Page 46 of Give Me Redemption

“He’s a job,” I say.

He sits down beside me on the bed. “Like a case?” he asks.

“Exactly. I’m using him to get information on someone close to him.”

“Damn, Harlow. That’s tough.”

“Who you tellin’?” I laugh.

“Do you think he likes you, too? I mean, I’m sure he does. You’re a great catch. A little uptight, but still,” he says with a smile.

“Hey, I’m working on it,” I reply, hitting him on the shoulder playfully.

He laughs. “Yeah, you’ve been through a lot. That whole thing with Chloe. The wall of pictures is a little off-putting, though.”

I nod and look down. “Yeah, I guess it is, huh?”

We grow quiet for a moment, and then he says, “So have you been thinking about him while we…”

I clear my throat, feeling as guilty as I’m sure I look.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “That’s not fair.”

“Hey, we both knew what this was before we started. If you’ve been thinking about another man while we fuck, that’s not an issue for me. You do what you gotta do. But Harlow?” he says. “I think it’s a little unhealthy, and I think we might need to chill out a bit until things calm down for you.”

I know he’s right. Shit, maybe I do need to get back into therapy.

Really give this thing a go.

“Yeah,” I agree. “We should cool it.”

“But as soon as you’re done, I’m here,” he says.

I laugh. “Thanks.”

I stand up on my tiptoes and pull the thumbtacks out one by one, laying the photos down onto the desk. I walk over to the side table and open the drawer before putting the photos inside.

My eyes go back to the wall. It’s weird and empty now. But this is good. I shouldn’t have had them up for so long anyway.

Shit, Harlow, it’s been over fifteen years.

I rub a hand over my face, looking down at the pictures in the open drawer. This isn’t me giving up. This is me taking a small break.

That’s all.

I shut the drawer and finish straightening up before Jace arrives.

Chapter Twenty

Jace

I’m not even thinking when I get into my truck. I start it, yank it in reverse, and hit the gas, burning rubber as I exit the parking lot. My truck hits bottom when I pull out into the street and I gun it down the road, heading to Michelle’s house.

I hit the steering wheel, my mind on overdrive.

How could Bryce do this?

How could he keep something like this from me?

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