by Pavan Kaur
“Sorry, I was thinking about what to do with your sexy ass.” I finally look at the dresses. “Do you not have jeans and a t-shirt?” I ask her. Even though she looks amazing in dresses, I want her to start dressing more casual around me.
“I do. I just got used to wearing these.”
“Well, I want you to feel comfortable to wear what you want,” I say, walking over to her and pulling her closer before grabbing her naked ass. “After two days, being naked around the apartment would work fantastic.” Leaning down I begin kissing her neck. She knows my weakness, but I know hers, too. The soft spot on her neck always makes her weak in the knees.
“Et-Ethan.” My name comes out shaky from her lips as her hands move to my waist and up my shirt. Quickly, she takes a step back from me. “Nicely played Mr. Knight, nicely played,” she says, then walks away.
I’m so close to breaking her, but I need her to make the first move to show that I can hold out, and she wants it just as bad as I do.
***
I was quiet on the way to my mom’s house, but I didn’t have anything good to say and I’m not about to let my anger for them out on her.
“About time you got here,” Tanya says, and I look over at her standing next to Travis. Lexi walks over to them but I ignore them and walk over to my mom.
“Are you still not talking to him?” My mom asks as I kiss her on the cheek. “He wants to speak to you. Just give him a minute.” I look over at the three of them talking. Tanya and Lexi are laughing about something.
“I’m not ready to talk to him yet, and today is going to be bad enough without adding to it,” I tell my mom as I walk over to the bar to fill a glass with whiskey.
The two people I’m coming face-to-face with have made me hate people, and trust no one. I drank more after what they did than I ever did before. Today is not the day I need to be talking to Travis about trust.
I look over at the door as the bell rings, then watch Lexi walk over to me. I nod to my mom to let her know I’m ready.
“I’m with you all the way.” Lexi says, plant a small kiss on my lips. “Don’t lose your temper,” she tells me as I hear footsteps getting closer to us.
I see my mom take them to the dinner table. Leaning on the bar, I pull Lexi closer to me so that she stands between my legs. “I've not seen them since I found them together, and I've nothing but hate for them,” I tell her, resting my forehead against hers.
“You don’t have to talk to them,” she whispers to me.
“So they can just keep calling me, ruining my mood with you?” I ask, then glance at my mom as she watches me with Lexi. “I’m just not sure if I can listen to what they want to say,” I tell Lexi as I straighten. I take her hand in mine and lead her toward the dining room. “Let’s get this over with.”
Walking over to the dinner table, I look at everyone. Angie and Edward are sitting on the far side with Tanya and Travis sitting two seats away, leaving me with the furthest away from them both.
Sitting down, I pull Lexi’s chair closer to mine. She looks over at me, but says nothing and sits down. My mom sits on the other side of me, and I lock eyes with the man I've hated for years.
“What do you want?” Ten minutes of just staring at each other is only making me more annoyed with them. Tell me what you want, and get the fuck out of my face. “You want money—tell me why.”
“Ethan,” Angie starts, “I… We just want—”
“I don’t want to hear, ‘we’re sorry, it was a mistake.’ Just tell me why you want six hundred thousand dollars, then get the fuck out of my life,” I shout at them both, mainly looking at Edward, but putting my finger up to stop either one from speaking. “What was it you said to my mother when you left her with two kids and took every dime we had?” I look at him, waiting for an answer. “Let me refresh your memory. You told my mother that she was not worth the money you made, that we weren’t worth the money you made, and to never ask you for any because you wanted nothing to do with us.” I slap my hand on the table. “And look at how the tables have turned.”
“Ethan—”
“You know what? I don’t even want to hear your voice,” I spit at Edward, “your little bitch can talk for you.” I look over at Angie.
Ethan– Call Selena. I want to know how Edward and Emily are connected.
I send Travis a message, but don’t look over at him. I hear his chair moving and then footsteps leaving the room, and I look over at Lexi as she looks where he’s walking to. Her eyes meet mine, and without having to say a word, she knows that he’s okay, and places her hand on my leg.
