Page 144 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

Confusion was on everyone’s faces, but Cade, who was trying not to smirk.

“Nothing,” Chris answered, looking away.

Cade started chuckling, then his eyes glazed over and John chuckled too.

“What? What am I missing?”

“It’s like five minutes before we walk you to the daycare. Chris here always left first,” Cade answered, making Bells grin.

“Oh,” was all I could say in response.

Chris cleared his throat before he stood up.

“I’ll take the plates to the kitchen.” He quickly gathered all the plates and cups and took off, his face still a deep shade of red.

“You guys need to stop teasing him,” I chided, unable to turn my face into a proper chastising look. I was too happy this morning to pull it off.

“He’s fun to rile up because he’s so serious all the time,” Bells defended.

Once Chris returned, we walked as a group to daycare. I did tell them all they didn’t have to anymore. I felt safe with Chris and he was staying to help. But they insisted, and I was sure it was because Cade and John were enjoying playing with the pups. It was confirmed when they assured me they would bring lunch as usual.

My anxiety started to rise in the afternoon when I got a message from Bells, letting me know Adrien had arrived, a few hours before dinner. When Cade and Bells came to get us after work, she told me Adrien was taking a nap as he’d be up all night with Elim.

Chris and I brought dinner up to my room, and I told him I didn’t want to train that night. I didn’t want to impose my presence on Adrien. No matter what everyone said, in my heart, I knew Adrien blamed me for Tori’s death. Hell, I blamed myself for Tori’s death for so long. Some days I still do.

He was trying to distract me. Something I was very happy to go along with, because it involved a lot of kisses everywhere, but it just wasn’t working as well as I hoped. I finally fell asleep in his arms, a bundle of nerves and anxiety. I forgot to turn off my alarm before I did, so I was wide awake at four thirty when there was a sharp knock on my door.

“Who is it?” I called out when Chris sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

“Adrien.”

I looked over at Chris nervously.

‘It will all be okay,’he mind-linked as he stood and opened the door.

Adrien looked confused to find Chris opening the door in pajama pants and no shirt. “Sorry, did I get the—” He stopped when he saw me sitting up on the bed. “Hi.”

“Hi, Adrien,” I waved weakly.

‘Shit, I didn’t think about it. I’m sorry, Violet.’Chris was instantly panicking when he realized how things looked.

‘It’s not a big deal. I’m not keeping you a secret. I’m just nervous about what he wants,’I assured him.

“I was hoping we could talk, but if you’re busy...” Adrien eyed Chris’ broad chest and sleepy eyes.

“I’ll be in my room if you need me,” Chris told me when I nodded at him to let him know I was comfortable being alone with Adrien. He left the door open for Adrien to come in, then crossed the bathroom and went into his room.

I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands playing with the sheets while Adrien stood at the doorway.

“Can I come in?” he asked in an oddly subdued way.

I nodded, and he walked in and sat on the seat by the nightstand. We sat there looking at each other. Well, I looked at him. He was looking around at everything but me.

My heart sank when I saw his bottom lip trembling. I swallowed the lump in my throat, hoping my apology would mean something to him and I could salvage some kind of relationship with him.

“Adrien, I’m sorry,” I said quietly, trying and failing to keep the tears back.

He looked at me, and then his tears started falling.

---