Page 58 of The Prom

We bump fists and for the first time I relax, wondering if this really will go the distance.

“So, what is our mission now?”

He pulls my head down onto his chest and kisses my head. “We wait for a bit and then I’ll show you what happens next. Sleep is overrated, anyway.

When the sunpushes the night away, I am almost sad. It’s the end of our beginning and yet hope is on the horizon.

I have no regrets as I head back through the trees. The new day dawning lifting my spirits as I applaud the fact I took a chance last night. It was almost an act of desperation because in talking to Jesse, it made me realize that life is too short to be dictated to by others. To be controlled and forced down a path you didn’t choose. I chosemelast night and I chose Drake and I don’t regret a second of it.

Somehow, I manage to slip inside my room undetected and the first place I head to is the shower. It’s early but I’m too elated to sleep. What happened with Drake was life changing—for me anyway, and it’s as if a different person walked back in here.

When I’m clean and in a fresh set of clothes, I head to the kitchen for coffee and a snack. Sex sure makes you hungry and I almost float on air as I start a fresh day with more hope than yesterday.

By the time the first person surfaces, I have cleaned the kitchen, stacked the dishwasher and mopped the floor and as I’m fixing some breakfast, Santi wanders in bleary-eyed.

“What time is it?” He stares at me with concern. “Please don’t tell me I’ve overslept. If I miss practice, the coach will haul my ass.”

“Relax.” I chuckle softly. “It’s seven and you’re up early, even for you.”

“Then why?” He appears puzzled as he notes the sparkling kitchen and the fact I’m fully dressed and ready.

“I’m an early riser.” I shrug and he rakes his fingers through his hair and groans.

“No wonder you don’t sleep with Jesse then. We’ll be lucky to see him before nine.”

My heart drops a little at the mention of the man I’m supposed to be sleeping with and yet I push it aside and say brightly, “Coffee?”

“Sure. Thanks.”

Santi sits at the counter and yawns loudly. “You know, I may take part in The Claiming myself if I get someone to make me coffee and breakfast.”

“I’m not making breakfast for Jesse. He can do that himself.”

“Seriously though, why did you enter?”

He fixes me with a sharp gaze, and it surprises me. Santi is a joker, the master of the ceremony, and that is all I know about him. He is also incredibly buff and underneath his lumberjack beard hides an extremely handsome face.

His question takes me by surprise and I consider my answer carefully.

“I like Jesse and suppose I coudn’t see myself with anyone else.”

“Cut the bullshit, Imogen.”

He stares at me with a hard expression.

“Jesse is a project, and nothing more. You think you can save him—from himself. It’s noble but foolish.”

I’m stunned because is it that obvious?

He sighs. “Listen, we all want to help Jesse, but I wouldn’t compromise myself to do it. Jesse is a big boy who can learn from his mistakes. You are not expected to sacrifice your time here at Rockwell for him.”

I’m surprised at the venom in his words and probe a little deeper.

“Why are you fired up, Santi? I thought he was your friend.”

“He is.” He slurps the coffee and I stare in wonder at the muscles that ripple on his chest as he stretches.

“Listen, don’t get me wrong, I get it. Jesse is a great guy with a lot of baggage. It’s admirable wanting to help him, but it isn’t your job.”

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