Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Charlie
Game Night
Charlie: I’m having a game night with my friends…do you think you maybe want to come meet them?
Now that I’m dating Kip, I’m realizing he’s kind of isolated.
I’m an introvert and not at all social, and yet I have more close friends than he does.
He’s such an outgoing guy, but it’s almost like Tyson took up all his social time, and he never had the chance to really connect with anyone else.
And I almost think that isolating Kip was intentional on Tyson’s part, based on how he has acted about Kip dating me.
Kip doesn’t think that Tyson feels anything but friendship, albeit possessive and super controlling friendship.
I don’t buy that. I’ve never in my life had a friend that was that upset about me becoming friends with other people.
That isn’t normal. And let’s say I’m right and Tyson does have romantic feelings for Kip…
even then how possessive he is isn’t normal.
That’s a big fucking red flag. Tyson himself is a walking red flag.
I think that Kip is starting to see that too, which is good.
But, he needs to surround himself with other people, needs to make new friends.
Hence, game night.
Kip: wut kinda games? strip poker? ;)
Charlie: Yeah…no…nobody but me gets to see you naked. We usually play co-op board games, like Zombicide.
Kip: no idea wut that means but, sure. as long as i get to spend time w/ u.
My smile is straight up goofy when Kip confirms that he’ll come with me tonight. It’ll be good for us.
Charlie: I’m bringing a plus one tonight.
Fae: Oooooohhhh. Is it your soulmate? Are we finally going to get to meet him?
Tommy: Idunno…is he cool enough for our circle?
Lukas: Please tell me he’s hot.
Charlie: You all suck.
“Are you sure you’re up to coming with tonight?” I turn towards Kip as we approach Fae and Tommy’s apartment.
“Yeah, baby, it’s fine. Work was rough with Bryant smashing his foot, but I think this’ll be good. I could use some fun. The only thing I will object to is playing Monopoly. There is no way that game could be called fun.”
“Psshttt…maybe you haven’t played Monopoly the right way then.” I counter.
“The only way it could be fun is if you added nudity…and based on your earlier reaction to my suggestion of strip poker…I’m gonna guess you don’t play strip Monopoly either.”
“How about this, tonight when we’re alone, we can play strip whatever you want.”
Kip hums, a dirty smirk on his face. “I like the sound of that. I’m gonna hold you to it.”
“Deal.”
Before I can even raise my fist to knock on the front door, it swings open to reveal Fae with a sadistic smile.
“Why, hello there Charlie and Charlie’s soulmate.” She says sweetly.
“Oh, he told you of my soulmate status, did he?” Kip’s eyes light up as they dart between me and Fae. “I’m honored.”
I roll my eyes. “I did no such thing.”
“Oof, that hurts, baby. Are you saying I’m not your soulmate? Your one and only? The love of your life?” Kip glowers.
“Yeah, Charlie? Is that what you’re saying?” Fae pipes up.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I make to grab Kip’s bicep. “Alright, princess, time to go. This was a bad idea.”
“Princess?” Fae says at the same time that Kip says “No, baby please, I’m just teasing!”
“Fae, are you bothering the poor lovebirds?” Tommy appears in the doorway.
“You’re going to scare him away!” And there’s Lukas. “Charlie’s never had a real boyfriend before. Don’t scare him off!”
I groan. “Why did I think this would be a good idea?”
“I’m having a good time.” Kip chirps.
I shoot him a look, before turning to my friends to glare at them. “Alright, you bitches, you better behave or I’m never bringing Kip around again. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!” Fae salutes.
“I’ll keep her in line, I swear.” Says Tommy.
“We’ll be so good, I promise.” Lukas chimes in.
I sigh, and against my better judgement, pull Kip inside the apartment behind me.
We just finished a round of Mansions of Madness, Lukas is refilling our drinks, and things seem to be going alright.
Despite the initial discomfort caused by Fae and her comments.
I know my friends were just teasing, but Kip and I haven’t even said ‘I love you’ yet, let alone had a talk about being soulmates. Even if I do believe he might be mine.
“Soooooo, Kipper. What are your intentions with our Charlie?” Fae crosses her arms.
Oh fuck, here we go again.
“Well, I’m like one hundred percent sure he’s it for me.” Kip doesn’t even think before answering. “He’s literally perfect. So I guess my intention is to date him until he deems it appropriate for us to get married and live happily ever after?”
I’m in the midst of taking a sip of my newly open cider when he responds, and I choke.
Kip pats my back. “You alright there, sweetheart?”
