Page 55 of Rematch
Her brows pinched together. “Why? I thought you liked him.”
“I do, but…”
“He’ll never compare to the one you really want?”
“It doesn’t matter,” I murmured with a shrug. “My love life is the least of my problems right now. I need to be focusing on my dad and my job. That’s what I moved back here for. Not all this extra shit.”
“I know.” Gianna lay her hand on my forearm. “But, it’s still in the pile and you’re going to have to deal with it eventually. The longer you avoid it, the bigger mess it’ll become.”
“I’m not even sure how to handle it, Gi. I mean what am I supposed to do? Play The Bachelorette and watch them kill each other over me?”
She smiled. “You can if you want! So long as I’m invited to watch the show.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gi, I’m serious.”
“Alright, alright.” She paused for a moment, contemplating the advice she wanted to give me. “This is going to sound cheesy, but you’ve got to listen to your heart. You know what it wants. Don’t be afraid to go after it.” She held up her hands. “Now, I’m not saying you have to text anyone or have any hard conversations tonight. But, I recommend you do it sooner than later.”
“I will,” I promised.
“Good. Now come on.” She grabbed my arm and hoisted me up off the bed. “We are taking advantage of our lunch break and grabbing you some real food. There’s no better comfort food than a greasy burger and some fries.”
Giggling, I let her tow me out of the on-call and into the hallway. Times like this, I hoped she knew how grateful I was to have a friend like her in my corner. I didn’t know how I’d ever be able to make up for all the times she’s pulled me out of the holes I often fell into. For today, buying her lunch might have to suffice.
Chapter 22
Max
“You good back there?” Wesley asked, glancing over his shoulder at me.
I was leaning against the wall behind him and Tysir at the betting tables. I came down here to give myself something else to do besides staring at my phone and helplessly trying to compose the perfect apology. Each time I tried, I’d get halfway through typing the message, realize I hated it, and delete the entire thing. There was so much I wanted to say to Audrey, but I didn’t know how. Whatever I said to her needed to be delivered perfectly. I was already on thin ice. One crack and all that shit was shattering. Though, after the other night, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was already broken.
“Yeah,” I replied. To my surprise, Tysir and Wesley were actually doing a good job managing the betting table.
While Wesley did most of the talking, Tysir was the one meticulously keeping track. He had a notebook he was writing in, adding in names and numbers into columns to keep track of the funds.
“Move!” A voice suddenly cut through the crowds.
The crowd parted suddenly, curses flying as Carter stormed through it, rage burning in his eyes. “You wanted to sneak me, motherfucker?” He asked as we locked eyes. He tried to lungeover the table at me, but Tysir and Wesley stood up and blocked his way. “Don’t hide behind your men now!” Carter yelled.
“Nobody’s hiding,” I replied. I straightened my composure and walked towards him. “Step aside.”
Tysir and Wesley looked over their shoulders and stared at me like I was crazy.
“You sure?” Tysir asked.
I nodded. “If he wants to get knocked the fuck out, then let him.”
“Others in here have beef to settle too,” Wesley chimed. “It’s not fair they gotta wait and y’all don’t.”
“Don’t nobody give a shit about fair,” Carter snapped. “You disrespected me in front of my girl, and you’re gonna pay for that shit, Guerra.”
“You meanmygirl,” I corrected.
“She wasn’t yours when she was sucking my dick the other night.”
His words, and the image that accompanied it, was enough to pop the elastic on the restraints of my temper. Red tinted the edges of my vision as I stepped forward, arm cocked and aimed right for the smug smirk on his face.
“No, no, no,” Wesley said. He quickly turned around, leaving Tysir to block Carter alone, and stood in front of me. He pushed his hands against my chest, preventing me from getting any closer to Carter. “Max, don’t.”
