Page 59 of The Tomorrows After You
“Great!” he repeated “It’s a date!”
My fists balled up. I could practically hear Nicolette rolling her eyes.
“It’s not a date, Jeremy.” My mood lifted. That’s my girl.
No.
No, notmygirl, I reminded myself.
“Oh, it’s a figure of speech,”helaugheddismissively and Iwascertain he didn’t mean it as a figure of speech.
What was I doing? This was pathetic. She was free to do whatever she wanted with whomever she wanted to. Just as I was, I reminded myself. I should be more grateful to Katie; she was a sweet girl, and she was looking forward to this day.
Ipromisedmyself to honor that commitment and show her a good time.Letthe Nicolette and Jeremy chips fall where they may.
22
Nicolette
Ididn’t want to lead Jeremy on, but Ididneed a ride if Iwasgoingtobring the crates to Riot’s booth. I stillwasn’tsure why Iwasdoing it. Someone likeKatieshould be doing this for him and I idlywonderedif she evenknewabout his art.
She’s helping mere-acclimateto the community.
And thatincludedtelling him hehadto hide his face from the world because of a measly scar.
Riot had left to pick her up nearly an hour ago andholy fuckdid he look good. I began to drool when my eyes landed on him. At first, I couldn’t help but feel like maybe he’d shaved for me. I had told him a few times I wish I could see his smile more and the way he’d regarded me made my heart stop.
I noticed the little scar on his chin. Was that what he was so worried about people seeing?
“Excited for today?” Jeremy kept looking at me and it was irritating, like he was waiting for some reaction that would never come.
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Yep,” I replied, gazing out the window. The town was buzzing and there was significantly more traffic through the streets. I couldn’t believe after everything, I found pride in seeing this event become successful.
“After the mayor does the welcome, I’ll need to go on stage, I was hoping you’d join me.” I raised an eyebrow.
“Why would I need to go on stage?”
“I feel like Godotison the brink of a little renaissance, you know? Good thingsarehappening, like these Family Field Days. And I thinkyouarea big part of it. We need to highlight the bright thingshappeningin Godot. Thesuccessful peoplethathavecome out of here and no oneisa better example of that than you.There’stoo much press about the drug problem and the health issues.”Hewavedhis hand dismissively.
“Don’t you think those thingsareworthaddressingso that maybe someone can root out the cause to correct the problem?”
Jeremy faltered but recovered. He tipped his head back and forth.
“Of course, but those issuesaregenerational now.We’repast the point of being able to eradicate the drug problem.”
“Yeah, I heard about the class action from the homes built after the fire.” I was baiting him but if he had any new information for me, he didn’t give it away.
“Those poor people will be lucky if they’re even alive when they finally see that payout. You know how those things go, deny and delay.” He waved another hand dismissively. I parted my lips to speak, but he threw the car in park. “We’re here!”
Tearingoff my seatbelt like I couldn’t get away fast enough, Icameto stillness when my feethittheground.
Riot’s gaze met mine across the parking lot. The petite brunette tugged on his hand andthey were holding goddamn hands.Jealousy gripped me and I’d never felt so unbelievably temporary. I was already looking forward to this day being over so I could go back and pack.
“So, what do you say? Be my Vanna White on stage?”Jeremycamearound to my side andheldhis arms out, expectant.
“Okay, sure.”Hebeamed.“Thanks, Jeremy, and thank you for the ride. I really appreciate it. Ihavesome set up to do. ButI’llsee you in there?”
His smile faded when I began to unload all the items I brought.
