Page 29 of Hold On Me

Penny

Well maybe your calculator’s not working. I’m going now. Byeeeeeeeee

Jameson

Jenson, any additional light you can shed on this situation?

Jenson

I do, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy. By the way, my gossip loving brother, you’re Myrtle…

Jameson

Oh goody.

Jaxson

I’m always left out. Lockheart, you can be my UK Agatha, and I’ll be UK Myrtle.

Lockheart

Agatha? Nope. Either I’m Myrtle or I’m not playing.

Jaxson

Fine.

Jenson

You two are adorable.

Lockheart

Meh.

15

PENNY

Sitting in Jameson’s living room, sipping wine—apple juice, in my case—while I tell them all the details of my embarrassing first day, I feel deflated and rejected and I hate myself for it. The door clicks shut as Jonathan, Jameson’s husband, leaves to grab the takeout food for us and I snuggle into their sofa a little deeper. Jameson has always been my go to, and as much as I love the other Bradys, Jameson is my favourite.

“You still haven’t told me exactly what happened. I know you both flirted at the interview, but not what happened today.” Jameson leans forward, places his elbows on his thighs, and lets his blue eyes meet mine.

“I was excited about seeing him.” My voice is quiet. Both of my besties know how hard it is for me to show them my vulnerability, and I’m always so grateful when they just listen. “I dressed up for him. Wore heels that gave me a damn blister, a bra that was a little too small but made my boobs look great, and a skirt for fucks sake.” Jamesons brows are so far up his head they blend in with his hairline, and I shake my head at my own stupidity.

“I didn’t know he was in his office when I arrived. The door was closed, so I dumped my things on my desk and headedtoward the break room to make a coffee before I started work. I ran into Travis. He asked about you.” Jameson smiles in recognition.

“Erm, hello. Did you forget I was here?” Angie’s voice floats through the laptop screen and I chuckle a little awkwardly. For a moment, I did forget she was there. “Stupid Spartans playing on a Monday night when I should be there with you two drinking wine and talking boys. My job sucks. Now, who is Travis?”

“I’ll remind you how much your job sucks later when Jenson is all sweaty and wrestles you into a hug.”

Her eyes go all dreamy as a smile takes away her pouty face. “I do love those sweaty hugs. But the way things are looking, it’ll be a commiserating hug. They’re getting creamed. Anyway, back to you. Who is Travis?”

“Jameson had a brief fling with him in high school.” I take a sip of my apple juice as she nods in acknowledgment.

“And I obviously left an impressionable mark. What did he ask?” He leans back and rests his ankle on his thigh, stretching his arms over the back of the sofa, cockiness exuding from every pore.

“Erm, I think we’re here to talk about Penny, not you and the trail of battered hearts you’ve left in your wake.”

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