“When you threw me out, your dad took me in and we continued—”
“I didn’t ask for the details,” I shout at her. If I wanted details I would have called her and asked why she did it, but I didn’t care then, and I don’t care now.
“I got pregnant. You have a half-brother. He's been ill, and to pay for his medical bills, we need money—money that we don’t have.” She stops and looks at Edward for a moment, and my eyes move to Tanya as she leaves the room. “He was born with congenital heart defects and now needs open heart surgery, but we can’t afford it,” Angie finishes and looks over at me.
I feel Travis’ hand on my shoulder. He leans down towards my ear. “Selena found out they got married six months ago, and now the man has no money,” he whispers and sits back down with Tanya next to him.
“I know Emily has money, why not ask her?” I look Edward in the eyes. I know how much money she has.
“She—”
“I didn’t ask you,” I snap, glaring at Angie. “I asked him.” I jab my finger to Edward.
“She paid for the first surgery, but it didn’t work. We have to do it again, and—”
I put my finger up to stop him from talking. “You’ve told me what you want and why, now get out.” Pushing my chair away from the table, I walk over to the bar and fill my glass with whiskey.
I might look calm as though their news didn’t bother me, but it’s done nothing but make me hate them more. They fucked each other behind my back and then had a kid.
Lexi walks over to me, but there’s no confidence in her stride. It’s as though she’s walking in eggshells, unsure what I'll say to her. She stops in front of me, “Travis is on the phone with Selena to see if what they're saying is true,” she says, quietly.
Finishing my whiskey, I place the glass on the bar. “Do you think I’m a monster for telling them to leave?” I ask.
Why is it bothering me that I don’t want to help them? He didn’t care when he left us, and she didn’t care when she jumped in bed with him while married to me, so why should I care what happens to them? But, I do because it involves a small helpless child that didn’t ask to be brought into this world, or into this mess.
“No, far from it. That was a lot to take in. You need time to think about all of it.” She steps closer to me. I pull her into me, not for a kiss, but for a hug. I just need someone to hold me right now. “I’m right here,” she whispers into my chest as she wraps her arms around me.
“Ethan,” I hear my mom behind Lexi. “I think we need to talk.” I give her a nod.
I look at Lexi and she shakes her head. “Don’t. Don’t look at me like that. I can’t tell you what to do. This is your decision, and only yours,” she tells me, and yes, that was what I was about to ask her. I knew she wouldn’t give me a selfish answer—it was going to be the right answer.
“I don’t know what that is,” I tell her.
“You don’t know it now, but you will. I know the heart you hide inside here, and I know it'll choose the right thing,” she says pointing to my chest. I never thought I would have someone like her in my life. I figured I was only ever going to get the selfish bitches that wanted me for my money, but then Lexi shows up and wants me for my heart. If nothing else comes out of this whole thing, I know I won’t let her go, and I won’t lose her to anyone.
Selena sent everything over that she could find on th
e boy. His name is Edward Junior, and what they told us the story checked out. His next surgery is in six weeks. They'll be billed after the surgery, so no one knows exactly how much it'll cost just yet.
“I don’t think you should give them any money,” Tanya tells me. She’s always said she would never forgive Edward for what he did.
My eyes move to Lexi, cleaning up in the kitchen after lunch. She hasn’t said anything on the subject, and I don’t think she will, either. This is my family drama, why bring her into it?
“Ethan, what are you thinking?” My mom asks, but I keep my eyes trained on Lexi. What is it about this woman that nothing else matters to me in the world when I’m looking at her?
“I think that child has no idea how fucked up his parents are. Is it right for me to take out my anger on a two-year-old?” I look at my mom. “What type of man would I be if I let a little boy suffer?” I turn my eyes away from her, ashamed at where my thoughts go next. “But, I hate them so much that I want them to hurt as much as they’ve hurt me—hurt all of us.” I rub my forehead, wanting this to be over.
