Jax: Once you name yourself the emperor of aloof, you throw the aloofness out the fucking window.
Me: Look who joined the chat with snarky insight today. Smoking some witty pot this evening, Jax? I’m wearing gray joggers and nothing else. How’s that for aloofness?
Cash: That’s what I’m fucking talking about. Girls eat that up.
Jax: I think this shit might actually be making me smarter. Or you’re just in a really bad way, and Cash is punking you.
Jax: Regardless, I’m rarely the voice of reason, but an entire plan hinging on gray joggers isn’t a solid long-game move. Ryker is the only one with experience in this department. His advice holds more weight.
Ryker: Fucking wisdom.
Axel: Gray joggers as any type of strategy is moronic.
Cash: I was completely serious. Don’t underestimate the power of gray joggers.
Cash: And if Mad is looking to lock Tessa down by the time he’s in his fifties, Ryker’s the man to lead him that way. How to close a goddamn deal in two decades.
Ryker: Once given the proper opportunity, I came in under a month.
Axel: Again, TMI. I’m resigning from head of the family. You were all easier as teenagers. These text threads are excruciating.
Ryker: *Came in at* but also, yeah. lol
Cash: Ryker’s methods only work if Mad is ready to track Tessa’s every move.
Me: Been there, done that.
Axel: This escalated quickly from getting to know each other. What changed?
Me: I don’t know, but I was stressed this morning, and the only thing I could imagine calming me was her face. So, Icrashed a private event she was at just so I could see her.
Me: I’m a fucking clinger.
Ryker: Make it work for you. Obsession is attractive with the right person.
Cash: I’m gonna go with a big fat *no, it isn’t,* so keep how gone you are under wraps.
Jax: I’d identify her crazy and bond over it. Mutual insanity is sexy. Better than therapy.
Me: I’ll back-pocket that too. Regardless, she’s my jackpot. I feel it.
Axel: Does she?
Me: I think so, but she doesn’t want to.
Ryker: Do whatever it takes to show her why she should.
Me: On it. Rooftop is in use.
I close out the chat, unwilling to field the mixed response to Tessa being in the penthouse. That’s the action that backs up everything I just admitted to, so I’ll let them soak it in.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I’m headed back upstairs, and my face twists into a scowl. It’s an end-to-end encrypted call, so I know the news isn’t good. I want to tune out the world and simply bask in having Tessa here.
We took a shower and ate dinner a couple of hours ago. Then we chatted about music before I made her come on my tongue until she was so spent that she passed out. She’s so angelic when she’s sleeping. I held her in my arms while she snuggled into my side—another first for me. With every even breath she expelled, I became more certain that she was right where she belonged.
When she woke up, she mentioned going home and that she’d like to grab some doughnuts on the way. So, I promptly led her out to the rooftop entertainment area and had Brasi meet me in one of the passageways with a box of her favorites.
I’ve been with her all day, and it still pains me to stop for this call, but I can’t avoid it.
