Page 57 of Lucky Penny
And I know that eventually Fia’s going to see it. I can’t keep this charade up forever.
“Earth to Penny, it’s your turn.” She waves at me, and I roll the dice quickly to save face.
“Sorry, still a bit out of it,” I apologize, though the hangover has nothing to do with my dilemma.
Jesse’s phone sits face up on the table and begins to vibrate during my turn. He quickly grabs it before I can read the name of the caller—not that it’s any of my business.
“Sorry—gotta take this.” He stands abruptly, staring at the screen with a bewildered look in his eyes.
“Okay…” I murmur as he walks to the foyer.
“I accept.” He talks in a hushed tone, like he doesn’t want anyone to hear. I strain my ear to listen, but the front door opens and closes behind him.
I can’t ask Fia what that’s all about without raising suspicion.
“I need another snack anyway, want anything?” She stands, and I do too, walking to the front of the fireplace to warm up. I step up on the brick hearth, not to get closer, but so I can see out of the window in the front dining room.
“I’m good…” My voice trails off as I stretch my neck. Jesse’s slowly pacing back and forth on the front porch, hand in his pocket, grin on his face.
Probably a girl. Why else would he jump like that? It’s the only thing that makes sense.
I feel like Fia would’ve mentioned if he was seeing someone, but that’s only if she knew. Maybe he’s keeping it hidden. My heart lurches like it’s dropped into my stomach.
It wouldn’t be the first time he hid something from me.
22
Jesse
NOW
My bed is significantly cooler, and as I turn the light off, I find myself wishing I were under a pink quilt instead. Not that I got much sleep last night, considering I stayed awake most of it, glancing over to remind myself it wasn’t a dream.
Maybe I had been afraid to shut my eyes because itwasall a dream—she only invited me in because she was drunk.
I toss the covers back, feeling hot in the cold house, even as I lie here in just my boxers.
It’s been five whole days since Penny walked back into my life, and I don’t feel much closer to cracking her open. I thought I was a patient man, but my heart isn’t on board with my head right now.
Logic is fading quickly when she’s around me.
I don’t know what I expected when I came back to North Carolina. I showed up without a real plan. What I didn’t expect was to get tangled up with these two sisters again.
Or to make promises to my old best friend who’s still behind bars.
She probably thought I didn’t notice how distant she was when I came back inside from the phone call—the one I couldn’t risk her hearing. I have no idea how she’d react if she knew I still spoke to Danny. Betrayed, maybe? But the phone call plays in my head as I lie here fully awake at midnight.
“I have one more visitation before Christmas, what’s the verdict man?” he asked. His voice was full of desperation, yet so hopeless that I did something stupid. Again.
“I think I can get her to come,” I said and immediately bit my fist.
In the dark of my room, I run my palms down my face.
Fucking idiot.
That’s what I am.
It’s not like I completely forgot about the visitation or the promise—I didn’t. But there’s been a lot of shit going on. And it’s never felt like the right moment to bring it up with her. Not when I’ve just been trying to keep her from biting my head off.
