Page 77 of War

The screen goes black before I can get any more information out of Brayden, and a lead ball settles in my stomach.

Hall shifts over now that the show is done. “Still want to play cards?”

Arms crossed over my chest, I glare at him.

“I’m sure the instructor is old. He probably stinks too,” he says with a smile.

Rather than respond, I just continue to stare him down.

Scratching at the back of his neck, he lets out an uncomfortable laugh. “Didn’t you come over here to apologize?” Deck of cards in hand, he splits it in half and shuffles. “It’s fine. Your wife is flirting with someone else. Seems like you need a friend more than I do right now.”

Flirting with someone else. My chest tightens, making it hard to breathe. “Shut up.”

“See that, boys? War is getting possessive of his wife,” he sings like the ass he is. “Calliope says women do this when they aren’t satisfied at home. Maybe the glitter isn’t helping as much as you thought it would.”

“Better be careful,” Brooks warns, though his tone is light. “He might punch you.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. I was an asshole. I’m sorry.”

Hall starts dealing the cards. “It’s that wife of yours you should be sucking up to, not me. You’re already forgiven, Cap.”

Around the locker room, the guys laugh. Even though it’s at my expense, I can’t help but relax. Hall isn’t holding a grudge. Now I only have to worry about my wife and the game she’s playing.

Wifey: Congrats on a great game. The kids wouldn’t go to sleep until the buzzer sounded. They were super proud.

Me: Was my wife super proud too?

Wifey: Yes, so hot.

Me: You probably say that to all the guys. Like your dance instructor.

Wifey: I was wondering how long it would take you to bring that up.

Me: ???

Wifey: It’s nothing.

Me: Didn’t sound like nothing. Sounds like the guy was hitting on my wife.

Wifey: And what if he was?

Me: Ava.

Wifey: Oh, sounds like you’ll punish me if I see him again.

Me: Don’t test me.

Wifey: But you know how much I like your punishments.

Me: I’ll be home by twelve tomorrow. Will you be around?

Wifey: Should be.

Me: Good. I’d like to grab a drink with my wife and talk.

Wifey: I’ll see if I can pencil you in.

Me: Madi got me the actual petition for Josie’s adoption. We need to get it signed asap and get Scarlett’s adoption paperwork finalized too, if you’re still open to that.

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