Chapter 23 #2
“Room for one more?” I look up and see a White woman wearing a pink dress walk over to us. My eyes go to the burn scars around her bicep and spreading onto her chest.
“Shit, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.” Andre gets up, hugging her tight. “This is my agent, Jess . . . Jess, this is my best friend Vanessa, and this is Grey’s boyfriend Felix.”
Her brows rise with a mischievous smile, and I stand, shaking her hand. “Hi.”
“Well, damn. Grey goes out on medical and he comes back with a boyfriend.” She smiles and then eyes Vanessa. “And you are fucking gorgeous. Look at that dress.”
Vanessa smiles with her glass to her lips. “You look lovely as well.”
Jessica preens, taking a sip of the martini she has. “I just got in and wanted to check out the fishing pond.” She looks back. “How are you doing?” She slaps Andre’s thigh. “Are we excited? Who could have seen this coming?”
“I saw this coming.” Vanessa smirks, taking another sip of her water, her lipstick not smearing one bit. “In fact, I called Oli on this.”
“What?” Andre asks with a laugh.
“I told him there was more to his hatred. Guess he finally figured out why you turn his lights on.”
“Oh honey, I turn more than his lights on.” Andre winks.
Jessica laughs then looks at me. “So, Felix, how long have you and Grey been together? I haven’t seen him in a while. I hope he’s doing well.”
“Oh uh, it’s only been a couple of months. We um. It’s new. I uh—”
“Felix has been taking care of Grey while he’s recovering,” Andre adds.
“Good. That man needs someone to keep him in line. I know he’s not coming back, but he’s also not dead yet either. Sometimes you have to pivot.”
“He’s gotten a lot better.” I smile. “He’s healing well, actually.” Warmth heats my cheeks.
“Aw, look how red you are. So cute.” Vanessa pouts her lip. “So, what did you do before helping Grey?”
“Ow!” Jessica snaps.
“Oh shit, sorry. I meant to kick her shin,” Andre says sheepishly. Jessica glares, leaning down to rub her leg. “Please don’t hurt me. I have plans for my balls this week.”
“Gross.” Vanessa chuckles into her glass. “And why did you try to kick me?”
His eyes swing to me as he opens his mouth, but I’m alright. I feel okay talking about it, I think.
“It’s okay,” I tell Andre. I know he gets it, to a point.
I feel comfortable here with them. “I’d just gotten out of an abusive relationship before I met Grey.
” Both Vanessa and Jessica’s eyes flick to Andre’s.
He looks right at me, and there’s this understanding that flows between us.
“I’m actually married. I left. I um, got the job taking care of Grey, and it kind of just grew from there. ”
“Wow.” Vanessa sips her drink. “That’s amazing. I’m really happy you got out of that. It couldn’t have been easy.” I smile at her, and I notice Jessica looking down at her drink uncomfortably, then she drains the rest of it.
“You alright?” I ask her.
“Yeah.” She plasters on a fake smile. “That’s absolutely incredible.” Andre throws his arm around her, rubbing her bicep right over the burn scars that decorate her arm. She looks at him gratefully, patting his chest as his arm falls from her. “That’s not easy, I know.”
“You do?”
She nods. “I went through something similar. In my early twenties. Left with this souvenir . . .” She points to her shoulder.
“As well as a new outlook on the world, and the reminder that not every pretty face has good intentions.” She points to her arm.
“It’s hard to see the good after experiencing something so horrible, so I’m really happy you’ve let yourself be loved. It’s not easy.”
Andre hugs her close, and she smiles gratefully. “I’m really happy. Sometimes I think too happy. I—” My chest tightens. I trust them. I think so, anyway. “I care about him a lot, but I’m afraid.”
“It takes a while to rewire your brain. Hell, I’m still rewiring it.
It makes a difference if you have people to help keep everything in place.
” Vanessa reaches out to squeeze Andre’s hand.
“I’m not saying I know exactly what you’re going through, or that I know what you need, but .
. . talk to someone. It’s the best advice I can give you.
No amount of love Grey can give you can ever replace the love you give yourself. ”
It’s something I’ve thought about, but the thing is, I have so many other things to worry about that taking the time to really help myself hasn’t been on my radar.
My focus is Grey’s healing and making sure this split with Steven stays permanent.
I’d be stupid to think he’s going to leave me alone without a fight.
“You have people. We’re your people now.” Andre smiles, his hazel eyes bright. Sweat still beads around his hairline with his curly brown hair up in a messy bun.
Vanessa nods. “And if there’s one thing about us, we won’t let you backslide.
Even if I’m far away.” She taps her phone, sliding it to me.
“Put your number in.” I take it slowly, unsure, but put my new number into her phone.
She smiles when I give it back then texts me.
“There. Anytime you need to talk, don’t hesitate. ”
“I don’t want to bother you with my shit.” She doesn’t need that burden.
“Oh no.” Andre takes a sip of his drink. “She loves being in people’s shit.” She slaps his arm. “And I’m so damn grateful.” He kisses her cheek.
“I’m feeling a little left out here.” Jessica laughs into her nearly gone martini, and both Vanessa and Andre lean in to kiss her cheek. “Best damn agent around.”
“You got that right.” She laces her manicured nails around her glass. My eyes slide to her scar, and a sad smile slips onto her lips. “I’m okay.” She smiles softly. “Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ve only known Grey a short time, but Oli loves him to death,” Andre reassures. “He’s always been there for him. They really got close after Grey’s mom died. Grey is the guy you call when you need help. He always has his friends’ and family’s back.”
Jessica nods. “Grey is the real deal. He’s incredibly kind and patient. Sometimes a little growly.” She laughs. “But he’s a good man. You’re safe with him.”
Having this confirmation means more than they could ever know.
Yet something they say sticks with me. Grey bought that house to give his family a place to live worry free.
He took care of his sister when she had Lianna, stepping into the role left by her father.
He helped his mother while her health declined.
Despite his insane schedule, he was always there for his friends and his family.
Everything is starting to make sense. Grey keeps doing things before he’s ready.
Even when his knee won’t allow, he has this drive to keep going, an impatience and frustration at not being able to do things on his own.
Then there’s the things he craves in the bedroom.
Being told what to do. Giving up control. Worshiping his body.
Grey craves being taken care of for a change.
And I want to be the one to care for him.