“It took everything in me to let security handle it.”
Nolan eyed him carefully. “Does Jamie know?”
Clayton shook his head. “Not yet.”
Nolan sighed. “She needs to.”
“I know.” He dragged a hand down his face. “I just—damn, she’s had enough of that sorry-ass bastard messing with her head. She’s riding high after that show and I’m not about to let him drag her down.”
Nolan studied him and smirked. “Man, you are so in love with her.”
Clayton didn’t even argue. “Yeah,” he admitted, his voice low. “I am.”
Nolan exhaled, shaking his head. “Then you better tell her what happened before someone else does. The last thing you want is her thinking you kept it from her.”
Clayton swallowed hard, staring at the table. He hated that Nolan was right.
“She’s not his,” he muttered, more to himself than to his brother. “Not now, not ever again.”
Nolan tapped him on the shoulder. “Damn right she’s not.”
Clayton just wished he knew, for sure, that one day she’d be his.
CHAPTER 29
JAMIE
Nothing could ruin Jamie’s mood as she stepped onto the bus the following day. After a rare night in a hotel she’d actually slept well for once. But now it was back to reality—her exams were coming up fast and she needed to study.
She’d barely cracked open her book when the others started boarding and a knock sounded at her door.
“Jamie?” Clayton’s voice came through, followed by two taps.
So much for a quiet morning.
“Enter,” she called.
Clayton strolled in, eyes flicking to the book in her lap. “What are you studying?”
“Language arts. What else?”
He ignored the sarcasm. “We have a day off.”
“I’m aware,” she said, turning a page. “What do you want?”
“I got us a little outing planned.” He leaned against the doorframe, that smug look across his face. “Now, don’t go getting all riled up, but Shorty went and hired a security guard. Freddy’s riding along with us.”
“I can’t.” She held up the book. “My exams are in two weeks.”
“You’re going to want to make an exception for this.”
She raised her brow. “Why? Where are you going?”
“The happiest place on earth.”
She gripped the sheets, her breath unsteady. “You’re going to Disneyland?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He pointed at her watch. “The home of Mickey Mouse.”
