Page 141 of The Hot Shot
“The song. Elvis. He’s everywhere.”
James frowns, leaning in so we can talk over the ribald singing. “And that makes you cry?”
I shake my head, tears running down my face. “I love him.”
“Elvis?” Jamie asks, confused.
“Finn. I love Finn. Doesn’t matter where I go...” I lift my hands helplessly toward the band. “He’s my fate.”
James smiles softly. “Your perfectly imperfect.”
“I have to tell him.”
“You will.” James reaches across the table and puts his hand on my trembling one. “Do you want to step out and call him?”
“He’s playing a game right now.” I wipe my cheeks. “I should do it in person.”
“Okay.” James gives me a squeeze. “We’ll get you home as soon as we can.”
Home.I need to go home. The heat of the room and the music press in on me.
“I have to get out of here,” I tell James. “I can’t breathe. I need to see Finn. I have to...”
“It’s all right,” James says. “Don’t panic.”
My fingers are clumsy as I fish my wallet out of my purse and pull out some bills.
“I’m going to take a walk.”
James grabs my arm. “You’re not going out alone.”
“I grew up in this city, James. I’ll be okay.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he insists. “We’re coming with you.”
He tosses some more money onto the table then sets his empty glass on the pile to secure it, but I can’t wait any longer. I’m halfway across the room by the time James and Jamie catch up to me.
I stumble outside and draw in a deep breath of icy air. It burns going down, but I suck in another breath. James and Jamie stand beside me.
“You all right?” Jamie asks, resting a hand on my arm.
“Yeah.” I give her a weak smile. “Sorry for the drama.”
Beneath the lenses of her glasses, her eyes crinkle. “It’s pretty emotional, falling in love.”
“I shouldn’t have left him. I should have stayed.”
James pulls out a cigarette and lights it. “If leaving meant you finally realized without a doubt that he’s the one, then don’t punish yourself for it.” He takes a drag then lets out a puff of smoke. “Consider it time well spent.”
“I hurt him.”
“Something tells me he’ll forgive you.” James winks at me, then laughs. “My grumpy Chessie Bear is dating the quarterback. Will wonders never cease?”
“I think James is a bit jealous,” Jamie teases.
“I’d like to point out that I had a crush on Manny before Chess met him, and before I met you.” James flicks the tip of his cigarette. “Now it would be too weird to keep him in the spank bank. I’d start picturing Chess’s disapproving face and... total bone kill.”
“You’re not supposed to have a spank bank now,” I say. “You have Jamie.”
