Page 19 of Always Love You More

His father assesses him, the seconds stretching until it feels like the tension is about to snap. Finally, he says, “I need you to help me load something into the car.”

“Sure,” Jameson answers, seemingly unaffected, and follows his father without sparing me even a glance.

I release a long breath as soon as they leave the room, letting my shoulders fall. I’m grateful they’re gone. Well, that Levi is, anyway.

Leaning back in my chair, I look over at Jameson's empty seat, realizing just how much I liked talking to him. It was easy. Something I almost never find conversation to be.

Grabbing my book, I pick up where I left off, trying to distract myself. I get through another chapter before my eyes drift over to the closed door. It’s taking Jameson a while to come back. Definitely longer than you would need to load something into a car.

I wonder what they’re really doing.

Reaching across the table, I snag a couple of joints from the bag Jameson rolled. There’s enough in there that I’m sure he won’t notice. After stashing them inside the pocket of my bag, I turn back to my book.

I’ve just finished another cigarette when the door pushes open. “Time for you to go.”

I jump at the voice, having expected Jameson. Turning, I see an unfamiliar man around Levi’s age, with a long scar down the side of his face.

“I’m Marcus,” he says, just as my brother comes up behind him.

“Sam,” I answer quietly.

He takes a step forward and extends his hand. “Nice to meet you, sweetheart.”

I find my brother over Marcus’s shoulder. He’s watching us carefully, a hard look on his face. He inclines his head slightly, and I stand, taking Marcus’s hand.

He towers over me, tall and overly skinny. His clammy hand closes over mine, and I’m hit with the smell of weed mixed with engine oil.

“Nice to meet you, too,” I tell him.

He hums under his breath, dropping my hand. As he walks out of the room, he pats Johnny on the chest and says, “See you later, yeah?”

Johnny nods. “Yeah.”

Marcus hovers just outside the door, clearly waiting for me to leave, so I quickly shove my things into my bag. Keys rattle as I step into the hall, and he locks the door behind me.

Where’s Jameson?

“This way,” my brother says, leading me down the hall.

I follow him outside and into the car. Once we’re settled, I look him over. “Everything go okay?”

He starts the engine. “Yup.”

“That’s it?” I ask, irritated. “Not gonna give me anything else?”

He shrugs. “Nothing else to tell.”

“So, you’re working here now then?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Officially or unofficially?”

“Both,” he answers quickly, like he doesn’t want me to think about what that means.

Sighing, I slump back in my seat, annoyed by how secretive he’s being.

“I don’t wanna hear it,” Johnny says, his tone final.