Page 31 of Jimmy

“Well, I don’t know. I thought I loved Ron, and he was a dud. Then I thought I might love Brett… for a day or two, and he treats me like shit.”

Sarah sighed. “Ron was a turd, and no one liked him.”

“And Brett?” She wished she’d been told this before now.

“If you didn’t work for him, I’d tell you to get the fuck away from him.”

“Ouch.”

“He’s a jerk. He knows you won’t grow in your life because he’s holding you down. He needs control, but he also knows you love books,” Sarah said. “You’re a captive, and you don’t know it.”

The truth hurt because Sarah was right. “Damn.”

“I know. It sucks to hear the truth, but that’s what it is.” Sarah shifted in her seat. “Is it possible you could love Jimmy?”

“Yeah.” It was possible she’d fall into a black hole, too. “He’s intriguing and cute. He’s also dangerous-looking, but sweet. We watched football together.”

Sarah rolled her eyes.

“You might hate football, but I enjoyed being with someone who didn’t make me feel silly because I like the sport or because I understand the game.”

“It’s boring.”

“Have you seen a football player without his shirt?”

Sarah scrunched her nose. “Should I?”

“Yes. Muscles, tattoos and raw power… all in one body.”

Sarah whistled. “I could be convinced.”

“Anyway, Jimmy enjoys football, and it’s nice to have something to discuss.”

Sarah nodded, then grasped Karey’s hand. “Good enough, but is it what will sustain you? Could you see giving him up after two days?”

Oh shit.

“No?”

Her heart hammered. “I…”

“You can’t,” Sarah said. “If he poofed into nothing or died tomorrow, would you be lost?”

She hesitated. “Fuck.” Her heart ached. “Yes.”

“Then you might be okay.” Sarah sighed. “I hope you stay together. If you do, then it gives me hope for the rest of us.”

“Nice.” She hated being the test subject.

“Karey, I hate being lonely and I hate seeing you with dead end guys. I’m rooting for you.” Sarah groaned, then let go of Karey’s hand. “I see Brett. Damn.”

Shit. “I’m probably late.”

“Blame me.”

“That won’t matter.”

“Can’t hurt to say it,” Sarah replied. “I’m the reason you’re late, though.”

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