The Bet (The Bet 1)

“But—”

“No,” Grandma said, pointing a finger in the air. “When this is all over with, I’ll let you speak to Kacey, Travis. Until then, I suppose now is as good of a time as any to settle the score with your brother.”

Chapter Thirty-two

“Damn, she’s scary,” Jake muttered.

“Tell me about it.” Travis kept his eyes trained on the door, willing Kacey to come back through.

“So.” Travis felt air whoosh by his ears as Jake took a seat next to him. “We gonna have this out, right here? Right now?”

Why wasn’t she coming back? Why did he have to act like such an idiot? Why couldn’t he have just told her he loved her when she needed to hear it most. It was hard to remember that Kacey could be insecure. Hadn’t she just said nobody had told her she was beautiful since her mother had?

To sleep with her and then say nothing?

He hit his hand against the chair he was sitting in.

“So, no kiss and make up?” Jake asked.

“Sorry.” Travis swallowed the lump in his throat

. “It’s not you…”

“It’s not you, it’s me? Are you breaking up with me, bro?”

Travis laughed despite the strong urge to strangle his brother. “No, and I’m not giving you the speech, though if I knew it would humble you, I’d damn well try.”

“I’m humbled after tonight. Believe me.”

Travis looked into his brother’s eyes, the same ones that usually reflected so much arrogance it made Travis want to become violent. Instead of their usual cockiness, all he saw was regret, and maybe a little shame.

Jake smiled sadly and shrugged. “I ruined the perfect girl. She wants you. She told me she wants you. Nobody else.”

“Not even the great Jake Titus?”

“God, I hate it when you both use my full name. I can’t even imagine how bad it’s going to be when it’s two against one.”

“Welcome to my childhood.” Travis slapped him on the back.

“I’m sorry, you know,” Jake said, shaking his head. “For everything. If I could take it back—”

“I wouldn’t want you to take it back. In your own sick way, you drove her right into my arms.”

“And the humility just keeps coming.” Jake laughed. “Go after her.”

“Didn’t you hear Grandma? We’re stuck in here for three hours.”

“Ten bucks says Grandma’s lying.” Jake nodded to the door. “Look for yourself.”

Travis got up from his seat and walked out the door. The guard nodded his head but said nothing. “Well, I’ll be…”

“Conniving little thing, our grandma,” Jake said, suddenly at his side. “Go get her.”

Travis wasn’t even sure which hallway to go down, let alone know where Kacey would be. “I have no idea where Grandma would take her.”

“Really? No idea? None at all?” Jake gave him a stupid look and frowned.

Travis searched his brain for any sort of recollection of where Grandma would take Kacey. Obviously, she’d want her to be able to relax and be happy and comfortable and…