Page 46 of The Leaving Road

I must have looked like I swallowed an entire fish whole because my mouth was gaping wide. “What? How in the world did you get all that just from like, the three minor interactions you’ve been a part of?”

“Jace has been filling me in.”

“Jace has been fillingyouin.”

“Yes, exactly, now you’re getting it!” She clapped her hands together. I had no idea what she was talking about.

“Lexie, I love you, but I think you’ve gone crazy.” I stood on my tiptoes since she was so much taller than me and placed my hand on her forehead to check for a fever.

“Knock it off, babes. Jace filled me in; he told me what it was like after you left.”

I shook my head at her. “How would I know what you’re talking about if it was after I left.”

“Hmm…right. I just figured Sloan jumped at the chance to tell you everything.”

“Uh no. Care to fill me in? I’m feeling lost right now.”

A Cheshire grin overtook her face. “Nah, I think this is something you need to learn on your own.”

Then she patted me on the head like she was placating me somehow and walked off in the direction of her room. She left me more confused than ever, and I replayed every interaction Sloan and I’ve had since I’ve been back.

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Chapter 30

Sloan

I laid in my bed that night with my phone in my hand unable to sleep, the clock reading one-forty-five a.m. I let out an exasperated sigh.What are the chances she’s awake?

I laid there debating whether I should text her, temporarily forgetting I didn’t have her number. I knew she had my number but had yet to use it. I decided right then to call Jace—I’d beg him for it if I needed to.

He answered on the second ring. “What’s up man?”

“I need you to give me Magnolia’s number.”

“Ah yeah, no can-do, man. Not touching that.”

I growled, “Jace.”

His laugh carried over the line. “You can try that growly act with me all you want, but you and I both know I’d kick your ass.”

I wasn’t small by any means, but Jace was a big dude. And while I went to the gym and kept in shape due to being on my feet a lot, Jace did manual laborallday long, so the guy was stacked.

“Then you know how serious I am about you giving me her number if I’m willing to fight you for it.”

“Look, man, she’s also myclient—my first residential client. I can’t be giving out numbers like that.” His tone held a hint of an apology.

I groaned, knowing he was right. It was a shit thing for me to ask in the first place. “You’re right, man, I’m sorry I even asked. I just get…a little crazy I guess when it comes to her.”

“Yeah, tell me about it…” Now, he sounded wistful.

“Something going on with you and Lex?”

“Nothing,but not for lack of trying on my part.”

“Hmm…what’s the hold up?”

“She says there’s no way she’s hooking up with amarriedguy, and if I wanted to be single, I would be. I tried to explain the situation to her, but she just wasn’t having it. She even made a point to bring up that I still wear my ring.”

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