33. Veronica
Chapter thirty-three
Veronica
Silas’s bathroom… again.
After redressing, we walk out of the library hand in hand, and all feels right in the world. That is until we emerge into the kitchen, and I spot Noah sitting alone in the living room with a glass in his hands.
“You’re still here?” Gabe asks Noah as he heads for the fridge. “Are you hungry, baby?” he questions next, looking over his shoulder.
“Famished.” I smile, then look over to Noah. “He’s sulking because I took away his car privileges.”
“Ouch…” Gabe chuckles, then gets to work on preparing us breakfast. Or I should say lunch since it seems to be noon already.
I watch the blissful smile on his lips as he moves around, and it makes my heart pound even louder in the best possible way. It’s crazy how three simple little words can completely change your mood. But I get it, because hearing him say them to me lit me up like a firecracker.
With a sigh, I head over to Noah. I’ve fixed one situation today; it’s time I fixed this one too. Once in front of him, I grab the Scotch glass from between his fingers, walk back over to the kitchen, and dump it in the sink. He doesn’t say anything, but I feel his glare on my back the whole time.
I lift onto the tips of my toes and kiss Gabe’s cheek. “I’m going to clean up quickly and get dressed, I’ll be right back,” I tell him, feeling his cum leaking from my core.
I hurry up the stairs and into Noah’s bathroom, clean between my legs with a warm washcloth, then dress in my usual thigh-high black socks. But instead of a skirt, I pair it with light-blue denim short shorts, a black sports bra, and a baggy gray crop top that falls off one shoulder.
I slip my feet into black laced-up platform stiletto ankle boots, then head back into the bathroom to do my makeup and hair.
I apply some concealer over my neck, trying to hide the marks as best as I can, then go through my usual routine and finish with a double-winged purple eyeliner and a dark pinkish-purple matte lipstick.
From there, I decide to separate my hair in half, leaving the bottom loose and tying the top into two buns over my head.
I leave a few strands framing my face and slightly curl the bottom portion of my hair.
It’s grown a lot since my last cut before our vacation and now passes my shoulder blades.
I hadn’t realized how much I missed my long hair until now.
Happy with my look, I return downstairs to the delicious aromas of Gabe’s fine cooking. But my mood instantly sours when I notice Noah now has a new tumbler in hand as he sits on one of the barstools at the kitchen island with his legs spread, one foot propped up on the footrest.
His back is to me, so he doesn’t get the joy of witnessing my reaction, but Gabe does.
He offers me a tight smile and returns to plating our food.
I march over to Noah and snatch the drink from his hand with force, nearly spilling some over the rim.
And once again, head to the sink to dump it down the drain.
“Veronica…” he warns.
I set the glass down on the counter with a loud clank and turn back to him. “Do not ‘Veronica’ me. That’s enough, Noah. It stops now.”
He rubs his palms into his eyes. “It’s not that simple,” he mutters quietly.
I walk over to him, standing between his thighs and taking hold of his wrists as I force his gaze back on mine.
“I know it’s not that simple, but you can find another coping mechanism.
One that won’t ruin your life. Because I won’t stop, if I have to keep dumping that toxic shit down the drain for the next fifty years, then that’s what I’m going to do.
Because I love you, Noah, and I won’t let you kill yourself.
I won’t let you wreck what we have. And continuing down this path you’ve taken, will. ”
He looks down at my hands still holding onto his. “I don’t know how to stop them… I don’t know how to quiet those voices in my head reminding me that I’ve lost everything,” he whispers.
I cradle his face and bring his eyes back up, getting even closer. “Then we’ll get you help, Noah. Both of you,” I say, turning to look at Gabe, then back at Noah.
“I have a therapy session in two hours, and I’d like you both to attend it with me.
And starting tomorrow, we’re gonna go on your morning run together.
Just you and me. You’ll also start working out again, because you have less than a month before training camp, and we need to get you back into shape. ”
A small smirk appears on his lips. “You’re going to run and work out with me?” he says it like it’s the most unrealistic thing he’s ever heard.
I press my hand to my chest, clutching my invisible pearls, and feign offense. I then climb onto his lap, feet dangling between his legs, and throw my arms around his neck. “I’ll let you know that I know very well how to jog and work out.”
His smile grows as his hand rests on my lower back and the other on my thigh. “That doesn’t mean you’re any good at it.”
