Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
TRICK
Laurel catches her breath a little more slowly after an orgasm now.
I wait, knowing there’s a conversation we need to have.
I’m dreading it. Things have been so good between us.
A lot of the time, she greets me with a kiss when I get home, and it never fails to make me happy.
If I’m getting home late because of work, I always bring her flowers.
She says I don’t need to do that, but I know she appreciates the gesture.
Laurel rearranges her pillows, then settles in and closes her eyes.
“Hey, before we go to sleep, there’s something we need to talk about.”
“Oh?” She rolls onto her side to face me. “Okay.” Her fingertips brush my temple, and it makes it even harder to be stern.
“You and Kath rearranged a couple pieces of furniture in the living room.”
“I knew you noticed when you walked by,” she says. “You didn’t say anything.”
“I didn’t want to get into it with her here.”
“Or right before we went to bed either, I guess,” she says, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Yeah, busted. No mood killer topics before I make love to her. I have priorities, and at night and first thing in the morning, sex gets the top spot on the to-do list.
“We agreed you wouldn’t lift heavy things. She didn’t move that couch alone. It’s heavy.”
Her brows crinkle. “I didn’t lift it. Kathleen lifted each corner so I could put a pad underneath and then we slid it.”
“Did she push it alone?”
“No, but it wasn’t very hard to push. I didn’t need to strain.” I must be frowning because she adds, “I swear. If it had been too much, I wouldn’t have done it.”
“There are marks on the floor. It’s heavy enough that you left streaks.”
She sighs. “I’ll take care of it. They’re not scratches.”
“Rosaria will take care of it, not you. That’s what I pay her for.
And the scuffs aren’t the point, Laurelyn.
You say you don’t need me to police your behavior and don’t want me punishing you for things.
I agreed to that on the condition that you don’t blatantly disrespect me by lying or breaking promises.
We made that decision together about your not lifting heavy stuff anymore. ”
Her cheeks color. “I know, but I didn’t lift it.”
“C’mon, babe. Be honest. You knew I wouldn’t like you moving furniture.”
“When I was growing up, my dad just had me and Monet. I helped my dad move furniture a bunch of times. I did all kinds of things. I’m not weak.”
“I know that, but you also weren’t pregnant and late in your second trimester back then.
There are games I’d really like to play with you, but I don’t mess around because I think it’s risky at this stage.
What if you moved furniture and started bleeding?
Even if it wasn’t related, we’d both have to wonder if it was.
If something happens to the baby now, think of how upset we’d be. We’re attached to him.”
She blows out a breath and nods, her eyes brighter than usual. “I promise it wasn’t that heavy, Scott.”
“All right, but I want your promise you won’t do that again.
If you want to see how something looks somewhere else, let me move it for you.
If it’s something big, ‘Vil will walk over, and we’ll do it.
There’s no need for furniture to be dragged over the new wood floors.
I built you this beautiful house, let’s not tear it up in the first few months. ”
“You’re so particular.” Her lips quirk into a smirk. “Also, why would you rather drag Sasha into it, rather than let Kathleen help if she’s already here?”
“You know why.” I let myself smirk, too. “I don’t get why you fight my sexism when it benefits you.”
She laughs and shakes her head.
“The only heavy thing my mom ever carried was a baby. She doesn’t even know how to start the lawnmower.
When I lived in Coins and they were in Boston, I used to get a ride home every weekend in summer to cut the grass until I could afford to pay someone to do it.
She never once suggested I show her how use the mower. ”
Laurel sighs. “That’s not right.”
“Nah, it’s fine. My ma cooked for me and packed up food for me to take. If I brought laundry home, she did that for me. I was raised with an old school division of labor, and that’s pretty ingrained. For me, if my wife’s gotta move furniture herself, I’m a bad husband.”
She rubs my arm and squeezes my bicep. “That’s a little crazy, but if that’s how you feel, yeah, I promise to not to carry anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the rest of my pregnancy.”
“Suits me.” My eyes drift closed.
“Can I ask you something though? Didn’t you ever resent having to figure out a way to get home to cut the lawn? You didn’t drive yet.”
“No, it never bothered me. The only thing I resented was that my dad was dead, and that I couldn’t live with my family anymore.
I liked going home. When I got there, they were happy and excited to see me.
All the noise and activity with four of us in the house felt normal.
If I could’ve moved back in with them, I would’ve. It was too big of a risk, though.”
She kisses me. “Well, soon you’ll be living in a noisy house again.”
“I know. I’m looking forward to it.”
Laurel smiles and then settles back and closes her eyes. Within minutes, we’re both asleep.
When my phone rings, it wakes me. It’s nearly midnight. No one usually calls this late anymore, so I roll onto my side and grab the phone. It’s Zoe. That means trouble for sure, since she never calls me directly.
I swipe to answer. “Hey, Z, what’s going on?”
“Hi, Trick.” She breathes into the phone hard enough for me to hear it.
I sit up, and that causes Laurel to stir too.
My instinct is to tell her to go back to sleep, but I need to hear what’s up first. If there’s trouble, and the crue’s going out to meet it, I may want Laurel in the same house as Rachel and Irina.
It’s probably overkill considering how many guys we have in Coins these days, but ‘Vil and I have an unspoken protocol.
When one of us has to leave town, his wife and kid stay with the other.
“Z, what’s going on?”
“I’m sorry to bother you. It’s just…I’m scared.”
I lean forward. “Talk to me.”
“I’ve been getting messages at the theater, and now someone’s been coming into the apartment. I got permission from the people I’m house-sitting for to change the locks and I did that—but I think he’s been in here again.”
