“Thanks.”
I leave her to it for a minute, glad she came out of her room. She isn’t actively avoiding me.
I grab a couple of Dr. Peppers from the fridge and head back to the living room, placing them on the table. I look up to see how she’s doing and feel my eyes widening at her killstreak. “Holy fuck, chestnut. I thought you said you only played this once or twice.”
She smirks at me. “What can I say? Sometimes I like to run around and shoot men without having to worry about getting arrested for it.”
I throw my head back and laugh at her candor, then watch as she dominates the fucking game. By the time she’s finished, my cock is so hard it’s painful.
I turn toward her slightly as she grabs one of the cans, and take a risk. “You up for talking?”
She sighs but doesn’t immediately shut me down.
“You can tell me to fuck off if I ask something you don’t want to answer,” I add, making her grin.
“Alright.”
“You want your pain pills first? I know you’re due.”
“I’m okay for now. I don’t want to take them until I need them. The last thing I want is to become reliant on them.”
As much as I don’t like the thought of her being in pain, I don’t push. She’s a grown woman. She can make her own decisions regarding her body.
“Alright, go ahead.” She tenses, but I keep my posture relaxed, hoping it will make her do the same.
“Why’d you leave?”
“I don’t like being backed into a corner. You gave me no choice in coming here, and I’m really tired of having my choices taken away from me.”
“Would you have agreed to come if I asked?” I already know the answer. I just wonder if she’ll admit it.
“No, of course not, but that doesn’t mean you get to force me just because you don’t like the word no.”
I wince because she’s right. And yet there is a part of me that knows I’d do it all over again. Having her mad beside me is a million times better than having her happy with someone else. Fuck, I’m every inch the prick she thinks I am.
“So what changed?”
“Legs asked me to stay.”
I blink at that. “Legs asked you to stay, and you agreed?”
She sighs. “She told me I could stay here or with her and Midas.”
I laugh. “And I’m the lesser of two evils.”
“Something like that. The baby will be here soon, and this is the last time they’ll get some alone time together for a while. I don’t want to take that from them.”
“Well, their loss is my gain, so I’m not complaining.”
“Somehow I didn’t think you would.”
I grin, grabbing my can and taking a sip, watching as she does the same.
I lick my lips, thinking about how to say this next part without making her want to run a mile.
“I don’t regret what happened between us. Not one little bit. Today’s been the best day of my fucking life because of it. I understand you have reservations. I’d be worried if you didn’t. I’m asking you not to shut me out. You have worries—talk to me about them. I promise I’m listening.”
She continues to drink, but I know she’s using the moment to get her thoughts in order.
