Valerie sighs. “I’m behind on homework now.”
“Because of all the worrying?” I ask, exchanging a look with Lief.
How did we let her deal with this for so long? We should have known when she wasn’t pouncing on us whenever she had the opportunity. We should have known when the venom left her sass. Or when she started hiding away to do homework and write her essays instead of asking us to help her study.
“We’ve been shit boyfriends,” I tell her.
“No, you’ve been busy, just like I have been. I haven’t even really talked to Sophie since last week.”
“We should visit, yes?” Lief asks.
“I only have one class next Friday. I’d be home by noon, would that give us enough time?” She looks between us.
“Hell yes. Means we can have you Friday night. I’ll get you all worked up on the plane, Lief and Chase can put you in those gorgeous positions before we bust out the rope and make up for this last sexless week.” I wink at her.
We keep planning it out until she’s laughing and trying to cuddle us both. She slumps between our bodies and yawns. “Can I sleep with one of you tonight? I’m tired of the nightmares.”
Lief looks at me and I shrug. He brushes her hair from her eyes. “What nightmares, pet?”
“So much death. Damn acrylic nails.”
That’s all we get before she’s asleep. Chase comes home about an hour later, opens his mouth, then sees Lief and I shushing him as quietly as possible. He eyes Valerie and his face softens. “Everything okay?”
“It finally burst out of her. She’s been repressing so much.” I pet her back and she hums.
“What do you mean, repressing?” Chase looks as exhausted as Valerie.
I know our father has been running him ragged. It’s a tactic. I’ve been enjoying the lack of attention, but Chase has never had to deal with Father’s eyes on him and only him. I’m sure he’s getting constant lessons, constantly being told what he’s doing wrong, being told that all the demands and rudeness are for his own good.
“She hasn’t been sassy, she’s been collected and cool. She’s been swallowing all the parts of her she thinks are problematic.” I answer. “Looks like you’re doing the same around our father.”
“He’s just so demanding. There’s always more I need to do. I’m never doing enough or doing it right. It’s ... wearing thin.” Chase watches me nod. “Is this what you were dealing with in high school and college?”
“Welcome to the circle of favorite child. It sucks and there are only two options. Tell him to fuck off or fall in line. That’s it. Every time you give even an inch, he’ll run with it next time.”
Chase nods and yawns. “Damn Gala. I should have told him it’s not going to happen.”
“Too late now,” Lief murmurs. “you should sleep.”
“My phone isoffas of right now. I made that clear to everyone. From nine o’clock at night to six o’clock in the morning, I’m not available.”
I groan as my phone vibrates. Chase arches his eyebrow and Valerie makes a soft sound before worming closer to Lief. I glare at my brother. “That means they’re all going to call me and text me to get to you.”
“If that’s how they’re handling it, then they don’t get to complain about us sharing Valerie. It’s keeping us living together.”
“They’ll say it’s because of her that you aren’t at the mansion like we used to be.” Lief corrects. “We’re meeting my parents tomorrow night for dinner. All of us.”
Chase blinks. “The night before the gala?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure you don’t want that to be just you and Valerie?”
“Yes.” Lief narrows his eyes. “I don’t lie to my parents.”
Chase grits his teeth. “You and I have different situations and you know it!”
“No yelling.” Valerie turns and points at us. “I finally get sleep without nightmares and there’s yelling. Lief, stop picking. Chase, stop assuming the worst and take a nap. Hunter ... you’ve been in Chase’s position, so have a little empathy.”