“Deep down, you know the right thing to do. You just have to man up and put your anger to the side,” my mom says as she rubs my shoulder.
“I made everyone some coffee.” Lexi puts the tray on the table, putting coffee mugs in front of everyone. I put my hand on her lower back and she looks up at me. “I figured this is going to be a long day, so I’ll make dinner for everyone. I just need to go grab a few things first.”
“We can order,” I tell her. My mom taps me on the leg, and I turn to her. She gives me that looks that tells me I’ve done something wrong. I turn to Lexi. “Travis will go with you, and you come right back here.”
“Okay,” she agrees. I pull her down to sit on my leg, resting my head against hers.
“Do you want to tell me what you think?” I ask her again.
“Ethan, again, this is your decision. But, whatever you decide, I'll support you.” She looks back at me. “Your decision,” she tells me again, running her fingers through my hair.
Tonight is going to be a lot of going back and forth for me. Should I be the same monster as them, or just put my pride to the side, give them the money, and tell them not to ever contact me again?
Lexi
I set the table and put out the dinner Travis helped me cook. Selena is over as well. She has known everything since the beginning, so it was a given she would be here. I haven't seen Ethan this tense before. I know he's struggling with this decision.
“Lexi, can you come in here, please?” Ethan calls out. I look at Travis, and we both make our way over to the others. “I’m going to pay for his treatment.” I smile, as I’m so happy he made this decision. I never doubted he would do the right thing. The child shouldn't have to pay with his life when Ethan can afford to help save him. “Selena is going to get the lawyers to make a contract stating that I’ll pay for the treatment. In return, they can never contact my family or me again. The moment they attempt any contact, they will have to repay all the money. All correspondence from the medical staff will go through my lawyers. That way, I can be kept up-to-date but from a distance. They’ll have to keep the attorneys up to date with all follow-up care for at least the first year after surgery.” Ethan looks over at me, and I give him an encouraging smile. I want him to know I think he's great, and he's doing the right thing.
“I think that's a good plan, Ethan,” his mom says as she walks over to him and gives him a kiss.
“Selena will call them on her way home, and they’ll have the contract by the end of the week. Now, I don’t want to talk about them, or even hear the names from anyone in this room anymore. My girlfriend has made dinner, which smells amazing, and I’m hungry,” Ethan tells everyone as he's walking over to me.
“I'm proud of you for helping that little boy.”
“Do I get extra points for that?” Ethan gives me a wink, and I can’t help but laugh at him.
“You do in two more days,” I tell him. Giving him a wink back, I walk back to the kitchen and leave him standing alone with Travis. I look back at Ethan, who’s walking away from Travis. What the hell has to happen for Ethan to give Travis a break? I mean, he’s his best friend. “He’ll come around. I think today has been a long day,” I tell Travis as he comes over to help me.
“I know. I knew this was going to happen. I just don't know how to show him that I’ve changed since I’ve been with Tanya,” Travis says as he mixes up the gravy.
Ethan thinks that I can't cook, but I can—I just don't like to. This is the first time I'm cooking for him. It’s one of my dad’s favorites and the only thing I actually know how to cook well.
“I can talk to him if you want.” I look over at him. I like Travis, and Tanya looks happy to me.
“No. I know Ethan, he just needs a little more time,” he says, walking away with some items to take to the table.
As I'm following, Tanya walks past me and brings a few things too. “Oh, Lexi, this all looks amazing,” she tells me.
“Thank you. It was my dad’s favorite.” I say while looking over at Ethan, who holds my eyes for a moment.
“Are we about to eat an old family recipe?” Tanya asks.
“We are,” I reply. I plate some food for Ethan. “I can feel you staring at me,” I whisper to him, not wanting anyone else to hear.
“That’s because I am.” Ethan brings his lips to my ear. “You look beautiful.”
