Page 74 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

“So you and Eve…” Rylee’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Is it official now?” A wide grin covers her face.

“We’re just going to tiptoe around this for a little while longer. Let Jake’s anger come to a simmer before we flaunt our relationship.” How long will it last? I don’t know. But I have time. Eve’s worth every ticking second of time.

“That’s understandable. Just so you know, I’m Team Lach.” She holds up her fist in solidarity.

I chuckle. “Thanks. Some days, I don’t feel like I have too many people in my corner.”

“I’m pretty sure everyone is in your corner.” She flashes me a warm smile. “You’re welcome to invite Eve over. But no hanky-panky.” She shakes her finger at me. “There’s a good chance you’ll have a seven-year-old chaperone. Also, if you want a shower, I put a towel on the sink for you. There’s shampoo and a spare toothbrush in there as well.”

I shake my head and laugh. “You’re such a mom.”

“Well, just wait. Your time is coming.” She hoists Kaelyn higher on her hip. A loud crash sounds through the floor. Rylee sighs. “I need to see what’s getting destroyed in my house.” She spins around and climbs the stairs. “Abby, get off the counter!” Rylee’s voice carries through the entire house.

Shit. Does she know? Did Eve already tell her? It’s most likely Rylee’s voodoo fall-in-love shit. This could be my life one day. Maybe sooner rather than later. My lips tug into a half smile. Honestly, it doesn’t seem half bad.

After a shower, I text Eve. She tells me she and Jake are at the bar, so I use that opportunity to run over there and get the rest of my stuff. Since I don’t have much, it only takes an hour to pack and be out. I tell her to come over to Rylee’s later, and Abby willbe chaperoning. I also tell her to bring the book we were reading before Jake caught us. When Eve is done with work, she comes over, and we watch a cartoon movie about Minions, but it didn’t matter what we watched. All that mattered was my arm was around Eve, her warm body pressed against mine while Abby sat next to Eve, kicking her feet and munching on popcorn. It wasn’t the most ideal circumstances, but I’ll take what I can get. Lucky for us, Abby fell asleep snuggled against Eve halfway through the movie. Rylee collected her and brought her upstairs, leaving us alone.

“Did you bring the book?” I slide my fingers over her shoulder, hoping she did.

She bends over and digs in her purse, pulling it out. “Are we doing this? Here?” She lifts a brow.

“I enjoy reading with you.” A smile flirts on my lips. I sit up, taking the book from her grasp. “Plus, we left off at a very crucial point in the story. I need to know what happens next. Does she get caught? Did Mr. Parker hear anything and out them?”

“Oh! You’re really into the story. So you’re aware there’s no explosives and bloodshed at the end.” She shrugs. “Just a happily ever after.”

“I’m all for a happily ever after.” Over the next several hours, we pass the book back and forth, each of us reading a chapter, until Eve drifts off to sleep against my chest. I ease her into the lying position on the couch and cover her with a blanket. I find a small stuffed animal of Abby’s, along with a princess blanket that’s entirely too short for me and stretch out on the floor.

The next morning, every inch of my body is sore, as if I slept on the floor. Oh wait, I did.

From above me, Eve stirs awake. “Sorry, I fell asleep and stole your bed.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’d sleep on the floor a million times for you.”

She giggles. “Hopefully, soon, that won’t be the case anymore.”

I rise to my feet and wince as my muscles stretch. Eve rises too. I tug her to me and press a kiss to the top of her head. We quickly say our goodbyes, and I walk her to the front door.

Since Jake hasn’t fired me yet, I check out a couple of apartments before my shift. Luckily, the swelling on my face has gone down, but there’s still slight bruising, and the scab on my lip is very attractive. If anyone asks, I’ll tell them I ran into a wall. They don’t need to know the wall was Jake’s fist.

The first two places were way too small, even for two bedrooms. There was zero outdoor space, which wouldn’t work with my plans. The park a block away was sufficient though. The third place had a wide-open floor plan with two bedrooms. It would have been perfect, but again, no outdoor space. The fourth place is in Dessa’s old neighborhood. Rows of townhomes fill both sides of the street. The rent is more than what I was paying before, but so far, it’s the best option out of all of them. Two bedrooms. Check. Lots of space. Check. And a small backyard. Check. A sandbox can fit next to the house and maybe a small swing set. I take as many photos as possible so I can show Eve later to make sure she approves. I’m doing this for her. For us.

“Holy shit!” Nora says. “Did you do some street fighting over the weekend?”

“Not exactly. On the plus side, Jake now knows about me and Eve.” I pull a beer from the cooler and pass it to a customer.

Nora props herself against the bar next to me, crossing her arms over her chest. “Did you finally tell him?”

I huff out a laugh. “If by tell him you mean he caught us in her bedroom after sex, then yes. I told him.”

She gasps. “Oh, shit.” She points to my face. “Jake did that?”

I nod. “I can’t blame him. I’d punch me too.”

A light bulb flickers to life above her head. “That’s why he was in here earlier, rearranging the schedule. He asked if I could work some closing shifts with you this week. Which actually works better with my schedule, anyway.”

“Yeah, I’m guessing he won’t want to see me for a while.” I rap my knuckles on the bar top. “It might be best if I find another place to work.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “Do you think he’ll fire you?”

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