Page 25 of Where We Promise

It was an enigma to me, but also a relationship I couldn’t invest time into caring about.

Jameson had left me confused too many times to count. When I wasn’t paying attention, he’d toy with my hair, even going so far as wrapping a curl around his finger. Other times, I’d find him watching me, that easy smile on his face that conveyed he was merely interested in creating havoc.

So, tonight I was going to the bonfire and spending time with friends from school. My hands were tucked into my jacket as I walked down the dirt road, the moon heavy and bright overhead. I only had a two-mile walk, which wouldn’t take long, but I hustled faster to get past the dark patch of road where the dirt became asphalt and the street lamps arrived.

I was roughly fifty feet from the main road when I heard gravel crunching behind me.

My feet faltered for a moment as I slowed to turn around, but a crisp voice stopped me.

“You shouldn’t be walking alone in the dark.”

Jameson.

Panic was snared in my lungs like a trapped butterfly, my shuddery exhale had it easing away as I turned fully. Gravel crunched as the pale moon revealed the harsh lines of Jamie’s jaw. Every year it seemed as though some invisible hand had come and defined it into something wider, more masculine than the year before.

“I don’t have far to walk,” I countered, ignoring the imaginary wings that seemed to flutter and brush against the inside of my stomach.

Jameson closed the distance between us, glaring while his hands were tucked into his leather jacket. I’d seen him wear his cut a million times, but it hadn’t been cold enough for me to see the new colors and patches on his jacket. Realizing that he would be the president after his dad still struck me silent. I stared at the crooked crown sitting atop the white skull sewn into his coat.

He shouldered past me. “Then you won’t mind if I tag along.”

I fell back into step next to him, our steps the only chorus among the dark.

“No Luke tonight?” I asked, staring at the ground.

Jameson didn’t answer right away, but once our feet hit the asphalt, he finally replied.

“Not sure what he’s doing, last I saw he was smoking with a few prospects.”

That sounded like Luke.

“You don’t smoke with them?”

Jamie lifted a shoulder, still watching our feet. “I might on my own, but I don’t like hanging with prospects. They’re trying to solidify a place in the club…and no matter how hard they try, it won’t ever be as high of a rank that Luke or I hold. Makes the dynamic weird.”

That made sense. It was why I felt so weird with them from time to time. They were princes of the club, while I had absolutely no place in it.

“Where are you even going tonight?” Jamie nudged my shoulder.

I lifted my head, staring at the approaching town.

“Bonfire.”

Jamie let out a small scoff. “Why are you going?”

“To have fun.” I lifted my hands then let them drop. “Why does anyone go?”

“Well, it’s just…” He stalled, as if he wasn’t sure how to say what he wanted to. “They fuck at those things. It’s usually the entire point.”

Well, shit. I didn’t realize that. I wouldn’t tell him that though, regardless that heat seemed to wrap around my neck and choke me.

“Well maybe I want to fuck,” I said, keeping my face up, my eyes forward. Faking the bravado I tried to instill into my tone.

Jameson’s face swung over, and I knew his eyes were on me.

“You serious?”

Flames danced under my cheeks, and I was so grateful for the cool air brushing against my skin to help relieve it.

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