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ONE

IMOGEN

I can’t concentrate. My mind is racing as I attempt to get through the morning and all because of one man. One extremely forbidden man who spiked my pulse rate faster than anything in my life so far.

I’m deep in thought as I head to the cafeteria to meet up with the others and jump out of my skin when an arm lands around my shoulder and a familiar voice whispers, “Hey, baby, I missed you today.”

“It’s only lunchtime. The day is hardly over yet.”

I roll my eyes as Jesse squeezes me affectionally. “I can miss you a minute after I left you if I want to. You are so far inside my head rational thinking is impossible.”

“Idiot.”

I force a bright smile on my face. “So, what’s going on?”

“As in–”

“Now. Are you coming for coffee, or do you have another engagement?”

I detect the weariness in his smile that he attempts to disguise by dropping a light kiss on my cheek and whispering, “I’m all yours.”

We walk in silence, both of us not really buying his last statement.

If Jesse was all mine, he wouldn’t be missing in action most of the time and it makes me uneasy.

I’m aware he has a few problems, mainly one concerning an ex teacher here and despite the fact she was fired for inappropriate behavior with the students, I’m sensing their involvement may not be over yet.

We reach the cafeteria, and I’m not even sure why I don’t ask him outright.

You’re afraid of the answer.

My inner voice reminds me of what a coward I am and I wonder if I’m more in love with the idea of having Jesse as a boyfriend than the reality.

I want it to work. We hang in the same friendship group, and they are mostly coupled up.

It would be so easy. I also like him. He is gorgeous to look at, just my type in fact, and when he’s not stroking his secrets, he’s a fun-loving, easygoing guy.

He makes me laugh and my heart flutter and I consider I’m a fool for thinking this isn’t a match made in heaven.

He holds open the door like a gentleman and, as I enter the cafeteria, I spy Cassie and Frankie huddled together in our usual spot.

Jesse nods toward the counter. “I’ll fetch the coffee. Do you want anything to eat with it?”

“Sure, a club sandwich would be good, with some potato chips.”

I rummage in my purse for the money and Jesse smiles softly. “My treat, babe.”

“No, I–”

He captures my objection with his lips and, as he kisses me softly in a surprise attack, I hate that another man’s face is behind my closed eyes.

Before I have time to process that, he pulls away and smiles his usual cheery grin.

“Go and join the others. I won’t be long.”

I nod and as I turn, my heart is beating faster than normal. Was it the kiss, the public display of affection, or a different man altogether?

“Hey, Imogen.”

Cassie waves me over and I plaster a smile on my lips and slide in opposite the happy couple. Frankie and Cassie are a match made in hell because they fit together like a bullet in a custom made gun.

They are dynamic, ruthless and have no fear and love one another just as hard.

Frankie is watching me with his usual thoughtful expression, and I don’t know why I’m squirming on my seat under his dark gaze.

Cassie adds conversation by leaning forward and saying in a low voice, “Wow, that history teacher is something else.”

Frankie yawns as I downplay my fascination with the new guy and shrug. “He’s certainly different to Mrs. Fields.”

“Don’t give me the disinterest, Imogen, because we both know you couldn’t drag your eyes away from him.”

She jerks her thumb at Jesse. “Should I tell him he has competition?”

“Tell him what you like.” I shrug. “I doubt it would change anything.”

Frankie’s gaze spears my soul as he asks, “What makes you think he doesn’t care?”

“Don’t pay any attention to what I say.” I attempt to paper over the crack. “I haven’t seen much of him since The Claiming ceremony and, well, I suppose he’s studying.”

Cassie snorts. “Jesse? Don’t make me laugh. There’s only one subject he likes to study, and I’m looking at her.”

Frankie says nothing and his dark eyes flash as he turns to his approaching best friend, who is balancing a tray filled with coffee and food, and drops a cheeky wink at Cassie.

“Hey, I ran out of room. If you want more coffee, I’ll fetch it if you like.”

