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NINE

IMOGEN

For some reason, I am walking on a cloud all afternoon.

Lunch was nice with Jesse. It was good spending time with him out in the open with no worry about what could escalate between us.

He is good company and kept me in hysterics, with tales of Rockwell and stuff that happened to him back at home.

It helps that he is drop dead gorgeous and when he wants to be, effortless company.

I don’t miss the envious glances from the other girls either, and it’s a powerful aphrodisiac. Jesse Anderson is one hot guy and I should be thanking my lucky stars he picked me.

Then why aren’t you? Why do you prefer your encounters with a man who is so out of your league you will trip into oblivion if you reach for him?

The nagging voice never goes away as it reminds me how tricky my life is right now.

Cassie and I have a free period and choose to take in some sun in the yard. We sip sodas and shield our eyes from the glare while we recline on cushions laid out on the grass.

“This is nice.” She says with satisfaction, and I nod.

“It sure is.”

“So, Jesse.” Her gentle teasing causes me to smile.

“What about him?”

“He seems happier, less stressed, and I’m guessing I must thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome.”

She raises her eyes. “What about you, Imogen? I detect a spark igniting that I haven’t seen before.”

“You’re mistaken.”

She nudges me. “You forget I know you well. It’s as if someone has lit a fuse inside you. Which can only mean–” She breaks off and props herself up on one elbow as she stares at me in delight.

“Did you?”

“What?”

“Jesse! You know, placed the sausage in the oven.”

“How old are you?” I laugh out loud. “No, but we came pretty damn close the other night before the heavens opened and dampened the flames.”

“No way.” Cassie grins. “And you haven’t got down and dirty since?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

I’m not sure how to answer her and it would be so easy to tell her of my reservations, but I’m wondering if it’s just me. Perhaps I’m a frigid bitch who should really loosen up and so I bite back my words and admit, “We haven’t had the opportunity.”

That much is true because since moving in to The Elusive House, most of my evenings have been spent resting my ankle and studying for an exam that isn’t far away.

“Jesse has been missing a lot.” Cassie voices her thoughts out loud and I hate how I’m grateful for his absence.

“Where does he go?” I ask, and she shrugs.

“Frankie told me he works out at the gym. Jesse also likes to disappear into town. He told Frankie that Rockwell is a lot to deal with for a guy who is used to wide open spaces and a certain kind of freedom.”

“And you believe that?”

Cassie shakes her head. “Fuck no. Jesse is up to something and I hate saying this Imogen, but I think he’s seeing that teacher again. Jenna Sloane.”

I sit up and stare at her in shock. “Really?”

Cassis nods miserably. “Frankie is convinced because when Jesse comes back his eyes are glazed, which can only mean one thing.”

“Drugs.” My heart sinks.

Cassie nods. “It explains his mood swings. I’m sorry, Imogen. I wanted you to know before things get well, heavier between the two of you.”

“Thanks.” I smile at her thoughtfully. “It would explain a lot. What can we do to help him?”

Cassie smiles softly. “Typical Imogen. I tell you your boyfriend is probably screwing another woman and off his head on drugs and you want to help him. What am I going to do with you?”

The fact I’m relieved more than concerned tells me I’m the worst kind of human being, and I shrug. “Anyone would do the same.”

“No they wouldn’t.” She sighs. “Frankie is pissed and wants to follow him.”

“When?”

“Tonight.” Her eyes flash as she whispers, “I’m going with him. We’re taking off on the pretense of a date night and heading to Jenna Sloane’s house in town. We believe she is still living there, and it’s where she meets up with Jesse.”

“What will you do if he is there?”

She shrugs and, glancing down, mumbles, “Frankie has a plan but he won’t tell me the details.”

“I see.”

I’m aware Frankie is a dark soul only matched by Luca and I can only imagine what his idea of a plan would be.

Cassie isn’t like that. She believes in helping people rather than punishing them, and I wonder when she fell onto the dark side.

From her expression, she is up for whatever Frankie has planned, which makes me worry about my friend.

Cassie is changing before my eyes, and I’m not sure how I feel about that.

She sighs heavily. “So, I’m afraid we will have to postpone our journey into town. I’m sorry, Imogen, Jesse is a problem that needs dealing with and the prom isn’t for a few weeks and can wait.”

“It’s okay, I understand.”

I’m relieved knowing I won’t be the one to cancel because my reason isn’t far off the same one as Jesse’s.

If anything, I sympathize with him because if I got the chance to move things along with my teacher, I wouldn’t hesitate at all.

Perhaps I am more like Jesse than I care to admit, and we should cut him some slack.

You can’t help it if your heart has other plans from your head and on that subject, Jesse and I are firmly on the same page.