Page 187 of Finding Hope

I’m here to make this better.

I’ve finished this charade, this drama for the sake of drama. I’m ready to get my Bambie back once and for all. I gave her space, I tried to move on, but I just can’t.

I won’t.

I refuse.

Leaving my still marked car in the parking lot, I walk up the front stairs of the school I once attended.

Kids stream out like toothpaste from the tube, squealing and giggling and shoving each other in their haste to get to the weekend.

Life was so much simpler when I was in school. My biggest problems were my poor math results and finding time to study when all I wanted to do was train. Now it’s a matter of finding time to train when all I want to do is spend time with Bambie.

Walking through the double wide front doors and sidestepping rough kids, I force myself to relax the death grip shooting pains through my broken arm.

I need to cool it. I need to think clearly, because I can’t fuck this up again.

It’s ride or die time.

I walk against the stream of rushing children and peek into open classrooms. I don’t actually know which is Bambie’s. Aiden and Tina know. I probably should’ve asked them before I came.

Following the hallway of brightly decorated walls, rainbows of confetti stick to the plaster in shapes of animals and balloons and books and flowers. I feel like I’ve walked into a literal Skittles factory.

“Nope, pretty boy. You can leave.”

Spinning at the angry voice behind me, I smile at the blonde twin that works with Bambie. “Hey, Laine. I’m looking for–”

“Nope. Leave.” She folds her arms over her chest. “You’re not a parent, nor are you a student,ergo; get the hell out of my school before I call security. You’re not allowed to hurt her anymore.”

“Laine. No.” I shuffle my feet nervously. “Just give me a minute with her. Just a min–”

Cocking her hip, she shakes her head. “You hurt her, Reilly. That’s my best friend, and I’m calling time. She doesn’t need any more.”

“If I could just see her for a second, maybe we could–”

“Nope.”

“But I love her!”

Her eyes turn soft. “You mightthinkyou do, but it’s not enough. She needs more.”

I step forward. I’m willing to get down on my knees and plead my case. “I’ll give her anything she needs, Laine. I’ll give her everything I have, everything I am. I. Love. Her.”

“She’s with my brother now.”Dead. I’m dead.“They’ve been together for a few weeks. They’re happy, Jack, so you should leave her be.”

“She… what?”

“Luc.” She runs her tongue across her teeth. “You know him, right?”

“I know him.”

“They have a history, they grew up together. She’s with him now. If you truly loved her, you’d let her be happy.”

“She’s with him? Actuallywithhim?”

“Yep.” So damn confident in her words, she nods and tears me apart piece by piece. Her jabs land harder than Westlin’s ever did. “I saw them together just last night. You should leave. I’m only trying to stop my friend from hurting.”

My heart lies at the bottom of my stomach, shattered and weeping and despondent. I came here to apologize to Bambie, to tell her I love her, to put everything out in the open and hope she loves me, too. But not once did I stop to think she’d no longer be available.

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