Page 11 of Where We Promise

I was about to ask another question, this one about Luke’s involvement and whether he’d manufactured that entire chaotic scene just to slip away unnoticed, but Jamie’s hand came up and covered my lips.

“You’re practically a member, Pen. I know women aren’t but Luke and me, we trust you. So don’t say anything.”

His hand moved, but it only lowered to my neck as if he didn’t want to end the contact completely with me.

“I would never say anything.”

His scoff sent goosebumps up my spine. “I see how Rowan’s flirted. Rumor has it he’s planning on asking you out. You play the new girl part very well, my hats off to you, but don’t pretend like every guy in this school isn’t tripping over themselves just to get your attention.”

My gaze flicked irritatingly to his lips as I drawled, “apparently not every guy.”

It was like I’d thrown water in his face. He stood up and took a step back right as a teacher came in through another door, flipping on the lights.

Jameson pushed us out into the hall just as quick, but our conversation had already shifted.

“Just don’t say anything.” Jameson warned from over his shoulder before walking away.

I stood there watching his back and wondering what I had to do to get him to realize I was desperate for him to show me even an ounce of attention.

Maybe if I caused a little chaos myself…

THREE

PENELOPE

PRESENT DAY

Adjusting to a new town wasn’t easy. Even one as quaint and as low-key as Rose Ridge.

The town seemed friendly enough, for anyone not associated with a motorcycle club, but the second leather or chrome was spotted, it seemed everyone scuttled inside their shops, or turned their noses up. Natty said it had to do with the online bloggers who were networking to shut down the clubs within the state.

We’d had our share of problems with the online activists up near Richland. Especially because of our proximity to the capital, so to see them operating on a seemingly smaller scale was actually a reprieve.

Although, it didn’t really help when it came time to requiring help from said locals. The local hospital had a tiny maternity ward, with a secluded office and roughly six padded chairs in the waiting room. The round help desk was manned by two receptionists who had yet to even acknowledge my presence beyond asking me to take a seat.

I missed my previous doctor who had done all of my checkups from the very first appointment. A friend of the club, and someone who knew Miles. Doctor Jones was nice to me, or at least kind simply for the sake of the club. A pang of longing frustration sliced through me as I considered how unfair this entire thing was. Luke wanted me removed from his life, and because he’s a spoiled ass, he made sure to ruin my life just to accomplish it.

It wasn’t like I wanted to stay with him after his painful rejection. After he started fucking Sweetbutts in front of me in the club. I would have stayed away or left, but I worked at the club as the garage receptionist. I had tried to transfer to a different garage, creating space between me and the club, but the men who ran the other garage found out I used to be Luke’s Old Lady, and decidedly threw a fit.

I had to work, and since Luke kicked me out, I had moved back in with my mom. Miles was polite about it, but then mom got sick and his patience ran out. I had nowhere to go that wouldn’t endanger my life or my baby’s.

“Miss. Pruitt?” a nurse called, staring down at a file.

I stood, wincing the smallest bit at the back pain sliding down my spine. I hadn’t even told Jameson about this appointment. I knew he’d demand to accompany me, and the more we continued to fall into some domesticated role, the more confusing it became. Another two weeks had passed since arriving at the Stone Rider cabin.

Two more weeks of dealing with Jameson’s overwhelming protection and texts. I’d started covering the windows with blankets so he wouldn’t see that my light was on, but in some cases, he still arrived at my door and demanded to sleep on my couch.

I followed the nurse into the hall where a scale waited. “Did you already leave your sample?”

I nodded.

“Let’s get your weight.” The nurse walked through a myriad of other vitals as I got checked into a room and traded my jeans for a gown.

I was left alone again, and as the time passed, my hand drifted to my stomach where I could feel the baby doing a few kicks. I missed the way he’d flip a few months back, when he was small enough to do so.

“Penelope?” The door opened after a soft knock, and a female doctor walked in, smiling at me. “I’m Dr. Beckett, it’s nice to meet you.”

I grinned warmly at the woman and shook her hand. Her hair was silver, falling in soft braids down her back. Her eyes a warm honey color, her skin a beautiful black. She was stunning.

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