“This isn’t something you can flake on, Jack. If you commit, I need you there.”
“You don’t think I’d keep my word?”
“Your track record suggests otherwise.”
My mouth presses into a grim, hard line as I study her.
“What?” she whispers.
“You don’t think I’m dependable?”
A rush of color dusts her cheeks. Shit, I shouldn’t have used that word, it’s a dead giveaway that I read her list.
“I mean, no offense, but yeah. Look where you are, Jack. You should be with your team, but you’re here, in Chawton Falls, because you’re suspended. That doesn’t exactly exude dependability.”
A muscle tics in my jaw. She has a point there.
“That settles it, then. Whatever it is, count me in, and I promise you,” I lift my eyes so they land on her and keep them there, far more steady and sure than my frantically beating heart. “Aurelie Lunette Desfleurs, I’m going to be there.”
“You’ll have to work the fair, just like everyone else. I can’t give you special treatment, or there will be anarchy.”
“Wouldn’t expect you to.”
“That means coming to set up days on time.”
“Fine. Got it.”
“I’m serious. You can’t be late.”
“I’m a professional athlete. I can get to places on time just fine.”
Her gaze narrows skeptically.
“Okay, so like five minutes late. But I’ll be good, I promise. Just trust me.”
“Okay.” She nods. “Yeah, I mean, itwouldbe really helpful, actually—”
“Deal. Great.” Emy jumps in, casually sipping her glass of wine. “Aulie, you officially have your Wickham. How do you feel?”
“Great.” Aulie’s gaze hastily meets mine before darting away in a nervous flutter.
Wait. Wickham?
Who?
What?
Huh?
ChapterTen
Jack Parker
Play:Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus
My body was not made for hard twin mattresses. I’m not sure anyone’s is. I groan, pushing off the poor excuse of a bed resting on an antique iron frame in my sister’s nursery, ready for my new nephew. After a minute of waking from my groggy sleep, I crack my back and let out a long-suffering sigh. My recently recovered shoulder is frozen. I rotate it a few times until it loosens from immovable to stiff.
My toes press against the hardwood floor, and they’re greeted with a significant chill. A shiver works up my spine.
