Page 5 of Real Good Love
“She’s coming back here, though, right?”
The question crashes into me with the same force as the balls slamming into pins only a dozen feet away. My answer is fast and definite.
“Fuck yes, she’s coming back.” In my head, I add,especially if she’s pregnant with my kid.
“I like her. It’s nice to see at least one man can recognize a good thing when he has it.” The taunt is pointed, and Julianne spins on her heel and continues to the bar.
Granger chugs the rest of his beer before shooting another look at Julianne’s back. “Women are a fucking trap.” He turns back to me. “What the hell are you doing getting tangled up with one from New York, anyway? Is that shit serious?”
I don’t intend to say it, but the words come out. “It might be real fucking serious if I knocked her up.”
Granger’s eyes widen as he leans back in his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I found a box of pregnancy tests in her bathroom this morning, and one was missing.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
He leans forward, dropping his elbows on the table, and I’m grateful he keeps his voice low. “You didn’t demand answers right then? What the hell, man? You know how women are. Looking to trap you any way they can.”
This whole situation has been eating me all day, but I recognize the truth when I speak. “Banner isn’t like that. She’s not looking to trap me.”
Granger’s gaze narrows as he leans a few inches closer. “How do you know? She’s got a job and money of her own? Doesn’t need your paycheck?”
“She has her own business.”
“Successful?”
I reach for my beer. “Not yet. But she’s working on it.”
“So she doesn’t have a job that actually brings in money, and you’re still sure she’s not trying to lock you down?” He leans back in his chair again, an expectant look on his face.
Even with the facts objectively stacking up against her, there’s no way I can pin that motive on Banner. The more I think about it, the more I realize she’s exactly the opposite of the women I’ve dodged in Gold Haven. My New York City princess would run far and fast in the opposite direction if she thought she was trapped in Kentucky because she got knocked up by a mechanic. Or in this case, stay in New York ...
Fuck.
“She’s not like that. You’ll see when you meet her.” Even though my words sound confident, I wonder what the hell I’m going to have to do to make sure Banner does come back.I’ll drive my ass up there and haul her home if I have to.
“Whatever you say, man. I’m done with women except for a quick fuck these days.”
Rosie comes back with our beers, and we change the subject to college basketball.
As I’m walking out of Pints and Pins, my phone buzzes in my pocket, finally, with a text from the woman who seems to be constantly on my mind.
BANNERNYC: It’s been a long crazy day. I have a ton of stuff to tell you, but I’m drained tonight. Talk tomorrow?
I climb in my truck and tap out my response.
LOGAN:Yeah. We need to start talking about all of it.
BANNERNYC:We will. Night. xo
LOGAN:Night, Bruce.
I fire up my truck and turn in the direction of my empty house, frustrated that I’m not getting any resolution on this subject tonight.
Chapter 4
