13. Veronica
Chapter thirteen
Veronica
Flirty transactions.
~ Three Days Later ~
“You’re not going to Noah and Gabe’s today?” Aubrey asks as she steps into her shoes and grabs her purse from the small rectangular table by the entrance.
“What’s the matter? Were you getting used to having the place to yourself?” I laugh from my spot on the couch before pausing the show I was watching. “And for your information, no. I thought a day off was much overdue.”
She giggles. “You have been spending a lot of time there, much more than what you originally agreed to.” There’s a hint of suspicion in her smirk, but she doesn’t voice it.
“Exactly why I’m staying home today, giving myself a bit of me time.”
The truth is, after what happened with the twins three days ago, I really needed a moment alone to think about everything.
I also feel like something shifted in Gabriel’s mind after our kiss.
He’s still being his usual flirty and charming self, but every once in a while he goes quiet whenever I’m giving Noah attention.
I’m not sure if it’s a jealousy thing, which would be weird since they’ve always shared girls and I shouldn’t be any different, but that’s what it feels like, and I hate it.
I don’t want either of them to be jealous of each other; I certainly don’t want to cause a rift in their friendship when I still don’t know exactly what’s happening between us.
I also think Gabe knows I kissed Noah before him, which would explain the hint of jealousy he’s experiencing.
I’m not sure if it’s Noah who told him or if he just figured it out, but I wish he wouldn’t feel this way.
I don’t see it as who I kissed first or who I want more; it was just a spur-of-the-moment reaction with both.
When Gabe and I were in the home gym, I wanted him just as much as I wanted Noah in that parking lot. And if I wasn’t still so confused with my thoughts and feelings involving them, I would have let Gabriel have me entirely against that mirror.
“You’re heading to work already?” I frown. It’s only ten in the morning, and she isn’t supposed to start until three.
Aubrey sighs with her hand on the door handle. “Yup, one of the girls working the day shift claimed having a stomachache and left before even giving me time to find a replacement, so I need to go in.”
“Ugh, that sucks. Well, I hope it turns out to be a slow day and that you get to just sit back and relax. You deserve some time off, too.”
She laughs and pulls the door open. “Isn’t that why we’re going on vacation next week?”
“It is, but why not add an extra day to it?” I wink and blow her a kiss.
She smiles and shakes her head. “Well, you have fun on your day off. I’ll see you later. Love you.”
“Love you, too!” I call back right before she steps out and closes the door behind her.
I press play on the TV remote and sit back against the couch, trying to pay attention to the show playing, but my eyes keep drifting to my phone.
I pick it up and tap into my messages with Gabe.
Even though we have a group chat going with all three of us, I like sending each special little messages individually once in a while.
Me
What are you doing?
Husband #1
Just lying in bed in the spare room where the sheets still smell like you. It’s amazing, almost as if you were right here with me.
Me
Oh my God! No, you’re not, and no, they don’t! I washed those a few days ago.
Husband #1
Damn, you caught me.
Husband #1
The better question is, what are you doing texting me out of the blue? I thought you wanted the day off?
Husband #1
Would you happen to be missing me, my little Vixen?
I laugh with an eye roll and text back my reply.
Me
Shut up.
Husband #1
I’ll take that as a yes.
Husband #1
So… What are you up to?
Me
Just watching a show, might ask one of the girls if they want to go shopping or something… and MAYBE I was thinking about you a bit.
Husband #1
I like when you think of me.
I can practically feel his wide and happy grin through the phone right now.
Me
I’m sure you do.
Husband #1
You know what else I like?
Me
I’m pretty sure I have a good idea, but I’m going to stop you right there, Pretty Boy. Stop being naughty.
Husband #1
Okay! Fine.
Husband #1
But you should definitely go shopping. Go treat yourself to some sexy outfits, and you know, don’t hesitate to send me pictures if you aren’t sure. I was told I give very good advice.
Me
We’ll see.
I exit our messages and go through my contacts, deciding to call Emma. She’s been dealing with a lot lately, and I think a little shopping session would do her some good. I press the call button and set her on speakerphone as I get up and wander into my room to get dressed.
“Hey, babe,” her quiet voice comes through the phone along with a tiny sniffle, which is very telling of her current mood. Emma is never quiet.
