Page 91 of If You Give a Grump a Christmas Tree Farm
With Rebecca, all that has changed. This is a whole new ballgame for me. I don’t feel complete without her by my side. It’s like she’s my other half, and it’s crushing to be away from her. I don’t like it, and I know in my heart, that’s never gonna change.
My phone dings with a text, and I pick it up off the bed. It’s a picture from Rebecca. Her sweet face is smiling at the camera, her head on the pillow and a dreamy look in her eyes.
I set it as my new screensaver.
God, how I miss her.
No, I more than miss her—Ineedher.
That realization hits me like a sucker punch.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
JJ—
On the second night I’m gone, it’s even later when I get to the room, but I send a text to Becca anyway because I promised her I would.
Since it's almost 3am, I don’t expect her to reply or even see it until the morning.
ME: Just got back. Sorry it’s so late. Wanted to check in with you. I’d love to you’re your voice and find out how your day was, but I know you must be asleep, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow, babe.
REBECCA: I’m awake now. How can you stay out until 3am?
ME: Guess I’ve been doin’ it for years. But I am exhausted.
REBECCA: How are we supposed to make this work?
ME: What do you mean?
REBECCA: Your club is in Birmingham and I’m here. The tree farm is here. You’ll be driving back and forth all the time. How does that work long term?
ME: It’ll work because what we have is worth fighting for.
REBECCA: But how?
ME: I don’t know yet.
REBECCA: That’s what I’m afraid of. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
ME: Rebecca…
When she doesn’t answer, I send a final text.
ME: Goodnight sweetheart. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. We’ll work this out. I promise.
Again, she doesn’t reply. I curse and stand from the bed, frustration flooding me.
I can hear some of my brothers outside on the walkway laughing and talking. The motel is deserted except for us, so we’re not disturbing anyone.
I walk out of my room and lean against the post. They’re all in folding chairs sitting in a circle—where they found them, I have no clue, but they’re taking up three parking spots.
There’s an all-night liquor store across the highway, and they’ve picked up a couple of six-packs of beer and a Styrofoam ice chest.
Ghost kicks an open chair. “Take a load off, JJ.”
I sprawl in it, and Griz digs his hand in the ice and passes me a beer. “What’s wrong with you, bro? You look depressed.”
Hammer leans his elbows on his knees and grins. “Bet he’s got woman problems.”
