The Bet (The Bet 1)

“Good for you, son.” The guy gave him a perplexed look. “Now, we need you to leave.”

Dejected, Travis went to the bike, then pulled out his cell and dialed Kacey’s number. It went straight to voicemail.

Which meant only one thing.

She was flying, in the air, back home, and he didn’t even get to say he loved her.

Chapter Thirty-one

Kacey laid her head back against the wall.

No flights out tonight meant she had to sleep in the airport. Sure, she could go to a hotel, but for some reason she wanted to feel sorry for herself. Well, there was that and the small opportunity she had to get an earlier flight than the one Jake was on.

That was just what she needed.

To sit next to Jake after sleeping with his brother.

Her life was like a dramatic TV show. She shook her head and shivered.

The airport was desolate. It was doing nothing for her horrible mood. Maybe she really should go somewhere else so she didn’t end up crying by herself in the corner. That would be the ultimate of lows.

Pulling out her cell phone she pressed Menu, but the screen was black. She shook it — not that shaking a phone really did anything.

Dead.

Just like her heart.

Figured.

She threw it back into her purse and sighed. Maybe if she just closed her eyes for a bit she could get some sleep.

But the minute they fluttered closed she heard a voice.

“Hey…”

Her eyes flickered open. “Jake?”

“I know, I know. I’m supposed to be at the condo or wherever, but I got bored, and Grandma left saying something about having dessert with the neighbor away from the watchful eyes of the family, leaving me even more bored. Then Mom and Dad were treating it like another honeymoon, if you know what I mean. Anyway, I decided nothing was worse than that, so I drove home.”

“Oh.” Kacey shifted in her seat and broke eye contact.

“But then,” Jake continued to talk. “Travis was gone and Grandma was muttering something about her damn grandson. I can’t help but think she was referring to me.”

Kacey snorted.

“What?” Jake nudged her. “No flippant remark? No agreeing? What’s wrong? You sick or something?”

She shook her head and then burst into tears.

“God, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you were sad. I’m such a selfish bastard sometimes. What’s wrong? Are you sick? Are you okay?” He pulled her into his arms and held her.

It felt foreign, not at all like Travis. It was comforting to an extent but only as a friend, not a soul mate.

She shuddered, trying to gain her breath. “Nothing. It’s fine, it’s…” She continued to sob even though she was willing herself to stop.

“Kace?” Jake whispered into her hair. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Travis.”