22. Jameson
TWENTY-TWO
I waitedto hear from Penelope for three days.
She’d been home because I was watching her driveway like a hawk. I saw her come and go, all smiles and raw beauty. She wore her hair in loose braids, and a photography bag slung over her shoulder. She’d started working again and had been slowly building back up her portfolio. She hadn’t told me any of this, it was all through eavesdropping on Wanda’s conversation with Gene and by watching her.
I watched her every single chance I had.
So, if she was going to respond to my letter then she would have. However, the last time I had done something like this, she waited two weeks to reply so maybe I needed to give her time.
I went back to the club and went through the motions. It wasn’t until later that night that I saw Penelope finally walk through the club doors and my heart felt like it was given a set of wings. Unfortunately, it was too late to realize they were punctured with holes.
Pen walked right past me, that blinding smile in place, and threw her arms around Luke’s neck. He pulled her up off the ground and stuck his nose in her neck while she squealed. People clapped…Wanda was one of them.
I felt like my chest was on fire as I watched them whisper to each other.
Then they kissed.
Wanda’s gaze cut across the room to me, and her frown told me all I needed to know.
Pen didn’t choose me.
I’d waited too long and I’d missed my chance.
I turned away from the scene and made my way outside, found my bike and left. I had no idea where I was going, I just knew I couldn’t stay. I knew this would eventually happen; it’s why I had pushed her away so often, but she was supposed to leave the club. She was supposed to get out of this life, not choose Luke.
Anyone but fucking Luke.