“There’s nothing you need to apologize for. You couldn’t stop him. Out of everyone in this room, you know how Nico is. Down to the very last nauseous detail, you know.”
“Is that why you didn’t want me to see her tonight?”
“That,” Max gasped. “And the fact I didn’t get a chance to tell her the truth about you.”
“Is she always like this?”
“Chace, you have known her for three years,” he pointed out. “What do you think?”
“Damn,” Chace mumbled. He looked at me then back to his brother. “You’re a lucky bastard.”
“You don’t know the half of it. But I haven’t even started yet.”
“Judging by the look of her, you not only started, but you also won.”
Hearing what Chace said, Max held me just a little bit tighter, before relaxing his arm.
We all watched, knowing what was happening but unable to help. We watched as Chace’s face lost all color. As his eyes closed as if he was in agony. Then, as he folded in half, he placed his head between his knees.
“Go to your brother, honey,” I urged Max. “He needs you.”
Max kissed the side of my head, and in three long steps, he was in front of Chace. He bent, put his hand on the back of Chace’s neck, and started whispering in his ear. With every whispered word, Chace’s back bucked until he was heaving and letting out sounds that could only be described as those of a wounded animal. Melanie stood up, and we went into the kitchen to give them privacy. For the first time since I stepped into this place, I hated the open floor plan. With nowhere to go, we huddled by the French doors, and once again, I wished there was a back deck.
“Listen,” Melanie said under her breath as not to break the brother’s moment. “I called my parents on the way over here. I’m going to stay with them for a while. And I want you to come with me.”
I agreed with her going away. They moved up the mountain once they retired, and I hated the fact she wouldn’t be close, but Nico hadn't ever met them and didn’t know where they lived.
If he was after me, the first place he would look was Melanie’s. As he had done before. And that would mean, Melanie too was in danger. So, her going to her parents was a smart thing to do. However, I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to leave Max. And I still hadn’t gotten one word from Kiki. On that thought, I pulled my phone from my jeans back pocket and checked the screen.
No missed calls.
No texts.
Nothing.
I knew calling her was futile. If she didn’t reach out by now, she wouldn’t answer. I did the next best thing. I typed.
Call me; I have some things to tell you. Let me know you’re safe.
“Skylar, please, come with me,” Melanie begged.
“Mel-” I started but didn’t finish.
That was because Max was standing by my side.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
I agreed. I didn’t tell him that.
“You’re staying here with me.”
“For how long?” Melanie fired at him. “Do you know when he will be in custody? Do you have any idea when all this insanity is going to end?”
It looked like Melanie had reached the end of her rope.
“I can’t tell you how long it will take to capture Barone. But her staying with me,” he took my hand in his. “Does not have a time limit.”
“Are you suggesting she should move in with you?”
They were talking like I wasn’t even in the room. And wait. Was Max suggesting I should move in with him? He didn’t answer verbally. Instead, he shifted from foot to foot. It was the first time I saw him even remotely nervous.
“Are you serious?”
He looked at me, resembling a boy who waited for an answer to something he really, really wanted.
“You want me to move in here?” I started with the easiest part of their back and forth.
“I thought you liked the house,” he said defensively.
Liked it?
I freaking loved it.
“I do,” I confirmed the understatement.
“Then, yes, I want you to move in here.”
“But I thought you’re going to restore it, then sell it?”
“I changed my mind,” he shrugged.
“And will you be moving out?” I tackled the more significant issue.
Sweet Mary, please, let him say no.
I knew it was fast. Hell, it moved at the speed of light. It sounded way beyond crazy, even in my head. We didn’t even have our first kiss. Yet, there it was. It was undeniable. I loved the man fidgeting in front of me. I couldn’t picture my life without him in it. In a span of a few days, he became my everything.
He looked away and mumbled, “If you want me too.”
I didn’t get a chance to say that I didn’t want him to move out. That I wanted him to stay with me forever.
“Welcome to the family, sis,” Chace hollered, standing by the door. “I would come and give you a huge hug, but I understand seeing me and finding out who I am is a shock… a big one. I also know that the idea of me needs to shift in your head, so I’ll give you time. However long you need, Skylar, you have it. I just hope, one day, you will be able to see me for who I really am.”
After he was done talking, he turned on his way to get out.
“Wait,” I said and walked to him.
Out of reflex, I slowed down on my way to him, gauging his reaction. It was weird. He was still Vinny in my mind. But when I recalled his break down not even half an hour ago, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Sorry, he had to live with what he saw. Chace watched my every move vividly. And when I stood in front of him, he swallowed and braced. I got up on my toes, leaned in and hugged him. I also turned my head and whispered.
“Thank you.”
He stood still as a statue; his hands loose by his sides.
“Thank you for looking out for me. Thank you for keeping me safe as much as you could. I know now that you did. And I’m sorry, Chace,” I stuttered a little saying his name. “I’m sorry you had to see all that you did. I’m sorry you had to live through it. But I promise you, whatever happens, you will always have me. To listen to you, to drink with you, whatever you need. I’ll always be your friend. Because you were one to me, even if I didn’t know it at the time.”
“Fuck,” Chace breathed in the skin of my neck, his arms finally going around me.