Page 33 of Brat Baby
It’s like they have created this little bubble where it’s okay for them to continue to be with me, but only from the shadows, where no one else can see. Just like at the apartment. There, it was only them and me. Alone.
No one to see us together. No one to comment or judge. Just the five of us.
So, maybe it’s my turn to show up for them. To show them that I’m still interested, that I still want them. That I need my daddies.
And I know exactly how I’m going to do it.
Chapter 19
Emery
I hold my card against the little black security panel until it chirps and the light turns green, causing the glass sliding doors towhooshopen. The anxiety that they’d canceled my card to the building immediately disappears as I enter.
Unlike last time, there’s no Darcy to greet me and take my bags, but there is a security guard sitting at the front deskas I walk around the curved corner. My sandals make a light clapping noise as I walk, so I’m not surprised when the guy spots me as soon as he comes into view.
I smile and wave with my card in my hand, my confidence buoyed by the fact that it still works. I’m ignoring that they may have simply forgotten they gave me a key and going with the hope that theyletme keep it.
As I get closer to the desk, I have every plan of simply walking by, but that’s ruined when the security guard calls out.
“Excuse me, miss?” His voice is deep and a little rough.
I pause and turn to face him, having taken a couple of steps past, heart momentarily freezing in my chest.Please don’t stop me. Please don’t stop me.“Yes?”
“Could I please get your name? I need to record you as a visitor.” He keeps a pleasant smile plastered to his lips, but his eyes are focused and locked on to me. It’s clear that I’m not getting past him without leaving my name.
Which is fine. I have nothing to hide. Besides, I have a working key. I hope. It opened the main doors, so theoretically, it should open everything else.
I change direction and go to the counter. “Emery Nicholas.”
The guy—Aiden, from his name badge—taps away at his computer before turning back with a smile. “Thank you, Miss Nicholas. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
My pulse thunders in my ears, and it takes a few seconds to understand that I’m okay to continue to the elevators. “Okay, thank you.”
Taking deep breaths every few steps, in an effort to get my heart rate to slow down, I stride toward the elevators and hit the button a little too firmly. While I wait, I glance back at Aiden, who is still watching me. I offer him a smile that feels tight on my face, but he just stares back. It makes me nervous, but notin an uncomfortable-creep-is-watching-me kind of way. No, it’s similar to how Derek stares at me.
Watchful. Careful. Like he wants to pull me apart and put me back together again. To know all the thoughts inside of my head so I don’t have to have them.
The ding of the elevator has me whipping back around, and as we break eye contact, a shiver runs down my spine. I step in and hit both the nineteenth floor and close door buttons and then stare at the metal floor until I’m alone in the mini metal room.
It takes no time at all before the door opens again and I’m striding down the plain hallway, counting with the numbers by each door until I get to the very end.
1921.
I stand there, staring at the door, butterflies creating a full-blown hurricane in my stomach.
Will they be in there waiting for me? I’m earlier than I probably should be, but I just couldn’t wait in the dorm a second longer. As soon as I got back from my classes, I showered, packed, and ordered an Uber.
It’s okay. I’m happy to wait. Last week, they said they would arrive at the hotel at seven. So, hopefully it’s the same this week. They’ll arrive and we’ll get to talk, and everything will be back on track.
I touch my necklace and then my bracelet to remind myself that they’ve been showing up for me, and now I need to show up for them.
Taking a breath big enough to make my shirt scream, I scan the card and push open the heavy door, the handle making an audiblesnickas my pulse thunders in my ears.
How will this go down? Are they going to be mad that I’ve shown up after they—well, Derek—said that our arrangement was over? Are they going to be happy to see me? Will it be justlike last weekend? I know we need to talk, but I really want to have them wrapped around me.
I need to know that they still want me.
My heart rate lowers when the inside of the apartment is pitch black. I step in, turn the hallway light on, and let the door close behind me. The buzzing excitement that has been filtering through my blood all day cools to a hum and leaves me a touch lightheaded.
