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“Then I’ll give you enough money to support CJ because he lives here. I’ll pay the rent, utilities, and food. Then I won’t be supporting you, but my son.”
I laugh sarcastically. “Chase, that’s just a matter of semantics. You would essentially be running my life even though the money would be for CJ. Besides, he only requires a certain amount of support from you a month.”
He scoffs. “You’re so damn stubborn. Why don’t you let me help you?”
“Because I want to do it myself!” I snap as quietly as possible, so I don’t scare CJ. “I’ve always been independent.”
“And you still would be. I love you and only want the best for you.”
“I know you do, but that’s my problem. You have your own issues to deal with.”
“With any luck, my problem will be fixed in a few days, so what then? I have some ideas about Barrett and where he might be. All I need to do is talk to him.”
“Chase, he’s dangerous. He tried to kill you. What makes you think he’s even open to talking?”
“We’re brothers.”
“He’s already proven that means nothing to him. He clearly has a vendetta of some sort. Please, I don’t want to lose you.”
“Would you let me worry about him? How about this? Just take care of your situation, and we’ll work things out from there. If you want my financial help, the offer is open. I can afford to take care of you and CJ; you know that. And suppose we were married? Would it be different?”
I’m not sure I want to answer because it seems like if I say yes, he would ask me that very question. We don’t know each other very well, and though I want nothing more than to be his wife at some point, it would be foolish to jump into it because we have a child.
“No, it wouldn’t be different. I want to be independent, make my own money, and contribute to the household.”
“So, do I need to get you pregnant again for you to change your mind?”
My face scrunches. I’m not sure if he’s serious. “No. Although I might want to wait at least a year before I get pregnant, why are you so gung-ho to get married all of a sudden?”
He bounces CJ on his knee before responding. “I realize the mistakes I made in the past. And if anything were to happen to me, I want to know you and CJ would be taken care of. You would get everything I own.”
“CJ is your only heir. He would get everything you own anyway. I don’t want to think about losing you because I can’t stand it, but how would being married be any easier if things ended badly with Barrett?”
“Hopefully, it won’t end that way.”
I hope he’s right.
Chapter 16
Sitting in the train on my way to work, I let the car sway me as my hands shake. I couldn’t sleep at all last night. I tossed and turned, and was up even before Chase, who had to leave at 5:30 to get to the hospital for his 6:00 AM shift.
We didn’t make love the night before, but we were intimate. We kept contact the entire time we shared my bed. Each time I changed position Chase would wrap his arms around me once more. The little sleep I did get, I was comforted by the warmth of his body and his even breathing. I don’t know how I’m going to sleep soundly without him near me.
I had also showered and dressed before CJ woke. Lexi was surprised to see me at 7:45 AM sharp when I usually got there around 8:15 AM. I didn’t tell her about what was going on at work because she would worry as much as me, and I want her to keep a clear head in the coming storm. I also need to tell her about Barrett, which is going to be hard enough, but I decide to do it tonight when I pick up CJ.
I walk slowly from the subway, dreading the questioning looks and the whispers. I’m still early when I get to Nolan, but I’m already inside, so I grab a cup of horrid coffee from the break room before I lock myself in my office. Despite my anxiety, I have work to do that was leftover from last week.
9:00 AM comes and goes. Each time I hear footsteps out in the hall, I expect Dr. Revere to knock at my door. By lunchtime, no one has come to my office. I’m starving, need a decent cup of coffee, and convince myself that the weather is beautiful. I can’t hide in here forever.
I grab my purse and head out the door. There are a few people in the lab as I walk by, and they look up and stare at me. Sirens go off in my head. Not a good sign. I turn my attention away from them and take the elevator to the lobby. Like plenty of times before, I cross the street to the deli that sells my favorite coffee.
I pour myself a large cup and order a plain bagel with vegetable cream cheese. I’m not in the mood for much food. Finding a place on one of the benches outside my building, I text Chase when I hear a voice call me. It’s Cindy, and she has a brown paper bag in her hand. I gesture her over to me as I open my coffee and dump in two packets of sugar.
“Hi, Megan, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
“Just checking in. I haven’t seen you all day, and due to the circumstances, I don’t blame you.”
