?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’ll pay for your time if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“No, no.” He put his hands up. “I mean yeah, obviously, I want to be paid. But you basically want me to be his stalker?”

“Just not with nefarious intentions,” I said, making him chuckle. “What’s your name?”

“Cory.” He held his hand out, and I shook it. “So what did this guy do to you?”

“That’s not your concern.” I squeezed his hand tighter.

“Hey, I’m within my rights to ask if you want me to invade some guy’s life and dig up everything I can on him.”

I stepped up to him until our toes were touching and used my height against him. “It’s no concern of yours. Just do it. You’re being paid to do a job, that’s it.”

Cory stepped back, hands up. “Alright, alright. Give me two weeks.”

I rolled my eyes. “Send me what you can dig up online ASAP then come find me in two weeks when you have everything else.”

“Okay. Cool, cool. Sooo, who is this unfortunate soul?”

I heaved a sigh, grabbed Cory’s shoulders, and turned him towards the group. Jamie stood with his hand outstretched to bottle guy and pulled him to his feet. It looked like whatever the group were doing was now breaking up. I itched to move to follow him, to know and possess everything about him.

“See the guy with blond curls?” Cory nodded. “Him. Jamie Bowen.” Not Abernathy as I knew him, but Bowen. Doubt crept into my mind that I could have been mistaken, but he recognized me on Saturday. It was him, but why was his name different?

“Oh, Jamie? He’s a cutie, right?”

A growl escaped me. “Excuse me?” Fear coiled around my gut, tightening with each passing second. Did he know I was gay? Was he after Jamie? FUCK.

“I met him earlier. He’d been shoved into a wall by… some jock.” His eyes widened as he looked at me. “Y-you did that.”

“Maybe.” I shrugged. “Not personally, though. I was at practice.”

“Sure, sure. So, get to know him and give you everything. Done.”

“Good.” I went to step away. Jamie was on the move, and I couldn’t let him get away from me. Cory grabbed my arm.

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