Page 46 of The Biggest Sacrifice

“Farrah. I see you want me to get into a fight tonight.”

CHAPTER 26

FARRAH

My nerves gotthe best of me and, of course, I spilled to my best friends that Tommy was taking me out tonight. We were going on a proper date in public, and I had no idea how to handle it.

“You make him want you the minute he walks in and then you tease him all night. And when you come home, you leave him standing on your front porch and say goodnight. It’s a small payback for all the years he spent hiding you away.”

I laugh at Britt, though most of it sounds like a good idea. “Britt, I’m not going tit for tat here. If he’s going to show effort, I’m going to accept it and give back more. It’s all I’ve wanted. Why would I punish him for it now?”

“Well, then at least make him sit with a hard dick during dinner.” She falls onto the bed next to Francesca while I search for a pair of heels to wear.

“You can count on it.” We giggle and I’m feeling more joy than I have in a long time.

“You know, last week when we were at Jackson’s game, I got a glimpse of the brother I knew. He heard me talking about giving it to Jackson-”

“What else is new?” Britt rolls her eyes.

Chess bumps her with her shoulder. “But the laugh that came from Tom? It was a sound I hadn't heard in a very long time, to the point where I was wondering if I’d ever get my brother back. But that laugh? The look he gave me, then the way he looked at you, Far, he’s in there. Don’t give up on him.”

I reach my hand to Chess and squeeze hers. “I never did. I may have wanted to, but my heart would never let go of him. You know that.”

“Wait. Guys. Can you say that again? This convo is perfect for the book I’m writing!”

We giggle at Adley. Then hear commotion from the living room.

“It’s showtime!” Britt skips from the room.

“Why does this feel so important?”

“You and Tom are important. You’re important to each other, to this family. A new chapter is beginning.”

“I don’t think he’s turned in his retirement papers, though. He’s just going to leave again.”

“You don’t know that. Honestly, I think there are some major changes happening to him. I mean, Billy told me he stopped by his house this morning and he and Cash were there sleeping off a hangover.”

My eyes grow wide. “What? They were hanging out together?”

“They weredrinkingtogether! And you know what that means? If no one has a black eye, they’re probably besties now.” Chelsea laughs.

“And they were talking about you.” Adley adds.

“Don’t tell me that! I’m nervous enough!”

“Come on, girl, let’s go get your man.”

I walk down the hall and see Tommy with his back to me. His long legs cased in jeans and the button down that hangs just right off his broad shoulders. I take in the rest of, well, everyone in the room and internally roll my eyes. These Casanovas just can’t help themselves.

“Hi Tommy.”

He turns and his eyes sweep over me. It feels like a tidal wave, washing over me and consuming me, dragging me under. And the only one to save me from drowning is him.

“Farrah. I see you want me to get into a fight tonight.”

I watch as his lips twitch with his sentence. There’s the emotion I want. The words that he used to hold back are now spilling from his lips. Of course, I don’t want him to fight, but I want him to be so passionate about me that nothing will hold him back from saying so. Jackson and Bobby are never quiet and constantly voice how Chess and Britt make them feel. With them it’s excessive, but Tommy showed nothing. And that hurt.

“No one is fighting tonight, lover boy.” Cash comes and stands next to him. “I’m on shift and though I’d love nothing more than to lock your ass up, the paperwork is annoying as fuck and I don’t want to deal with it.”

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