Page 39 of Riding Jamie

Maybe I just forgot. It’s not like I didn’t have plenty to think about while I was in New York.

Regardless, this is going to go badly. Like, really,reallybadly. I should probably tell Jamie tonight when we get back home, but he’s not going to be happy about it.

God forbid I have a relaxing holiday season.

Chapter Eighteen

JAMIE

Oakley textedme about seeing that scumbag when she was out shopping with her mom and Maggie. I didn’t take it well, which is seemingly exactly what Oakley expected.

It’s partially a desire to prove to her family that I can be a rational adult that has me standing from the couch when I hear a knock on the door. I won’t deny that it’s at least half because I want to get a good look at this piece of shit and make sure he knows how this is going to go. Oakley is washing her hands as I head to the door, and I ignore it when she tells me to wait for her.

I pull the door open with what I hope is an intimidating scowl, raking my eyes over the guy standing on my girlfriend’s doorstep. His blond hair is combed into loose waves, his eyes strikingly blue and staring straight through me like I’m not even there.

I hate him instantly.

Shane pauses when I hold my hand out, but takes it in a firm shake.

“Sean, right?” I ask, squeezing down harshly on his hand.

“Shane,” he corrects, squeezing right back. “You’ve got quite the grip on you.”

My nostrils flare in annoyance at the thinly veiled mockery of what Iusedto be. He probably doesn’t even know, but it’s a painful reminder. I pull my hand back, not offering him my name. Oakley rushes up seconds later, smiling widely at Shane. It looks a little strained as she glances between the two of us, but she shakes it off to make introductions.

“Shane, this is my boyfriend, Jamie,” Oakley introduces, smiling awkwardly as we stand in the doorway. “Jamie, this is my coworker, Shane.”

“We just met,” Shane says, a million watt smile lighting his face. “But you know I’m really here for some home cooking. My aunt’s specialty is tv dinners.”

Hearing Oakley laugh at his stupid joke makes a muscle in my jaw tick, but I swallow back the vitriol I want to spew at him.

“Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone,” she says, waving him inside.

Hailey and David poke their heads around the corner at the sound of voices, and I stand back to watch as they welcome him in. It’s all warm and smiles and easy trust, nothing like they’ve ever treated me. They’ve seen me as a pest and a bad influence from day one, my father’s son through and through. Shane is syrupy sweet and charming toward Oakley’s mom and respectful to her dad. Both Bo and Maggie give him a wide berth, Bo watching the introductions idly from the kitchen with a bottle of beer in his hand. Maggie looks like she swallowed something sour, turning a sneer toward Shane when he holds a hand out to her.

My estimation of her raises several notches, even if she is a bratty teenager.

Everything is a whirlwind of questions and chairs scraping against the floor as we sit down to dinner. Shane is, of course,from a great family and his parents are both doctors. He’s loaded and gets perfect grades and I have to clench my fist under the table as I listen to Hailey coo over what a wonderful young man he is.

It’s like they’re replacing me while I’m still sitting here.

Shane is bragging about how good Oakley is at her job and how everyone in New York just adores her, and her parents are lapping it up. The light in his eyes when he looks at Oakley is way too familiar and affectionate for my taste, and I catch him staring for a few seconds too long every few minutes.

It takes a lot to stop myself from kicking him beneath the table.

I focus on my food and the fact that Oakley is sitting next tome, not him, but every word that comes out of his mouth tests my resolve.

“These last few weeks have been rough without you around,” Shane says, turning a smile Oakley’s way. “It’ll be good to have you back in the office after the holidays.”

I’ve been clenching my jaw so hard my teeth are on the verge of cracking, and the sight of him aiming that look atmy fucking girlis enough to make me explode.

My fork snaps down onto the table with a crack. Oakley immediately reaches for my arm, digging her nails in through the fabric of my flannel as she forces me to stay in my seat.

“I’m sure you’ll manage on your own,” she says to Shane with an awkward smile. “I’ve actually decided to stay here. I’m transferring to the state college with Phoebe so I can be closer to home.”

Silence falls over the table like snow, bit by bit and then so heavy it’s impossible to move through. The clatter of cutlery slows to a stop as the air fills with shock and tension. Anger flickers over Shane’s face, but he masks it too quickly for anyone else to catch. It makes my lip curl up in a sneer.

“Oakley?” David asks, glancing between her and her mother with wide eyes.

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