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Chapter 22 Karly
Ben perchedon the edge of my bed, watching me change into my third possible outfit for what promised to be the most important date of my whole life. “Oh yes, you should definitely wear the red one, Karly, it’s so figure hugging and sexy. It shows off all those gorgeous curves of yours. But wasn’t that meeting crazy?”
I smiled as I nodded, taking my friend’s advice. I sat on the chair in front of the vanity mirror to style my hair and do my makeup just right, while continuing to remember everything that had happened. Some of the details were honestly a little fuzzy because it was so insane. “It was! I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Sly really when in hard on the Bear King and Azariyah, didn’t he? He was determined to get Jason disqualified.”
“Which is nuts when there isn’t actually any hardcore evidence that Azariyah and Jason are a thing.”
“There isn’t?” I had to admit, that shocked me. “From the way that people were talking…”
“I know, but I spent all afternoon trying to find these pictures. I used all my best investigative journalist skills and everything. Couldn’t find a thing. Who knows what the truth is?”
“Hmm, I guess we don’t know the truth, but it does feel like something is happening.”
“I know.” Ben sighed. “I guess I’ll just have to keep digging to see what I can find. It’s just a shame that the Bear King made us turn off all the cameras when the meeting turned really sour. I would have loved the chance to review that footage. I bet in the middle of all the yelling, some kick ass secrets were killed. I also bet we could have made a fortune from the footage of Sly going toe to toe with Mobius.”
“That was dire,” I admitted. “I thought shit might really go down. The atmosphere was just so…”
“Chilly and burning hot all at once?” Ben laughed. “But hey, it brought your protectors out of the woodwork, didn’t it?”
I had to confess that it was pretty amazing when I glanced up to see all my men—at least I was hoping they’d all be my men—were standing in front of me to protect me. They didn’t even seem to need to discuss it or anything. It was just instinctive. They were there. Of course, I immediately felt so much safer, and it was great to have that shield.
“So, what do you think is next?” Ben asked. “Do you think the games will just continue like nothing has happened?”
All I could do was shrug. “It seems like that’s what Bear King Mobius wants, but I don’t know if that’s something other people can agree to. I mean, we can’t all just act like this is all cool.”
“I guess we’ll find out tomorrow, for the second part of the first round. We’ll see how everyone acts and who goes through.”
I couldn’t help but wonder who would be competing. Did Alek, Rory, Hatcher, and Chase intend to go ahead with the race now? What about Jason and everyone else? Of course Drew would have to, but I didn’t exactly include him in the realm of everyone else.
“Hey, Karly?” There was a new, more serious tone to Ben’s voice now, so I spun in my chair to really look at him. “There’s something else I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I guess I just haven’t had the chance yet. How did the camping trip go? You know, before I cut it short.”
Heat raced up to my face as a smile spread across my lips. If I was trying to hide my excitement for tonight, I wasn’t doing a very good job of it. “It went really well. I think it’s obvious to all of us that we want to be in a harem. The connection we feel is just something else.” I gripped my hair brush a little tighter. “You know, I have had some worries that doubts and fears might get in the way, from all of us, but I think now we’re finally on the same page.”
“That’s important,” Ben insisted. “It’s the only way a harem will truly work. Open and honest communication is key.”
I really felt like we could have that. I was pretty confident that no matter what came our way now, we could make it work. We’d been through so much together in such a short period of time. It had been one hell of an emotional roller coaster, but now I was pretty convinced we could do anything. We could really make this work. The idea of us living out our happily ever after as a harem was a daydream I could not get enough of. My chest swelled as I imagined it. This was the most in love that I’d ever felt in my life. I came to the Astro Games knowing there was one competitor I wished wasn’t in the competition, and now there were now four. What a wild ride this had been.
“What do you think is going to happen tonight?” Ben pressed. “At the date. Is this going to be the day you make it official?”
“I wish I could tell you, but I don’t really know,” I replied. “I just got a text from Alek in the middle of the chaos, a group text asking us all out to dinner. Since he was the one who was the most hesitant about forgoing the competition and all its prizes for me, I can only hope this isn’t a last date before he decides to keep pursuing Azariyah.” Even the idea of that left a bad taste in my mouth. But if that was what happened, I would just have to be brave and face it. “I guess we’ll see when I get there.”
“You look nervous,” Ben noted unhelpfully. I didn’t need that thought crashing through my brain. “But, like, you’re glowing as well. There is definitely a lot of love in you, Karly.”
“Let’s just hope it’s reciprocated. Or I am going to look like a fool.”
Ben reached out and held my hand reassuringly. “There is nothing foolish about looking for love. Especially a love that makes you happy.”
I cocked my head to one side, wondering how dangerous it would be to ask this question. But I already knew I had to because I was desperate for the answer. “Do you think we could make it? As a harem? Like, long term?”
“Oh, for sure.” He was so confident in his answer that I was stunned. “I’m certain of it. When you know, you can just feel it, and I can see you all really feel it.”
That was sweet. I much preferred the idea of heading into the date with that thought rather than the worry I looked nervous.
“Ben, do you think you could walk me down to the restaurant? I would feel much better with you on my arm until I get there. I just don’t want to give myself the chance to freak out.”
He nodded. “Sure, but how will that work with the crutches?”