Page 92 of Sacrifice
“You don’t play fair.”
“Me? Nah, I don’t play at all. I fight to win.”
Her eyes narrow. “Speaking of fighting . . .”
“Jules . . .”
“Crew.”
“I’d rather fight with you than love anyone else.” I grin.
“What’s going on?Really.”
I study her face, hoping I’ll see some chink in her armor. I know I’m going to have to discuss this with her sooner or later, but later always sounds better.
I sigh and lean against the counter. “I fight in a few weeks. I got a one-fight contract with the NAFL. It’ll give us enough money for the therapy.”
Her face falls. “I got the mail today. I got denied the last loan I tried to take out.”
I grab her and pull her into me. “It’s fine. I got this taken care of. Just give me a little more time. Don’t get down about this yet. Ever’s doing fine so far. We just need to hold on a little longer.”
“I don’t want you to fight.”
I chuckle. “That sounds familiar.”
“I’ve never liked you fighting, Crew. But especially now.”
“You’re afraid I’ll get hurt? Because I won’t. I haven’t fought in a while, but I’ve been working the docks. That’s not pussy work.”
She lays her head against my chest. “I know. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Stop that. Nothing is gonna happen to me.”
“But what if it does? Not only will I lose you, but so will Ever. It just seems like such a risky idea. I know why you’re doing it and I can’t argue it, although I want to. The selfish part of me, the mom part of me, can’t say no to that. But Crew . . .”
I kiss the top of her head. “I’ve made two decisions. I’m fighting and you’re mine. So you don’t need to worry your pretty little head about either one of them.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me closer, then pushes me away just as quickly.
“What?”
“We can’t do this,” she hisses.
“Oh, Jules, we’ve already donethis.I warned you.”
“No, Crew. This.”She takes a few steps back.
I hate the distance. Although it’s a couple of steps at best, it feels like a fucking mile compared to her being up against me and in my arms.
“This,” I reply, looking at the empty space between us, “is fucking stupid.”
“I told you I don’t want Everleigh to be suspicious. How would I ever explain this to her?”
My eyes instinctively roll. “Oh, I don’t know. That I’ve loved you my entire life?”
“Crew . . .”
“What do you want me to say?”
