Page 32 of Fourth Wall

"I bet you taste like my newest addiction," he murmured, his gaze fixed on me.

Those words hit me like a bolt of lightning. Addiction. I couldn't explain why, but something about that word jolted me back to reality. Maybe it was the way his piercing blue eyes bore into mine, driven solely by desire. Whatever the reason, I couldn't let it consume us. With a sudden burst of strength, I pushed him away.

"Stop," I managed to utter, my voice shaky. He stood there, cornered by the shower as the water continued to pour down behind us. I slowly backed away, struggling to catch my breath. Grabbing a towel from the counter, I wrapped it tightly around myself. When I glanced back, he had turned around, shielding his face from my view. His hands were covering his face, and he looked so sullen like he knew.

I couldn’t help but let Tatum’s words sink into me. He was just replacing one addiction with another. I refused to let myselfbe anyone’s addiction. A mutual partner, sure, but never their complete obsession, especially if it was in an unhealthy way. I hated to admit it, but I cared too much about Christian to ever let him use me and then suddenly have regrets about it or throw me out. There was more than just me to think about here, especially with the girls coming tomorrow.

I turned around to head out the door that led to my bedroom.

“Maeve.” His voice was barely a whisper, almost unrecognizable. It sounded vulnerable and scared. I didn’t turn back because I feared that if I did, I would immediately rush into his arms to provide comfort. He needed to learn how to find solace within himself first before I ran into his arms, giving him what he longed for.

“Yeah?” I responded, my voice trembling. He was wounded, and my own inner child longed to go over and tend to his wounds. I was a fixer, always putting others before myself. But it was time for a change. It was time for me to prioritize my own well-being.

I walked out of the door, shutting it firmly but briefly pressing my back against it. Leaving him behind was tough, but I had to remind myself that I was making this decision for both of us. Right?

I didn’t sleep much last night and spent most of the evening tossing and turning, anticipating today. I had to work the second shift at work, so I was likely to run late for the girls’ pickup.

When I finally got dressed in a denim skort and work shirt, which was part of our uniform at the brunch restaurant, I noticed Christian had already left for work. He usually went over surveillance footage with James at Elio’s clubs on days that Julian didn't have him out. I had a slow start to the morning, and Tyler texted to confirm he had dropped the girls off at their daycare school.

I obsessively went over the two rooms, making sure the two girls would feel comfortable. I know it’ll be a change for them, so I think the nerves were just getting to me. I texted Christian to see if he was able to get them at their school. I had already put him on the preferred pickup list at their center.

Maeve:Hey. I have a second shift today. I should be able to get them at 4 p.m., but should I ask my mom to get them if I am running late?

This was a stupid idea. I should probably ask my mom to get them or let Stephen do it, even if it got me in trouble. It wasn’t but seconds later when I saw Christian’s bubbles on my phone like he was typing.

Annoying Roomie:I already told you, firecracker. I will get them. Just send me the details.

We didn’t speak to each other after what happened last night in the shower, but after reading his nickname for me in his text, somehow my chest already felt lighter. Things could go back to normal for us.

I quickly texted him the pickup details and then got in my car and headed out to work. I would be a solid half hour early, but I wanted to prove I could be on time now with my new “boyfriend.” No, rather my male roommate who is faking being my boyfriend, who I almost let finger fuck me in the shower last night, and I couldn’t stop thinking about since.

Fucckkk.

20

Christian

“Yup. I am Maeve’s boyfriend, picking up Kinsley and Kelsie.” The lady at the front desk gave me a very pointed look, and I realized that I must have looked ridiculous. I didn’t expect to run an errand with Julian earlier, and I was in all black and had my bulletproof vest on and my hair piled on the top of my headin a bun. I must have looked like fucking Thor coming in and demanding to take two little girls with me.

“I see you are on the list.” The woman looked me up and down. It was either a look of wanting to fuck me or fight me...or both.

“Great. Where do I go to grab them?” She just stared at me.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you and Maeve been dating? We just haven't seen you around here.” She pushed up the glasses that had fallen down her nose.

“I do mind you asking because it's none of your business.” I looked at her name tag on her sweater. “Mrs. Madison.”

“You’re right. So sorry. I will go ahead and grab the girls. I just need to confirm you have car seats for them?” Of course, I had fucking car seats. I followed the instructions exactly how Maeve had laid them out. I grabbed the extra set from the garage. This interaction pissed me off to no end because it was just one other person who had no trust in my ability to do anything right.

“Yes, Mrs. Madison. As a human being responsible for two children, I have car seats for them.” It was hard for me not to say worse, but I had to be okay with some passive aggressiveness before I actually got kicked out of this school.

The woman skirted away and returned within a few moments with both Kelsie and Kinsley on her arm. The two blond girls were spitting images of their mother. They both had the bluest eyes. How the heck these two were part of that asshole ex was beyond me.

“Hi, Christian!” Kelsie, the oldest, said when she recognized me standing at the door.

I leaned down on my haunches so I was face-to-face with them. I handed them the bouquet of poppies I had gotten from the store, and Kelsie immediately grabbed it, smelling the flowers.

“Hey, girls. Your mom has a new house she wanted to show you, but she got stuck at work. Do you think I could show it to you?” Kinsley cowered behind her sister.

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