“We were angry kids who bonded over the hurt that we really felt. I lost my mother, and he resented living without his father. He was better at hiding it. We both fell for your mother in high school, and that ended our friendship. It’s hard to be happy for your friend when he has what you want. And he wanted your mother. Doubt we will ever be friends again.” Any other truth would have to come from Kody.
“You still want to be with her.” His expression became unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he approved or not. Jamaica and I hadn’t discussed a future, and I remained true to my word. I wouldn’t chase her or ask her again to be with me. We hadn’t had sex again, though the gravitational pull to connect intimately challenged my convictions whenever we inhabited the same space.
“She will always have a hold on my heart.” I acknowledged.
“Only be with her if you can make her happy, okay?” He looked up at me from under his hat, a stern resoluteness in hisface. “I see how women react to you, and you have a lot of fans. If you can’t be with just one woman, leave her alone. I don’t want to see her hurt anymore. Dad did enough of that.”
“Trust me, Jamie. She’s the only woman I see.” I squeezed his shoulder. “Message received.” Jamaica had wondered if Jamie knew about Kody cheating. Question asked and answered.
He started jogging toward the long driveway as Jamaica and KJ rode up. I’d met KJ once when he’d ridden with his mother to drop off Jamie. He reminded me of the Kody I met in elementary school, except he was polite and mannerly, whereas Kody had been a badass. KJ had clung to his mother, peeking at me, as she helped bring Jamie’s suitcases and belongings inside my home. All of this had to be hard on a seven-year-old. One minute, his parents were together, and he and his brother had the same father. The next minute, his father lived down the street, and his brother lived with another father. Jamaica worried about him, understandably. He’d started sleeping in the bed with her, and she allowed it while everyone grew accustomed to the changes.
KJ had opened up enough that day to play video games and drink milkshakes with Jamie and me, and his mouth poked out when it was time to leave. More because Jamie was staying. He and his brother had always slept under the same roof, and Jamie looked after him like I did Peace. Now, Jamie was here with me at Jamie’s request. I would be going on tour, and we wanted to spend as much time together. Jamaica had yet to give me an answer on whether Jamie could go to Paris with me for opening night. Something else I wouldn’t pressure her on.
KJ jumped out of the car before Jamaica fully stopped. She yelled at him, but he was too excited about seeing his brother and the horses. Jamie hugged him tightly, lifting KJ off his feet, and they laughingly raced back to the corral. KJ half-waved at me on his way to the horses. “Hey, Mr. Freedom.”
“Give him time.” Jamaica hopped out of the car. “He’s still trying to process so much. Every day, he’s getting a little better. The hardest part for him is missing Jamie.”
“Nothing but time to give him. I’m not in any rush for KJ to accept me.” I tilted my hat. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” Jamaica had her hair in thin braids underneath her cowboy hat, reminding me of the day I had to have her back in the day. She looked too damn fine in her jeans, fitted tee, and boots. “You didn’t call me last night.”
“Was I supposed to?” I tossed my toothpick in the grass.
“Bad habit,” she admonished after her gaze followed the discarded toothpick.
“You can’t help correcting me, can you?” I ruefully shook my head.
“I didn’t mean it like that, Free.” Guilt drifted over her face before she softly accused, “I hadn’t heard from you in a few days.”
“Because I didn’t have anything new to say to you. We’re not a couple,” I replied.
Her forehead wrinkled. “When are you going to forgive me?”
“I’m not mad.”
“Then why are you being this way?” She moved closer to me.
“The way I said I would be?” I quirked a brow. “I meant what I said, Jamie is my priority.”
Her frown deepened. “Like, we have no future?”
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“I’m not going back to Kody.” Her doe eyes pleaded with me.
“Good for you. Hope you can be happy.” I glanced back at the corral. The boys were talking to the handler who would help us saddle and ride. “We need to go. They’re anxious to ride the horses.”
“Free,” She called my name in exasperation.
“Jamaica.” I matched her tone and turned to go.
She quickly grabbed my hand, stopping me. “Teeyana posted a pic of you and her at a party last night.” She fumed as she held her cell for me to see a photo of Teeyana, a possessive hand on my chest, her cheek pressed to mine. “Is that why we’re not really talking?”
Dragging my hand down my face, I replied, “I don’t have time for this. Women lusting after me are a part of the package. You trust me, or you don’t. Your husband lives down the street, and you’re alone most nights, but I’m not questioning what you and he are doing when I’m not around.”
“It’s different, and you know it. He’s around for KJ. What is Teeyana around for?”
“Whatever I need.” I retorted to get under her skin and headed toward the corral.
