Page 110 of The Hot Shot

“James is moving,” she blurts out. “To New York to live with Jamie.”

Hell.

“Because he’s inlove.” She makes the word sound like a curse.

“And that’s bad?”

Chess glares at me. “No. Yes.” A choked sound escapes her. “I hate change. I fucking hate it.”

“Babe.” I rest my hand on her belly, giving her that small comfort. She’s tense as a coil, her body trembling. “I’m sorry he’s moving.”

Tears form at the corners of her eyes, but she glares up at the ceiling unblinking as if she’s willing them not to fall. “He’s leaving me.”

“He’s not leaving you. He’s just staying with Jamie.”

“Not helping.”

Yeah, I got that.

“You can still visit him. Hell, I’ll buy you tickets to go every weekend, if you want.”

Chess gives me a wobbly smile, but then her expression crumples and she starts to sob.

Panic runs through me. “Come here.” I gather her up. “Chester. Baby, don’t cry.”

“I’m not,” she wails, clutching my shoulders and burrowing her face in my chest.

“My mistake,” I murmur, wanting to smile despite the fact that her pain hurts me, too. I’ve never met a woman less willing to admit weakness. She’s as bad as a football player that way.

Gently, I rock her as she sobs, her body wracking with it. I stroke her back, the long strands of her hair.

She clings tighter. “Everything is changing,” she cries. “My house is gone. My stuff. My best friend is leaving. Everything is gone.”

I’m here. I’m not leaving.

But I don’t say a word. This isn’t about me. I just hold her.

“Fucking Jamie,” she grumbles through her sobs. “Fucking seducer of best friends.”

I can’t help it; a snicker breaks free. Because I’ve met Jamie via one of Chess and James’s FaceTime chats. Seductress she is not; more like a cross between Tinker Bell and Urkel.

Chess stills, clearly having heard me laugh. Instantly, I feel like a shithead. She’s hurting and...

A snort leaves her. And then she’s laughing too, the sound raspy and thick with tears. “Oh, my God, I’m such an asshole.”

Smiling, I cuddle her closer until there isn’t an inch of space between us. “You’re upset. If Jake left town to shack up with a cute geek, I’d be irate, too.”

With a sigh, she sags against me. “I like Jamie.”

“I know you do.”

She doesn’t say anything, and I don’t, either. The rapid beat of her heart thumps against my ribs. I smooth my hand down her back. After a while, she stirs.

“I’m not a crier,” she mutters against my damp chest.

“Okay.” I kiss her temple.

“I’m not. I don’t even like sappy movies.”