Chapter 13
SUMMER
I thought he’d never leave. It sucks being at my first college party under my brother’s watchful eye. Nobody has even glanced in my direction because of him, and I’m seriously pissed.
To make matters worse, I’m playing third wheel with Siri and Jack and obviously all they want is to be down and dirty with each other.
Jack’s a gentleman. I already sense that and he is giving off protective vibes over Imogen. I’ve seen the way he’s studying her interaction with Jesse and even Siri is concerned.
“What’s the story regarding Jesse?” I innocently ask and the closed expression on Jack’s face tells me something serious is going down.
“It’s complicated.” Is all he says and Siri sighs.
“Jesse is seeing someone who isn’t, well, one of us. She’s bad news and despite everyone warning him against her, he goes there anyway.”
“He doesn’t appear bothered about this woman right now. In fact, I’m guessing he’s over her already, judging by the way he’s gazing at Imogen.”
Jack’s eyes flash and his frown deepens. “I should intervene.”
“Don’t you dare.” Siri snaps. “Imogen may be the perfect one to change his direction and we all want that, right?”
“Not at Imogen’s expense.”
Jack makes to approach the happy couple and I pull him back with my words.
“I’ll go. Perhaps interrupting them will be the break they need. Imogen won’t be upset either because if she’s anything like me, if she had an inkling your were interfering, she would be even more determined to go there.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Jack sighs and Siri takes his hand with a smile.
“Leave this to Summer, Jack. She’s a Majerio and takes no shit.”
As I walk away, I smile to myself. Yes, I am a Majerio and I’m not Frankie’s sister for nothing. We grew up under the same cloud and now he’s gone the night is mine and I’m not wasting a second of the unexpected freedom he’s gifted me.
“Hey.” Imogen’s face lights up as I approach the happy couple.
“Summer, have you met Jesse?”
“Not officially.” I smile. “You’re Frankie’s friend. But I won’t hold that against you.”
He grins and I can tell why Imogen is falling fast for his charms. His lopsided grin is straight from a rom com and his cheeky wink would melt the heart of most girls.
He is also incredibly good looking, his hair lighter than I’m used to, almost blonde and tousled on top and shorter at the sides.
His green eyes twinkle with mischief and his muscles ripple under the tight t-shirt he should really replace with a bigger size.
No wonder Imogen is mesmerized by him and I’m guessing his charm offensive is designed to charm her into his bed. I’m not a fool. I know these guys and the last thing I want is Imogen to be another notch on some bad boy’s bedpost.
“Fancy some air?”I ask her, and she hesitates as she glances at Jesse and then smiles. “Sure. Air would be good.”
Jesse shrugs. “I’ll catch you later.”
His eyes flash with disappointment, but I couldn’t give a fuck. Jack and Siri are concerned about his attention on Imogen and a few minutes apart may be enough to dim his interest.
We head outside and we are not alone. Groups of students are sitting on the grass, smoking, chatting and tearing through the alcohol as if they found an oasis in the desert.
There are a few fire pits burning that cast a welcome glow in the night sky and we drop down into two seats that are newly vacated as their occupants drift back inside.
“Jesse seems nice.” I get straight to the point and Imogen nods, a dreamy expression in her eyes.
“I like him.”
‘’I can tell, but Jack and Siri are concerned about that.”
“Why?” Her eyes widen in surprise and I shrug.
“The hell I know, but I stopped Jack from intervening. You’re welcome.”
She sighs and leans back in her chair. “Jack means well, but he’s a little overprotective sometimes. I’m just amazed Cassie hooked up with Frankie under Jack’s watchful eye.”
“Tell me about their relationship.”
I haven’t missed their close bond and Imogen smiles. “We’re a family. We grew up together, but Jack and Cassie, well, I always hoped they would end up together.”
“Childhood sweethearts?”
“Not really. I mean, they may have hooked up once, but they never said anything.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Something changed one night. They were awkward around one another and when I questioned them, they wouldn’t talk about it.”
“It could have been an argument.”
Imogen laughs out loud. “Jack and Cassie are always arguing. They never stop but this was different. They tried to avoid one another and wouldn’t make eye contact.”
“So you asked them about it, right?”
“I tried, but Cassie told me it was nothing and to leave it while they worked it out. I’m not a fool, Summer. I guessed something had happened between them and it doesn’t take a professor of human behavior to know what.”
She sighs. “I kind of hoped they would figure it out, but then they came to Rockwell, Cassie met Frankie and the rest is history.”
“And you think Jack may be upset about Cassie hooking up with Frankie?”
“No. He likes Siri. It’s obvious, but I believe there is unfinished business between Cassie and Jack and there probably always will be.”
She changes the subject.
“I’d love to know why everyone is concerned about Jesse.”
“I heard he is involved with a woman.”
I don’t sugar coat my words because Imogen deserves the truth before she gets in deep and her eyes widen in shock. “Oh.”
It’s like kicking a wounded puppy and I seek to reassure her. “I also heard he’s a man whore and liable to change his mind like the wind. Perhaps you are that wind blowing the other woman into touch.”
She shakes her head. “Thanks for the heads up. I’m not interested in being a part of something like that.”
She sighs. “I should be going, anyway. It’s been a long day and I’m beat.”
“It’s only twelve.”
“I know but–” The disappointment on her face replaces the excitement of earlier, and I feel like the biggest bitch alive for putting it there.
“I’ll come with you.”
I jump up and as we head back into the basement, Jesse shrugs off from the wall and heads our way.
“Leaving so soon ladies?”
“Sorry.”
Imogen smiles, but it’s lost a little of its shine and Jesse says softly, “I’ll walk you back. Make sure you get there safely.”
I chuckle. “Will she though, Jesse?”
He winks. “I give you my word as a gentleman.”
“Then run like hell, Imogen, because you, Jesse, are no gentleman and I would stake my life on that.”
He pretends to be wounded and Imogen laughs, a little of her earlier happiness restored.
Jesse adds. “I mean it. I’ll walk you both home if you like and then you’ll see I’m an angel dressed like a demon.”
“I’ll catch you up.” I roll my eyes. “I can’t find my phone. It must have dropped out of my pocket somewhere.”
Imogen says with concern, “I’ll help you look for it.”
I wave her offer away. “It’s fine. I’ll retrace my steps.”
“I can call it if you like.” She offers,and I roll my eyes.
“It’s on silent. It always is because I can’t stand being dictated to by my phone. I answer it when I’m good and ready and it irritates the shit out of my mom in the process.”
Imogen laughs out loud and I wave them away. “Now go. I won’t be long.”
As they leave me to it, I huff with frustration. Now, where did I leave my phone?