The Wager

Chapter Twenty-one

Mad as hell, Jake continued to stare at the ceiling.

Something kicked his foot.

He refused to move.

“What did you do?” The mattress sunk as Kacey sat next to him. “Seriously.”

“Nothing,” Jake grumbled. “That’s the damn problem.”

“The problem is you didn’t do anything?”

“Right.”

“Are you drunk?”

“Why is that always the first thing people ask me? Have I really been acting like an alcoholic these past three years? Seriously?” He sat up and sighed.

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“No.”

“Seriously.” Kacey nudged him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I think the tin man discovered he had a heart.”

“Was that before or after you didn’t do anything?”

“Both.” Jake rose from the bed and stretched. “Not that it matters, but I took the higher road and now we’re fighting again.”

Kacey shrugged. “Higher roads have better rewards.”

“Says the happily engaged woman.” Jake turned around and winked. “No offense, but I think I like the other road better.”

“Probably because you like easy.”

“Not true.”

“Um,” Kacey snorted, “very true.”

“Karma.” Jake pressed his lips together in a firm line. “For the first time I think I may actually want something that I know I have no chance in hell of getting, no chance of deserving or winning, and it just makes it that much worse.”

Kacey stood. “Why is it worse?”

“Remember when I gave you that turtle for Christmas?”

Kacey laughed. “Speedy? Yeah; best gift ever.”

“And you ended up setting him free in the pond because you said it was better that he be a turtle with his family?”

Kacey felt Jake’s forehead. “Seriously.” She whispered. “Are you on drugs?”

“No.” He swatted her hand away. “I’m trying to communicate.”

“Try harder because you’re freaking me out.”

“You love something, you let it go.” He swallowed and looked away.

“I don’t think that’s true.” Kacey pulled Jake in for a quick hug and kissed him on the cheek. “Since when have you ever backed down from a fight?”

Char came back in the room, interrupting their moment. “You ready?”

“Yeah,” Jake called. “Be there in a minute.” Char walked out of the room, leaving it emptier than before. Which was ridiculous. Maybe he was just exhausted. Instead Jake shrugged at Kacey and answered. “I’m not backing out of the fight. I’m just choosing not to participate in it, especially when I know I don’t deserve to even participate, let alone win.”