“I’m good. Thanks for asking.” Cassie smiles and, as always, her smile is genuine. If anything, it settles my doubts a little because if there was anything to be concerned about, Cassie would have picked up on it.

“So–” She leans forward, the excitement shining from her eyes. “The Prom.”

The guys grin as I unwrap my sandwich. “It should be good.” I admit, and she nods enthusiastically.

“I can’t wait. Have you decided what you’re wearing yet?”

“No. Have you?”

I take a bite of the sandwich and she shrugs. “We should take a trip into town with Siri and Summer. There’s a great dress shop there and it would be fun to try some outfits on.”

“Sure. When did you have in mind?”

“Saturday?”

She cocks her head to one side and Frankie casts a pained look in Jesse’s direction. “We could wait in the bar. They could take all day if they like.”

Jesse shifts in his seat and I don’t miss the interest spark in Frankie’s eyes as Jesse mumbles, “Sorry, I have plans for Saturday during the day.”

“What plans?” Frankie’s voice is steady but loaded with accusation and Jesse stuffs his bagel into his mouth, cutting the conversation dead. I sense a shift in the atmosphere and Cassie catches my eye with a worried frown and I wait with held breath for Jesse to answer him.

“Well?”

Frankie won’t give it up and Jesse leans back in his seat and attempts to make light of the question. “It’s no dark secret, Frankie. I’ve got plans, and I’d rather not talk about them now, if you don’t mind.”

Cassie reaches for her coffee and leans back as Frankie holds Jesse’s gaze for the longest minute before saying abruptly, “Cassie, it’s time to leave.”

“Why?” Cassie’s eyes widen as Frankie stands, reaching for her hand.

“Because I say so,” is his usual cutting response and I wait for Cassie to voice her objection because she isn’t one to be ordered around by anyone.

However, there must be something in Frankie’s expression that checks her voice because she smiles apologetically.

“I suppose so. Well–” She smiles brightly.

“Enjoy your lunch, guys. I’ll see you later, Imogen, Jesse. ”

Frankie says nothing and as they leave, Jesse exhales sharply. “I love him like a brother, but Frankie seriously pisses me off sometimes.”

I could take this opportunity to ask him where he’s going, but I’m more surprised to discover that I really don’t care.

Jesse leans back and rakes his fingers through his hair.

“Imogen, I–”

I carry on eating as I wait for him to tell me exactly what is going on inside his head and I’m surprised when he reaches for my hand and squeezes it hard.

“I’m sorry baby. I’m a shit boyfriend.”

He grips my face and forces me to look at him and his eyes soften as he whispers, “I’ll make it up to you. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us, but well, this one is a lot to deal with and, well, personal.”

“You can trust me, Jesse.” Compassion replaces indifference, and he nods, resting his forehead against mine as he sighs. “It’s to do with my home life. You know how difficult it is back there.”

I remember him telling me he lives in a small puritan town where he is expected to marry a local girl after graduation and set up a farm. I’m aware of what’s expected of him and my smile softens as I understand the dilemma he’s in.

“It’s okay, Jesse. You don’t have to explain.”

His pained expression tells me otherwise, and he sighs.

“It’s a lot to deal with. Part of me wants to run the other way after graduation and never look back.”

“And the other?”

He groans. “They’re my family. How can I walk away from the people who raised me and were my world until I came to Rockwell? Until I met my friends—until I met you.”

His lips hover against mine and my heart melts. Perhaps it’s the compassionate nature of my soul that enables me to see things more from Jesse’s side than mine and I instantly forgive him for his disinterest, explaining it away as a turbulent past.

“It’s okay, I understand. You do what you must and I’ll see you at the house afterwards.”

His soft kiss is my answer and as I make out with Jesse in full view of our fellow students, I could be forgiven for believing that everything is right with our world. Mine and Jesse’s. The man who claimed me and I owe it to him to make this work.