Page 75 of My Totally Unfair Deal

Type. Delete. Type again.

I hover over sendingOnce an asshole, always an asshole. Fuck you and goodbye.

I can’t hit send, though.

I shut off the phone and rush to my room, packing up only the things I came here with.

It’s time to go back home.

For good.

THIRTY-EIGHT (B)

ELIZA

Two Days Later

Jackson is leaning against the hood of his truck when I step out of the arrival doors at Nashville’s airport.

Dressed in his trademark long-sleeved white work shirt and jeans, he’s twirling a daisy between his fingertips.

“Hey,” I say.

“Hey.” He looks up at me and smiles. “How did it go?”

“I think it went pretty good.”

“Youthink?” He looks worried. “Did you get at least one company to ask for our information or request a potential contract?”

“No.”

He briefly shuts his eyes and sighs. Then he pulls me into a hug.

“It’s okay, Eliza.” He’s hugging me harder than usual. “We’ll figure something out. This was still worth one hell of a try.”

“Huh?” I pull away from him. “Why are you sounding so despondent?”

“You said you didn’t get a single company to take a second look at us.”

“Because I gotallof them.”

He blinks as I pull a thick stack of golden cards from my purse.

“They want to hear from you as soon as possible.”

He stares at the stack in disbelief.

“Why does it look like you’re about to cry, Jackson?”

“I should’ve never doubted you.” He takes the stack from me as a tear falls down his face. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I say. “I don’t know if I’d have done so well without your friend’s help.”

“My friend?” He lets out a laugh and slowly pulls back. “So, I guess you two didn’t end up being friends after all that time together?”

“No, I never want to see him again.”

He laughs once more and wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go out to celebrate before we drive home.”

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