Chasing Us (Dark Love 2)

“What are you doing?”

He shows me his phone, the wallpaper is now our baby.

“Doesn’t matter where I am, I can see our baby anytime now.”

It’s his heartfelt words that cause a single tear to drop down my cheek. Wiping it with his thumb, he kisses the spot where it falls. I pull him into me, sobbing into his perfectly pressed suit. He gives me a moment before lifting my head, so our eyes meet.

“I love you. Obsessed together forever,” he whispers, rubbing his nose against mine.

“Obsessed together forever.”

ERIC

This is the thing about change—I don’t like it.

Contrary to what people might think, I’m happy never having to think about changing jobs, apartments, or friends. The only change I do welcome, however, is my wardrobe, but even then, I’ve been known to hoard certain pieces, something my mother says has been inherited from her side.

Waking up on Sunday morning, the day after Adriana’s wedding, I know it’s all changing, and that sinking feeling sticks with me. I just can’t shake it. If I were honest with myself, it’s the whole Charlie and Lex hook-up thing.

I mean, if anything, I encouraged it. Getting Charlie to After Dark the night of the charity ball, sending the janitor in to interrupt them, you always want what you can’t have, right? So, I sent the janitor in, made sure they didn’t fuck all the way, and bam, of course, you could see her desperation in the days which followed. At the time, it was all fun and games, but now I’m losing my best friend, and it hurts like fucking hell.

“Eric, we’re checking out in thirty minutes, shall we interrupt the lovebirds?” Adriana winks as she opens the mini-bar to determine whether or not I went on a late-night binge.

“Um, isn’t that kind of awkward? What if they’re in the middle of, you know… some wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am?”

“That’s why you go in first. I can’t experience any family scarring on the first morning as Mrs. Evans. Better yet, send Kate. I’m sure she’s seen Lex in far worse situations.”

“You’re such a loving sister, Adriana.” I smirk.

“Well, duh.”

Fifteen minutes later, the four of us stand in Lex’s and Charlie’s room.

“Seriously, get the fuck out,” Lex snaps as he goes back to snuggling his head into Charlie’s neck. The good news is they aren’t fucking, but the room reeks of sex. Plus, they are both naked under the covers. That kind of kills my buzz, although I can honestly stare at Lex all day. Okay, that was kind of creepy, and, well, I don’t know if it constitutes me as a being bad friend considering he’s her husband.

“As much as I love you, big brother, you have to get your naked ass out of here. The inn booked a traveling polka group, and well, unless you want to have polka tunes stuck in your head all week, it’s time to leave.”

“How long do we have?” he asks.

“Fifteen minutes, at most,” Adriana responds after a quick glance at the clock.

“Then get the hell out of here and let me enjoy my woman for five minutes,” he barks, climbing on top of her as she giggles under the sheets.

“Okay, my cue to leave… see ya outside.” Adriana waves.

“Five minutes? Really, Lex, is that all it takes?” Elijah teases.

“Okay, you two peeping Toms, let’s get out of here.” Kate grabs our arms and pulls us outside into the hallway.

“You’re not classed a peeping Tom if you are invited into the room,” I point out.

“But you weren’t, Mr. Tom.”

I pouted as we leave the room, following Kate and Elijah to the lobby where we are supposed to wait. Spotting a large mirror near the reception desk, I walk over to examine my hair. What the hell is happening today! Strands are poking out everywhere. It almost looks like I have bangs, God forbid. Damn, this is what happens when I switch hair products. Annoyed with my uncooperative hair, I sit in the fancy armchair which looks like it belongs in Buckingham Palace, practicing my royal poses until Kate questions me.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Practicing my royal wave.”