Page 39 of Chasin’s Surrender

I wasn’t entirely sure what that smile conveyed but I knew she’d tell me. And I was afraid of what she was going to say, because I could guess.

“Give him a chance,” she said.

Yep, I’d guessed correctly. That’s what I thought she was going to say and butterflies took flight in my belly, making me nauseous.

“Um, did ya miss the last part where I told you he called me a cheating bitch?”

Bobby waved her free hand like she was batting away the words I’d spoken.

“He explained that.”

Incidentally, I’d shared that Chasin’s mother was a lying, cheating bitch and that’s why he’d lost his mind when he thought Bobby was a man.

“And I already knew he’d overheard our conversation and thought you were talking to a man.”

“You did?”

“Yep, he told me straight out he’d jumped to conclusions and didn’t let you explain. I told him he was an idiot and he’d fucked up huge. I almost felt bad for the guy when I told him he’d lost out on something great. He kinda looked like I’d kicked his puppy. But I didn’t like him then so I didn’t much care.”

That was so Bobby. She had a big heart—a huge, loyal heart. And even mad at me, she’d take my back, and tell it like it is. Even if she was telling a man six inches taller than her, who looked like he could bench press two of her, and was kind of scary-looking when he was pissed.

“But you like him now?”

“I was on the fence until I heard the story. Now that I know why he flipped out…not saying it’s right, Viv, but you have to admit, he had a good reason. What his mom did was jacked the fuck up. What kind of woman does that? It seriously marked him. And hate to say it, but he’s right. You could’ve stopped him. Even after he said what he said, you should’ve defended yourself. But I know why you didn’t. The same reason he jumped to conclusions. You both have some serious issues with the people who were supposed to love and protect you.”

So, they were both right, I should’ve stuck up for myself.

But in my defense, his accusations ripped me apart. They’d torn at my insides and opened old wounds.

“He said it would be a travesty if I let all the beauty I have to give go to waste,” I whispered.

Bobby’s hand in mine didn’t squeeze, it squeezed, and it was painful.

“Viv, honey, give him a chance. I would not steer you wrong. Maybe it goes nowhere, or maybe it does. But you’ll never know if you don’t give him a chance. Be brave. Be fearless. Be the woman you were always meant to be. This is the first step in putting the assholes behind you. Don’t allow them to take this from you.”

Yep, Bobby said what she felt, and meant what she said.

She gave it straight.

Be brave.

I could do that.

“Okay. I’ll talk to him when he gets back.”

“Good. Now tell me about the new tattoo.”

My smile faltered and I told her about the tattoo and the song I’d written.

When I was done, she smiled huge. Which was a strange reaction because the lyrics were all about heartbreak and never getting what you wanted.

Whatever. Bobby was many things—romantic wasn’t one of them, but being half bat-shit crazy was.

I’d roll with it and be brave.

13

Chasin pulled his Charger through the iron gates of Genevieve’s driveway, thinking he’d like to move her out to the Swagger farm where he lived.