Page 32 of Riding Jamie

That idea gets tested before we even make it out of the house.

As soon as we reach the bottom landing of the stairs, my dad rounds the kitchen corner. A steaming mug of coffee is in his hand, and his face is set into a disappointed grimace before he even meets my eyes. It stings, the staunch reminder that if I can’t ride the circuit, he wants nothing to do with me, but it’s the way he looks at Oakley that gets my blood boiling properly.

“You’rehere, then.”

He drags his eyes over her in annoyance and disgust, and I feel her go stiff behind me. Her fingers tighten around mine in anxiety. I shift protectively in front of her, drawing my dad’s attention back to me. All he does is snort indifferently, shaking his head as he stomps his way out to the barn.

Oakley flinches when the door bangs shut behind him, then sighs in shaky relief as the tension slowly fades from the air.

“And we were worried aboutmydad,” she jokes weakly.

I don’t tell her that that’s more than he’s said to me since I got thrown. I take a moment to unclench my jaw and relax myhand from the fist it curled into before turning back to her with what I hope is a convincing smile.

“I think breakfast is calling our names,” I say. “Let’s get some food in you.”

The promise of waffles is always enough to get her moving, and we make our way to the car in no time. The drive to her house is a short one, but we spend it in uncharacteristic silence. It’s never been hard to find something to fill the quiet with around Oakley, but there’s so much to catch up on that neither of us can find the words to start.

It’s actually a relief when Oakley’s house comes into sight.

Well, it’s a relief for about five seconds.

Oakley reaches for her seatbelt to unclip herself, a warm smile on her face.

“I’ll be right out,” she says.

The front door slams open just as she leans over the center console to kiss me.

Both of us jolt apart from each other as her dad storms his way down the driveway. I can’t hear what he’s saying yet, but I can tell he’s cursing a blue streak.

“Shit!”

Oakley jumps to exit the car, the door slamming closed behind her only seconds after her feet touch the dirt road. I curse under my breath as I struggle with my own seatbelt, my entire chest aching sharply when I try to move too quickly. By the time I make it out of the car, Oakley and her dad are already halfway into a screaming match.

“I’m not going to stand for that good for nothing?—”

“Shut up!” Oakley shouts, cutting her dad off entirely. “I don’t care what you’ll stand for! I love Jamie! I’ve loved him this whole time, and I’m not giving him up for anyone!”

Her chest is heaving, her cheeks flushed pink with anger. It’s rare to see her get so worked up over anything, and knowing thatshe’s standing up for me has me a little lightheaded. I haven’t done anything in my life to deserve her.

The look in her dad’s eyes tells me he knows that just as well as I do.

Oakley turns on her heel and marches right back to the car, positively fuming. I’m only barely out of my seat, standing half a step away from the open driver’s side door.

“Get in the car, Jamie,” she says sharply.

I glance back at her dad, shock obvious on his face, but he’s not looking at me. I may not be the brightest, but I know better than to ignore my girl when she’s like this, so I obediently fold myself back into the car. David firmly ignores the awkward nod I send his way as I back out of the driveway.

I love Oakley to hell and back, but her dad isn’t wrong, even if I wish he was. Iama good for nothing with no idea what to do with my life.

I reach over to grab her hand, twining our fingers together in an attempt to soothe both of us. She clutches onto me, digging her nails into my skin. It’s grounding, knowing that she needs me as much as I need her.

“I love you,” she whispers into the quiet.

“I love you, too.”

It’s not the first time we’ve said it, not by far, but it feels a little like something new. This time is different, and I don’t exactly know how.

“When are you going back to school?” I ask.

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