Cross Check (Marriage Contract #1) Read Free

set off and
find where you really belonged, was totally our jam.
    It surprised me to realize that Jamison King, golden god of
our school, felt like as much of an outsider as I did growing up in our small,
secluded town. Soon, we weren’t just sharing books, we were meeting in the
gazebo to talk about our newfound common ground. We’d sit for hours, geeking
out about the latest Lord of the Rings movie or Harry Potter book. During those brief windows of time, all our animosity was forgotten. We
entered into a fleeting truce each time we met here at the gazebo, a
name-calling cease fire. But the second we returned to our real lives, it was
understood that we’d never mention our meetings—not to each other, and
certainly not to anyone else.
    “Thanks for never blowing my cover,” Jay says now, as I
lower the lid of the bench. “My reputation would have been shot to shit if
anyone found out I was as a big a nerd as you.”
    “You’re welcome? I think?” I reply, perching on the edge of
the bench as Jamison sits down beside me.
    Once upon a time, this seat was more than big enough for me
and tow-headed little Jay. But now that Jay is anything but little, there’s
barely room for us on this narrow bench. His muscled arm brushes against my own
bare skin, sending a pulse of warmth rolling through my body. I glance up at
him in the low light, bringing my honey brown eyes to his. He shifts his
weight, letting his strong arm wrap around my slight form. As if magnetized, my
body draws closer to his, craving the feel of him against me. Whatever qualms
my mind may have with Jamison as a person, my body has never been confused when
it comes to his.
    A loud, raucous bellow rings out from the King house as
someone cranks up the volume on the music. The spell between Jay and I is
broken for the briefest moment, and I rise quickly to my feet, crossing to the
far side of the gazebo. My heart hammers against my ribcage, as if trying to
escape. God knows, I might be better off without it right now. Despite
everything I know about Jay and his high school playboy ways, my heart has
always held out hope for him. It’s crazy to think that way. Absolutely insane.
    And absolutely unshakeable.
    “You should get back to the house before they burn it down,”
I say to Jamison, crossing my arms once more.
    “I’m not too worried about it,” he tells me, rising to his
feet. His voice has dropped low in his chest, and his blue eyes are locked on
my flushed face.
    “No?” I reply, trying and failing to keep my voice breezy.
    “No,” he asserts, shoving a hand through his dark blonde
hair, “As of tomorrow, I’m off to Boston. This is the last night I have to even
think about this place.”
    “You’re leaving? Already?” I exclaim before I can stop
myself.
    “Gotta go and get a lay of the land. Meet the team. Start
training,” Jay says, his voice rasping at the edges, “And let me tell you, the
last thing I want to do before I go is spend another second with those assholes
up at the house.”
    “Those assholes are your friends, aren’t they?” I laugh,
surprised by his declaration.
    “Yeah. Right,” he scoffs, “If ‘friendship’ means using me
for my family’s bank account, then sure.”
    “I’m sure they’re not all like that,” I try and reason,
feeling the blood rush to my head as Jamison comes to a stop before me.
    “They are,” he assures me, planting a hand on the wooden
beam beside me, “There’s only ever been one person in this fucking town who’s
ever been a friend to me.”
    “…Oh?” I breathe, overwhelmed by the nearness of him, “And
who’s that?”
    “You, stupid,” he laughs, a wide grin erupting across his
gorgeous face. “I’m talking about you .”
    “Gee, you sure know how to make a girl feel special,” I
shoot back, giving him a playful shove. But as my hands press against the firm
planes of his chest, I can’t help but let them linger for just a second too
long. Before I can