I head off to my room, throw on comfy clothes, then lie down on my bed with my Kindle. It seems like forever since I've been able to read a book start to finish, and that's on the agenda for tonight. Me and my book boyfriend, best-laid plans and all that. I'm not even three chapters in when I start to doze off. My ringing cell phone wakes me.
"Hey, babe," I answer.
"Beautiful," Crew says. "The house is sold, finally." He sighs with what I assume is relief. "But I have to fly to New York to finalize everything."
"That's great news. When do you leave?"
"I fly out Friday morning. I tried to change it, but that's what worked for the buyers and honestly, I just want to be done with this."
"Don't worry about the club. Zane and I will keep things running while you're gone."
"Come with me."
"We both know I can't do that. Both of us leaving this soon after opening could be the potential for disaster. Besides, it'll be a quick in-and – out, right?"
"Yeah. I'm going to call Zane and talk security with him for while I'm gone. I couldn't get a flight home until Saturday morning."
"Sounds good." I yawn.
"You okay?" he asks, concerned.
"Oh yeah, just tired."
"Get some rest, babe. I'll be there later. You want to stay there or my place?"
"Honestly, I just want to sleep here. You can just stay home. I'll see you in the morning."
"Berklee."
"Crew, I'm tired. Come on, I'll see you in the morning. I'm home safe and sound and want to curl up in my bed and sleep."
"I'll be there," he says. "See you soon."
Stubborn man. "No. I'm going to stay here and you are going to stay at your place. It's one night, Crew. I'll see you in the morning." I hold strong, mainly just out of stubbornness. Not to mention I'm tired and cranky.
"Fine. I'll be there first thing."
"Thank you. Good night."
"Night, baby," he says, his voice softer.
I give up on my book and burrow into the covers. I think I go to sleep before my head even hits the pillow.
My alarm goes off at seven and I groan. Rolling over, I'm met with an unexpected yet delightful sight-Crew is lying next to me. He's in his boxer briefs, tattooed arm over his eyes. My stubborn man just refuses to stay away. I was so exhausted I didn't even feel him come in.
I scoot closer to rest my head on his chest, listening to his even breathing. His arms softly wrap around me. "Morning," he mumbles.
"Hey, I thought we agreed you would go to your place?"
"Couldn't sleep without you. Came in at five when Barry left for the gym."
I want to be irritated, but how can I when he says things like that? "I'm going to hop in the shower while you get a little more sleep."
When I get out, I feel more human. Crew is still sleeping, so I creep out of the room to make us some breakfast. "Hey, no subbing today?" I ask Maggie when I find her sitting at the kitchen island.
"Nope, and since you're here, I need some bestie time. You've been so busy with that man of yours and the club that I've hardly seen you. Speaking of, is that his truck in the driveway?"
"Yeah, he's sleeping. Said Barry let him in at five this morning. Claims he couldn't sleep without me there."
"Aw, he's so sweet."
"He has his moments, but then again he can be . . . hardcore too." I blush, thinking about opening night at the club.
"Uh-oh, there is most definitely a story there and I am all ears. Spill it, sister."
So I do, giving her the details about that night in his office.
"Holy shit." She fans herself with her iPad. "I'm turned on just hearing the recap."
I laugh at her. "It was hot, and . . . just everything. He kind of freaked a little. We forgot the condom, he took the blame. It was both of us who let it happen. I told him I was on the pill." I chuckle. "He said something like even though it was on his list, he wasn't ready for little Berklees to be running around."
"We've been on the same schedule for years, so you can tell him rest assured that things are good to go. We have proof this week." She laughs. "So he's talking about kids with you? That's pretty serious," she rambles on while I'm still stuck on what she said. I'm due this week. It's not uncommon to be a day or two off from Mags, but for most of our lives, we've been pretty in sync. That happens when you spend so much time together.
That must be it. We've not seen each other as much and I've been spending more time at Crew's place, so we've fallen out of sync.
I shrug. "Not sure. I mean, I'm gone for him, Mags. So gone that I know I will never find my way back. If this ends, I'm done for."