Chasing Fate (Dark Love 5)

“He couldn’t have been that bad.”

“His John belonged to a leprechaun.”

“You fucked him?” I blurt out with an angered tone.

The shift in my mood catches me by surprise. I’m tired, frustrated—that’s all. I should be happy Kate is enjoying her single life and not being dictated by careless emotions.

“No,” she drags. “He kind of whipped it out, and well, I left.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, unsure why this bothers me.

“I’m not even going to ask how a man kind of whips it out. I feel attacked as a man. But listen, you don’t need anyone. Stop letting Charlie and the girls get to your head.”

“You’re right. I don’t need a man. I’ve got you, my bitch boy.”

I laugh through the receiver. “Call me that again, and you’ll pay the price.”

“Oh, I’m so afraid. You coming at me with your big muscles?” Kate chuckles. “Listen, I need to hop into an elevator. Be a good boy. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“Sound advice,” I smile. “Bye, sexy.”

“Yeah, yeah… bye, bitch boy.”

***

I was having one of those dreams where you’re falling, and just when you’re about to hit the ground—certain you’ll plummet to your death—you wake up, drenched in sweat. My lungs move up and down while I’m trying to catch my breath. I turn to my cell to view the time—it’s three o’clock. Ugh. I toss and turn, willing my mind to go to sleep when all I can see is Morgan’s face.

The way she almost melted into me when we kissed.

Fuck! Curb the damn hard-on.

I continue to lie wide awake until the sun rises with a huge boner which can’t be tamed. Correction, I do nothing to tame it. My surroundings, given that it’s Charlie and Lex’s home, make me feel like I have Mom staying next door. Awkward and uncomfortable. I need to find some other way to release the enormous amount of tension building up inside of me.

The usual run and quick workout in the gym relieves it somewhat, that is until I hit the shower. Running the soap down my arm, back up onto my chest, then moving down, I have to think of something else to get my mind off it. And so, I start thinking about life back home. What the guys are up to, especially if Benny’s continued his relationship with Rose. I haven’t heard back from Mom after texting her a couple of times. Having her own small business as an interior decorator, she works strange and long hours.

“Uncle Noah!” There’s a bang on the bathroom door, and then more banging. It continues like the beat of a drum.

I turn the water off and grab a towel, wrapping it around me. The longer I leave it, the more banging. I swear to God these damn kids.

“What is it, Amelia?” I ask with a groan.

“It’s Ava, Uncle Noah!” More banging.

I finally give in, opening the door. “Yes, Ava.”

“Good morning.” Her smile, cute and cheeky, spreads across her face. She’s still wearing her pink Minnie Mouse pajamas and matching slippers.

“Good morning, Ava.” I smile softly.

She raises my cell toward my chest and says, “You got a text from your girlfriend.”

I immediately take it from her. “Ava, we talked about this. You’re not supposed to be playing with my phone.”

Her lips quiver, but she manages to hold it in. “Sorry, Uncle Noah. I was playing your game. Lookie!” She points to the game. “I did all this extra stuff,” she says excitedly.

“Did you use all my coins?” I ask in a mild panic.

“Uh-huh.”