Page 29 of Chill’s Chance

“Desdemona and Papa are taking us outside to the playground.” Elina says. “Mom wants us worn out, so we’ll sleep instead of trying to sneak into the party.”

I feel my eyes widen when she says this. I knew the adults were trying to keep the news of the party a secret, because Elina is notorious for finding hiding places so she can observe our parties. Seems like she has accomplices now. Yep, even with an entire club at his back, Puma doesn’t stand a chance corralling Elina. I share a grin with her because I believe little girls should be fierce.

“Why do they call you Chill?” Slade asks me.

“Oh, well, because…” I stumble because my normal response of ‘I’m a cold-hearted bitch’ doesn’t seem appropriate. I also can’t tell him I like to kill people using ice.

“Because she’s always calm, cool, and collected.” Showtime chimes in as she joins us. “Chill was in the Marines, so she has to be strong and in control.”

“Like my Dad?” Slade asks. I nod. “Are you the woman my dad fell in love with?”

I open and close my mouth, unsure of how to respond. Glancing at Showtime for help, but only getting a shrug from her. “I don’t know. Did your dad tell you he fell in love with someone?” I ask, glancing behind me and hoping Hunter is on his way back, but I see him in line behind the other members, who made a beeline for the food after our meeting.

“He told my mom.” Slade says matter-of-factly. “She was happy for him.”

“She was?” I ask, stunned.

He nods. “They told me they got married because my mom was pregnant and that my dad wanted to take care of us. She explained to me that while she and my dad were friends that they always knew that one day one, or both, would find someone else one day. Find the person they really loved, but that no matter what, they’d still love me and we’d still be a family.”

I nod as I take this in. It meshes with what Hunter told me about him and Nicole. I never considered that Slade knew the deal, too. “So you would be alright staying here with us so we can all spend time together?”

He nods. “Dad looks happy, and I want him to be happy. Mom wanted that for him, too. She wasn’t happy before she died. She told me she let us down.”

“You and your mom were close, weren’t you?” I ask him.

“We were. She didn’t have any other friends, besides Claudia.” Slade says, and I feel a tremendous amount of grief for Slade’s mom.

“You and Hunter are together?’ Elina asks. When I nod, she continues. “So he took my advice? Good.”

I frown, unsure of her meaning. “What was your advice?”

“He said you were mad at him. I told him to do what Puma does when mommy is mad at him. He drags her into their bedroom so they can exercise and when they come out, they’re both happier.” I glance at Showtime, who has knocked back her chair in her rush to get up and run away, her hand covering her mouth to contain her laughter.

I stare at Elina in shock and unsure what to say, jolting when I hear Puma yell out, “Fuck”. I lose it and have to hide my laughter.

“Something like that.” I tell Elina. “We talked and worked things out.” I assure her.

“You need to exercise, too.” She persists as Alisa comes over to join us.

“Speaking of exercise, are you guys done? Ready to go outside and play?” She asks, her face red with embarrassment. I chuckle, which has her rolling her eyes at me.

Yeah, we’re all going to have our hands full with this little girl. Nothing gets by her.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: HUNTER

When Showtime approaches us with her hand covering her mouth and tears streaming from her eyes, I glance at Max, thinking he finally shared his truth with her. But he’s just walked into the room carrying another serving dish of scrambled eggs.

“What’s with you?” He asks Showtime, who waves one hand at him while using the other to fan her face.

“Elina.” Showtime manages. “She’s over asking Chill if Hunter took her advice about dragging Chill into his room to exercise with him like Puma does when Alisa’s mad at him.” She barely gets the last word out before she leans over to catch her breath.

“Fuck!” Shouts Puma, which just sets everyone off. Because that’s exactly what he and Alisa are doing instead of exercising. They’re fucking. I see Alisa’s face go red before she heads to the table to collect her daughter.

I chuckle as I finish piling up a plate of food for Chill. I arrive as Max removes the kids’ plates to take them to the kitchen. “Need some help?” I ask him, but he shakes his head.

“I got it. Maybe you can help me put up the leftovers once everyone is done?” He asks, and I nod my agreement.

“So I hear you took Elina’s advice.” Chill says with a smirk and I chuckle.

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