Turning to face him, I look into his eyes. His lips are so close to mine. I always thought those moments between couples that you see in the movies didn’t really happen because, let’s face it, real life sucks most of the time. But, right now, at this very minute, something magical is happening between us. My body breaks out into goosebumps, and my stomach feeling like a cage of butterflies have escaped.
“Can you pass the gravy?” Tanya asks, breaking us out of our moment. I look over and see Lisa smiling at us, and there is something different about it, a proud smile.
I want to ask Travis and Tanya how their relationship is going, but I don't want to annoy Ethan. Despite the shit morning he’s had, he's finally in a good mood.
“Mr. Williams called me today and said he might come down this week.” I look over at Ethan. “He asked if we would be available for dinner?”
“Sure, just let me know,” Ethan replies taking a mouth full of lamb and potatoes. “This is good.”
The evening was nice. We talked about my job, which reminded me that I needed to talk to Ethan and Mrs. Jackie about it. I can't keep lying to his family about how we met. The moment I start working in Ms. Jackie's office, they’ll know something is wrong.
Ethan's mom hasn't dated anyone since Ethan's dad. I kept telling her she needs to find a man. Tanya agreed with me, but Ethan wasn’t so happy about it. Tanya and I still plan on putting her on a dating site.
***
By the time we got home last night, I was too tired to tease Ethan; I think he was too. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.
As I'm coming out of the bedroom, I hear Selena’s voice. It's too early for her to be here. What is she doing here?
“Selena, I like you. I think you’re a very brave woman to be working for him, but it's seven in the morning. I don’t care what Ethan has to say or what business emergency has come up, just go home. I don’t want to see your beautiful face until ten,” I tell her, and she looks over at Ethan.
Ethan come up behind me. “I think someone didn’t get enough sleep.” He brings his lips to my ear. “Or is someone missing something?” he whispers, and my body shivers a little.
God, yes, I'm missing something. I miss having sex with him, I miss having his lips on me and his body touching mine. Stupid bet.
“You be back here at ten,” he tells Selena. Walking over to the kitchen to get some coffee Ethan looks over at me. “I’m about to go up to the penthouse if you want to come have a look. Or would you like to go to the bedroom and ha
ve some…fun?” Ethan’s lips curl up, and I stick my tongue out at him.
“I know that it’s getting to you too, and the worst part is this is only day two. Day fucking two,” I tell him blowing on the hot coffee.
“I've learned that very cold showers seem to work.” Ethan starts laughing and kisses me. “Good morning.”
“Good morning. Let me finish my coffee, then I'll be up to have a look. How much longer is it going to take, do you think?” I ask him. I know that he's not in a rush to finish it.
“I’ve told them to take their time. I want everything to be perfect.” Ethan fills his mug up with some coffee. “I need a few things extra now that you’re moving in.”
I turn around to look at him. “When was this decision made? You haven’t asked me, nor have I said yes.” Putting my hand on my hip, I wait for him to at least ask me.
“Fine. Lexi, will you move in with me?”
I start laughing at the way he's just asked me. It was the most childish thing I think I’ve heard. “Fine, I’ll move in with you,” I answer, mocking his tone and making him laugh.
“Come on. I have other work to do, too.” Ethan walks over to the door as I drink the last of my coffee.
“You need to get laid. You seem very tense.” I laugh as I walk out of the door.
“Trust me. In two days, I’m taking the day off and locking you in the bedroom.” Ethan slaps my ass, and I can’t help but laugh some more at him. I still think he’ll break before I do.
Walking into the penthouse, I look at the mess. There’s no way this is going to be finished anytime soon. There isn’t even a kitchen in here yet, and Ethan is already planning on making me breakfast in his apartment before I say I’m moving in here.
“There’s still a lot to do,” I say, following him around the room.
“Yeah, but the master bedroom is all done.” Ethan looks behind and winks at me. “So, since you are moving in, I thought you could see if you wanted to change anything,” he says, opening the door and letting me look around.