Page 52 of Where We Promise

With a laugh, I spun away. “Was…yes, back in high school.”

He remained quiet, watching me.

“When did you fall out of love with me?” His voice was so soft, I wanted to just break open my whole chest and let him peek at all the tangled pieces of hurt that had fastened through me since I was thirteen.

“Shortly after that night.” I gestured toward the carving. The lie strangling me with a silent grip. I was hurt and angry with him after that night, but I had sadly never fallen out of love with him.

His solemn nod told me he wasn’t surprised.

“Well, for what it’s worth…” He started but then shook his head, lifting the bird.

“Thanks for this. It means a lot to have it back.”

“Why?” My brows caved, curious why a chunk of wood meant anything to him.

With a choked reply, Jameson explained, “wood carving was my dad’s hobby…he didn’t think I could shape an animal on my own without watching a video…or him. He bet a hundred bucks I couldn’t finish on my own, and still make it look like something. I told him I could…reminds me of him now.”

I nodded, knowing how precious that must have been. “Sorry I threw it that night.”

He laughed. “You had every right to.”

The silence lapsed, and I began toying with the blanket on my bed, a little embarrassed that I was still in just a flimsy t-shirt and socks.

“It was good to see you, Pen. I hope you find a good guy to lose your virginity to…and to one day marry if that’s what you want to do.”

Pain tore hope into pieces, leaving behind a shell.

“What about you? What’s your future supposed to look like?”

Jamie turned for the window, which was obviously how he’d gotten inside. “The club is my life now…guess that will have to be enough.”

FIFTEEN

PENELOPE

PRESENT DAY

I was very obviously staring.

There really wasn’t any way I wouldn’t stare, and I think any person with eyes would agree. Jameson was currently shirtless, working on my car in the large open bay of the Stone Riders’ clubhouse. Half their club was converted into a sleek garage, and they’d opened it up for Jamie to use.

He had abs for days and fucking days. Smooth, hairless skin greeted me, with ink that covered his shoulders and connected over his upper chest and collarbone that resembled feathers. Black feathers, which reminded me of a raven’s wings. There was a skull wearing a crooked crown, indicating the patch insignia for the Chaos Kings. He also had a few verses of text right below his belly button that seemed to act as an arrow down to his cock. The words were simple, and in script…

My midnight ruin.

Starlight eyes, burning flesh and bone.

A bruised heart, crushed by all our good intentions.

I had stared long enough to catch every word, especially after I had wandered over to hand him water, beer and a sandwich. Each time narrowing my focus on his lower abdomen. I wanted to know what it meant. Who he was talking about, and why it seemed like there was so much pain behind each word.

“Are you done eye-fucking him, because we need to settle on a menu.” Laura clicked her pen, keeping her gaze on the laptop screen in front of her.

We were at the bar, Laura and Callie were seated on either side of me, and Natty was hustling around in the kitchen, using a piping bag on some sweets. They were all helping me plan my fake wedding. I’d explained to them the entire situation, which Jameson said we weren’t supposed to do, but I had a feeling their significant others would tell them eventually if they hadn’t already.

“I’m not eye-fucking him,” I argued, while spinning on my stool to grab my water. Red had added a slice of lemon for me and then set a bowl of fruit in front of me.

Callie snorted, snacking from her own bowl of fruit. She was behind me in her pregnancy, but Red had taken care of both of us with fruit, water, and snacks.

---