Page 47 of The Oath We Take

“This isn’t some, ‘I need to save him from the men who came to see me’ thing, is it? Because I can take care of myself.”

I shake my head. “No. It’s not that either. I’ve just had some time to sleep on what I want. And it’s not this right now.”

Rocco nods. “That’s a shame. Because I thought we had some real potential, Em. You even said we would have a second and third date.”

I shake my head and have a vague feeling that I am doing a watered-down version of what Atom did to me. Without Atom, I would probably be planning that second date.

“I had a good time, but when we keep it in perspective, all we had was a high-intensity first date because of what happened at the end of the night. I felt grateful. That’s why I said that. But in hindsight, I think I’d rather not.”

Rocco looks at me like a puppy that just got kicked. Maybe it should be endearing, but for some reason, I find it…weak. “I understand. Just let me know if you need any help with the police or whatever regarding the other night. I’ll still be there to help you if I can. Or if you change your mind.”

“You’re probably a better man than I deserve. Thank you.”

He steps forward and hugs me. Awkward, and unable to create any boundary for myself, I hug him back. If he takes a few moments longer than I’m comfortable with, I let it go, just to get him out of here.

Finally, I find the gumption to step away. “Good luck, Rocco.”

“You too, Em.”

15

ATOM

What the fuck are they doing in there?

I saw the guy arrive ten minutes ago, wondering who the hell the douche canoe in the silver kitted-out truck was. When I realized it was the guy who’d been bothering Ember that night at the bar, the one who is on the security tapes from the night she was assaulted, I got mad.

To show up here at my club, to step into my clubhouse, on my family’s land, visiting my fucking girl, takes balls of steel or a sincere death wish.

He disappeared inside with Taco, and I’m stuck up here.

“You okay?” Catfish asks, handing me the screwdriver as we fix the lighting in one of the watchtowers that flank the corners of the club.

I’m staring out of the window again, and I try to focus back on the task at hand. “Yeah. Slept like shit at Ember’s.”

Catfish smiles sympathetically. “Yeah. Don’t envy you having responsibility for the president’s daughter.”

I know he doesn’t mean to needle me. Hell, he doesn’t even know how deep my history with Ember goes, but the pointed use ofpresident’s daughterrankles anyway.

“Got enough other shit to do without worrying about her.” I tighten the screw, replacing the panel. It doesn’t feel good, not being honest with a brother. Lying isn’t something I do with those who matter to me. I almost laugh at that because I’ve spent five years lying to myself. Not sure what that says about me. “Now try it.”

Catfish flicks the switch, and the light comes back on. “Fucking A. Nailed it. If you weren’t a rancher, you could be an electrician.”

“I’m a jack of all trades, and master of none.”

I look over to the clubhouse, trying to bury the random thoughts of what is happening inside. Did he kiss her when he saw her? Did she respond?

Did Ember tell him to come visit? I thought she was just going to tell him she didn’t want another date.

Did Ember, Butcher, and Rocco have some kind of fucking family reunion in the bar built from timber my grandpa felled?

Fuck me.

The jealousy catches me off guard, but at least I realize that’s what it is and force myself to find some chill. I remember the summer after I broke Ember’s heart. Saw her walking along Main Street, eating ice cream with some guy wearing beige shorts. Almost crashed my bike into a row of parked cars and had to give myself a talking to about jealousy back then, as well.

I have no reason to be jealous. I have no reason to be angry. Because Ember assured me she was going to end things with Rocco, and I need to believe her.

“You sure you’re okay?” Catfish asks again.

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