Page 119 of Playing With Secrets
I wiggle out of Jami’s grasp. “How does Hunter know about your troubles?”
“He did some digging. He found out some things and has been holding them over my head. I told you this is bad, but you have to know it’s nothing I don’t plan on telling you. I just need the time to get it on the right track before I do.”
A thousand angry butterflies flap around in my chest. “I don’t like any of this. It feels like you’re both using me as a pawn.”
Leaving me in the dark is something my parents are professionals at doing. I hate it.
“Dori, you’re not being used. If anything, it’s the one thing Hunter and I agree on. That’s why I can’t dive headfirst into this with you.”
“It seems like you want to tell me, so just do it. Trust me like I’m trusting you.”
His gaze drops to the floor. “I want to confide in you. I’m so close to being able to tell you everything, but it doesn’t change the fact that if I do, I’m risking a lot. Too much right now.”
I evaluate him for a minute. The Jami I know is good and honest.
Is he still that person?
My palms get clammy and I swallow my anxiety. “Just tell me this. Are you into something illegal?”
His head pops up. “No. I’m still the same person you know. The shit I’m in is all personal. It’s messy and could hurt you if I don’t set it right.”
“Hurt me? How?”
“You said you would give me time and trust me while I fix this. Please give me one more night. And even after that, you can’t tell Hunter anything.”
I splay my hands out and shrug. “Why? What does Hunter have to do with this? And why do you need one more night? If you’re that close to telling me, why can’t you do it now?”
I press because I’m so close to knowing everything I want to know. The anticipation of it is killing me, causing the base of my neck to tingle.
He motions to the chairs. “Sit and I’ll explain.”
I do as he asks. “Just tell me now, Jami. I’ll keep it between us.”
“If I told you now, you wouldn’t. You would storm out of here without any explanation. Trust me. I know you and you won’t stop to listen to me.” He sits beside me.
“Then answer my other questions. What good is one night going to do?”
“I need to talk to someone first. Once I do that, I’ll be able to tell you everything.”
“You promise?”
“Yes. If everything goes as planned.”
I press back in my chair, folding my arms over my chest.
His gaze darts around my face like he just snorted a line of coke. “I’m pushing my luck by telling you any of this. If I don’t get this other person on board first, it’ll blow up in my face. But like I said, I’m fighting for you this time, so I need to do that before I confide in you.”
My eyes squint and my stomach twists inside out. “Who do you need to speak to? And what if this person doesn’t do what you want? Am I to assume if they don’t come around, you’ll keep your secrets from me?”
CHAPTER 29
JAMISON
There’sa heaviness on my chest as I rest on my sofa. My future with Dori rides on two people, Aiden and Lauren.
I glance at my text from Aiden, trembling.
Aiden: We can talk, but I’m with some work buddies tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow.
