Page 4 of The Prom

Jesse shifts in his seat and I don’t miss the interest spark in Frankie’s eyes as Jesse mumbles, “Sorry, I have plans for Saturday during the day.”

“What plans?” Frankie’s voice is steady but loaded with accusation and Jesse stuffs his bagel into his mouth, cutting the conversation dead. I sense a shift in the atmosphere and Cassie catches my eye with a worried frown and I wait with held breath for Jesse to answer him.

“Well?”

Frankie won’t give it up and Jesse leans back in his seat and attempts to make light of the question. “It’s no dark secret, Frankie. I’ve got plans, and I’d rather not talk about them now, if you don’t mind.”

Cassie reaches for her coffee and leans back as Frankie holds Jesse’s gaze for the longest minute before saying abruptly, “Cassie, it’s time to leave.”

“Why?” Cassie’s eyes widen as Frankie stands, reaching for her hand.

“Because I say so,” is his usual cutting response and I wait for Cassie to voice her objection because she isn’t one to be ordered around by anyone. However, there must be something in Frankie’s expression that checks her voice because she smiles apologetically. “I suppose so. Well–” She smiles brightly. “Enjoy your lunch, guys. I’ll see you later, Imogen, Jesse.”

Frankie says nothing and as they leave, Jesse exhales sharply. “I love him like a brother, but Frankie seriously pisses me off sometimes.”

I could take this opportunity to ask him where he’s going, but I’m more surprised to discover that I really don’t care.

Jesse leans back and rakes his fingers through his hair.

“Imogen, I–”

I carry on eating as I wait for him to tell me exactly what is going on inside his head and I’m surprised when he reaches for my hand and squeezes it hard.

“I’m sorry baby. I’m a shit boyfriend.”

He grips my face and forces me to look at him and his eyes soften as he whispers, “I’ll make it up to you. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us, but well, this one is a lot to deal with and, well, personal.”

“You can trust me, Jesse.” Compassion replaces indifference, and he nods, resting his forehead against mine as he sighs. “It’s to do with my home life. You know how difficult it is back there.”

I remember him telling me he lives in a small puritan town where he is expected to marry a local girl after graduation and set up a farm. I’m aware of what’s expected of him and my smile softens as I understand the dilemma he’s in.

“It’s okay, Jesse. You don’t have to explain.”

His pained expression tells me otherwise, and he sighs.

“It’s a lot to deal with. Part of me wants to run the other way after graduation and never look back.”

“And the other?”

He groans. “They’re my family. How can I walk away from the people who raised me and were my world until I came to Rockwell? Until I met my friends—until I met you.”

His lips hover against mine and my heart melts. Perhaps it’s the compassionate nature of my soul that enables me to see things more from Jesse’s side than mine and I instantly forgive him for his disinterest, explaining it away as a turbulent past.

“It’s okay, I understand. You do what you must and I’ll see you at the house afterwards.”

His soft kiss is my answer and as I make out with Jesse in full view of our fellow students, I could be forgiven for believing that everything is right with our world. Mine and Jesse’s. The man who claimed me and I owe it to him to make this work.

TWO

IMOGEN

Willow Tree House is a great place to live at Rockwell. It’s set apart from the dorms and sits in a pleasant location, flanked by the reason for its name. Two weeping willow trees stand proudly guarding the property and the women who call it home.

Cassie lives in The Elusive House which is only a short walk away, along with Frankie and Jack and Siri also live there. Ordinarily, I would hate being away from them, but when I met Summer, Frankie’s sister, and we were offered a room each here, I loved the freedom it gave me.

All of my life I have lived under one roof with a crowd. When you live in a motorcycle club, it kind of restricts your freedom.

There are always watchful eyes on me when I move around the compound, which is why I am enjoying my freedom here.

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