“What did C say?”
“I haven’t told him. He—I think he’s angry with me.”
I don’t know about that, but it’s not the time to discuss it. “The building’s got a doorman, right?”
“No. I was wondering whether you could maybe look into things or tell me who to talk to? I didn’t want to involve the police because I don’t have any real proof. I think they’ll say it’s nothing, but Trick—”
“Have you got a gun in the apartment?”
She draws in a sharp breath. “No. What do I know about guns? I’m a dancer.”
“Okay. Keep the lights on, and stay inside with the doors locked. Text me the address.”
“Are you—what are you planning to do?”
“I’m coming.”
“I didn’t mean for you to come tonight. I just wanted to talk things through with you.”
“We’ll talk about everything when I get there. Text the address.” I end the call.
“What’s going on?” Laurelyn asks.
“Hang on, babe.” I call C.
He answers on the second ring and, not surprisingly, sounds awake. “Hey, what’s up?”
“We’re going to New York. There’s something going on with Zoe. Sounds like a stalker.”
“Is she hurt?” he asks sharply.
“No, just worried.”
There’s a beat. “All right. We can drive to Boston and fly from there.”
“Yeah. I’ll call ‘Vil to let him know we’re going. Since I’m not bringing Laurelyn, can you get a couple guys to watch my house?”
“Of course.”
“I’ll be at your place in twenty.”
“Trick, why am I hearing about a problem of Zoe’s from you?”
“I don’t know. She thinks you’re mad at her. Are you?”
“No. At least I wasn’t until she called you first. I don’t need to hear things through a middleman. She should’ve called me directly.”
I grimace and think about holding back what I need to say next. It wouldn’t be good though to not give him the lay of the land. In his place, I would want to know. “C, she didn’t tell me to call you. She asked for my help, not C Crue’s.”
He’s silent, and I rub the bridge of my nose.
“Your help, huh? Not Anvil’s? Rachel’s her best friend.” There’s a beat. “She didn’t even mention me?” There’s another moment of silence. “Maybe you want to go alone?”
Is he seriously implying I’d take a run at Zoe? There is no fucking way, and he ought to know it. First of all, because she’s his, and second of all, because I’m married.
“I’m not going alone, C. I’m a married man. No strip clubs, no sex clubs, no hanging out alone with other women. If you’re not coming, I’ll take Miller or someone else.”
“Anvil could go.” C’s voice is detached and cool.
I get that C’s pissed that Zoe left him out of the loop. I would be too, but I can’t believe this is how he’s going to play it. In his place, fucking chains couldn’t have held me back from coming to the rescue.
“C, be serious. ’Vil wouldn’t go to New York in the middle of the night to sort things out for Zoe unless you or Rachel asked him to.
And I don’t actually want ‘Vil with me. If Laurelyn’s home alone at night, I want him in the house next door.
” I stand up and go to the dresser to yank a drawer open.
“I called because I figured you’d want in on this.
If you don’t, all right. I guess you and Zoe are over then, and I’ll handle it myself. ”
“No,” he says, his voice hard but resolute. “I’m coming.”
“Good. I’ll give ‘Vil a heads up we’re leaving and head over.” I end the call and mutter, “For fuck’s sake.”
“Scott?”
“Yeah?”
“I trust you. If you need to go to New York alone to help Zoe, it’s ok.”
I walk over to the bed and lean down to kiss her. “I appreciate that. I really do.” I give her another kiss, this one deeper. “Try to go back to sleep, babe. Your body needs the rest.”
“I will,” she says, but she props herself up on some pillows.
“Why do you think she didn’t call Connor?
Rachel says every time Zoe and C are in the same room, they can’t stay away from each other.
You know the night we went to Rachel and Sasha’s for the pool party?
Zoe slept with him that night. Did C tell you? ”
“No, but it doesn’t surprise me.” I zip my jeans and pull on a t-shirt, then strap on my gun.
“I don’t understand why they didn’t resolve this on opening night of the show.
The way they looked at each other could’ve burned down the building.
If this was business, he’d have sorted it out a long time ago. ”
“Relationships are more complicated than business, Scott.”
“They are when you let them become that way.” I shake my head and pull a sweatshirt over my head.
“Zoe’s his, and that’s the way they both like it.
He’s been crazy about her from the first time he laid eyes on her, and she turned out to be the perfect match for him.
That’s a gift. But when he had her, she made it clear she needed a bigger commitment, and he ignored her.
And instead of waiting it out and giving him time to come around, she left.
Now he’s running through girls faster than I’ve ever seen.
I bet he couldn't tell you the names of the women he was with last weekend. C could fix things with Zoe any time he wants, by telling her the truth, which is that she’s the only woman he’s ever been in love with.
Instead they’re fucking around, and, to me, it seems like they’re making things worse instead of better. ”
Her translucent green eyes widen. “I’ve never heard you say anything critical about Connor before.”
I run a hand through my hair and exhale impatiently.
“Yeah, well, the situation’s fucked up. If Zoe was still with C, she’d have a bodyguard with her in New York, and a stalker would never have gotten close enough to scare her.
C would’ve found out and put an end to it immediately.
Instead, I’ve gotta leave my bed in the middle of the night to deal with it.
I don’t like things interfering with our routine.
I only have a little while left before our little guy messes it up for me. ”
She chuckles. “I bet I know which part of our routine you like.”
My smile is slow. “It’s not just the sex. It’s all of it.”
Her smile softens. “Our life is pretty great. I hope Zoe and Connor get that back.”