A Chip and a Chair (Seven of Spades, #5)(22)
Turning on the loveseat, Dominic focused fully on Levi. “I’m going to give notice at Stingray. I only work there once or twice a week these days, and between the job at McBride and Stanton paying off my debt, I don’t need it anyway. I’ve been giving my cash tips to my manager at the end of the night to add to my paycheck, like we talked about-but now that my access to money is so limited, that cash is more tempting than ever before.”
He wet his lips, steeling his nerves.
“And it’s not just my own tips; it’s the cash people pay with too. I’ve never stolen money to gamble with, but I’ve come close. I think it would be best not to put myself in a situation where that’s a possibility.”
A couple of quick blinks were the only indication Levi gave that this was news to him. “Okay. That makes sense. And you’re right, we don’t need that money.”
We. Dominic always got a little thrill when Levi said that. And it made a nice segue into what he was going to say next.
“I also want to move all of my money into a joint account with you, one that requires both of our signatures to withdraw funds.”
Levi’s forehead creased. “That’s not really practical, is it? You’d have to have me with you every time you needed money.”
“I know.” Dominic took a deep breath. Levi really wasn’t going to like this. “That’s why I want us to take out a certain amount of money once a week, and have you give me a set amount of cash every day.”
It took Levi a few seconds to process that, and once he did, he recoiled on the loveseat. “You want me to give you an allowance?”
“We don’t have to call it that.”
“But that’s what it would be!”
Roberta cut in gently. “For people in recovery from gambling disorders, it can be very helpful to have a partner or other trusted family member take as much control of their finances as possible-not just in the logistical sense of making gambling more difficult, but also as a source of emotional reassurance. I’d also suggest that you be the one to pay all of the household bills, though I understand from Dominic that you two more or less have that arrangement already.”
“Because I’m more organized! Not because I’m . . . in charge.” Levi made a face. “I don’t want to be in a parental role to my own boyfriend.”
Dominic couldn’t resist a set-up like that. “You mean you don’t want me to call you daddy?”
Levi’s answering glare could have flayed the flesh right off his bones.
“Sorry.” Dominic took both of Levi’s hands, looking deep into his eyes. “Levi, I trust you way more than I trust myself. I’d be comfortable giving this kind of control to you because I know you’d take it seriously and never abuse it. It would make me feel more secure to have that safety net.”
“I just . . .” Levi hesitated, his eyes flicking sideways, but he soldiered on at an encouraging nod from Roberta. “You may feel that way now, but I’m worried you’d start resenting me later. This kind of thing could put a huge strain on our relationship if we weren’t careful.”
“That’s a good point,” said Roberta. “When you make a decision like this, you need to be aware of how it could potentially impact your power dynamic. We can discuss some ways to address that, if you want.”
Dominic maintained a carefully neutral expression. He didn’t want to influence Levi’s decision one way or the other, beyond the honest statements he’d already made. He’d promised that he wouldn’t manipulate Levi anymore, and he was sticking to that.
“All right,” Levi said briskly. “What would you recommend?”
They spent the rest of the session reviewing ways to navigate both the emotional and logistical aspects of the proposed changes. By the time Dominic and Levi left the office, Dominic was more at ease, and Levi’s usual reserved aura was contemplative rather than anxious.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were thinking about quitting Stingray?” Levi asked when they reached their cars.
“I wanted to be sure first.”
“You didn’t tell me you were struggling so much with handling cash, either.”
Dominic knew where he was going with this. “I wasn’t hiding it. If it had gotten really bad, I would have told you.” He fiddled with his keys. “I’m still not sure you understand how embarrassing it is for me to tell you this stuff.”
Levi shook his head. “Why?”
“I don’t like you seeing me weak.” Dominic raised his hand, cutting off Levi’s protests as soon as they began. “I know you don’t think of it like that, and that I shouldn’t either, but I do. Maybe I always will.”
“Even if it was a weakness, you wouldn’t have to be embarrassed to show me.” Putting a hand on Dominic’s arm, Levi gazed up at him with serious eyes. “You’ve seen me at my worst, and it only made me feel safer with you.”
Dominic melted and pulled him into a tight embrace. “I want to get to that point,” he murmured. “I really do.”
Levi tilted his face for a kiss. “I’ll help you.”
“How long have you been here?” Martine asked.
Levi raised bleary eyes from his computer to blink at her and Natasha, who were standing side by side next to his desk. They must have walked in from the parking lot together.