Page 173 of Always Love You More

“It makes total sense.”

I tilt my head.

“You’re happy when you play,” he says. “And I like to see you happy. So, I play, too. Simple.”

“You’re …”

“Obsessed with you?” He nods. “Yeah, baby, I think we’ve already established that.”

Billy comes up beside us. “I thought you were dying to get in the water,” he says.

“I … um …” I pull my eyes away from Jameson. “I am.”

“Well then, let’s go,” he shouts before shotgunning his beer.

Jameson stands, offering me a hand, and I take it, allowing him to pull me up beside him. I watch as he strips off his shirt, giving me a full view of his latest tattoo. It goes across the top of his back—one side, an angel, and the other, a devil, both of them reaching out toward each other.

He turns toward me, his eyes slowing on my black bikini top and dropping down to the jean shorts I’m shimmying off.

“Baby,” he groans under his breath, stepping into me. “You’re killing me in that thing.”

“Billy,” a girl yells from the water. “You coming in or what?”

“You guys done staring like you wanna rip each other’s clothes off yet?” Billy laughs. “I was gonna wait for you, but … if you need a minute …”

“Fuck off,” Jameson mutters, throwing an arm around me. “We’re coming.”

Chapter 41

Sam

Bythetimenightfalls, the small hangout has turned into a full-blown party.

I take the joint Dylan hands me, bringing it to my lips, before passing it on.

I’ve been taking it slow, feeling Jameson’s watchful eyes on me with each drink I pour. At this point, I’m only two shots deep and plan on keeping it that way.

I know it bothers him when I get out of hand, but sometimes it feels like I can’t help it. When the thoughts get too loud, it’s the only way to make them stop. I’ve been trying to be better, though. To not let myself drown when that’s all I want to do. But some days, the thoughts win and I’m not strong enough to silence them on my own.

“You good?” Jameson asks against my ear, his chest pressed to my back.

I turn, looking over at him. “Yeah.”

“You almost ready to get out of here?”

“We can go now if you want.”

“I’m not trying to rush you, baby. If you wanna stay—”

“No, really, it’s fine,” I tell him. “Can we go back to your house for a little bit, though? I don’t want to go home yet.”

“Course,” he answers, glancing around. “You see where Billy went?”

I shake my head, searching the crowd for him. Finally, I spot him wrapped around some girl and point him out. “Over there.”

Jameson starts in their direction, and I follow closely behind.

“We’re heading out,” he tells him. “You with us or staying here?”