Page 139 of Beautifully Shattered
“She’ll never hate you, man. She’s just angry at the world. You know what that’s like.”
Yeah, I fucking do, which is how I know I need to be a better man.
“I don’t want her to look at me like that ever again.” I swallow thickly and glance at my best mate.
“Does that mean we’re attending church in person on the weekend?”
Fuck.
I rake my hand through my hair and nod. “We are. But she’s not gonna be the one to get Jols free. You are.”
His brows shoot up. “You want me to break her out? I’ll get shot on the spot.”
I shake my head. “No, man. It’s about time you and Smitty have a chat.”
His face falls. “Again… I’ll get shot on the spot.”
“Looks like you’re getting shot either way then, because Abbey is right. Smitty shouldn’t be doing that. But what she’s wrong about is thinking it’s up to her to fix it. It’snotup to her, it’s up toyou.” I clap him on the shoulder. “So figure out what you are gonna say to lessen the blow. It’s time for you to man up.”
I leave JD looking stunned in the middle of the yard and head over to where my wife is sparring with another man. Not that I have a problem with Riggs teaching her. He’s a good man despite who his boss is, but right now, I want my wife’s attention. I don’t want it on another man.
Riggs notices me approaching and steps away, like he already knows I want this time with my wife.
When hereyes fall on me, there’s no hate, but I also don’t feel any love right now, either.
“Let’s spar, little demon.”
Her brows shoot up. “Little demon?”
I nod. “You said you’re no angel. So I guess you’re a demon then.”
She smirks. “Sounds legit.”
I huff a laugh, pulling on some MMA gloves to match the pair she’s wearing, silently hoping my wound is okay. I guess I’ll just have to worry about that later.
Once I’m done, we circle each other a few times, eyes locked, yet neither of us makes the first move.
Typically, the few times we’ve sparred over the last few weeks, it’s turned into us needing to hurry behind closed doors.
This time, however, I’m not sure what will happen given the way she looked at me before.
Fuck. I can’t get that image out of my head.
“You gonna start?” she asks, her hands held up ready.
I shake my head. “You looked like you wanted to punch me before. Here’s your chance.”
Her shoulders drop, and her hands fall to her sides.
“I didn’t want to punch you.”
“You sure? Your words sure packed a punch.”
Guilt flashes across her face. “That… what I said… the respect part. I didn’t mean it.”
Shaking my head, I reach out and lift her hands back in place, needing her to spar with me.
“Yeah, you did. Don’t apologise for speaking the truth, Ang—little demon.” I correct, and the corner of her mouth quirks up.
