Page 112 of The Triple Threat

“Well, yeah I did, because you’re being a little bitch.”

“Oh, God,” Ellie groaned coming up behind Bronte. “What now?”

“He,” Bronte ground out and pointed at me, “is a pickle stealer and I hate him.”

“What the hell is a pickle stealer?” Hunter asked, coming around to my side of the table while he tightened the belt on his jeans.

“Have you just been fucking my sister?” I growled not sure who else to take my frustration out on.

The bastard grinned and gave Ellie some damn adoring look that he’d suddenly perfected whenever she was around.

Where the fuck had my best friend gone?

I scratched the back of my neck and looked over to Bronte. Tears were now rolling down her cheeks and the sight of them cracked my heart open.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I asked softly.

Her bottom lip trembled, and her chin wobbled as she took a deep breath.

“Us is what’s wrong, Carter. Us. And that’s why I’m ending it, as of now. We are over.”

My heart stuttered and my dinner was in danger of making a reappearance as her words sunk in. It couldn’t be over. We’d been great together, I felt we were going somewhere. It’d been only two days ago that we’d talked about her maybe moving in with me.

“Bronte, no,” Ellie said. “Why?”

“Come on guys, just sit down, forget that Carter is a douche for an hour or so and everything will be fine,” Hunter offered.

Bronte shook her head. “Nope. I’m sorry, but that’s it. We’re over.”

She then turned and ran across the bar. I moved quickly to go after her, but Hunter grabbed my hand.

“Let Ellie go. Go baby, go after her.”

Ellie nodded. “I’ll be back. She’ll be fine.”

“What the hell was that?” Hunter asked. “You argue tons, but she never breaks up with you.”

I stared over to where Ellie was chasing after Bronte and shrugged.

“I have no idea.” I turned to Hunter and felt a swell in my stomach. “I think she means it,” I said. “I think she’s really breaking up with me.”

Hunter grimaced and shook his head. “Nah, no way. It’ll be golden, you’ll see.”

As the door to the Stars & Stripes banged shut behind Ellie and Bronte, I had to wonder if he was just talking horse shit, because it certainly seemed real to my heart.

To be continued in The Jackpot Screwer, coming in 2021

The Triple Threat Playlist on Spotify

Playlist on Spotify

Body Like A Back Road Sam Hunt

Look What God Gave HerThomas Rett

How Will I KnowWhitney Houston

CowboyKid Rock