Page 85 of Chemistry: The Chemist

I’d been over for twenty-three minutes. That was far too long.

“Yeah. Yeah. You’re right,” Jack stuttered. “You should get going. Hang out with Macy for about another hour and then head home. Make it believable and not like you actually hate each other.”

“Hate is such a strong word.” I headed for the door, ready to split in thirty minutes. I wouldn’t give Macy more than that.

“It’s almost accurate, though,” Bradford added.

“Whatever. Nice seeing both of you. I look forward to putting this behind us so I can get back in the office.”

“Same, same.” Jack nodded.

“Later, Bradford.”

“Later, Johanson.”

This time I led the way. We re-entered the modest home, heading straight for the kitchen where I found the liquor cabinet. I needed a drink, possibly three. With everything unfolding the way it was, I was struggling to keep my head and heart out of the dumps.

The nagging pang in my stomach made it clear I was going against everything I’d sworn when I took that oath, but I hardly had a choice.

I’m on no one’s side, I reasoned. I want everyone to win in the end. That was impossible, so I knew I had decisions to make. Decisions that could cost lives. Decisions that could cost my career.

I wasn’t dating a low-life criminal. Chem was cold-fucking-blooded. He’d proved it on the very first date and continued thereafter.

I tossed back the first shot and immediately followed with a second one. Macy joined, having a shot of her own. When my glass smacked the counter for the second time, I breathed out the warm air and laid my palm against my chest as the stinging subsided.

“Argggh.”

“I don’t know how you do it,” she snickered.

“Do what?”

“This. For once, I’m happy I’m not in your position. I would fold.”

I have, about twenty times. In every position. He’s that fucking good.

“Well, good thing you’re not in my position.”

“That man is fine.”

My nostrils widened with disgust. Hearing a woman refer to Chem as anything other than a decent human had me in my feelings. Suddenly, Macy’s life didn’t matter as much as it had before those words left her mouth.

Definitely rubbing off on me, I cringed.

“He is.”

And he’s mine.

“Have you two– you know?”

“I don’t. Have we what?”

“Sex.”

She smiled, waiting for a response. I contemplated leaving her in the dark, but, realistically, she was the only one I could openly discuss the case with.

She didn’t want to know if I was fucking Chem. She wanted to know if he was fucking me well. Her eyes widened as she waited in anticipation.

“Yes, his dick is as good as you imagined it must be. It’s even better.”

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