the brave at heart;

James motioned to the carefully positioned cups at the opposite end of the table. “I need you to put up or shut up.”

“i’ve lost my touch --” she warned, “show me how it’s done--” 

“I’m seeing somebody.”

“oh--”

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“If we don’t -- this might never be fixed. But then, i’m not respecting what you want. I don’t know what to do here and i can’t lose you--” 

“I should tell you something.”

“shoot--”

“What are you really thinking?”

“You.” 

“It just— It doesn’t have to be taboo. Pretending it’s not there— We don’t have to ignore it, even if that’s not what it is anymore.”

“okay”

“Besides slavin’ away and wasting my time here?”

“Not much.”

“Glad to know that you’re having the time of your life--”

“Yeah?”

“Jamie--”

“Know what I’m trying to say.”

“Explain it to me--”

“No, no, you don’t—”

“I don’t what?”

“Up to you.”

“I’m trying--”

Ace looked up at the clock above the door. “In a bit.”

“I’ve got time to kill --” her gaze lingering on the clock, “ what’s going on with you?”

“Bored out of my bloody mind.”

“can you take a break?”

“I—”

“—wasn’t expecting that.”

“I’m sorry? I don’t think I can ever say that enough-- I didn’t want to blindside you, but I also didn’t want to not say anything -- that didn’t seem right either. I don’t expect anything, honestly -- you don’t even have to say anything about that. i just wanted that out there--” 

“Good thing I don’t need you to.”

“is this how its going to be?” 

“N— What do you mean, exactly?”

“any possible chance with you--”