Page 12 of Jesse (Pecan Pines #6)

Beck

Jesse drummed his fingers rhythmically on the steering wheel. “So… when I asked where you wanted to go to celebrate, I didn’t expect you’d want to come back here.”

I glanced out the window. The festival grounds, now empty of bustling crowds, stretched out like a ghost town under the dim parking lot lights.

The faint hum of machinery from the few remaining food trucks was the only sound breaking the quiet.

“It’s not exactly romantic,” I admitted, “but I saw in the group chat that there’s a last-minute get-together tonight.

You know, for everyone who didn’t make it to the next round.

It’s kind of their send-off. I figured it’d be the last chance to talk to everyone and maybe see if there’s anything we missed, info-wise. ”

Jesse turned to me, his brows knitting together. “Group chat?”

“Yeah.” I blinked at him. “You didn’t join it when the festival started?”

He shook his head. “What group chat?”

I tilted my head, studying him. “The one they set up during the briefing. It was mandatory, part of the festival rules. You know, for official announcements, schedule changes, stuff like that.”

Jesse shrugged. “Didn’t seem important. If I need to talk to anyone, I just go over to their truck.” He flashed a grin. “Group chats aren’t really my thing.”

I leaned back in my seat. “You forgot to join, didn’t you? Did you even go to the briefing?”

Jesse shot me a look, his grin faltering just a little.

“The group chat didn’t seem important. I’m in contact with most of the regulars anyway, people I see at other festivals or on the circuit,” he said, dodging my other question entirely.

“Circuit?” I echoed, unable to resist teasing him. “Wow, listen to you, all professional and worldly.”

Jesse’s ears turned pink, and he busied himself adjusting the rearview mirror.

“It’s what it’s called,” he muttered.

I chuckled, but something about his flushed cheeks made me pause.

He looked cute like this. Flustered Jesse was a rare sight, and I was starting to think I liked it more than I should.

“Well,” I said, shaking off the thought, “the group chat is mostly for official stuff. Tonight’s gathering is more of an informal thing, like a closing party. The winners are doing the cooking.”

I pulled out my phone and tilted it so he could see the message thread.

Jesse leaned in closer, the warmth of him brushing against my side. My senses sharpened in an instant, catching that familiar, comforting scent of his.

I wondered briefly if I still smelled like the kitchen. I’d scrubbed my arms twice to get rid of the lingering oil and spices, but maybe it wasn’t enough.

Jesse straightened, breaking the moment.

“We could still go somewhere nice to celebrate,” he said, his voice soft but earnest.

I hesitated, the weight of everything pressing down again.

Preston was still recovering at the clinic, and we didn’t have a single solid lead yet. Taking time off felt wrong.

But at the same time, I wanted this, wanted to spend time with Jesse, even if it was in the middle of a case.

“Let’s just check it out for a bit,” I said finally.

We stepped out of the truck and headed toward the area behind the festival grounds. The space felt entirely different from the daytime chaos. Now, it felt quieter, more intimate.

Fairy lights were strung up between the trucks, their golden shimmer adding a touch of magic to the scene. Had those been there before? I couldn’t remember noticing them.

Five food trucks were still running, their owners cooking up small plates for the attendees.

The smell of grilled meat, spices, and something sweet drifted in the air, mixing with the quiet chatter and occasional laughter.

Jesse stuffed his hands into his pockets as we approached the gathering, his eyes scanning the crowd.

“Alright, how should we do this?” Jesse asked.

I frowned, pausing mid-step. “Do what?”

He tilted his head toward the mingling food truck owners.

“Talking to them. You said you wanted to see if anyone knew anything, right?” Jesse asked.

Jesse gave me a look, one brow arched as if to say, Were you planning to just stand here all night?

“Oh.” I blinked, then gestured toward a cluster of trucks on the right. “Let’s start over there.”

“Actually…” Jesse gestured toward the trucks. “Why don’t we split up? I’ll take this side, and you can start over there. We’ll cover more ground that way.”

I stared at him, caught off guard. “Don’t you want to do this together?”

