Page 127 of Taking Turns

Chella is waiting for me in bed, holding the covers open so I can climb in. I flip off the light and then pull her close.

“Merry Christmas,” she says, holding on to me tight.

“Merry Christmas, Chella,” I say, hugging her back.

We sleep like that. Clutching each other like we don’t want to let go.

But we both know it’s time to let go.

Chapter Thirty-Three - Smith

“So tonight?” I’m trying my best to be cool with this, but I’m not cool with this.

“That’s what she told Quin.”

Chella made herself very clear the other night. She wants to experience the four of us together. The quad, as we like to call it. And I’ll admit, this was my aim as well when we first started the game.

But I’m not sure anymore.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Bric says. “And I don’t think it’s fair.”

“No,” I say. “You wouldn’t. Because you want this.”

“You want it too.”

“I did, now… now so much.”

Bric throws up his hands. We’re sitting in my bar at the Club. Quin and Chella are out… doing something fun today. “So back out, Smith. Call the game. End it. We won’t care if you do.”

I know he won’t. Quin, maybe. But Bric’s not a grudge holder. He’s not invested in very much, if you ask me. But who asked me?

“We’ll get over it. Find a new girl.”

“I don’t want a new girl, Bric. I’m out.”

He doesn’t bother throwing up his hands. He doesn’t even shrug. “So do it. Leave. But she wants it, Smith. And that’s the only thing that matters at this point. She wants it. So you better think about that. If you call the game she might be mad at you.”

“Then maybe that’s how it has to be?”

“Maybe you’re just being juvenile?”

“Maybe I’m just in love?”

“Maybe she’s not in love with you back?”

Burn. “She is,” I say. But I’m not really as sure as I sound.

“How many ways can I explain this to you, Smith? Let’s use Rochelle as an example. She left. Why?”

“She was done?”

“With Quin?” he asks. “I don’t think so. She left to end the game and start over. Quin told me Chella found some secret room up in the attic of her apartment. Rochelle’s secret room. There’s a lot of stuff up there about starting over. Rochelle had to leave the game in order to do that. It doesn’t mean she never cared about me or you and it doesn’t mean she’s not in love with Quin. It means… The game. Is. Over. That’s it. I’m almost positive she’s coming back. Not to us, but to Quin. She just needs to sort things out first.”

“Chella isn’t Rochelle. Not even close. She’s not… weird, for one. And she’s not desperate for anything.”

“How do you know?”

I’m irritated. “What do you mean how do I know? Chella is fucking wealthy. Probably has more money in her trust fund that you make in ten years. She’s loaded.”