Page 88 of Chasin’s Surrender

“No, you weren’t, you were trying to—”

“I’m serious, I’m not talking myself out of it. I promise. I’m just scared shitless, all right? I’ve never loved anyone besides you so I’m feeling outta sorts. I just want all of this to be over. I want a clear shot at being happy without some damn stalker messing everything up. And I want you to be able to go for a run without GI Joe-Holden having to go with you.”

“He’s not that bad,” she muttered. “But I get it. Just please give yourself this. Be happy. Be you. Be whatever you want to be. The guys will find your stalker, then everything will be fine.”

Be me.

“I am happy.”

“Uh, yeah, girl. I noticed, remember? You’re glowing. And not just from whatever it was that Chasin gave you before we came here.” Bobby leaned forward across the conference table. “Which, just to note, you still haven’t given up the details.”

“I’m not giving up the details.”

“You’re giving up somethin’,” she muttered. “Just a shame it ain’t the deets because that man looks like he’d be a beast.”

“You’re so dumb.” I laughed.

“But you love me.”

“True story.”

Bobby gave me a saucy wink and tossed herself in a chair before she sighed. “I really wish we didn’t have to meet with—” The door opened and she clamped her mouth closed.

In walked Nixon and Alec with Bent following. The second he stepped into the room, his eyes landed on me, not bothering to give Bobby even a cursory glance. Then, like Bent was prone to do, he beelined straight to me. Before I could move, he yanked me straight out of my seat and hugged me.

To be clear, Bent’s yank and hug were not hot, they were creepy. He did it anytime he was near me. I’d repeated both verbally, and in gesture made it clear, that I didn’t like it. But Bent being the handsy dick he was, always waved me off and told me to loosen up, or told me he was friendly, and everyone loved his hugs so he didn’t see a problem. The thing was, I did have a problem, and he didn’t do it to everyone. And not once had I seen him grab Bobby or Leslie that way.

“My God, darlin’, why didn’t you call?”

“Call?” I wheezed and struggled to unwrap his arms.

“I saw the papers. You know I got—”

“Step back!”

Oh, boy.

I didn’t have to look to know Chasin was spitting mad.

Bent wasn’t paying attention therefore he didn’t step back, he also hadn’t caught—or just plain ignored—the hint that I was struggling.

Then suddenly Bent wasn’t touching me.

“What the fuck?” Bent turned to face Chasin.

“Yeah, buddy, what the fuck? I asked you to step back. But more, the lady was communicating she wanted you to. And you ignored both.”

“Wrong, buddy, Vivi and I go way back,” Bent sneered.

What in the hell? Not only didn’t we go way back, Bent made it sound like there was something between us that was most definitely not there.

“Oh, pa-luzee,” Bobby cut it. “You don’t go anywhere with Vivi.”

“Roberta, a pleasure.”

“Right. So we’re here, you and Leslie got your way. Cut to it.”

“Let’s discuss business in private, darlin’.” Bent turned back to me, his tone soft and coaxing.