Page 169 of Finding Hope

“Do we need to talk about us?”

She looks everywhere but at me. “Hmm?”

“We’re different… Something changed last week. I was away, I missed you so fucking much, and you told me you missed me, too. But since I got back, you’ve barely made more than five minutes for us.”

“It’s not like that, Jack.” She fusses with her bracelet. Worrying it, spinning it. “We’re good, I’ve just been busy.”

“You were busy before I left, too, but you still made time for me.”

“I’m sorry.” She shrugs. “This is just my life; busy seasons cycle around. You should get it.” She peeks up into my eyes. “You’re busy, too. I’m surprised you’re even here right now.”

“Because I’m making time! Because I wanna see you.”

“Yeah, and I’m here, too.”

I narrow my eyes. Is shetryingto hurt me, or is she truly clueless?

The waitress delivers our drinks and takes our food order, then as soon as she leaves, Britt picks up the beer and sips.

I’ve never been so repulsed by alcohol as I am in this booth with my callous girlfriend.

She notices my gaze and lowers the bottle. “You don’t mind, right?” Her eyes actually turn softer. She’s in there, she’s just gagging therealBambie. “I can put it away.”

“Nope.” I pick up my water glass. “Drink whatever the fuck you want, Brittany.”

Shrugging, she begins picking at the label.

I want to take the fucking bottle and smash it against the table. Make her lick it up if she wants it so badly.

Sitting in silence for several long beats, finally, she pushes the beer an inch or two away and glances up into my eyes. “Did you fix your tell, yet?”

“Mytell?”

“Your left arm.”

My eyes narrow. “Yeah, I guess.”

“The other team doesn’t know about that, do they?”

“No. My training sessions are closed, just family. You could probably sell that secret for a lot of money, Bambie. I’m surprised you haven’t been approached by their camp yet.”

“Oh, I have,” she admits easily. “We’ve had some calls at the house. People want to talk about you, but Alex is dealing with them.”

I slam my glass down with a heavy hand. “People are bothering you at home? Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve done something about it.”

“I just told you, Alex is dealing with it.”

“But this isn’t Alex’s problem!”

“Well, actually.” She rolls her eyes. “Seeing as he’s the law around here, isn’t he exactly who you’d call to do something about it? I just cut out the middle man.”

“You just cutmeout.”

Her hard eyes turn soft. “It’s not like that, Jack. I was trying to save you trouble.”

“Don’t do me any favors, Bambie. Just call me when shit like this happens. It’smyfight,myproblem, and you’remygirl.”

“Mmhm.” She taps my arm. “Can you scoot? I have to pee.”

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