Page 109 of Faking Ties

“Love you, too.”

When we hang up, I can’t help the worry that nags me. There’s something off about Hunter, and I can’t put my finger on it. Is it the stress of being followed nonstop? Something else?

I wish I could fix it for him, or at least take away some of the burden he’s dealing with. I feel guilty for going on vacation and enjoying myself while he and Stella are still suffering.

Sighing, I pack for my trip, not feeling as excited about it as I originally was.

HUNTER

“Have they come?” I ask Jake in the locker room.

He holds up a box in his hands and I swipe it from him, anxious to try Elodie’s new creation.

“I still don’t get what I’m holding,” he says.

“Ella made a new dessert and I’ve been dying to try it. She sent it before…before she broke up with me.” Even though Grant and Tank are still shadowing me after Stella’s plea, I’m still not getting a reprieve. A group of five are constantly hounding me, and it’s influencing every part of my life. They’re constantly there, harassing me.

Holding this little part of Elodie, even if it’s a piece of dessert, is something tangible from her, something that will have to hold me over until I see her again. I would like nothing more than to surprise her on her vacation, but I can’t. All because of Jax fucking Stone.

“Shit, man, I’m sorry.” Marcus frowns. “Are you doing okay with the breakup?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I brush off his concern and take a bite and close my eyes, savoring the different flavors and textures. Holy shit. This is amazing.

Me: It’s official, this dessert cookie-donut hybrid is the best food I’ve ever eaten.

Ella: I like how you clarified the food point.

Me: Because your pussy is my favorite thing to eat in the entire world.

Ella: I miss you.

Me: You have no idea how much I miss you. Are you having fun on the beach?

Ella: Yeah, I am. But I wish you were here.

Me: Same, babe. Same.

Practice sucks.I’m not able to concentrate, constantly worried about Elodie and Stella, about the people following me, about Minnie, the Super Bowl. Basically, everything. My body drags through the motions, exhaustion weighing heavily on me. My lack ofrestorative sleep is finally catching up to me, and that’s unacceptable. I need to perform, and I can’t.

Jax didn’t listen to Stella’s plea, and there are still some conspiracy theorists that are invested in his bullshit. If he won’t listen to her, maybe it’s time I pay him a visit. Get him to stop with this nonsense.

Once I’m home, I call Andrew, my manager. “I need to find out where Jax Stone will be in the next twenty-four hours,” I say when he answers.

“Are you going to do anything that’ll get you arrested?”

“No. But I do need to have a chat with him.”

“Let me ask around, and I’ll call you back.”

While I wait, I contact my lawyer to discuss what kind of legal action we can take against Jax. I include Stella on the call, and she listens intently, ready to escalate right along with me.

Within an hour, Andrew informs me of a lunch Jax is having tomorrow with his manager in LA. For the first time, I’m happy that people are following me to the airport and tracking my flight path.

Tomorrow, it’s time to end this.

I saunterthrough the restaurant doors, bypassing the shocked hostess, and make a beeline for Jax’s table. More than a few people whip out their phones, and it’s the first time I want someone to video me.

Jax’s eyes widen when he spots me before he straightens his suit jacket and sits straighter in his seat.

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