The Blake Girl

Kissing A Hawthorne

She didn't know what to do; she wouldn't kiss him. But she would be suspicious if she didn't. Why did she agree to play this stupid game?

"Em, stop. Julia and I aren't going to kiss just for a stupid game," Grayson said, giving a look that gave a message; neither of us signed up for kissing when we agreed on the fake relationship. Although we probably should have expected it, considering we were supposed to be dating. Jameson eyed her with curiosity, and Emily looked proud to have made them uncomfortable.

"Yeah, Em, don't make them kiss. They obviously don't want to," Jameson said, leaning back and taking a sip of his drink.

"What makes you think I don't want to kiss him?" I asked.

He just shrugged, smiling. "I know you."

I scoffed before turning to Grayson. He was no longer giving me the previous look and was now just staring. I walked over to him, and without a second thought, I kissed him.

I felt a surge of defiance wash over me. It was as if I needed to prove something, both to myself and to everyone watching. The kiss was brief, almost fleeting, but in that moment, it held a weight of significance that I couldn't ignore.

As I pulled away, Grayson's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of confusion dancing in their depths. I couldn't blame him for his reaction; after all, I had acted impulsively, without considering the consequences.

"Wow," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.

I started to take a step back, suddenly feeling self-conscious under his intense gaze. "Sorry, I... I don't know what came over me," I stammered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Grayson shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he pulled me back to his lap. "No need to apologize," he whispered into my ear. "But maybe we should stick to the script from now on."

Jameson watched the exchange with a raised eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like the game just got a lot more interesting," he remarked, his tone laced with amusement.

Emily nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Definitely," she said, a playful grin on her lips although it didn't quite reach her eyes.

I felt a pang of guilt wash over me as I glanced at Jameson, wondering what he must be thinking in that moment. But before I could dwell on it further, Grayson spoke up, breaking the tension that hung in the air.

"Well, if that's how we're playing the game," he began, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "then I guess I'm all in."

"I'm going to go get something to drink," I said before quickly leaving. I didn't like the looks I was getting from both Jameson and Grayson.

As I walked to the kitchen and grabbed some water, I couldn't shake the feeling of that kiss. It felt good kissing him, even though I knew I didn't like Grayson. But that didn't make the kiss any less amazing.

"You may need some colder water to get rid of the flush on your cheeks," I heard Jameson say as I looked up.

Standing in the kitchen, my cheeks still tingling from the heat of the moment, Jameson's sudden presence felt like a bucket of ice water thrown over me. I straightened, meeting his gaze with a mixture of defiance and irritation.

"What do you want, Jameson?" I asked, my tone sharp with underlying tension.

Jameson leaned against the doorway, his expression unreadable. "Just making sure you didn't spontaneously combust after that little stunt," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I bristled at his remark, a surge of frustration bubbling within me. "I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much," I shot back, my words laced with venom. This was the first time he had talked to me since Grayson and I started this relationship.

Jameson raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Sure looked like it," he retorted, his tone mocking.

My temper flared, my patience wearing thin. "You know what, Jameson? Maybe if you spent less time hovering over my every move, you'd actually have a life of your own," I snapped, my voice tinged with bitterness.

Jameson's smirk widened into a smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, I have a life, alright. It just happens to involve keeping an eye on you so you don't do something reckless," he countered, his tone dripping with condescension.

I clenched my jaw, my fists balling at my sides. "I don't need you to babysit me, Jameson. I can take care of myself," I spat, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jameson's gaze softened, a flicker of concern crossing his features. "I know you can, Jul, but do you know what you're doing?" he asked gently.

My chest tightened with frustration as Jameson's words sank in. I hated how he always seemed to see right through me, how he could effortlessly unravel my defenses with just a few well-chosen words.

"Well, you can save your concern for someone who actually wants it," I shot back, my voice laced with bitterness. "I don't need your pity."

Jameson's expression hardened, his jaw tensing with restrained anger. "This isn't about pity," he retorted, his tone clipped. "It's about trying to keep you from making a mistake."

I scoffed, my resolve faltering under the weight of his scrutiny. "And who appointed you as the expert on my life?" I challenged, my voice tinged with defiance.

Jameson's gaze bore into mine, his eyes flashing with intensity. "No one," he admitted, his voice softer now. "But that doesn't mean I don't care about what happens to you."

My anger wavered, replaced by a surge of vulnerability I had been trying to suppress. "I don't need you to care," I whispered, my voice barely above a murmur.

Jameson took a step closer, his expression softening with genuine concern. "Maybe not," he conceded, his tone gentle. "But that doesn't change the fact that I do."

"I am dating your brother. Nothing is going to change that just because you think it's a bad idea," I said, walking closer to him.

"Are you dating him? Or is he just jealous Emily likes me better?" I could hear his breath from how close we stood. "Or are you jealous?"

That seemed to wake me up; I shoved him away before he got closer. He was already too close. "Go away, Jameson."