Page 209 of Finding Hope

I haven’t told her yet. I should’ve been brave enough to tell her months ago, then maybe shit would’ve gone down differently.

There’s that word again; brave.

For such a big successful fighter, I sure am a cowardly piece of shit as far as Britt’s concerned.

I drop the girls off at the estate like a drive-by shooting. They’re lucky I didn’t make them jump from my moving car.

Heading back through the gates like an uncoordinated elephant trying to drive, I cruise across town to her house and hope to God that she’ll be there, that the universe might finally smile down on us.

Nope.

The universe is a fuckin’ asshole.

As soon as I turn the corner and spot Alex’s SUV, I notice the lack of other cars.

Specifically, hers.

Sighing, I park and climb out of the Mustang, run up the concrete path and slam a fist on the front door. Whether she’s here or not, I still need to find her.

My knocking has a dog on the inside of the house growling dangerously, and I take a step back, thanking the asshole universe for leaving Annie at home.

I don’t need to break up a dog fight today.

I listen as Alex’s boots stomp down the hall, then as he swings the door wide, his smiling face turns into a scowl. “Reilly.” Leaning against the door jamb, he taps his dog with his boot to silence it. “What do you want, asshole?”

I glance down at the white furred freak and jump back several feet. “What the fuck is that?”

Alex’s confused eyes snap to the floor, then back to mine. “What?”

“Is that your dog?”Is it even a dog?

“Yeah. That’s Bowser.”

Bowsersnaps out another low growl, forcing me back another step. “But it’s–”

“What do you want, Jack?”

Focus!“Where’s Bambie?”

“Brittany…is not here.”

“Where is she?”

“Why the fuck would I tell you? You made my baby sister cry.”

“She’s not dating Luc!”

His eyes narrow angrily. “She better not be dating Luc. He’s an asshole.”

“No. She’s not!” A smile stretches across my face. It feels so fucking good to smile again. “I thought she was, which is why I stayed away, but she’s not. She’s not dating him.”

“I have no fucking clue what you’re talking about, Reilly.”

“I love her, Alex. I love your sister so fucking much it hurts. And she’s not dating Luc.”

“I don’t understand why Luc’s even in this conversation!”

I take Alex by the lapel of his uniform. “‘Cause she’snotdating him!”

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