Page 156 of Finding Hope

Her eyes well up and break my heart. “I don’t know what’s going to happen between you two, but I feel like maybe we put all our eggs in one basket. In Britt’s basket. If she decides…” She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to go backwards. I can’t let you go backwards.”

“I won’t.” I take her hand and work to remove it from my chest. “I’m not that guy anymore, so you can relax.”

“You say that now, but I see the way you look at her! Please, just stay with us. We just got back last night; the kids missed you. Let’s stay home, watch movies. We can hang out as a family today, then tomorrow, we’ll…” She doesn’t finish, because she has no fucking clue how to fix it.

“I’ve gotta go, Kit. But I promise I’ll be okay. No matter what happens.”Big fat fucking lie.“I gotta go.”

“Please, Jack.”

“Let me go, Kit.”

I step around her and ignore the way her hand drops heavily against her side.

Today might be a good day to move out. My family doesn’t need to see what’s coming after Britt breaks my fucking heart.

I jump into the Mustang and whip it out of the driveway in an instant. The engine roars, but I don’t speed. I don’t drive erratically. I simply move from point A to point B as smooth and safe, and fast, as I can.

It’s only a five-minute drive from my house to hers, though I haven’t been back since the failed dinner; I’ve seen the guys around, but we mostly maintain a friendship of head nods and silent acknowledgment of each other’s existence.

It’s better than being shot at, I guess.

Pulling up in the street out front of the frat house, my blood runs cold. She’s in another man’s arms. Snuggled up with her ex, swinging leisurely like we’re in the south and they’re drinking sweet tea and planning their future.

I can’t decide if I’m pissed, or if it’s time to simply roll up into a ball and cry.

Pulling up the handbrake, I climb out of the car and watch the couple spring apart white faced and red handed.

Too late, I already saw. I can’tunseethat shit.

As soon as my feet hit the front lawn, Britt stands from the porch swing and steps forward, but it’s not until Luc leans in close and whispers in her ear that my cold blood turns to a fucking inferno.

She nods, he pats her back – so fucking cozy – then steps inside the house like the pussy that he is.

She’s not his to whisper to.

She’s not his to touch!

Britt’s soft eyes meet mine.

I’m here! I’m ready to fight for us. I’m not throwing this away. What we have, what we feel when we’re together is real. It’s fucking real!

“Bambie–”

She steps toward me; she doesn’t run, but she’s not slow, either. Skipping down the porch steps, she meets me halfway across the lawn and doesn’t stop until her arms wind around my hips and her face presses to my chest.

“Hey, Jack.”

“Um…” I was here to fight, but my enemy just blew up in smoke.

“Sorry I had to run out today. I had lots of work to do.”

I’m so fucking confused.

Frowning, I tuck her long hair behind her ears and pull back until her eyes meet mine. “Are you okay?”

“Yep.” Her words are easy, light.

I didn’t imagine today, did I? I’ve slept no more than three hours in the last forty, but I’ve survived on less before.

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