Page 69 of Bad Reputation

He kisses the crown of my head. I try to reconcile what Jameson has just told me with the turmoil that’s been in my head recently, but it’s tough. I burrow even deeper against Jameson’s neck, my eyelids growing heavy.

I must have drifted off, because the next thing I know, I’m blinking against the midmorning light. Jameson is nowhere to be seen, but when I put my hand out, his spot in the bed is still warm. I sit up, a little disoriented.

Jameson comes in with two mugs of coffee. He’s dressed in nothing but his boxer briefs, and for a second I wonder how in the hell I got so lucky.

I mean, this is the man that is supposedly going to bring me coffee every day for the rest of my frigging life. It doesn’t seem true, but somehow it’s happening to me anyway.

“Here,” he says, handing me a mug. He sits down beside me, and I look at my coffee. It’s steaming, the color of thick mud, and it smells friggin amazing.

“You’re up and awake,” I say, eyeing him suspiciously. “What’s going on?”

He gives me a crooked smile. “I just woke up before you. And I was thinking about what you said last night, that you were still stressed about telling your brother.”

I nod, blowing on my coffee before taking a too-hot sip.

“Yep. It is literally keeping me awake at night.”

He takes a deep breath. “Well, I think we should just tell him. Get it over with.”

I glance at him, a little worried. “You do? I mean, I didn’t mean to infect you with my worries.”

Jameson splays his big hand out over my knee. “Your worries are my worries now. And besides, hiding our relationship from him is childish.”

I suck my lower lip in between my teeth, thinking it over. “I mean, you are absolutely right. But it just seems so hard. Like… I would just rather avoid it, if at all possible. Just bury myself under the covers with you forever, and never come out.”

His dimple flashes. “Yeah, I’d prefer that too. But that’s not a real option, so… it’s better if we just get it out of the way. I mean, assuming you’re going to come with me. I don’t know if I would, if I were you.”

I roll my eyes. “Of course I’m going to come with you. I think that it will lessen your chances of brawling on the street, anyway.”

“Hey, the only time I’ve really done that was for you,” he says, but I can tell he’s joking.

“Have I told you thank you yet?” I ask, moving forward just enough to kiss his shoulder. “I appreciate it.”

“Remember that feeling, because I think we should go to Cure right now. I texted Asher to find out where he will be, and he’s apparently doing inventory over there as we speak.”

I blanch, even though I know that this is something that we have to do. I sigh. “Thus the coffee?”

“Yep.” He pats my knee. “Then afterward, we’ll do something fun. Like putt putt or go karts or something.”

I give him a look. “Can there be ice cream involved?”

He grins. “Every flavor you could possibly want.”

“Uuuugh, okay. I’ll get dressed.” I swat him on his butt as he gets up, taking just one more second to appreciate how amazingly hot he is.

I drink my coffee as I get ready in a blue sundress. I’m nervous beyond words as Jameson drives us both over to Cure, staring off into the distance. I can’t help the thoughts that are filling my mind.

What will Asher say? It seems unlikely that he will surprise me by simply being okay with our newfound relationship.

I glance at Jameson. I’m honestly more worried about the effect that Asher’s words will have on him. Actually, worried is the wrong word. It’s more of a distinct note of dread.

Jameson says all the right things, about how he’s in this relationship for the long haul. But what if his heart isn’t in it after we confront Asher?

Jameson parks the back lot, and I take a deep breath. He leads me through the alley and up onto the patio, toward the shaded glass doors. He uses his keys and pulls the door open, waiting for me to go first.

I step in, blinking against the bright overhead lights. It’s a Saturday morning, so the bar is completely empty. There are cases and cases of liquor stacked on the bar, out of place.

“Hello?” I call out, trying not to let my voice shake.

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