Page 103 of Mouse
Okay, it sounded like he was backing Ingram and I being together. So where was this going?
“Look, I know this may seem like I’m overstepping but Ky and I want what’s best for her. We want her to be happy.” He paused like he was trying to figure out how to say what was in his head.
“Chris, just tell me what you need to.”
“We’re buying her a house,” he blurted out with a little shrug. “She doesn’t know it yet and I can already see the crap she’s going to give me when I tell her.”
“She’ll understand though. I think she gets that you guys want to protect her and not go crazy worrying if she’s safe or not,” I told him as a way to make him feel better. But yeah, I had a feeling Ingram would be a little frustrated at first. She was hellbent to stand on her own. I imagined that once she got over it she’d be happy though.
I could tell that wasn’t all he wanted to say and I was mentally scratching my head about what more there could have been.
“I shouldn’t say this, but she talked to me the night after you guys worked things out. I think she wants you guys to move in together. She thinks she’s crazy for even thinking something like that so soon, but she really wants a future with you. I’m sure she doesn’t see anyone but you. Do you get me?”
I was so shocked that I had to sit down. Ingram and I were on the same page but both of us were scared to say it.
“This place, it’s on the beach because I know she feels at home there. It has windows that face the beach and you can see the ocean from the second floor. A lot of light and an open floor plan. All the things I know she loves.”
I smiled at him and couldn’t believe what he was saying. I hadn’t seen the place, but it sounded just like what she’d want.
“I just need to know if you guys like it before I sign,” he told me with a smile of his own.
“I can’t let you do this, Chris. It’s too much. I need to be able to take care of us and Ingram needs to feel like she can do the same.”
I hated to turn him down. It was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever done. Well, one of them.
“We figured you’d say that,” he said with a chuckle. “We can work out a rent type of situation if that will make you feel better. Pay us for a few years and consider the rest a wedding gift. Or aclaiminggift or whatever you guys decide to do.”
“You’re making this extremely hard, Chris,” I told him but I wasn’t angry.
“And besides, Ky and I aren’t going to have any kids. So this is kind of for us too. This way, our nephew and niece are a five-minute drive away,” he added to make me feel even more bad about it.
“Dude,” I said blowing out a breath.
I understood that they had this need to feel like they were taking care of her. And I also got that Chris had more money than he knew what to do with. But I just couldn’t let him do this.
My bank was slowly growing. I knew that one day I’d be set as long as the club kept going like it was and headed in a good direction. It took a lot to get this new chapter off the ground and we were still filling that hole. Money wasn’t as easy right now as I knew it would be one day. Hey, I’d been around the club my whole life, I knew how this shit worked. That said, I wasn’t there yet. Yeah, I had enough money to take care of Ingram and Chry. No question in that. But as much as I knew Ingram would love a house on or even near the beach, I knew I wouldn’t be able to do that any time soon.
“Fine,” I said only half giving in. I was going to have my say so on it too. Oh, and of course I would talk to Ingram about it. No way in hell would I start this thing off by making a decision like that without her. “I’ll take her to look at the place and we’ll discuss it then. I’m sure as hell paying you rent though. And I will pay you back every cent. I know she needs this and while I can take care of them, I’m not at Sugar Daddy status like you are.” I shot him a smile so he’d know I was messing around a little.
He let out a hearty laugh as his head fell back.
“Hmm, Sugar Daddy. Wonder what Ky would think of that.” He chuckled and I let out a short laugh as I shook my head at him.
“I don’t even know what to say right now. Thank you seems so lame,” I told him, growing serious again.
“Just treat her well.”
“I plan on doing better than that,” I told him and I was beaming.
While I was torn inside, the fact that Ingram wanted to live with me and make the four of us a family was making my heart flutter. It was the only thing that really mattered right now.
“Alright, I have to get to work and I know she’ll be here soon. Take her by to see the house tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I can do that,” I said sounding a little nervous. If we both went then that meant that we’d have to take the kids. Which meant that I’d have to take Sparrow out.
“Look, Ky and I will be home during the afternoon. Why don’t you bring Sparrow by and pick up Ingram? We’ll watch her and Chry while you two go check out the place.”
I nodded. It didn’t sound like a bad idea. And I trusted Chris and Ky.
