Page 14 of Riding Jamie

“You caught some eyes out there,” he says, slapping the papers down between us. “You’ve got a sponsor for the next two shows in the circuit, all you have to do is sign. I already told Frankie you’d do it.”

I look between his face and the papers, pride warring with frustration. The pay is good, and it’s nice to know that I actually can manage to make a living at this, and that someone other than my dad can see that, but I wasn’t planning on sticking around. My winnings from this show would be enough to get me to New York, and all I want right now is to see Oakley’s face again. I can see from the look on my dad’s face, though, that ‘no’ isn’t an acceptable answer.

I do my best to keep my desperation at bay as I look down at the papers, scanning over the terms.

If I win both of the shows this Frankie guy wants to sponsor me for, not only will I walk away with eighty percent of my winnings, but I’ll also have more than a month’s break in my touring schedule. I only have a day before my next show, which won’t be enough time to go find Oakley and win her back, but the money from this would be enough to start a small savings for our future.

I hesitate with the tip of the pen on the paper.

This means more waiting, but I’ll be able to prove to Oakley that I’m serious about everything when I see her. I’ll be able to show my face to her as a man who loves her rather than a boy who wants her. I’ll have money in the bank, and a solid job to provide for her. I just need her to wait a little longer.

I grit my teeth and sign away the next two weeks of my life.

Chapter Seven

OAKLEY

I trailmy fingers over my very own desk, the smooth, waxed wood soothingly cool beneath my fingers. I hadn’t expected my uncle to give Shane and I our own offices as a reward for pushing that last deal through, but he seems so proud of us, and I have to admit that it makes me feel more like I’m doing something important to have a real workstation rather than a shared cubicle in the bullpen.

Shane is certainly thrilled. I laugh when I glance across the hall to see him waving excitedly at me through the blinds.

He gave me one hell of a high five when Ricky announced our success, and it really feels like things are looking up all around. We work really well together, and it’s nice to have a partner that thinks the way I do. These last few weeks have really paid off.

I’m lucky to get to work with Shane, and to be his friend. He really is a good guy.

He brings me coffee most mornings, and he’s so nice and helpful that I sometimes don’t even know how to react to it. He always notices when I’m having a rough day, and he never fails to offer a shoulder or a ride home when I really need it.Everybody at the office likes him, and I keep finding excuses to spend more time with him.

And, as weird as it is to think about, it almost feels like I might have a crush on him.

Every time I think about him, I get wrapped up in misplaced guilt and thoughts of Jamie. I’m starting to think I’ve been the only one in the way of moving on this whole time.

Maybe…maybe it’s time to try for real. Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst idea to see if this thing with Shane goes anywhere. I mean, I don’t know if he’s even into me, especially since he hasn’t been anything other than friendly, but I can’t deny that I like him.

He’s across the hall holding up little bits of decor to the window so I can see where he’s putting everything, and it’s not like I’m forcing myself to laugh. I give him a thumbs up as he hangs a plant from a hook on the wall and glances back at me for my opinion.

He’s genuinely charming, and I do like being around him. Sure, the thought of Jamie still hurts, but maybe this is the first step to moving on.

When I hear a soft knock on my door, I turn, and the smile on my face comes easier than I expect it to. Shane is leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest, and he’s grinning softly at me. The sight doesn’t bring butterflies to my stomach or anything, but I’m genuinely comfortable with him there.

“Where’s all your decor, missy?” he asks, chuckling.

I glance at the mostly empty cardboard box on my desk, shrugging.

“Oh, you know, there’s just so much to do. I don’t even know where to start,” I say, rolling my eyes.

“Oh, yeah, with your whole two pictures and that stress ball you’ve beaten half to death?” he teases, and I toss my head backon a laugh as he steps further into my office. “I am going to miss working next to you.”

When I catch his eyes again, there’s a shadow of uncertainty there, and he smiles shyly at me.

“Well, I’ll always be just across the hall,” I promise, wondering if flirting has always felt this forced or I’m just out of practice after so long. “Look, you don’t have to say yes,” I start, forcing my words out so I don’t shy away from my own decision, “and I know there’s going to be a lunch for everyone who worked on the project, but I wanted to know if you wanted to grab dinner with me? I want to celebrate our first big win together.”

The wordtogetherbounces around in my mind, but I force my anxiety out of my body with a deep breath. My smile feels hopeful, and I grin widely at the way Shane’s cheeks go pink.

“Dinner sounds great,” he says, beaming at me.

I haven’t been on a date with someone new in a long time, and part of me still feels like I’m cheating on Jamie by even thinking about any of this, but I brush those thoughts aside. I didn’t even technically ask Shane out on a date. We’re just getting to know each other better.

We both wrap up for the day, and I let him drive us to the restaurant. We listen to a mildly annoying radio station on the way there, a bunch of top of the charts pop songs that all sound the same. He sings along to a few of the songs under his breath, and his voice is pretty. It’s kind of cute, but I feel anxious even just thinking that.

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