Page 66 of Coming In Hot
I catch Riggs’ eyes. He’s got that look—like he knows I’m not really here. Like he can see through my bullshit. I give him a tight, forced smile, but it’s clear he’s not buying it.
Rhett’s voice keeps droning on, but it’s all lost on me, a blur of noise I can’t focus on. All I can think about is how much I hate Pharo right now. How I hate him for making me feel like a fucking fool.
Someone else speaks up, and I’m barely aware of it, too deep in my head to care. It’s like I’m trapped in my own mind, circling the same damn thoughts over and over. Pharo. His decision. The way everything between us seemed like it was finally coming together—until it wasn’t.
My fingers drum furiously on my thigh, my way of grounding myself, but it’s not working. I can feel the anger, the hurt, the frustration rising like a tidal wave, and it feels like it’s swallowing me whole.
“Jax?”
I snap back to reality, realizing everyone’s eyes are on me. Riggs is staring at me, concern etched into his face. He knows something’s up.
“Yeah?” I mumble, trying to sound like I’m here, even though I’m not.
“You okay?” he asks, his voice low, but there’s an edge to it.
“Sure,” I reply quickly, trying to brush it off. “I’m fine.”
Riggs doesn’t seem convinced, but he doesn’t push it either. He just nods, but I can tell he’s not buying my act.
I feel like I’m suffocating in this room, surrounded by people who don’t get it. Who doesn’t getme. I wish I could just leave, wish I could disappear into something that would numb all of this. All the confusion, the hurt, the anger I’m holding inside.
And then that lying motherfucker walks in and things go from bad to worse.
“Sorry I’m late,” Pharo apologizes. “I got held up.”
Yeah, packing up and making plans to leave town. For good. I’m surprised he’s even still here.
Oh, fuck no. There’re two empty seats left, and this asshole is gonna pick the one next to me.
“Hey,” he whispers, nudging me to get my attention. “I messaged you, but you didn’t respond. You still playing hard to get?”
It’s like he’s oblivious to the time bomb ticking inside me.
“I don’t mind,” he continues, unaware that his life is in jeopardy. “I’m starting to enjoy your little games, Jaxy.”
I swear to Christ, if he doesn’t shut the fuck up.
“What’s your problem?” he hisses, appearing confused. Pharo has no idea I know about his betrayal. Maybe he thinks if he continues to play the adoring beau, I’ll give up my ass once more before he skips town.
“Let’s play the fuck off game. You go first,” I snap, glaring sideways at him.
“Are you fucking kidding me? We’re back to this shit again? Fuck you, Jax.”
“You can’t unfuck what has been fucked.”
He chuffs, like it’s funny, but it’s not. “The human body has seven trillion nerves,” Pharo explains, “and some people manage to get on every fucking one of them.”
He glares at me, and the old familiar rivalry is in full swing.
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms with a deliberate nonchalance, even though I can feel the heat of his glare burning into me. “Guess I must be a master then,” I say with a smirk, playing it off like I’m unbothered. “You’ve definitely been working overtime trying to get under my skin.”
Pharo’s eyes narrow, the sharpness in his gaze becoming more intense. “Oh, you think so?” His voice drops, low and steady, like he’s not only trying to get under my skin but trying to peel it back, layer by layer.
I don't back down, letting the silence stretch between us. “Why are you even here? Thought you’d be halfway to Egypt by now.”
“What? Why would I…”
We’ve drawn the attention of Riggs and the rest of the group, who are now wholly focused on our escalating discussion. “Excuse me, gentlemen. Is there something you’d like to share with the group?”
