Page 86 of Fox
“I don’t want to go to Chicago,” I admit. “I want to go home and watchThe Office.” By home, I mean Fox’s house. And bywatching The Office,I mean binging it with him while snuggling on the couch together.
“Don’t worry,” Sunday says. “You will be soon.”
“You both seem so sure he’s going to come groveling.”
“Oh, I know he will because he’s in love with you too.” My heart skips at those words.
“You don’t know that.”
“You’re not the only one that came to the law office asking how to give over full ownership of the shop last week, Janie. You just beat him to it.” The boarding announcement for my flight comes over the speaker, and I say my goodbyes to my girls while walking toward the gate, hoping like hell the front desk gives him my message, and he comes to find me. But if he doesn’t, I know my answer.
THIRTY-FIVE
fox
“Oh my god!” The excited young woman squeals as she bounces up and down. “I follow you guys! I’m like obsessed! I’m so hoping to win one of your shirts!” I give her a noncommittal nod while turning the tablet toward her.
“Just fill out the info below, and someone will contact you if you win.” I mutter before I feel my chair being wheeled away from the table as Derek and Ash take over talking to her, and Atlas takes me to the other side of the room.
He sits in front of me and sighs. “You look like shit.”
I glare up at him, though it’s hard to do when my eyes feel like they’ve been burned with acid, and I have an enormous weight suffocating my entire body.
“Oh, fuck.” Atlas’ eyes go wide. “You’ve been crying.”
“Fuck you.” I snarl as I shove away and head out of the convention, but Atlas is hot on my heels.
“Dude, if you are this fucking upset, go apologize and tell her you made a mistake.” Atlas' words stop me in my tracks.
“You don’t think I’ve already tried that?” I growl as I continue walking until I’m outside the hotel. I inhale the salty air deeply, trying to calm my brain. “She fucking left. She left, and I can’tget her to answer my calls or texts. She’s gone, and it’s my fault because I’m a fucking idiot who went and fucked up the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I hurt the greatest human I’ve ever fucking met!”
I hurt Janie.
It’s been playing on repeat for two days. I hurt her. I hurt the woman I love because I didn’t want to hurt her. Fuck, even when I try not to be a fuck up, I end up fucking up.
I lean against the hotel wall as I look at the picture of us on my phone’s lock screen. I think about her. The looks, the smart-ass remarks, the flirting, the donuts, the kissing, her holding me when I took her in the pool, and she said she trusted me.
When I was in Vegas, and she told me she needed a hug, I didn’t hesitate. I got on the first plane home and when she leapt on me as soon as I walked through the door, I think I knew then that I was in love with her. Even if I couldn’t admit it, she was willing to stay with me, to give me her world. All I had to do was tell her I wanted it too.
Of course, I wanted it. How could I not? She’s smart and funny. She’s fucking beautiful and is the biggest pain in the ass. Everything is met with an argument, or with a question. There's no blind faith with her. If Janie decides she trusts you, it’s because you earned it. I had earned it, and then I set it on fire right in front of her.
I’m so terrified of becoming my father. Of trapping the woman that was in love with me. Of her giving up her entire life for me in the name of love. Even after trying so hard not to become a man like him, I still ended up hurting the woman who loves me.
“Mr. Simmons?”I look at the young front desk receptionist as Atlas, and I walk back inside. She gives me a small smile before handing me a paper. “The woman in your party, Janie, called and left you this message. I think the other receptionist forgot to deliver it.” I thank her and take the note, unsure if I can face the words, but I open it and look it over.
Fox,
You may not love me yet, but that’s okay. I love you enough for the both of us. I’ll be in Chicago waiting for you to realize your stupid mistake and to come give me a hug. Hopefully, you make it before Bliss offers me a job. Yeah, that’s your deadline. Ready to play a game?
Torch
“You two are nerds.” Atlas snorts while walking away. My deadline? But she’s been there two days…
“Shit, I got to get the fuck out of here.”
THIRTY-SIX
janie
