Page 49 of Where We Promise

With a tiny wince, he shook his head and then rounded the trunk of his vehicle and climbed inside.

I understood why, but the tiny thorn piercing my heart didn’t seem to.

Climbing into the car, I watched the cemetery fly past as we drove back to the clubhouse. I knew there’d be a huge celebration of life, and it would be full of chaos. Something I didn’t crave at the moment. I’d go to pay my respects and then I’d walk back home, then leave this city once more, allowing Jameson King to remain with a silent, secret piece of me.

The club was packed, and while I’d only been in attendance for roughly half an hour, it was enough time to be over it. Jameson was in a dark t-shirt and dark jeans, with brown motorcycle boots. His leather jacket now had a president patch sewn into it, and for some reason, the sight of it made me sad.

He assumed he’d take over one day, just not before his twentieth birthday.

My stomach rolled as the Sweetbutts kissed his cheek, one after another. Bunk bunnies sidled up next to him with hugs, wearing low cut shirts that had their breasts pushed against him. He smiled and seemed to welcome every hug, every kiss. Every warm condolence.

I’d waited to see if he’d catch my gaze again, but he never did.

No matter how long I stared.

“You heading home tomorrow?” Luke asked, sliding onto the bench next to me.

I sipped from the bottle of beer someone had found for me and nodded.

“Wish we could have hung out more. I barely got to see you.” He nudged my arm.

Luke was an interesting plot twist. While he was all chaos and fake bullshit growing up, at nineteen, he started taking on more responsibility and that began shifting his entire attitude. When he texted me, he wasn’t asking if I was horny, like he used to in high school. He would ask how my day was. When I replied, he’d give me a thoughtful response. He’d had a girlfriend last I asked, and when he had trouble, he’d ask for my advice and thank me for it.

We were friends as real as I’d ever hoped we’d be.

Luke lifted his bottle and gestured toward Jamie. “I’ll be offering to help him…not sure if he’ll take me up on it, but I know this club better than anyone else and I’d be loyal to him. We haven’t always been friends, but I think I’d be a good vice president.”

I nudged his shoulder with mine. “You’d be a great vice president.”

He smiled, taking another sip. There was yelling and laughter around us. Even with the passing of their leader, there was joy to be found as all the members from across the state gathered together to remember him. Most men were reminiscing about rides they’d had with Mathias, and different points of their memories.

I watched as Jamie walked by clusters of men, shaking hands and slapping backs. Men pointed at his president patch while saluting with their beers. I smiled as Jameson blushed.

“You ever going to tell him how you feel?”

My gaze slowly slid from Jameson to the man sitting next to me. Luke had filled out just like Jamie had. His chestnut hair was cropped close, but it did wonders for making his wide jaw pop. His hazel eyes were a nice accent to his sun-kissed skin.

“What are you talking about?” I smiled as if he were being funny.

In all our conversations, not once had I ever brought up Jameson. Luke had a few times, but I was always very careful not to.

Luke lowered his face, his chest deflating as he let out a sigh.

“I know you have a crush on him…always have.”

Shaking my head to stop him, his hand covered mine and suddenly it stopped.

“I’ve watched you for a long time, Pen. I know you…and maybe I’m being selfish, but the sooner you get over him, the sooner you might give me a shot.”

His hazel eyes gently prodded around my face, as if he wasn’t sure it was safe to linger. I wasn’t sure what to say…I had no idea he had feelings for me.

He stood up from the bench, finishing off his beer and then gave me a crooked smile. “Don’t feel bad, Penny. The heart wants what it wants…I’m not asking for first place, I’m just asking for something by default, if you have the room for me. Who knows, maybe Jamie will get over himself and let you in that ironclad chest of his. Fuck knows no one else is in there, especially not now that his pops is gone.”

Luke walked off, blending into the fray of leather and denim before I could respond. I sat frozen on the bench, unsure of what to do. I didn’t have feelings for Luke, and I knew I shouldn’t feel guilty about that, but the part of me that cared for him seemed to be bothered by his confession.

While I had a crush on Jamie, Luke had one on me.

I could sympathize with that, but unlike me, Luke had moved on and dated other people. I hadn’t dated or been with anyone because all I could see was Jamie.

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