Page 88 of Steel & Jenna
“It’s Thomas,” he said with his eyes narrowed at her. Turning to Jack, he held his hand out. “Thomas Fitzgerald. And yes, I’m withthoseFitzgeralds.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Since I have no idea who ‘thoseFitzgeralds’ are, you’ll have to be more specific.” Jack laced his left hand with Jenna’s, careful of her ring lollipop. Her arm was still around his shoulders. She was leaning into him on one hip to keep either one of them from falling out of the chair they were squeezed into.
Tommy—because he wouldalwaysbe Tommy the Terror to her—raised an eyebrow. “My father owns over half of theForddealerships in the state.”
Jack reached his right hand forward to take Tommy’s. “Jack Duncan. And yes, I’m withthoseDuncans.”
Though Tommy shook Jack’s hand, his eyebrows drew down. “Which Duncans?”
Jack shrugged, leaning back in the chair. “And now you know how it feels when you introduce yourself like that.”
Jenna shook her head and whispered, “Don’t start something with him. He’s been known to throw punches when he doesn’t get his way.”
From the way Jack’s eye twitched, Jenna guessed he was trying hard not to roll his eyes. The glance he gave her told her that Jack had already guessed that much and her warning had not been necessary.
Within Tommy’s posse was Jonah Wilde, Asher Cunningham—no relation to the Chief that Jenna knew—and Gregory Atwater-Rhodes. Their dates, Courtney, Brittany, Jennifer, and Rebecca, could have been models for real-lifeBarbies. Massive blonde hair, narrow waisted, tall legs, and probably had the same brain capacity as the famous plastic dolls. Rumor had it that Brittany was sleeping with both Asher and Tommy, Courtney had flown to Mexico over Easter Break to have an abortion, and Rebecca was sleeping with one of the professors to get a passing grade. Jennifer’s nose and boob jobs were not rumor because the evidence was right there on her body.
Superficial, all of them.
It didn’t matter to Jenna that she’d known all of them since preschool. None of them were worth her time or energy. In many ways, they reminded her of Carolyn and how their life’s goal was to skate by on their parents’ money. Jenna loved her sister and missed her every day, but she didn’t want her life, nor did she share her views on life.
Someone announced that the ballroom doors would be opening in ten minutes. The line for pictures was already starting.
Jack turned to her. “Do you want to go get in line for pictures?”
Jenna debated. The line was only going to get longer. “We might as well. It’s either sitting here or standing there, regardless.”
Jack stood up, keeping hold of her left hand. Though he was ignoring Tommy and his posse, Jenna had no doubt that he was very aware of where each of the guys were. She prayed Tommy just left them alone. What was the point of coming over to talk to them anyway? It was common knowledge that Jenna’s boyfriend lived in Port Townsend. Other than maybe wanting to confirm that Jack actually was real, there was no reason to bother them.
But Jenna was sure Tommy had created one anyway.
Jack switched her left hand to his right hand and helped her to stand. She was straightening out her skirt when it seemed to occur to Tommy that they were leaving. “Wait, I’m not done talking to you.”
Jack tucked Jenna’s arm into his, which effectively placed his body between Tommy and Jenna. “Well, we’re getting in line for pictures. You can either follow and talk or we can part ways. The choice is yours.”
They were partway across the lobby before Tommy caught up with them. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” He stepped into their path.
Jack once more angled his body in front of Jenna’s. “Look, man, do you really want to ruin everyone’s night by whatever the fuck this is? We just want to have a nice night. Either get to the point of this conversation or leave us be.”
Jack’s logical suggestion went over Tommy’s head. “I hear you’re poor!” he sputtered out.
Jenna did roll her eyes this time. Tommy’s voice was loud, drawing more than just his posse’s attention.
“Compared to who?” Jack asked Tommy, keeping his voice conversationally low. Jack was not after the audience that Tommy clearly was. “Compared to your parents? Sure. Compared to you? I doubt it.”
Tommy’s eyes narrowed and he put his hands on his hips. “I am aFitzgerald. I have more money than you could ever dream of.”
Jack shook his head. “Yourparentshave money, Tommy. I would wager that you’ve never earned a penny in your entire life. Everything you have isgivento you. You want to know what true wealth is, Tommy, then figure out who you are outside your family’s name and reputation.”
Jack sidestepped, pulling Jenna behind him. Asher stepped into Jack’s path. There was a large decorative table with a massive vase of flowers to Jenna’s right. Jack shifted so the table was to Jenna’s back and he was actually standing in front of her.
“What exactly are you trying to prove here, Tommy?” Though Asher was the one directly in front of Jack now, he still put the question to Tommy as the ringleader.
Jenna looked around, hoping maybe hotel security was nearby. She didn’t fear for Jack’s safety, but also did not want him getting arrested on their prom night. If security could defuse the situation before it escalated, it would be best all around.
Sadly, she did not see anyone but the hotel receptionists who were busy checking in teenagers set on partying.
“What makes you think you have a right to be here?” Tommy demanded of Jack. “You don’t belong here.”
