Page 44 of Fated Shot

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We’re two more episodes into Is It Cake when Jack’s stomach growls loud enough to wake the sleeping Bean on his chest. It’s not that he isn’t a social cat, he’s always been a massive cuddle bug. He’s just never liked, well, actually I guess just Seb and his friends. Man, cats really are the best. I pat his head lovingly before turning to Jack and offering to order lunch.

Reaching for his phone, he checks the time. “Ahh, I should really get going soon, actually.”

“Oh.” The disappointment gives me away immediately. “Totally, no worries,” I add in an attempt to cover it, standing up off the couch.

“It’s just we’re flying out in a few hours to uh—”

“Vancouver,” I interject. Always a bittersweet trip for my dad. He always talks about how much he loved playing there. It was a good fit for him for quite a few years, but it’s also where he had his last game.

A surprised look crosses his face. “Yeah! How’d you—” he stops himself, physically shaking his head. “Oh, uh, I forgot for a sec.”

Awkwardness ripples as I wait to see which one of us is going to break the silence. Clearly, this is as weird for him as it is for me.

“Can I text you?” he asks, one hand awkwardly rubbing the back of his head as he peers over at me. It’s endearing, almost as if he’s as intimidated as I am at the thought of this. I don’t even know what we’re doing here, but I’m too far deep now to care.

When I nod, he breaks into a full smile, affectionately nuzzling a finger into Bean’s cheek.

“Thanks for letting me chill, buddy. I’ll see you soon,” he says as he heads toward the door.

Following him, I linger back a step while he puts on his shoes. As he turns to me, arching in to plant a kiss on my cheekbone, his scent hits me as his warm lips land on my skin. When the kiss ends, it leaves an emptiness I don’t like. I don’t know why, but I actually feel a tinge of sadness that he’s leaving.

Before walking out, he grabs his phone and types something in quickly, just as mine starts to ring. I pull it out, rolling my eyes when I see the name on the screen.

“Hey, had to just make sure you didn’t block my number or something.”

I laugh, showing him the call notification as proof. With that, he opens the door and it’s back to just me and Bean.

Chapter 19

Jack

How soon is too soon to text her?

It took everything in me not to check in with her as soon as I got back to my apartment. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me, my brain is short-circuiting. I’m so out of my element.

I’ve never had this before. This lack of confidence, this uncertainty, this level of concern. I’ve been pretty much on my own my entire life, and I’ve come to terms with that. I can’t believe I thought just leaning into this would get her out of my system or something. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I do know I’m in over my fucking head and dying to see her again.

By the time we land and make it to the hotel, it’s 7 pm in Vancouver, and I’m already exhausted. Blame it on the time change or barely sleeping last night to the pinball of emotions this morning. I’m more than ready to order room service and crash as soon as possible. Thankfully, Penn decided to room with Theo this trip, so it’s Scott and I. Knowing him and Kaia—the six-month-old non-sleeping terror—he’s just as exhausted as I am and dying to get a good night’s sleep.

As soon as I drop my bags down, I reach for the room service menu propped up on the desk and scan it. I could eat a horse at this point, but I settle for a burger and fries before calling out to Scott.

“You want anything, Cap?”

He’s sitting on the edge of the bed, looking distracted with his phone in his hand as he says, “Uh, yeah, whatever you’re getting.”

Giving him a nod, I pick up the room phone to place our order. In the background, there are multiple ring attempts coming from the other side of the room. By the time I’m finished, I make my way over to Scott, who’s looking more distressed by the second.

“You good, man?” I ask. He’s not the most talkative of the bunch. Hell, we’re both not, but he’s got a solid grasp on his emotions and a good head on his shoulders. I rarely see him like this.

“Cami’s not picking up,” he says with a frustrated sigh. “Pretty sure I missed Kaia’s bedtime too.” It’s impossible to miss the disappointment in his voice.

“Sorry, Cap. Keep trying her, I’m gonna grab a shower.”

By the time I’m done and changed into my sweats, I’m finally about to sprawl on the bed when there’s a knock on our door.

“I got this,” I call out, begrudgingly turning to grab our food.

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