Page 101 of Beneath the Hood

46

Jackson

Isee the tension leaving Blakely’s shoulders with every minute she spends in Lee’s presence, and as it does the rope that’s been knotting around my stomach eases. I won’t lie and say that it didn’t make me nervous to bring her here, especially since things have felt so off between Blakely and me.

But Lee has a way about her, she forces her way into your life and makes herself at home. So if there’s anyone who can walk into a mansion with someone I’m dating in secret, acting like it’s just another day, Lee’s the girl.

I sit back and watch as they interact, Lee shoving food in her mouth and asking a million questions about Blakely’s career, fascinated by the fact she’s a social media influencer.

“So, you get paid to post photos or what?”

Blakely shrugs. “Yeah, it’s a bit more involved than that, but basically, people pay me to promote their brand or be seen in their clothes. Things like that.”

“How many followers do you have?”

Blakely shrugs again. “A lot.”

Lee scoffs. “Girl, come on now, don’t be shy. I don’t evenhavesocial media. I gotta get my jollies somehow, you know?”

Blakely’s nose scrunches. “You don’t?” She turns to look at me. “Whatisit with you people in that town not having any contact with the outside world?”

I smirk. “Sugarlake is a unique place, princess. The kids all use it, but for us, there isn’t really anything you can post that the town doesn’t already know.” I glance over to Lee. “Unless you workreallyhard at keeping it quiet.”

Blakely’s head cocks. “Wow. I honestly cannot imagine life like that. It sounds...”

“Borin’?” Lee pipes in.

“Peaceful.” Blakely sighs.

My heart spasms in my chest, surprise flowing through me. This is the first time I’ve heard Blakely insinuate that she doesn’t enjoy what she does, and it gives me hope that she’ll be more receptive when I bring up how I think it’s her environment exacerbating her issues. The ones that manifest in front of my eyes and become worse whenever she’s surrounded by people who constantly tell her how they’ll improve her looks “post production.”

Lee laughs, covering her stomach with her hands. “I’m so sorry, y’all I—” She wipes under her eyes, taking deep breaths. “The thought of Sugarlake bein’ peaceful is...” Her giggles continue to trickle out of her. “Well, it’s just a little funny, is all. But yeah... if you’re used to the whole world bein’ in your business, I’d guess that small-town drama wouldn’t come close to comparin’.”

Blakely’s lips turn up, her face warm and open. “You’re so different than I thought you’d be.”

Lee’s head cocks. “I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”

“Definitely a good thing.” Blakely reaches over and squeezes my thigh. “Can I be honest?”

“I hope you’re never anything else,” Lee responds.

“I thought you’d be a bitch.”

Lee’s eyes widen and she leans in close. “Who says I ain’t?”

They both burst out in giggles and I bite back my smirk, a warm, gooey sensation filling up the center of my chest and spreading until my entire body is consumed by the feeling. I’ve never seen Blakely look so calm. So carefree. So...happy. And the way her and Lee have hit it off, despite the way I bled my heart out into her palms—it makes me feel more confident than ever in our future.

“What are you doin’ tonight, Miss Celebrity?” Lee asks. “We should all go out to dinner.” She glances at me from her peripheral and my insides clench tight because I know where this is headed.

“Allof us?” I narrow my eyes.

She sighs. “Look, Teeth, I know you don’t wanna see him, but I was hopin’ y’all could sit down while he’s here, and you know, work things out.”

I purse my lips.

Blakely’s eyes bounce between us, her brows drawing in.

My palm covers her hand that’s still on my thigh, suddenly wanting her support while Lee brings up someone I’d rather have left out of the conversation. “Can we not talk about this right now?” I grit out. “We’ve been having a good day and you’re ruining it.”

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