Page 140 of Finding Hope

Mid-twenties, big boobs, big ass, trim waist. “Do I know you?”

“No.” She giggles and bounces on five-inch heels. “I’m Amber, but my friends call me Bambi. And you’re Jack–”

My eyes snap to Kit’s. “Is this a joke?”

Her hands come up in defense, laughter forgotten in an instant. “This isn’t me. I swear.”

I look to Aiden, then to Bobby. “Don’t fuck with me.”

“It wasn’t me,” Bobby promises. “I know what this shit does to relationships. I swear, I didn’t organize this.”

“Oh, no, sorry.” Amber’s bubbly voice floats around us. “I don’t know y’all personally. I’m just a fan. I’m here with my girlfriends tonight,” shepoints toward a table of women that giggle behind napkins, “and I saw you. I was hoping for an autograph, and maybe a picture.”

“I have a girlfriend, Amber.”

“Oh, I know,” she assures me with a soft hand on my shoulder. “I swear, I’m a genuine fan. I know y’all must get girls comin’ up to you all the time.” She nods toward Bobby and Aiden. “I know who all y’all are. But I swear I’m not like those girls. I just want a photo. My daddy would be so jealous. It’s our thing, we’ve been watching the fights for... well, forever.”

My phone dings and flashes with another text. My teeth grind together with frustration. I just want to go home.

“You know what.” Amber takes a shy step back. “That’s okay. I’m sorry for barging in on your supper. It was rude of me.”

Groaning, I stand and pat my deflated jeans down. Throwing my napkin on top of the plate, I move around the chairs. “No, it’s fine. I’m sorry.”Be kind to the fans. Fans buy Bambie all the pretty things in life.“Let’s get it done. Bobby, take the damn picture.”

Amber giggles and scrambles to pass Bobby her phone. She lets out an excited squeak when her hand brushes along his, then another squeakier squeak when she steps into my side and I throw my arm over her shoulders.

“Thank you so much for this, Jackhammer.”

Fuck, that name embarrasses me.“Please just call me Jack.”

Another squeak.

We turn and smile as Bobby snaps a few pictures.

“I was so sorry to hear about your late girlfriend,” Amber murmurs quietly. “Truly. I’m sorry the media covered that the way they did.”

I nod and grunt.What more can I say?

“As a longtime fan, I wanted to know everything. But as a human being,” she tsks, “I thought that was really horrible.”

“Okay.”

Nodding, Bobby lowers the phone. Amber steps forward and takes it – with a squeak – then turns back to me. Placing her hand on my arm, she looks up through long lashes. “I was really happy to see you have a new girlfriend, Jack. Jealous as all get out,” she giggles. “But happy. I’m glad you were able to move on so soon.”

She digs the knife in and doesn’t even realize it.

“Thanks for your time.” She squeezes my arm, stands on her toes, and kisses my cheek.

Cameras flash at the exact right moment.

Fuck my life.

As soon as she walks away, I turn back and pick up my phone. Three texts from Bambie. One picture, two messages. I hit dial.

“Hey,” she murmurs huskily. “You liked the picture that much, huh?”

“A chick just came up and asked for my picture and autograph.” I slap my forehead when I realize I forgot to give her an autograph.

“Oh,” her voice changes from sex to confusion. “Okay. Does that feel weird, or what? You’re so famous.”

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