“Oh, you are just looking for trouble, aren’t you?” I laugh softly. “I guess that makes me lucky to have two men who will teach me how to do it right.” I grin at him, then bring one hand back to caress his cheek. “Thank you for not fighting me on this.”
“I’m not saying I won’t be tempted, but I’ll try. For you, I’ll try.” He kisses the inside of my wrist.
“And I’ll be tempted to keep dumping your drink.” I graze his lips delicately with my own.
“By the way…” he starts.
“Yes?” I pull back slightly, looking into the depth of his deep chocolate eyes.
He places a strand of hair behind my ear and smiles, his eyes tracking his movements before coming back to my blues. “I love you, too, Veronica,” he says softly, and my heart explodes.
I crush my lips to his, pouring all my soul into it as our tongues collide.
I’ve missed him so much, and I’m overjoyed to see him smile again, to have him holding me, wanting me.
I know the next few days won’t be easy; that he might withdraw some more until we find the right outlet for him.
But I’ll stick by his side the whole way. I won’t let him run anymore.
We eventually come up for air, and I find Gabe grinning behind us. “What’s that smile for?” I laugh.
“Just happy to see us back to this place. Plus, I feel like we’re making some good progress to baby-making season.” He winks and sets our plates along the kitchen island.
I jump off Noah’s lap. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Pretty Boy. This factory is closed for business.” I pat my belly.
“Closed permanently? Or temporarily?” He beams as Noah shakes his head. God, I’ve missed this carefree behavior between us.
“We’ll say temporarily, but that doesn’t mean I’m anywhere close to wanting a baby.” I point at Gabe. I’ll admit that the thought of having a child with these two is a pretty appealing image.
“Did you hear that, Noh? She said temporarily, which means we’ll be dads sometime soon.” He sits down two stools over from Noah.
I lift my arms, gaping at him. “I just said… You know what, never mind. Clearly, whatever I say goes in through one ear and out the other.” I shake my head and settle in between them.
“That’s not true, I remember you telling me you loved me.” He winks again, gaining an eye roll from me.
A thought comes to mind that I know will quickly diminish his cockiness. “Oh, I forgot to mention something earlier.”
“What is it?” Noah gives me his attention.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news.” I force a sad pout.
“What news? Did that asshole try to contact you again?” Gabe jumps into the conversation, sounding a bit distressed.
I place my hand above his that rests on the black marble surface.
I love the contrast of this kitchen with the pure white cabinets and black countertops.
“No, nothing like that. Victor hasn’t made any appearance since the one in this penthouse.
Which is starting to stress me out a bit, but let’s not focus on that right now. ” I smile reassuringly.
I take my hand back from Gabe’s, placing it in my lap as I look from one to the other with a sweet smile that holds just a touch of mischief. “You remember those rules I talked about when I first started working here?”
Gabe’s eyes widen in horror as Noah drops his head and groans. “No…” Gabe whispers. “Oh God… no… please not that again!”
I sigh. “I’m afraid so. Noah, you’ve been leaving everything lying around all week. And Gabe, there’s a pile of clothes on the floor in your walk-in.” I pat both their thighs. “You know what this means, right?”
“Please don’t say it…” Gabe begs, clutching my hand in his big ones.
“Tomorrow night, Gabe, you’re off cooking duty. Noah, you’re back on.” I laugh when they drop their heads back and whine, like they’re both in physical agony.
“No whining, you know the rules. Now let’s eat up so that we can get to our first therapy session together, and then we’re having dinner at Cecilia’s place with the gang.” I pat their legs once more then begin to devour my plate with a satisfied smile.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look right now, baby? Flawlessly elegant. Gorgeous. Stunning,” Gabe says, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
“The most magnificent woman I’ve ever seen,” Noah finishes, pecking my other side.
“Aww, thank you, baby.” I turn my head to Gabe and kiss his lips, then do the same to Noah. “Thank you, babe.” I return to my dish smiling, still feeling their eyes on me. “But flattery won’t get you anywhere. I won’t change my mind.” They groan and turn back to their plates.
An hour and a half later, we’re entering my therapist’s office, hand in hand.
Her back is to us as she begins to speak.
“Hello, Ronnie. I hope you’re having a good day.
Mine has been disastrous. Poor Tom was having another one of his meltdowns about his wife.
The woman left him twenty years ago, move on already.
” I giggle to myself as I listen to her.