Page 70 of Bad Reputation
Jameson gives my arm a squeeze, pushing past me. Asher’s blond head pokes out of the back office, frowning. “Jameson, hi. What are you doing here, Em?”
I clear my throat, trailing after Jameson. “I’m here with Jameson.”
Asher looks between Jameson and me, confused. “Okay?”
“We have something to tell you,” Jameson says, his expression unreadable. He seems already hardened, in preparation for whatever is about to go down.
Jameson reaches a hand over to me. I take it like it’s a lifeline and I’m drowning in the big, black sea.
“You—” Asher steps out of the office, looking pointedly at our clasped hands. “No. No way.”
He looks to Jameson, his expression demanding an explanation.
“We’re dating,” I blurt out. Jameson gives me a little side eye.
“Actually, we’re engaged,” Jameson says.
Asher seems stunned for a moment, his fists clenching. “Are you— is this a joke? This isn’t funny.”
“It’s very real,” I say, holding out my left hand. “Jameson made it official a few days ago.”
“Jameson— Emma— what the fuck??” Asher says, anger tingeing his voice. “How could this happen?”
I step closer to Jameson, my cheeks burning. “You had to know how I’ve felt about about Jameson for all these years.”
Jameson cuts in. “I’m sorry that we broke your rule, but I’m not sorry about finding happiness with Emma. She makes me happy, Asher.”
For a second, I think that Asher is just totally going to lose his shit. Every muscle in his body is clenched tightly, and he’s looking at Jameson like Jameson just betrayed him. When he speaks, it’s with a barely contained rage.
“I don’t even know you anymore,” he says to Jameson. “I’ve felt like that for a while—”
“You mean ever since you got back together with Evie and didn’t need me anymore?” Jameson growls.
If looks could kill, the one passing between Jameson and Asher right now would be deadly, without a doubt.
Asher looks at me pointedly. “Our parents will never allow this.”
That is low, even for him. Asher doesn’t even speak to our parents anymore! “Really? That’s your tactic here? To invoke what our parents may do?”
“I’ll tell them,” Asher threatens. “I’ll tell them you’re actually so confused as to think that you are marrying him. You know that he’s— he’s not like us!”
“What, rich and privileged?” I spit back. “Jameson’s doing just fine by my book.”
Asher levels a look at Jameson. “You’re basically guaranteeing that Cure doesn’t last another year. You know that, right?”
Jameson glares at him. “Who do you think made this place so great? It wasn’t you, that’s for damn sure. If Cure goes under, I will just start another business, one that isn’t tied to your dirty family money.”
“That’s it! You two are fucking making me crazy!” Asher yells, bursting past us both, headed for the front door. “Good fucking luck not running this place into the ground.”
As I watch, Asher pushes open the door, and slams out of the building. I look to Jameson, my eyes a little wide.
“Did he just quit the business?” I ask.
“Yeah, I think so,” Jameson says. “And… I hate to say this, but you had better call your parents. Tell them that you want to meet them as soon as you can. I think it’s better if we tell them about our engagement, rather than just hearing Asher spouting off about it.”
Oh god. That’s a lot of people that will be angry at me, in such a short time. I feel like there is a huge lump in my throat.
A deep breath in, and a deep breath out.I bite my lip, holding onto Jameson’s arm. “Are you okay?”