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“Umm, I'm not sure what I can help you with. I haven't been around lately, but I'll try,” she says over her shoulder as we follow her to the couch.
Levi grabs her gently and places her on his lap. She squirms for a minute, then settles.
Tempest is on a chair, eating three slices of pizza, with a huge helping of blue cheese and Siracha on her plate.
She's groaning with each bite and I can't help my staring. I’m not the only one, and Chastity laughs. Tempest’s cheeks turn red and she mumbles something, before grabbing her plate and bringing it to the couch.
“You wanted to talk to me?” Chas says, looking at the three of us, and I step forward. I should let one of the other guys handle this, but I’m done. If I don’t get some answers soon, I’m going to snap.
“What secrets are you hiding from us, Eve? Who the fuck is King?”
CHASTITY
Tomorrow is my wedding, and I am going a little stir-crazy here at Jacob’s place. The spa day with Tempest was just what I needed, but now I’m back here. Otto is a sweetheart, and he shares my love of baking. He's been trying to keep my mind occupied, but I’m struggling. I am feeling a little better though. Still stiff, but all the bedrest wasn’t helping.
I had to get up and move, which brought me to my nightly walks with Jacob. Things are still strained between us, but I can tell he's trying.
I'd love for us to have a relationship. He was once my best friend, and it hurts for us to be so distant. Don't get me wrong, we still have a lot we need to work through, but I'm willing to try.
I think a part of my healing will be to forgive him, and from what he's told me, I know he's on my side now. He has plans to help me get my daughter back. I'm not getting my hopes up though, because all that leads to is my mental health breaking down and my heart shattering, but I'll keep praying.
Though God hasn’t been a friend of mine the last few years.
“Okay, Babe, I am going to need this recipe. Lemon walnut bars with raspberries is my new midnight snack,” Otto says and I smile.
“You literally just watched me make them. It's so simple,” I mutter as I grab the powdered sugar and give them a dusting.
My ribs are starting to ache and I know I need to rest, but I have plans tonight.
Levi told me that the guys had their trial tonight, and I wanted to surprise them. It took a lot of begging and bribery, but Jacob agreed to drop me off, so Tempest could sneak me in. He had to go to the trial to witness the initiates, but told me to be ready by two AM. I slept until midnight then decided to bake with Otto. I have about an hour until he will be home.
I hope the guys are doing okay. I know they have been nervous, and this is a huge deal for their future. Jacob couldn't tell me much, but he did say that my guys were the strongest candidates.
I guess that's good. I'm not sure what it means for me being their Eve, since I'm marrying Levi, but I don't want to lose them either. Even Ash, though I'm still waiting on him to grovel and make things up to me.
He didn't have to blackmail me. I would have helped them anyway. I'd started to have real feelings for them. I never expected that to happen in a million years, but they broke down my walls. Made me feel loved and comfortable, safe…
I shake my head and give Otto a hug. “Save some of those for my brother. I'm going to try and shower,” I say, then wobble down the hallway to the room I'm staying in.
I'm nervous to be moving in with Levi, but it's not like it'll be the first time I've shared a bed with him.
I quickly strip off the sweats I've been wearing lately and then take a quick shower. I opt for a maxi dress and flip flops. It's the middle of the night. I should just wear some pajamas, but this is the first time I'm seeing all my guys in a few days, and I want to appear like a normal young woman, excited to see her guys. I never did get to do the whole dates and dinners. I'm getting married tomorrow and I've never even been wine and dined. My youth was stolen from me by people I expected I could trust.
That's why this is so hard for me. Letting Jacob in, and putting my trust and faith into my guys…
If they betray me again… I don't think I'll survive.
* * *
Jacob cameand got me at two AM on the dot. We didn't speak much, and I can tell something happened tonight that's weighing on his mind.
It's Society business, so I'm not at liberty to know. I just hope it doesn’t involve my guys.
Tempest texted me telling me that she's all good to go as we were pulling up to the turn-off for the Academy.
I never expected to have a damn panic attack when we crossed through the black iron gates, but I guess it’s just one more thing I’m going to have to work through.
Trauma comes in all forms.
