I let out a deep sigh and try to calm my racing heart. He’s fine. “I was in the shower. What’s wrong?”
“I'm scared, John,” he whispers into the phone. “I heard a noise, and I don’t know what it was. I’m not used to being all alone like this. What if someone else is in the house?”
“You’re in a big house, Chad. Of course there’s going to be noises. It’s probably one of the window AC units or your water heater or something. Did you accidentally turn the heat on?”
“No. It was a loud banging! I really think someone might be here. Please, I’m so scared.”
I roll my eyes. I’m sure it’s nothing, but… the anxiety I felt before he answered the phone hasn’t completely dissipated, and I know it isn’t rational, but what if someone is there and I ignore him? “Where are you?” I demand.
“Locked in my bathroom where I know I’m alone. Thank God the shower curtain was already drawn, or I would have been way too afraid to open it. I don’t know why anyone closes them.”
This was not what I had in mind when I wanted Chad to move out. I sigh. “Stay there, Princess. I’m on my way.”
“Thank you! Oh my God, thank you!” he whisper-shouts into the phone.
I stay on the line with him while I hurry to get dressed, get in my car, and drive the couple of minutes down the road to get to his new house. The front door is unlocked, and I shake my head. “Maybe you should lock your fucking door if you’re worried about people breaking in,” I suggest into the phone.
“Now is not the time for lectures, John,” he hisses. “Be safe!”
I quickly go through his whole house, starting with the cellar and making my way through every room, opening all the doors as I do, the whole time narrating my progress so Chad knows where I’m at. I leave his bedroom for last and knock on his bathroom door. “We’re the only ones here, Chad. You can come out now.”
He bursts out of the bathroom and throws his arms aroundme. “Thank you for coming. Oh my God, that was terrifying!” His voice is shaky as if he truly did believe he was in danger.
I have no idea what the fuck to do right now, so I awkwardly pat his back. “Well, that took a while, and it’s pretty late. I’m going to go so we can both get some sleep.”
He tightens his hold around me, but leans back so he can look up at me hopefully. “Don’t go already. It’s almost midnight. Just stay a few more minutes, and then it’ll be tomorrow and we can follow the rules, hookup, and forget all about how big and scary this giant house in the middle of nowhere is.”
Fuck, he’s so fucking tempting, staring up at me with those big blue tear-rimmed eyes. But I don’t want this to become a thing. We have rules for a reason. “Chad, I’m not rewarding you for calling me over here. This wasn’t an excuse for a sleepover or a hookup. You need to go to bed. I’m going home. Alone.”
He sticks out his bottom lip, and I want to bite it. To bend him over my knee and explain that I don’t appreciate this bratty behavior.
But I know he’d love that. And that really isn’t why I’m here. The rules are there for us both. To help us maintain some space and not get any more attached than he already is.
More attached than I already am.
I turn to leave, calling out, “Goodnight, Princess,” over my shoulder as I head out as quickly as I can so I don’t change my mind.
17
CHAD
Isurvived another night in this gigantic mansion. I can’t wait for the day John tells me I can move back in with him. I’m not cut out for country living all alone.
There’s nothing else to do here since I don’t have the same skills as my husband when it comes to renovations, so after working out a bit earlier today and getting ready, I head over to the farm again to see Wyatt and the animals. I can’t wait until Blake is back so I can spend my days hanging out around the farm and creating content with him while John is at work. Waiting for John to get home every day is such a drag.
Which reminds me, I should probably check in with him about when his brothers will be able to update my house. That’ll give me more to do soon too.
My day at the farm is similar to yesterday, making my rounds with the animals until I’m back where I belong with the miniature donkeys. I’m having the best time with them when a woman in a flannel shirt and jeans pulls up.
If I didn’t know Liam was an only child, I’d swear this was his sister with how similar they look, but maybe it’s just the clothes. Do I need to start wearing flannel now that I live here?John doesn’t though, so I think I’m good. I have a hold on Coco and Charlie’s leashes since I was walking them around, so the three of us go to greet the woman who I now recognize as the donkey handler from the wedding.
“Um, you’re not here to take them are you?” I question. “Blake said he adopted these donkeys and only hired you to help.”
This is not the time for Coco and Charlie to go to a new home. I need them here with me.
“Oh no, no. Not at all, as much as I do love them,” she jokes, but I tighten my grip on their leashes. I don’t trust this woman yet. “I’m actually here to see if Blake would like to expand his donkey crew.”
“Another donkey?” I ask, much more excited now as I try to bite back my grin. Maybe she’s not so bad.
