Page 72 of The Coppersmith Farmhouse (Jamison Valley 1)
“Yeah, but I don’t want her to think that if she throws around some drama and tears she can get whatever she wants.”
He shrugged again. Other than that, he made no acknowledgement that he’d heard me, let alone agreed with me whatsoever, meaning he was totally going to spoil her.
Another example of him not listening to me.
“Thank you!” Rowen told Jess before throwing herself into his chest.
“Anything for my girls,” he said, kissing the top of her hair.
Then he hoisted her up so he could begin the unsuccessful attempt of trying to teach the Ellars girls about football.
“So what’s new with you and Everett?” I asked Maisy.
The first half of the game was almost over and she had come with Rowen and me to the stadium restrooms.
Before the night of the fire, Maisy and Everett had gone out a few times but each date had been completely platonic. She had started to think Everett was just in need of a friend and wasn’t that interested in a relationship. Then the night of the fire had happened.
“Oh, he’s dreamy,” she swooned. “We’ve spent every night together since the fire. He’s actually kind of shy. Which is weird, right? He’s a hot doctor. Who would have thought he’d be shy? I have to practically drag stuff out of him. We’re just spending as much time together as possible. Mostly in bed, where he is definitely not shy. I was hoping we could all go out together. Like a double date.”
I hadn’t gone out to either of the bars in Prescott but was looking for an excuse to check one out. Not that I was a big bar goer. It wasn’t for the drinking. I just wanted to see what a small-town Montana bar was like.
“Sounds like fun. Let me talk to Jess.”
“Sweet!” She nudged my shoulder as we walked out of the bathroom with Rowen. “So how’s it feel to be the talk of the town?”
“Huh?”
“Uh, you didn’t notice the whole place checking you out?” she said.
“They were? Why?”
“Gigi, you walking into the football stadium on Jess’s arm is news. Big news. He’s never brought anyone here before. People have been speculating about how serious you two are getting. Him bringing you to the game in front of the whole town? Means he’s making a statement. Claiming you and Rowen officially.”
“Ah . . . Maisy, it’s just a football game. I don’t think Jess meant it to be some sort of ‘claiming’ ritual.”
“Let me educate you a bit about Prescott High sports. Everyone comes to see what everyone else is doing. Sure, we all cheer for the kids and hope they win, but that’s just the sideshow. We really come to see what people are up to, what they look like, if they’ve gained weight and who they’re with. It’s the second biggest gossip spot in town behind the Coffee Club.”
“Seriously?” I asked, suddenly feeling very exposed.
“Yeah, seriously.”
“So, ah, what are they saying about me?” I wasn’t sure if I really wanted the answer.
“That you’re perfect for Jess. That he seems happier around you than he’s ever been. Like, ever,” she said.
“That’s not too bad, I guess.” My heart swelled at the compliment.
“No, it’s amazing! They love you. Well . . . almost everyone. Some of the local single girls who have been trying to snag Jess for years are being total bitches.”
“What? Why?”
“They’re just jealous. Talking about how you waltzed into town, took over the farmhouse and that Jess is with you because he’s always wanted to live there. That if it wasn’t for the house, he’d still be with Andrea Merkuso. They were having a long-term fling before you showed up.”
I didn’t know what to say so I just kept walking. All of the joy I had felt a few seconds ago vanished. I’d been happily ignorant of Jess’s previous relationships. But having Maisy put a name to his past made my chest ache. Some of it was jealousy. Some of it was insecurity on my part, especially feeling like I was under a microscope for the whole town.
“Don’t worry, Gigi. It’s really just Andrea talking trash. She’s a skank and has skanky friends too. Who cares what they think? Just because she used to hook up with Jess doesn’t give her the right to be catty, you know? I’ll point her out if I see her tonight.”
“Ah . . . okay,” I muttered.
