Page 96 of The Chase

“Yeah, he’s been playing like hot garbage,” I blurted and then cringed.

The curvy woman beside me laughed. “You’re not wrong.”

“Rox, I really messed up. I accused him of getting me fired and didn’t even let him defend himself! How can I get him to take me back?”

“He’s a man. Get on your knees!” Keiana called from the kitchen.

Rox laughed. “Oh my God, I like this girl.”

Keiana came back into the living room and took a seat in the armchair.

I glared at her. “You two aren’t helpful!”

I reached down and fingered a petal on one of the flowers. I loved that TJ remembered my favorite flowers after a random conversation. He had been so thoughtful.

I saw a card attached, and I opened it up. Inside was a note scrawled in his terrible handwriting, and my heart ached at the fact I caused him so much pain.

Baby girl.

I’m sorry. Let’s talk. I don’t want to break up. I love you more than hockey.

Love,

TJ

“Geez, what did you do to my emotionless brother?” Rox asked as she read over my shoulder.

“Rox, I don’t know what to do!”

“Make him dinner. He likes when you baby him,” Keiana suggested.

Rox nodded her head. “Yes, do that! That’s how Benny got me to stop hating him.”

Keiana laughed. “That man’s fine. How did you ever hate him?”

“He asked if my tits were fake!” Rox exclaimed. “Also, I’m an asshole.”

Keiana laughed. “Okay, I need the full story there.”

Rox waved her off. “Later. We need to make sure these fools work it out.”

Keiana nodded in agreement.

I chewed on my lips. “Okay…but I feel like dinner’s not enough. I need to make a big grand gesture.”

Keiana made a universal sign for blow jobs with her tongue in her cheek, which made Rox laugh.

“You both are jerks!” I said.

“She’s not wrong. You gotta wine and dine and sixty-nine him!” Rox joked.

“The worst, both of you!” I huffed.

Rox cackled. “I gotta jet anyway.”

“Are you mad at me for calling out sick?”

“Yeah, but I knew you were going through some shit.” Rox got up from the couch and took her briefcase with her. “We’ll talk tomorrow, but seriously, if you’re helping while Debra’s on maternity leave, you will be perfect to work on her team. I don’t want someone on my team who hates what they do.”