“Maybe I can speak for myself. Maybe to the party. You two should talk more about it, I have to go.”
“I don’t even get a name?” Andre pouts.
“Try not to be a distraction in class and you might get one.”
“Yours?”
“Not what I said.” I wave back and walk to my car. I see something move in my side mirror and reach into my pocket to grab the little knife I lifted from Lief’s room this morning. It wasn’t too hard since he wasn’t there.
Turning, I find Chase. He looks as well dressed as ever as he takes my hand in his. “Stealing knives now?”
“Leaving in the middle of the night without warning?” I shoot back.
“Baby doll, I’m a boss now. That means being forced to do things even if I don’t want to.” He pulls me closer toward him. “From Hunter’s bragging, I should be the one upset that I missed something.”
We stare at each other for a long while. His long hair brushes his shoulder and his glasses catch a bit of the light. He looks comfortable despite the suit he has on. And so damn handsome and hopeful. Exhaling, I lean back against my car and rub the back of my neck.
“I know I’m pissy.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.”
“And I know we don’t have a traditional relationship – considering what you do, the fact I’m dating three men, the age difference ... I mean we started living together and took a vacation together within two months of dating. None of this is traditional.”
Chase gently brushes his fingers over my cheek. “What do you need to be happy right now? You want to know every conversation you miss at the mansion? You want to have your own place so you can host and go to parties whenever you want? Do you want to take a step back from our relationship?”
“Where did you get any of that!” I demand.
His eyes flick over to Elaine and Andre. Andre who won’t pull his eyes away and keeps watching me with unhidden interest. I snort. “I don’t want that pompous ass. I just ...” I take a slow breath. “I just don’t know how to be the best girlfriend to each of you, deal with the feeling that someone is going to try to hurt me, and school all at the same time.”
“You’re spreading thin. Let us do the taking care of, baby doll. You’ve taken care of each of us plenty.”
I rock side to side. “Maybe we could also do more single dates ... considering everyone’s schedule is up in the air right now, that might be the best way to move forward.”
“I can be all yours tonight, Valerie. Bend me to your will and enjoy me however you want me.”
I let my hand brush his. Chase links our pinkies and takes another step toward me. “I want to hear all about school, how classes are going, where your beautiful head is at.”
“Chase,” I hum.
“And if you get a Friday off before Fall break, why don’t we go and visit Sophie? All of us.”
“A mini vacation?” I bounce on my toes.
“You’ll see your best friend ... during the day, and we’ll get a hotel so we can enjoy ourselves.” He kisses my neck. “Group dates outside the city.”
I hug him. “I’m sorry for being bitchy lately.”
“I think you have a right to be. Look at all you’ve been through. How often have you told us that we have a right to feel things?”
“But I don’t have the right to make you guys guess and fix it. That’s not being a good partner.” I sigh.
“And I’ll work on setting boundaries at work. I’m making changes and why shouldn’t I change how things are done? If I can slowly move us away from the illegal activities and more to the protecting and supporting side, those late-night calls may stop altogether.”
“It’ll take time,” I tell myself more than him.
He nods. “Should we meet back at the house so no one messes with your car?”
“Are you sure you won’t get called away?”