Page 133 of Forgive You

“She’s with Charlotte?”

“Yeah.” Hunter takes a sip.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Jordan offers, holding up his hand before Hunter drops a can in it.

“They wouldn’t tell me. I was forcefully instructed to take care of the kids, so I did because I’ve got enough ass-whooping in my life to know what’s good for me, and then you texted to join this…” He glances between Jordan and I. “What is this? A pity party?”

“Julie and Jacob met up the other day,” Jordan explains. “She didn’t tell Jason.”

“Do we know why?”

Jordan takes a sip, then shrugs. “Some bullshit about a showing.”

“Thought she didn’t work for her dad anymore?”

“Exactly,” I pitch in.

This would’ve gone differently if Julie just came to me and told me she needed to see Jacob for a showing. I would’ve been fine with that.

Okay, I would’ve been pissed. Probably demand to go with her before I would settle for waiting for her in the car, but I would’ve compromised because she was honest with me.

But instead, she lied about it and said she was with her dad.That’swhat’s got me all worked up and ready to bounce.

I don’t want a girlfriend I can’t trust.

“It makes no sense.” Hunter shakes his head, and I let out an aggravated groan.

“Look, after all the shit we’ve been through, she went behind my back.Again.”

“Did we ever consider she has a good reason?” Hunter opts, and the glare that follows is aimed to kill.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know. They worked together. Maybe she stills needs to do shit for her father’s company and therefore she has to deal with Jacob Schmacob.”

“That’s the best you could do?” I cock an eyebrow at his lack of originality.

He scoffs, bringing the can to his lips. “Oh, definitely not. But he’s still your brother and all.”

“Remember the gala, Jay?”

I turn to face my brother, his blue eyes flashing with hope. “Don’t, Cash.”

“Yeah, we’re really sticking with Cash?” Hunter frowns.

“What’s wrong with Cash?” There is a heap of indignation in Jordan’s tone, only amusing Hunter more.

“Other than your name being Jordan and not Johnny?”

“Shut up. Anyway, she hated him at the gala. Couldn’t stand to be around him.”

“Yet she still came with him,” I remind him.

“Didn’t look like she wanted him there. She was ready to walk out of there without him.”

I was ready to take her out of there. Or at least away from him. She looked like she wanted the ground to disappear underneath her feet just so she could escape the situation.

Escape Jacob.

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