bonus content - pinky promise

〔 𝟙: JAMIE'S POV 〕

[chapters: much better boys & ruin your brand]

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Jamie Tartt wanted to be anywhere but where he currently was, sitting beside his girlfriend and across from his worst enemy slash captain at a stuffy charity event. 

Especially because he had being feeling all twisted up inside lately, hating that himself more than usual.

Especially because he wasn't sure if he was still totally in love with his girlfriend sitting next to him and across from his worst enemy. He knew he had loved her, at some point, but from the start of the season he'd had some sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach that maybe he loved Keeley, but he wasn't in love with Keeley anymore. 

And there was a reason, but he absolutely would not admit it to himself. 

But then his attention caught on the reason he didn't fully love his girlfriend anymore, all perfect smile and perfect dress and perfect hair, and Jamie Tartt decided his officially reached worst person on the planet status. 

"Holy fucking shit, you look fucking hot, babe!" Keeley shouted at Tate Greene, and Jamie tried to keep the automatic sneer from his face. And maybe he bickered with Tate, but he was sure that she was a good person, so much better than him. 

"Thanks, Keeley." Tate grinned, glanced over her perfect shoulder to shoot an apologetic smile to the elderly couple at the next table over. "You look really good too, damn."

"Yeah, she does." Jamie mumbled his agreement, and he saw the exact moment that Tate clocked what he had worn out. A suit jacket, without a shirt, which he thought made him look fit. But then she let out a snort, setting one hand on the back of Roy's chair that she stood behind, and Jamie Tartt felt a mix of both annoyance and guilt. 

"That was my first reaction, too." Roy agreed, sounding almost giddy Tate had laughed at Jamie.  "But Keeley is right, you look very nice, Tate."

"Aw, thanks Uncle Roy." Tate taunted, pressing a kiss to his cheek. At his unintelligible grumble, she chuckled at his expense, using her thumb to wipe away the lipstick stain.

Jamie's emotion twisted, and he hoped he was only jealous for the connection that Roy and Tate had, and nothing more.

"Are you ever going to let that go?" Roy grumbled. 

"Not a chance." Tate shook her head, grinning widely, and Jamie had to look away from the sight.

"It's 'cause you're old enough to be her uncle," Jamie forced out, hating that his voiced sounded as if just sitting so close to Roy was causing him physical pain. Tate raised her brows and shared a look with Keeley, the two girls quickly devolving into giggles.

"Well, Tater Tot! Why don't you pull up a chair and join us?" Ted declared, way too brightly for Jamie's opinion.

"Sorry, Coach. But I value my sanity too much to join this table. Plus, Sam is waiting for me, and I don't want to be a bad date." She grinned, pointing with her thumb towards the table she had originally been on her way towards before Keeley's interruption. 

Jamie followed where she pointed, eyes narrowed on Sam. No part of him would ever admit it, but Sam's gold suit matched Tate's gold accessories nicely, and they looked like a good fucking couple. It made his stomach turn. 

"Save yourself, mon cherie" Richard muttered, taking a too-large sip of his drink. Tate scrunched her face in amusement, a sight so rarely present to Jamie.

"Have fun boys, Keeley," Tate winked at the blonde, who grinned despite the situation she found herself in. "Try not to cause a PR disaster while you're here, please."