Free Finding Us by Harper Bentley Page A

lying down.
    “Robbie! What’s going on here?” Mr. Love asked as he came over and got between us.
    “This asshole’s the reason El’s been so upset over the past month, fucking around with that sleazy underwear model,” Robbie growled.
    “Son, you need to back up,” Mr. Love said.
    “You gonna fucking leave her alone?” Robbie shouted, pointing at me over his dad’s shoulder.
    Mr. Love pushed him in the chest , moving him toward the house as Robbie glared at me the entire time before he turned to walk inside.
    Great.
    “What was that all about?” my dad asked.
    I told him about Robbie’s calling me the night before El left.
    “And he’s stil l going on about it?” He thought for a second. “Guess you’d be the same if it were your sister, huh?” he asked.
    I had to agree. I mean, I understood where Robbie was coming from. Of course, I’d do the same damned thing if it was Starr. I just wished he’d give me a chance to explain some things.
    Mr. Love came out of the house and back to the garage. “I’m really sorry about that, Jag. I don’t know why he’s still holding on to all of that. Far as I’m concerned, this is between you and Ellen. You have any more problems with him, you let me know.”
    I nodded, knowing I’d never do that, but agreed just to keep the peace. I didn’t blame Robbie for being angry. Like I said, I’d have done the same, but, again, it seemed as if he’d had it out for me from the start, and I was now the dumbass who’d given him reason for feeling that way.
    We worked on th e car until we got it adjusted, and it was fairly late when Dad and I walked back to the house where Mom had made us dinner. We ate and I made my plans for the evening: Go to El’s.
    I’d talked to Ross earlier (he’d agreed that he and Rebecca would stay at his apartment again but that I owed him a shit ton of beer for it) and he’d said El was working until ten, so after dinner I hightailed it to her place and set my plan into motion. I had about thirty minutes to get it done, so I didn’t waste any time.
    I went inside and put th e root beer float I’d picked up in the refrigerator with a note in front of it telling her to take it then go look in the bathroom. In the bathroom, I arranged and lit candles all around then ran a hot bath with her favorite bubble bath. I’d bought her a plush robe, so I placed it over a chair I’d brought in along with placing an iPod I’d loaded with all her favorite songs and a few of my own on the seat of it. Yeah, I’d been busy. When the tub was full, I turned off the water, inspected everything, then before leaving, left a note on the door for her that said:
    El,
    I know you’re tired after a long day. I brought you some things to help you relax. Look in the fridge first.
    Forever and a day, Jag
     
    I hoped this would at least earn me a point or two with her and let her know that I was thinking of her.
    Or she’d end up hating me even more for breaking into her apartment for the second night in a row.

Chapter 8
     
    “Dude, I think you nailed it last night,” Ross said over coffee the next morning.
    I’d called him early to meet me at Starbucks (no, not that Starbucks) because I wanted to get a feel for how El was taking things.
    “Yeah? Think I’m getting through to her?” I asked, hopeful.
    “Well, compared to the night before, this one was aces.”
    “ Hell, a root canal would’ve been aces compared to that night,” I mumbled.
    “No shit,” he agreed.
    “I appreciate all you’ve done to help me out, man. Couldn’t have still been in the doghouse without you,” I said laughing.
    “Any time, bro,” he said back, laughing along with me.
    “But, hey, wanted to throw this out there if you’re interested. You’re majoring in sports management, so when you’re ready, I’ll be needing a new agent if you’re interested.”
    He sat back so fast, it was as if I’d touched him with an electrical wire. “Are you serious?” He looked