It doesn’t have to be permanent. But the predicament will only get more intense the longer everyone thinks I’m giving myself to Adam.
Betz pulls on my arm to get out of the way. “Come on, then,” she says. “Don’t have the entire club ogling you.”
Fine words for her to say, given she made me wear this getup. We retreat to the living room.
It’s time for me to get some things straight. “So, if Adam does this thing you all want him to do, does that mean I’m not a house mouse anymore? Do I have to leave?”
“No,” she says. “If you two become a couple, you can stay and help around until you figure out if you’ll be his old lady. Just don’t become a bunny. Bunnies are toys, and they don’t live here.”
I’d asked about Adam, but I assumed the same would be true for Merrick. But Adam had moved into the club. That might make a difference.
“Would I sleep in his room?”
“Yeah,” Betz said, rolling her eyes like I’m thick as floor tile. “I’d think you’d want to. Those bunkhouse beds suck.”
“What if he moved out? Could I stay here?”
“You’d have to take that up with Iron Jack. It’s not typical for a mouse with a boyfriend outside of the clubhouse to live here. You wouldn’t be helping much, I figure, if you’re sleeping in his bed somewhere else.”
“I see.” So, I am stuck if I choose Merrick. I couldn’t just mess around with him. He’d have to take me in. Or I’d have to live somewhere else.
Unless they don’t know.
But letting them know would be the only way to get Adam to back off.
How did I get myself into this mess?
Maybe Merrick would move into the clubhouse for me? Then I could stay, too?
Despite the predicament, I don’t regret coming here. I’m going to talk to my graduate adviser soon about using the Wild Hair for my thesis.
And it has gotten me closer to Merrick. I wouldn’t have made any headway otherwise.
But now I’m stuck if I want him, particularly if I’m supposed to be with Adam.
And speaking of the redhead, he steps into the living room. “Thought I might eat with you.”
Betz jumps up from the sofa. “Step right up,” she says. “Do all the things. As soon as possible.”
I ignore her.
Adam sits next to me. “You’re not eating?”
“A mouse can’t eat until everyone else is done.”
He holds out his plate. “Good thing I got extra.”
Well, that’s sweet. I take one of the skewers. “Thank you.”
I slide the potato off the end. It’s well seasoned and savory. Sometimes Betz can pull off something decent.
Adam swallows a bite. “Do we always get fed this well?”
“Mostly. But sometimes it’s just sandwiches. Betz was feeling frisky in the kitchen today. I think it had to do with the way things went down on Wednesday.”
He nods. “I guess you know the next showdown is Thursday night.”
Of course, I didn’t. “Are you involved?”
