Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

49. Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Charli

Jennifer showing up early today almost pushed me over the edge. When Carina had her blowout, the woman had no problem handing over the baby like she was a hot potato. Cleaning her up wasn’t the most pleasant job in the world, but as they say… shit happens. A mother should’ve been able to deal with it.

My shower was divine, exactly what I needed after dealing with Jennifer by myself for an hour. I really was trying to play nice, but the woman tap-danced on my last nerve. Had Hunter not come home when he did, I would have completely lost it with her.

As I came down the hall from my bedroom, I heard the two of them talking. Curious about what was being said, I plastered myself against the wall and scooted closer.

My hand came up to cover my gasp as I heard Hunter offer to pay her rent. For a smart guy, he was an idiot. It wasn’t my business, but it pissed me off.

I peeked my head around the corner .

“I’ll write you a check,” he said.

“Actually, cash would be better,” she replied.

Oh! My! God!

Hunter went down the other hall to his office and I watched as Jennifer held Carina up and said to her, “Mama’s getting paid, my little boo-boo bear. What should she buy? I knew coming back here was the right move.”

I felt like a volcano ready to explode. What a schemer! I bet she wasn’t even late on her rent.

Hunter came back and handed her a wad of cash. I had no idea how much, but it looked like a lot. If I said something, Hunter and I would end up fighting.

He’d accuse me of being jealous again.

It was his money to do with as he pleased, and it wasn’t my place to tell him how to spend it. But for fuck’s sake, how could he be so blind?

After dinner, Hunter went to his office to work while I had the pleasure of entertaining Jennifer. She sat on the couch while I chased after Princess Poops-a Lot.

Since Carina started crawling, life had changed. Everything was a new adventure to her. I swiped the television remote right before it went in her mouth, then she crawled to the potted ficus in the corner and pulled on the edge of the pot. I grabbed the plant and moved it to the balcony, where she wouldn’t be able to tip it over.

The apartment was nowhere near babyproofed. I quickly realized we’d have to move everything down low to higher ground. Also… baby gates. They were going to be a necessity. When did she get so fast?

I chased after Carina, only to scoop her up right as she grabbed my flip-flop and began chewing on the toe.

And… teething toys. We definitely needed more of those.

“So…,” Jennifer started. “How long do you plan on staying here? ”

“What do you mean?” I asked, as I picked up all the shoes and put them on the entryway table.

“I mean, you’re the nanny. Hunter needed you before, but now that I’m here, I’m not so sure you’re needed anymore.

“Excuse me?” I set Carina on my hip.

“Eventually, I’ll be taking care of Carina. I am her mother,” she said, flashing me a smile.

“You know what? You’re right.” I plopped Carina on her lap. “Since you’re her mother, you should be helping out more. And FYI… I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

“We’ll see.”

I stomped down the hall to Hunter’s office. “Do you think you could come out and help me?”

He looked up from his computer. “Charli, you know I have to work. I need all this paperwork ready to present to my father.”

“I understand, but Carina is getting into everything and it’s exhausting.”

Hunter’s cheeks puffed up and deflated. “I don’t mean to sound this way, but isn’t that what I pay you for?”

Oh no he didn’t!

I gritted my teeth. “Yes, but you don’t pay me to babysit Miss Big Tits too.”

He smirked. “Now, who’s being dramatic? Miss Big Tits is a grown woman. She doesn’t need you to babysit her.”

“I beg to differ.”

“I don’t have time to fight with you. Please, just do as you’re told.”

If I didn’t get away from him, I was liable to crawl over his desk and wrap my hands around his throat. “You got it, boss.” I gave him a double thumbs-up followed by my middle fingers. Childish? Yep. Did I care? Not in the least.

“I saw that!” he yelled out as I left.

“You were supposed to,” I called back.

I suggested Jennifer leave when Carina began to yawn. It was after nine o’clock and she’d worn out her welcome.

Jennifer planted sloppy kisses all over her daughter’s face. “Good night, my little boo-boo bear. Mommy will see you tomorrow.” She handed Carina back to me, scrunching up her nose. “I think she might need to be changed again.”

I smiled. “I think you might be right. Something smells like shit.”

Jennifer harrumphed as she walked out.

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” I mumbled.

By the time Jennifer left, I was seething. I’d never met a more useless human being in my life.

My feelings toward her had nothing to do with jealousy. She wanted to do all the fun stuff with Carina, but none of the work. All she did tonight was take up space and annoy me.

After I put Carina to bed, I went back to Hunter’s office. “Wanted to let you know your princess is asleep.”

He nodded. “Did you, by chance, take any money from my wallet?”

I pulled back. “Are you accusing me of stealing?”

“Charli, stop. I’m not accusing you of anything. I thought I put cash in there yesterday morning, but when I went to pay for dinner, there was only a twenty-dollar bill. I just wondered if you took any for… I don’t know… groceries or anything?”