He shook his head. “It’s faster this way. Besides, you’re better at getting people to talk.”

I’d expected Jesse to insist on sticking together, maybe hover like he needed to keep an eye on me. But instead, he just trusted me to handle it.

It wasn’t what I was used to, but it felt reassuring.

“Alright,” I said, nodding. “I’ll meet you back here in a bit.”

Jesse gave me a brief smile before heading off.

I worked my way through the food truck owners on my side of the lot, trying to strike a balance between casual conversation and subtle probing.

“Hey, Beck,” said Maya, the owner of a truck specializing in fusion tacos. She glanced at me with a mix of curiosity and sympathy. “How’re you holding up after… everything?”

I managed a small smile. “I’m alright. Thanks for asking.”

“Seriously, though,” she said, lowering her voice, “if that had happened to me, I’d be gone. Packed up and halfway to the next state by now. You’re braver than I’d be.”

“Or just too stubborn,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. “But, uh, you didn’t notice anything strange before it happened, did you? Anything unusual?”

Maya frowned, thinking.

“Not really. Everyone was so busy, you know? Cooking, serving customers. It’s chaos half the time.” She hesitated. “But if I think of something, I’ll let you know.”

I thanked her and moved on to another truck. The conversations followed a similar pattern—sympathy for what had happened, mixed with vague recollections.

Nothing solid, but I wasn’t expecting much.

When I finally caught sight of Jesse, he was standing near the Thornebane food truck. The owner, a burly man, was leaning over the counter, gesturing animatedly at Jesse.

Were they arguing? My stomach tightened for a second, and I quickened my pace, ready to step in if things got heated.

“Yeah, yeah, keep talking,” Jesse said, his tone dripping with mock indignation. “At least I don’t have to cook for a bunch of people tonight.”

The man barked out a laugh. “That’s because you didn’t win, sweetheart! Fan votes don’t count for real chefs.”

Jesse grinned, completely unbothered. “Sure, but I’m still in the finals. Guess that makes me smarter, huh?”

I rolled my eyes, stepping up beside him. “Should I break this up, or are you two just getting started?”

The Thornebane owner smirked, handing over a plate of food. “Here. Maybe it’ll help him grow a thicker skin.”

I took the plate with a nod. “Thanks, Chef.”

Carrying the plate, we walked back toward Jesse’s truck. The smell of the food filled the air, and my stomach reminded me just how hungry I was. Jesse noticed and smiled.

“Hungry?”

“A little,” I admitted.

“Well, good. Let’s eat.” We set the food down on the hood of the truck and Jesse handed me a fork.

“Why not sit over there?” I asked, nodding toward the square where the tables were.

He shrugged, leaning casually against the hood. “Wanted somewhere more private.”

The memory of Jesse’s kiss hit me like a spark. I could still feel the heat of his mouth lingering on mine, the slight roughness of his stubble brushing my skin.

Heat crept up my neck, and I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on unwrapping a burrito.

“So,” I said, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere, “it doesn’t seem like anyone knows anything more. At least, nothing useful.”

Jesse nodded, his gaze steady on me. “Nothing?”

I shook my head. “No. And most of them have already been interviewed by the local sheriff. Cleared.”

I frowned, thinking back. “And I didn’t pick up on anything suspicious either. None of it felt off.”

“Same here,” Jesse said, grabbing a fork and picking at the food. “But the Thornebanes mentioned something interesting.”

I sat up straighter. “Yeah?”

“They said they saw a guy hanging around your truck that night. At first, they thought it was you. He followed Preston into the truck, then took off toward the woods behind the festival instead of heading back into the crowd.”

My chest tightened. “The woods?”

Jesse nodded. “Yeah. Nobody saw him after that. They didn’t think much of it at the time. They probably should’ve said something sooner, but…” He trailed off, furrowing his brow.

I exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the truck. “It’s something, at least. We’ll check it out later.”

“Agreed.” Jesse leaned back, studying me. “I’ll follow up with the sheriff too.”

“You know, the Thornebanes don’t seem so bad after all,” I mused.