“Hey, you okay?” If she’s crying right now, there’s only one reason for that, and it breaks my heart to think about.
“Yeah… I just left the hospital. It was a rough day, but I don’t really want to talk about that because then I’ll start crying again and spiral, and we all know how that goes…” She clears her throat, sniffles again, then takes a deep breath. “So yeah, what’s up?”
“I get it. No talking about that.” I force a small smile even though she doesn’t see me. “I was just calling to see if you were busy and maybe wanted to go shopping with me.”
“You know what, shopping sounds really amazing right now and would definitely cheer me up. Grey went to the water park with Little Tulip, so I’ve got some free time on my hands. Want me to pick you up?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Good. See you in a bit, babe.” She hangs up and I quickly move to my closet, picking out my outfit of the day before attacking my hair and makeup next.
Twenty minutes later, I step out of my building and climb into Emma’s SUV. “Surprised you aren’t with the twins today,” Emma says with a smirk the moment I shut the car door.
“You do know I have my own life, right? One that doesn’t revolve around them.” I narrow my eyes to slits while buckling myself in.
“Could have fooled me,” she mumbles as I smack her arm and she laughs.
“No, but seriously, babe, talk to me. How are things really going with them? You three seemed pretty cozy after the big win, but well, I know they can be… a lot to handle, certainly when it involves you.” Emma shifts in her seat slightly to look at me.
We’re still parked outside my place rather than driving away like I thought we were going to do.
I mean, the whole point of going shopping was to try and take my mind off the whole Noah and Gabe thing.
But I know this is Emma’s caring nature taking over, and she won’t move from here until I reassure her that everything is fine.
I sigh and lean back against my seat. “It’s… going. We may have had a little moment the other day, but—”
“I’m going to cut you off right there. You are not permitted to say ‘it means nothing’ at any point today. I get that it’s scary sometimes feeling things we didn’t expect, but saying it doesn’t mean anything diminishes the value it may have and will only hurt you in the end.”
I roll my eyes at her and giggle. “What I was going to say before you interrupted me is that now I feel even more confused than I did before. As much as I hate to admit it, you girls were right. Gabe and Noah are truly great guys, they’re amazing…”
“But?” She tilts her head to the side, eyes roaming over all my features.
“But I’m terrified of letting myself venture down that road,” I admit while looking out the windshield.
“You’re afraid of getting hurt again,” she whispers with a knowing look.
“Yeah… something like that.” It’s more than just about getting hurt.
It’s about learning to trust again, something I swore I’d never do.
I turn my head to the side, finding her eyes still solely focused on me.
“When you broke up with Tommy and started seeing Greyson, how did you just move on from all the shit he did to you?”
She chuckles and leans back against her seat.
“I didn’t, at least, not entirely. I was over Tommy, that was for sure, but that fear of being hurt again still lingered even if I pretended it didn’t.
Eventually, Wolf showed me that I could trust him with my heart, not necessarily through words but through actions, and slowly it made it easier to just… let it happen.”
I sigh. “I wish it could be that simple.” Doing that would mean letting my relationship with Noah and Gabe evolve and dropping all my walls. But how am I supposed to do that when I don’t think I’m even capable of letting them down long enough to try?
“You know, it’s not really about moving on from what this person did to you, it’s about letting go of the pain it caused you.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?” I raise a brow.
“No.” Em giggles quietly. “One is a physical event that took place, while the other is an emotional one. You’ve already moved on from the situation.
What you haven’t moved on from is the emotions that came from it.
Once you’re able to let go of that emotion still holding you captive, facing your fears will be a lot easier.
” She reaches out and places her hand over mine.
“Although if I’m being honest with you, Ronnie, I think you’re already letting go without even realizing it. ”
“Look at you being all wise and shit. It’s like you just channeled your inner Morgan and Aubrey in one sitting.” I snort when she throws her head back and laughs.
“I know, right? Grey would be proud of me for being so serious for longer than five minutes.” A dazzling grin spreads over her lips as she takes my hand in hers, her smile turning tender.
“But seriously, you know you can always talk to us about anything, right? We’re here for you, Ronnie, and we’d never judge you, no matter what it is. ”