“I don’t touch your wallet. I only use the credit card you gave me, and you can easily track everything I’ve spent. Anything I buy for myself, I use my own money.” I crossed my arms and jutted my chin out.

“You’re getting defensive. It was only a question, not an accusation.” He got up and came around his desk, wrapping me in his arms. “Thank you for handling things tonight.”

I kept my arms stiff at my sides. “It’s my job, remember?”

He ran his finger along the side of my face. “Don’t be like that. ”

Squirming out of his arms, I took a step back. “We need to talk about Miss Big Tits.”

Hunter scowled. “It was funny the first time, but her name is Jennifer.”

“Is it? Because she told me it was Ginny.”

He sighed. “What about Jennifer?”

“You need to put her on a schedule. She’s totally disrupting our whole routine.”

“We talked about this last night,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets.

I pointed at him. “You gave her money. I saw you.”

He rocked back on his heels. “Not that it’s your business, but I did. She was going to be evicted. She’s trying to get on a positive path, and I support that.”

“She’s lying to you! I bet she took the money from your wallet too,” I said, crossing my arms.

“That’s a big accusation. You got anything to back it up?”

“You didn’t have a problem accusing me.”

“I didn’t accuse you. I asked you a question. Big difference.”

“Come to think of it, don’t you think it’s a coincidence that your watch went missing and now there’s money gone from your wallet? Cuz I do!” Now that I was thinking about it, it made perfect sense.

“I think that you’re totally out of line and you hate Jennifer so much that you’d say anything to get rid of her. I think that I’ve had a lot on my plate lately and this shit isn’t helping.”

“Well, let me throw one more thing on top of that shit pile… I want her gone!”

“That’s not your decision to make. I’m doing what’s best for Carina. Don’t ask me to choose between you and my daughter because you’ll lose every time.”

I pointed to my chest. “I would never ask you to do that. I’m asking you to choose between me and Jennifer! She’s like a cancer eating away at everything good. ”

“Don’t be a bitch. Jennifer is part of Carina’s life, which means she’s part of my life. If you don’t like it, I don’t know what to tell you. No one is forcing you to be here.”

“You’re absolutely right.” Taking deep breaths, I left his office and went to my room. I pulled my suitcase from under the bed and started emptying my drawers into it. This was utter bullshit. I furiously threw my clothes into the suitcase, and when it was full, I went to the bathroom and dumped all my toiletries into a duffel bag.

Hunter stood in the bathroom doorway with his hands pressed to both sides. “What are you doing?”

I ducked under his arm. “Leaving, exactly as you suggested.”

He turned around and followed after me. “I didn’t suggest you leave.”

“The hell you didn’t!” I zipped my suitcase and yanked it to the floor, then dragged it down the hallway.

“Charli, you’re being irrational.”

I whipped around. “And apparently, a bitch. I don’t need this bullshit. I was here for you and Carina. I’ll be damned if I’m going to watch you be an oblivious asshole. Last chance… Jennifer or me?”

“You’re not being fair. It’s an impossible choice. I have to do what’s best for my daughter and you know it!”

“I understand.” But I didn’t understand at all. It was as if everything I thought we had was an illusion. Like I made it out to be more than it was. And maybe I did. I made the mistake of falling in love with Hunter Dorsey when I shouldn’t have. It was supposed to be a job. Nothing more. “We both knew this was going to end; I’m doing both of us a favor.”

Ask me to stay.

Tell me not to go.

Say you love me.

Every silent plea went unanswered as he stood there and stared at me.

I pulled his credit card from my purse and set it on the counter, along with the apartment and car keys.

Doubt crept in. Was I being irrational? Was I being a bitch? Was this a total overreaction? Maybe, but I didn’t know what else to do .

Hunter took my head between his hands and kissed me. “You don’t have to do this.”

I almost melted into his arms, but if I didn’t stand my ground, nothing would change. “Give me a reason not to.”

Ask me to stay.

Tell me not to go.

Say you love me.

“Good luck, Charli. I hope all your dreams come true.”

My voice caught in my throat. “You too. I hope everything works out.”

I thought about going in and saying goodbye to Carina, but that would only make it harder to leave. Instead, I slowly walked to the door, giving him one last chance. Willing him, with all I had, to say the words that would change my mind.

Ask me to stay.

Tell me not to go.

Say you love me.

I opened the door and dragged my suitcase through. “Bye, Hunter.

“Bye, dollface.”

I made it to the elevator, down to the lobby, and out to the parking garage to the old pickup truck I’d barely driven over the past few months. My heart broke with every step I took.

Of all the ways I imagined us ending, this wasn’t it. I drove across town to the only place I wanted to be and knocked on the door.

When it opened, my brother looked at my suitcase.

I shrugged as the tears welled in my eyes and fell down my face. “I need a place to stay.”