Page 136 of Chosen Road

My blood turned to ice, my skin too tight, bound by the two hours between us.

It’s only two hours. I can get Alex out of bed and head home. I can leave him here; Vander can drive him home. He can fit in Vander’s vehicle.

“I’m coming. I’m going to wake Alex up to tell him, and I’m coming,” I assured her.

“No, Gus. I need to think.”

“Thinking’s the last thing you need to be doing,” I growled. “What the fuck happened? Start talking or I’m on my way.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. Twice, I opened my mouth to speak, but forced myself to wait.

Finally, she spoke. “Mallory quit.”

“I know, honey. I know how hard that is for you,” I murmured.

“George’s face,” she whispered.

“I know,” I whispered back. “He’s been smiling and laughing. Being with the boys has been good for him. This little trip has been good for him.”

“Any news on that front?”

“As of right now, he’s going back to live with his stepdad for the second semester, but I think Vander is going to re-evaluate after the wedding.”

She sighed. “I don’t want you to leave. Stay there and help take care of him.”

“Then talk to me. Tell me what else is going on in that head of yours,” I demanded.

“Minty and I went to the bookstore, and we ran into Jacqueline.”

Involuntarily, I sucked in a breath. “What happened?” I barked.

“The look on her face. She knows she got a piece of you. She thinks she still has a chance.”

“She doesn’t. Fuck,” I bit out. “She never fucking did.” Anger reared up so hot and fast I swore I could breathe fire. “Did she talk to you?”

“She said I didn’t look too good.”

“Fucking bitch.”

“That’s what I said.” A hint of a smile warmed her tone.

I chuckled. “You did? Tell me what you said.”

“I told her she was a bitch, that she took advantage of me and you when we were at a low point. I called her a scavenger and told her she’d never get her hands on you.”

“That’s right. There’s not even the remotest chance. It’s laughable. Nobody compares to you, least of all her.” I said harshly.

“Minty was with me.”

“I’m glad.”

“Minty called her a bitch, too.”

“Minty?” That surprised me. Minty exuded cool and calm. “I never imagined she could lose her cool.”

“She didn’t. She could have been talking about the weather with how composed she was. That’s not all she said.” The smile in her voice grew bigger. “She also called her a homewrecker, a whore, and a… c-word.”

“Cock?”

---