Page 25 of Forever Wild

Jameson

The last week has been one of the best in a long while. Not only has it been a good time having JT hanging out and playing rounds with me out at Wild Bluffs, I also fill most of my spare minutes texting Bryn.

She has quickly become the first person I think about when I wake up in the morning and the last person I think about before I go to bed at night. This week she is in California, so I’m generally in bed before she is, and I may or may not have fallen asleep the past four nights before saying goodbye. Waking up to her text from the night before—her Good night, Jameo—sure as hell starts my day off on a good note. JT has been quick to point out my good mood every morning when I’m not quite as surly at breakfast.

Today, I’m nursing my daily cup of coffee when JT walks into the restaurant. Even though I’m enjoying his company, I wonder again why exactly he is here. I know he said Lila has been pestering him to come, but from the way he has lingered, his happy smile and good-natured jokes just a little slower than usual, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s not something more—something going on in his world.

He sits down, gesturing to the waitress to bring him his usual cup of coffee as well. “Morning, Jameo. Weather looks good today. Thinking we get in another thirty-six holes?”

I nod. “Yup. Sounds good. Want to hit up the gym before, or after?” It’s early September, and the mornings are still cool. It keeps us from getting too warm while we play, but we’re quickly approaching the time of year when it will be too cold to get out in the mornings. The staff won’t let you out on the course if there is still frost coating the grass.

“This afternoon sounds good. Or, you know, I could get us an airplane out of here this afternoon. We could head to, say, California, for the weekend?”

I shoot a glare at him, though inside I feel a spark catch. “California, huh? And what, exactly, would we do there?”

JT’s eyes light up into his usual good-natured smirk. “Oh, I’m sure we can find something.”

***

“I’m glad we were able to get in a quick round and a workout this morning,” JT says, navigating his rented dark blue Ford F150 down the road away from the course.

“Yeah. I am definitely not in a place where I should be skipping training. Especially not for an impromptu trip to California.”

“Sam says we should land just before dinnertime,” JT replies, referencing his virtual assistant who handled our last-minute plane request like a pro.

I glance down at my phone again as JT pulls into the private airfield. Surprisingly large for a town the size of Wild Bluffs, the airport is the only one in the area for private jets to land and refuel. It’s definitely not going to be a cheap trip for the weekend, but what’s the point in being this rich if you never spend it?

“Did you ask her out?”

I snap my head up from my phone and shoot JT a glare.

He rolls his eyes as he pulls into a parking spot. “What? Are we going to pretend like we aren’t going to California so you can go on a date with Bryn?”

“We are not going out on a…date.” I nearly choke on the word as it comes out of my mouth. Nope. Dating implies way too much. “I’m not even allowed to date right now.”

He grabs his bag out of the back, his eyebrows pulling together as he looks at me, the question clear in his eyes even before he voices it. “Okay. Not a date. But definitely flying halfway across the country so you can hang out with a girl. A girl who you’ve been talking to nonstop. A girl who makes you happier than you’ve been in a long time.” He nods like that isn’t the most ridiculous thing he’s ever said. “Got it.”

I scratch my hands through my hair. “Never mind. We should just stay here. She hasn’t even responded. I haven’t asked her anything yet.” I start moving back toward the car, even though I know from our numerous texts exchanged that Bryn has a bunch of big meetings taking place this week—it’s one of the main reasons she’s working in the California office rather than remotely from Wild Bluffs. “This was a mistake. I most definitely should not be thinking about starting anything with anyone.”

“Jesus, Jameson. You can’t be serious. Of course we are going. Not only are the pilots already here with the plane refueled and ready to go, but we also both know this is what you need. You need to get Alexis out of your system.”

“She is out,” I growl.

He looks me up and down, noting my hair sticking out from pulling my hands through it. “Clearly.”

With that, he picks up his bags and heads to the plane, leaving me with no option but to follow. As I finally settle down in a seat across from JT in the back, he says, “She’s not worth it, you know.” JT is rarely serious, but I can tell he is now.

“What do you mean?”

“Alexis. She was never worth the effort you put into her.” He pauses, clearly thinking. “But that doesn’t mean no one is. I’m not saying it’s Bryn, though I hope I get to meet her this weekend so I can have an opinion on the subject, but even if it isn’t, you need to stop letting Alexis ruin your life. She used you when you were together, and from the looks of it, she still has her claws in you.”

As I go to respond, my phone lights up with a text.

Bryn

Big plans for dinner at the hotel.

“Sounds like she’s free tonight. Want to come to dinner and meet her?”

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