“And yet here we are.” She looks around my car. “Hiding from the paparazzi, a useless telescope pointed at my apartment, and nonstop action.”
“At least we’re not boring.” I chuckle. “You’d eat a boring man alive.”
“I wouldn’t give a boring man the time of day.” She smiles.
“Do you have time for me Friday?”
“Yeah. No classes and it’s my Friday off from work.”
“We’re going to have fun.”
“No other details?”
“It’s a surprise.” I glance around. “Just like finding a way to get you home without my car getting noticed.”
VALERIE
As soon as I get home, I check the online tabloids. I don’t want to see myself with Chase. Not because it’s Chase, but I just don’t want any gossip focused on me. That’s why I was so specific when I told him I wasn’t angry at him. I was annoyed by the situation.
And the fact that I can’t seem to resist any of my three men. Proof right there – I keep thinking of them as mine. Groaning, I rub my hands over my face and lean back in my chair. What on earth am I doing?
Before I can dive into my own mental health rabbit hole, my phone rings. I look at the screen and sigh.
“Sophie!” I can’t help the smile. “How are you?”
“Still pregnant,” She says, voice bright despite the frustration. “I want to meet my baby!”
“I’m sure. You know, I hear sex is a good way to induce labor.”
“Oh, trust me. That bit of information is being abused.”
She giggles and tells one of her men to wait, making me smile. They’re hopeless with her. She sighs. “I wanted to see how you’re doing. I feel like we haven’t talked in so long. And I need an update.”
We talk about school and work, but I know what she’s getting at. Especially when my phone dings and I see a text from Gunner telling me to hurry up and get to the good stuff. I roll my eyes. “Am I on speaker, Sophie?”
“Hi, Val!” Gunner says brightly.
“Hope you’re doing well,” Holden chimes in.
“Sorry. They’re interested in your life too,” Sophie says sheepishly. “Is being on speaker okay?”
“We love you!” Gunner yells.
“It’s fine.” I roll my eyes. She won’t keep secrets from them anyway.
“So how are things going with the men you swear you hate? Although I remember three of you sneaking off,” Gunner teases.
I rub my neck and put my legs up, glancing out the bit of window left to where the telescope is. No one is watching. But rememberingwhythey watch is eating at me. Because it’s not safe and I shouldn’t be with them. I should cut ties.
“Valerie?” Sophie asks. “Are you okay?”
“I am! I’m just feeling a little down and wish I could spend time with you.”
“Well come on up!” Gunner insists. “Maybe the three of us can drag Holden out to have some fun!”
“You can definitely come for a weekend.” Sophie agrees.
Oh yeah, and put her in danger if anyone is watching. That’s a great plan. I rub my forehead. “I wish. I’m so busy with classes and work. Hunter and Chase book appointments weekly and with everything else going on, it’s just not possible right now.”