Jesse smirked. “Yeah, I was expecting the worst. But honestly? They’ve been solid. Full of themselves, sure, but decent guys.”

I nodded. “Heard their new alpha’s pretty good.”

Jesse grunted around a mouthful of food.

I grinned. “You sound like a fan. Know him?”

He swallowed. “Carter. Good guy. Managed to land a solid punch on my cousin once.”

I burst out laughing. “Now that’s a glowing endorsement.”

Jesse chuckled, offering me a forkful of food. “Here. Tell me what you think.”

I blinked, hesitating for a split second before leaning in to take the bite. The smoky, tangy flavors hit my tongue, and I couldn’t help the small noise of approval.

“Okay, I get it,” I said, chewing thoughtfully. “They earned their spot in the top five.”

Jesse smirked. “Still think we’ve got them beat, though. People’s vote, baby.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t stop the grin spreading across my face. “Yeah, yeah. We’re practically royalty now.”

We clinked our forks together in a mock toast, and for the first time that night, some of the weight lifted.

I leaned back against the truck, the warmth of the food settling in my stomach.

The night air had cooled, so I pulled my jacket tighter around my arms, trying to hold onto the heat. Without realizing it, Jesse edged closer.

His shoulder brushed mine, subtle and warm. The unexpected contact sent a jolt through me. I glanced at him, caught off guard by how near he was, then quickly looked away.

After a pause, I admitted quietly, “I still want to win.”

Jesse glanced at me, his expression softening. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s a big deal, Beck.”

“Yeah, but…” I hesitated, words tangling in my throat. “With everything that’s happened, with the truck and Preston, it feels… selfish, maybe? Like I should be more focused on figuring this out.”

Jesse’s hand brushed mine as he shifted, his voice steady. “You can care about both things, you know. Wanting to win doesn’t mean you’re ignoring what’s going on.”

I sighed, the tension in my chest refusing to ease. “It’s not just about the competition, though.”

Jesse stayed quiet, his eyes fixed on me, listening.

“Growing up with Jackson, my family…” I trailed off, a wry smile tugging at my lips.

I continued, “It was a lot. They’re great. Don’t get me wrong. But when you’re the youngest in a family like that, people only see you as the kid, you know? The one who needs protecting, the one who can’t handle things.”

Jesse tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. “They love you, though.”

“Of course they do,” I said softly. “But sometimes it feels like I’m drowning in it. I just… I need to be my own person. Do something that’s mine.”

He nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving mine.

“You’ve got this fire in you, Beck. I can see it. You’re not the kind of guy who’d ever be okay just sitting in someone else’s shadow.”

His words sent a rush of heat through me. I found myself leaning a little closer, my knee brushing his. Was it so wrong to want this? Even with everything going on?

Jesse’s hand slid over mine, the roughness of his palm grounding me, and when I looked back at him, his eyes were softer, warmer.

“Beck,” he murmured, his voice low and steady.

Before I could think, his hand cupped the back of my neck. He leaned in slowly, giving me time to pull away.

I didn’t. His lips brushed mine with a tentative press that sent a shiver down my spine.

The kiss deepened, his other hand sliding to my waist, gripping me firmly as my body melted into his.

His lips were demanding now, soft but insistent, exploring mine with a growing hunger.

He tasted smoky, faintly spicy, and it made my pulse pound faster.

A low, possessive growl rumbled deep in my chest. My wolf awakened, hungry for more. His hand tightened on my waist, pulling me flush against him.

I felt the hard press of his body against mine, and a slow, deliberate grind of his hips sent fresh heat coursing through me.

When we finally broke apart, our breaths mingling in the cool night air, his forehead rested against mine.

“So,” Jesse said, his voice a little rough, “what do you think about going someplace better to celebrate? Ditch this place.”

I laughed softly, my hands still lingering on his shoulders. “Actually, I was thinking of just heading straight to your place.”

His grin was slow and lazy, his thumb brushing against my waist.

And for the first time in what felt like days, I let myself smile without holding back.