Chapter 12

 

Chloe

 

 

 

“I STILL FEEL like shit about this,” Kai said, as we set down the last of the moving boxes into my new apartment. “I wish you weren’t moving out. I know you’re upset about Trey, but he really does like you and feels just as bad as I do.”

I bit my tongue, knowing that whatever I said wouldn’t make a difference. Kai was still madly in love with Trey, who was as manipulative as ever. Unfortunately, he was also blinded by that love and unwilling to see the man for what he really was – a selfish and lazy prick. During the last year he’d basically wormed his way into our lives and hadn’t contributed anything toward rent or housing expenses. Yes, he was working part-time, but his money went toward who knows what. Kai kept making lame excuses for him and I’d stopped asking questions long ago.

“This is for the best,” I replied, staring at the walls of my new place, relieved that I wouldn’t have to live with Trey any longer. Just seeing the man made me so damn angry. Fortunately, he’d kept his paws to himself and had only flirted a couple of times. Realizing that I wasn’t interested and in fact annoyed as hell, he’d given up and we’d ignored each other for the most part. There was one time, however, when he’d walked in on me in the bathroom. I’d been taking a shower and had apparently forgotten to lock the door. Of course, I’d also thought I was the only one home. I’d screamed and Trey had claimed he hadn’t heard the water running, which was bullshit. I knew better. Fortunately, he hadn’t seen much of me, only a blur through the frosted glass, but I still felt violated by the incident.

“Are you sure you don’t want any help unpacking?”

“No, but thank you. I need to run to the store and pick up a few items before I start anyway. I’ll probably leave here right after you do.”

“Okay. By the way, Renee said that you can visit Georgie whenever you want,” he said.

My heart felt heavy just thinking about Georgie. I couldn’t have him in the apartment as they didn’t allow pets. I’d struggled with letting him go, but in the end found a solution that was bittersweet. Kai’s niece, Katie had been wishing for a dog for Christmas, but they couldn’t afford one. It was my gift to her. I knew that Katie would take very good care of Georgie, who had grown attached to her quickly.

“Thank you,” I replied, trying not to cry as a wave of emotions rushed through me. I was losing both Kai and Georgie. Sure, I could still see them, but it would never be the same.

He nodded and then gave me a hug. “If you ever need anything, call me. I don’t care if it’s in the middle of the night,” he said softly.

“Thanks. Same goes for you.”

Kai released me and I walked him to the door.

“Kai.”

He turned and looked at me.

“You only live once, so be good to yourself,” I said, remembering our old saying used back in college. It had been more of a joke and we’d used it on everything, whether it was choosing something on a menu or buying an expensive article of clothing. I just wish he’d remember the motto when it came to relationships.

His eyes softened. “You, too.”

We said our ‘goodbyes’ and then he took off. I could tell that he felt guilty, but his love for Trey outshined everything. Sadly, that included our friendship.

An hour later, I was battling the crowds at the store. I should have known better, since it was the holiday season. But, I wanted my own Christmas tree and was determined to get one up before I went to bed that night. Call it silly, but I really needed some festiveness in my life, especially after moving away from my best friend. As I was contemplating which tree to buy, my cell phone rang. It was Jessica.

“Hi, how’s the move going?” she asked in a cheery mood.

“It’s been a lot of work, but I just got the last of the boxes into my apartment,” I replied, walking by a frosted pine tree.

“Would you like some help unpacking? I just finished my shift.”

“No. But thank you for the offer.” I knew that she’d be tired anyway and I had the next couple of days off to unpack.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m actually at the store purchasing a Christmas tree.”

“You are? Oh, that reminds me… the Gold Vipers are going to be holding another fundraiser this year and are looking for volunteers to help out. They’re trying to raise money for the homeless and the Children’s Cancer Research Organization.”

“Cool.”

“They’re also sending Santa Claus over to the hospital on Friday, to pass out presents to the children. They need an elf to help him out, preferable someone who knows their way around. I’m working, otherwise I’d do it.”

“I can do it, if they haven’t found anyone else yet.”

“I don’t think they have yet.”

“What time?”

“Around eleven.”

“That time works for me. I’m not back at the hospital until Sunday night and I can’t wait to see the looks on the children’s faces when they see Santa,” I replied, smiling.

“You’re a doll. Thank you. I’ll let Tank know. Should I have him call you?”

“Yeah. I’m also free on Friday if they need any other help.”

“Actually, Tank might take you up on it. They’ve rented out some banquet room, downtown, for children to meet Santa. They’re going to charge for pictures and donate all the proceeds. They need volunteers for that, too.”

“I’m available. Let him know.”

“You sure you won’t be too busy?”

“I’m never too busy for holiday fundraisers.”

“I’ll tell Tank. He was hoping you’d be available.”

Me specifically?

 “Really?”

“Well, I told him that you mentioned something about being able to help out this holiday season. He must have remembered. Of course, not a lot of bikers want to dress as elves. So, that’s probably why he was hoping you’d volunteer.”

I chuckled. “Makes sense.”

We’d talked about it last year, after the party at the clubhouse. I’d been a little tipsy on the ride home, volunteering my time freely without thinking. But, I loved Christmas and needed something to cheer me up. This sounded like fun and it was for a great cause. Plus, I’d heard that Graham was now a Prospect and secretly hoped to run into him. I still wasn’t crazy about the jail thing, but I wasn’t planning on marrying the guy. Not even date him. I just wanted to see him again. I’d spent many nights thinking about him; hell, fantasizing about him. I just wanted to see if he was as sexy as I’d remembered. Bad boys weren’t my thing in the real world. But, fantasies were different. They were safe, no matter who I chose to be my partner.

  “Anyway, I’m going to call him and let him know you’re in.”

“Sounds good.”

We spoke for a few more seconds and then hung up. A short time later, I had a new tree in my cart and was racking up over three hundred dollars for lights and decorations, but didn’t care. I was determined to make it beautiful. After all, a person only lives once…