Coughing, “Y-Yeah…” I clear my throat. “Uhhh…do you think maybe this is a conversation we should have in private first?”
“I don’t see why we can’t have it here. My thoughts are the same either way. I’d marry you fucking tomorrow if you wanted. I’d even turn you into a va—”
I slap my hand over Kip’s mouth, cutting him off.
“Turn him into a what?” Lukas asks, his face screwed up in confusion.
“Yeah, let’s finish that sentence.” Fae quips.
“He uhhh…he was gonna say…” Fuck, how do I salvage this? Kip literally almost came out as a vamp to my friends!
“What I was going to say before you rudely interrupted me, sweetheart, was ‘I’d even turn you into a very happy house husband’, if that’s what you wanted.” Kip shoots me a wink and mouths ‘I got you.’
A manic laugh escapes me. “Yup, a very happy house husband. That’s what he was going to say. Because you know, I’ve always wanted to take on that role. Cleaning, cooking, waiting on my husband, you know, that sort of thing.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Tommy asks.
“You’ve literally never said that.” Interjects Fae.
“In fact, I’m pretty sure you’ve made fun of that idea before.” says Lukas.
I cough. “Uhh, no. You must’ve misheard. I’ve always wanted to be a house husband. It’s my number one dream in life, actually. Why work and all that when I could wait on Kip? Yep…”
All three of my friends eye each other, and then both Kip and I.
“Anywayyyy, who’s ready for another game?” I change the subject.
I can’t even process the idea that Kip wants to turn me right now. I haven’t really thought about it to be honest. We’re still so…new. I mean, I know how I feel. And apparently Kip feels the same way about me…but…eternal life? I don’t know how to process that.
“So uhh…what you said back there with my friends…did you mean it?” My heart is beating so hard I can hear it pounding in my ears. Since Kip mentioned marriage and turning me I haven’t been able to think of anything else.
And now that the situation with the council is dealt with, we no longer have to worry about anything but living our lives…
together. I mean, that’s what I would like.
I never thought I’d be with someone like Kip.
He’s my opposite in every way. But I actually like that.
Where I’m a grumpy asshole, he’s pure sunshine.
He lights up my world. Now that I have him, I don’t know that I could go back to before. That sounds so fucking depressing.
“I’m not really the type to bullshit. I usually mean what I say. I like to think I’m a pretty straight-forward dude.” Kip squeezes my hand.
The elevator in his apartment building ascends floor by floor. I really hope Tyson isn’t here tonight. And if he is, I’d rather get this conversation done without his eavesdropping.
“Okay, but like…you said you wanted to marry me. And you almost said…”
Kip grimaces, and my heart drops.
He takes a look at my expression, and immediately grips my cheeks to look me in the eye.
“No, baby. I winced because I’m a dumbass who almost revealed my vampirism to a group of humans.
That’s like supernatural community rule number one.
And I’m too fucking pretty to end up back in the council’s basement jail. ”
A breath of relief whooshes from my lungs. “You are very pretty.”
“Yes, I—”
The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. Standing on the other side is Tyson. Fucking great.
“Fucking great.” Tyson groans, as if reading my mind. “I’m so glad I’m leaving for the night. I figured you’d bring him back here and fill the apartment with his horrible screeching, I mean ‘moaning’.”
“Good riddance.” I mutter.
Tyson pushes past us into the elevator, slamming his fist into the button to make the door close.
Once he’s out of sight I relax. “Ugh, I fucking hate that guy.”
“He never used to be like that. He used to be a good guy. Or I guess I thought he was.” Kip seems sad. I guess that makes sense, given he lost the person he thought was his best friend.
The apartment door closes behind us, and I use the opportunity to run my palms along Kip’s pecs, pushing him back against the door.
“Let’s forget about him. I’d like to finish our conversation.” I look up at him through my eyelashes.
Kip huffs. “He just pisses me off. I wish he’d stop treating you like that. I fucking hate it.”
I grip his chin, tilting his head down to meet my gaze. “No one can control his actions but himself. All we can do is not give him the power to bother us.” I brush my lips over Kip’s softly. “Now answer my question from before, princess.”
Kip’s eyes focus on mine. They’re hypnotizing, swirling seas of silver framed by long blond lashes.
“I meant what I said. I’d marry you tonight if you wanted me to. And I’d turn you too. Anything you want from me, you can have it.”
My breath hitches. “Really?”
“Of course. I know it hasn’t been that long, okay? I get that this is nuts. But I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. It’s like my soul calls to yours. They just fit. We’re bonded, Charlie. We both know it. I don’t know how, or why. But it’s true.”