Chapter Text
Chris is sitting in her truck. Her fingers are drumming on the dash and she is choking back tears. She is angry at Street for keeping silent but even more at herself for ignoring her gut. She thought it was weird. Her thoughts drift back to that evening when she was so beat from the day, she asked Ty to stay in. He had been pretty quick to accommodate her wish. But that wasn't what bothered her right now.
The way Street had decided to not tell her about Kira, to never tell that was what rattled her.
Chris swipes angrily at the wet stains on her face. She can't drive to them right now, even if she wants to scream at them. What was that? Why would Kira even go out with Street? Why did no one think to tell her?
She starts the car and drives to her own place. Chris savors the quiet and familiarity before she frowns at the boxes she had already prepared.
In her head, she knows she won't be packing anything. Not before she has some answers but at the same time, she still isn't sure she really wants those answers.
What if that is normal for them? To always have more than one "third" in the mix? Chris stumbles a little over that. She can't imagine Street agreeing to that, well not with a second man in the mix anyway. She can't help the small smile at the memory of his first reaction to Ty and Kira.
Chris shakes her head. No, Jim Street is not the man for a thrupple.
Today was supposed to be a relaxed day off. And she still has a lunch date with them. Chris twirls her phone in her hands contemplating to cancel and just get her thoughts together but deep inside she knows, there won't be a conclusion nor a solution if she isn't talking to Ty and Kira.
She gets to packing the boxes away and when nothing in her apartment looks like moving anymore, she is ready to head out.
When Chris arrives at the cafe, she can see them in a booth. Kira clearly is fidgeting nervously.
Chris can't help keeping a distance and just sliding into the bench without as much as a small hello.
"How was your morning?" Ty asks softly and tries to touch her hand, but Chris pulls it away. "Unsettling." Chris sees Ty wants to say something in reply, but she holds up her hand to stop him.
"Let me get this out. I just, I don't even know where to start really. I am confused, shocked, and yes, angry." she stops to take a breath.
"I guess what I want to know is why? Why would you ask me to move in? Why is Kira going out with other people too? Why did no one tell me? I thought I was an equal part in this relationship."
The pair across from her share a look and Ty nods supportively.
Kira's eyes shimmer and her voice is low and raspy. She sounds like she is going to cry. "I wanted to tell you... I didn't know he is your friend."
"That is not the point. Yes, I am angry he got hurt in the process, but my issue is more that I feel cheated on. You said this relationship can only work if we are all open and honest. And you weren't. Is Ty also meeting other women when we are out alone? Is that your method? That's just... That's not working for me." Chris flaps her arms to accentuate her frustration.
"So, what does that mean?" Kira asks with sad eyes.
"I don't know. I really need more time to think. And I really shouldn't move in with you. I just, wow what am I supposed to tell my friends?"
Chris stops herself from blurting out all of the swirling thoughts in her head. She feels horrible.
She agreed to move in with them in front of a lot of her friends and if she now walks away... that will not only hurt her own reputation, but any explanation could also hurt Street. Her mind flashes back to earlier this morning.
Luca had looked so understanding, just as if he knew or at least suspected something.
That was something she needed to ask about later too. Later, on shift. Well, one thing was clear, that was going to be at least a little awkward and she had no idea how to change that. Chris feels a touch to her hand and that pulls her back to the cafe. Kira studies her face intently. "So where does that leave us?"
"I really don't know," Chris admits. "I think I should go and maybe, um maybe in a few days you can try to explain this to me. But to be open, and honest. I don't see this working out."
Now that it is out, it feels final. And still, a little part of Chris hopes that maybe Kira can convince her to stay. Inward she rolls her eyes at herself.
She grabs her stuff and with a small wave leaves the cafe.
Outside Chris takes a deep breath. The air is still cool and at the horizon, she can see black clouds rolling in.
On the drive back to her apartment the rain starts to fall, and Chris can't help but feel like crying herself again.
She rolls up on her couch with a cup of tea, trying to calm herself and think about all of it. Even if it hurts.
Her thoughts bring her back to the moment when Kira told her about Ty the first time. Chris remembers being taken back with that already, but Kira had convinced her to meet the man. And he was ... is great. They both are.
Just their way of life is ... different? New? Unusual?
Not for me.
Chris gets up and walks around her apartment. She really wants to talk to someone right now. Talk out the mess in her head and heart but calling Street is out of the question. He broke her trust in her eyes. And still, her fingers hover over his contact on her phone.