Chapter Text
I sigh. I’ve been cooped up in Vantage for what seems like forever. Libby and Nash were off doing who knows what, Xander was with his dad, and Max was usually with Xander. And Grayson…well, I try not to think about him. Sitting on my bed, I run a hand through my hair and put on a smile as Jameson walks in, soaking wet from trying to find some sort of secret passageway outside while it rained. He steps closer, taking care not to drip water on the bed, and kisses me softly.
“Hello, Heiress,” he whispers with a grin.
I smile softly back. “Hi.”
He waves off as he enters the bathroom to go take a shower. Once I hear the water turn on, I lay down and get comfortable. A few minutes later, Jameson walks out, wearing just a pair of pajama pants. He prefers to sleep shirtless. I once found the sight of him dizzying–in a good way, of course–but now, especially since I don’t see him all day, it’s more contempt that swirls in my mind.
I scoot over to make room for him as he lays down, and I lay in his arms, as per our routine. Then, the next morning I'll wake up to Jameson already gone. I'll go about my day alone, sometimes calling Libby or Max, and then wait for him to come up to bed around 10:00.
It was not an exciting schedule.
“Jameson,” I whisper in the dark. “Are you asleep yet?”
He shifts slightly in response. “No. What’s wrong, Heiress?” I hadn’t anticipated him to notice the expression on my face in the dark, but knowing how the Hawthorne brothers were raised, I wouldn’t be surprised to know they each had night vision and the power to fly.
I bite my lip. “Nothing’s wrong but I wanted to ask you something…” Do you still think we’re going to work out if you’re never even there? Why do you leave me alone here all day? Are your games more important to you than me?
The questions swirling in my mind stay back, and instead I ask, “Can we go on a picnic tomorrow? Maybe in the rose gardens? We haven’t been spending a lot of time together.” Jameson kisses my forehead. “Of course. It’s perfect because the rose gardens are right next to where I think the next secret passageway is!” I bite back a reply and nod, turning so my back is against him. I drift away, knowing that what I’m going to do tomorrow is a very risky gamble.