Live-In Position

by V. S. Tice

  “I like it hot.” She began to scrub her teeth.

  I brushed and braided her hair after she was done. Ten minutes later, we were curled up in her bed reading the next chapter of my book. She wasn’t asleep at the end of the chapter, but I was starving so I convinced her to go to sleep with the promise of reading the next chapter tomorrow.

  I closed her door and heard Collin calling for me from our room. I walked in that direction irritated about not getting to eat yet.

  “Yeah?” I entered and saw Collin sitting on the small couch with pizza and wine on the coffee table. I felt giddy when I saw the food.

  “I brought the food up here. You hung—?” He couldn’t get the question completely out before I sat down and began stuffing my face and moaning. He chuckled. “I guess you are.”

  He picked up a slice and ate with me. We sat back drinking wine and eating pizza in front of the television. I was on my fifth piece when he turned off the television. With my mouth full I looked over to him.

  “I’m sorry about earlier with Allison and John.” He wrapped an arm around me. I nodded and continued to chew. Honestly the food was way more important to me at this point than our little verbal showdown earlier.

  He pulled me tighter to his side and I curled up on his chest. At some point, I fell asleep, barely remembering him carrying me to our bed.

  Chapter Thirty

  -FIVE

  WHILE SOME OF the pies were lopsided and the crust a bit mutilated, Allison and Victoria did their best. I had to admit the pie-baking day with Larissa, Allison, Ilene, Victoria, Miranda, and Mrs. Baker had been rather enjoyable. We made the pies, drank wine, and snacked from a cheese and cracker tray Larissa brought with her. Everyone on her best behavior was a new and surprising experience.

  Thanksgiving Day was also pleasant. Ilene and Allison didn’t argue; Larissa beamed when Max praised her pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes; and Collin watched his family with a softness I’d never seen extended to them – not by him.

  Collin and Max talked medicine and Max convinced him to watch football. The kids ate, played with Shep, watched movies, and ran around the house. Unfortunately, wedding plans, ideas and suggestions followed me everywhere I went. Red ribbons, pink flowers, song choice, band versus DJ…it went on and on. It’s not that I didn’t appreciate it, but I just didn’t want to go through all of this. Thankfully, the wedding talk wasn’t enough to ruin the pleasant atmosphere of the day.

  Grace called a week before Christmas to stake claim to Victoria. She and Collin argued on the phone from the time we finished eating dinner until I entered our bedroom that night.

  Collin was tossing back a double shot of Scotch when I stepped out of the bathroom. His shoulders were hunched forward and his head dropped. Instead of getting dressed, I went directly to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my cheek against his back.

  “She won’t relent on seeing Victoria,” he sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Does the agreement state she has the right? I mean, did you check with your lawyer?” He looked me up and down.

  “There is nothing in it saying she can’t see her. It could be argued as one of her days to visit.” He swallowed hard.

  “So?” I gasped when he pulled me against his chest roughly.

  “So…it seems we will be having Grace over for Christmas.” His eyes came up from looking down my towel and into my widened eyes.

  “Are you serious?” I pushed away from him. He groaned.

  “What do you expect me to do? She has rights.”

  I narrowed my eyes in on him. “I expect you to tell her to pick another day.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “Of course not,” I sighed loudly. “It never is.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” His angry words rolled off his tongue.

  “Nothing,” I mumbled, stepping away.

  “Don’t walk away from me.” He grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. I jerked away from him.

  “Don’t grab at me!” I shouted.

  I walked into my closet and grabbed a long sleep shirt. The moment my head was through I saw Collin standing in the closet doorway with another double Scotch in his hand.

  “I don’t want to argue with you.” Tension choked his words.

  “I don’t enjoy fighting with you either.” I shrugged and pushed by.

  Reaching the bed, I grabbed a pillow and my book.

  “Where are you going?” Panic changed his tone.

  “To the couch.” I plopped down and opened the book, pulling my legs up to my chest. I began to read and ignored the shift of the couch when he sat down.

  “Isn’t the man supposed to sleep on the couch?” He tried to smile, but it wasn’t convincing.

  “I’m not asking you to sleep on it.” I closed my book and set it on the arm of the couch.

  “I don’t want you on the couch either.” As he spoke, he leaned closer. The smell of warm scotch circled around me.

  “Who said I was sleeping on the couch?” My frustration was melting with every warm breath he sent in my direction.

  “Who said anything about sleeping?” A sly grin spread on his lips.

  “Are you drunk?” I raised one brow.

  “Not too drunk.” His body pressed closer to mine.

  The familiar tingle built. I was about to speak, but his mouth crashed onto mine. Scotch had never been a drink of choice, but tasting it from Collin’s tongue was a different experience. The clink of his glass pulled my eyes toward the floor where it had fallen. His mouth moved down my neck and his hands slid up my thighs.

  “I want you,” he growled against my neck.

  As he pulled the shirt over his head, I took a moment to look at him. The length of his toned torso stretched. I needed to touch him and there was nothing to stop me.

  THE HOUSE WAS full of Bishops. Max, Larissa, and the boys, Allison and the twins, Ilene, and Juliet and Connor, though he was still a bit weak, were all in attendance. There were a few close family friends as well as my fellow nannies, Will, Amber, and Ella.

  I was torn between working as a nanny and living as Collin’s fiancé. The nanny in me wanted to focus on the kids and stay with Will, Amber, and Ella. The fiancé Collin had made me into was pulled to be the lady of the house.

  And of course, amidst the group was Grace. When she arrived, her presence swept fiercely into the room. The way she smiled coyly as she greeted every guest ate away at me. You would have thought this was her holiday party. I had to escape to the kitchen in order to calm myself.

  Tossing back the last of my wine in one large gulp, I listened to the bustle of the kitchen. It was buzzing with the sounds of caterers – the clatter of plates, orders being shouted, glasses chiming. I wanted to cook, but Collin insisted I relax and enjoy Christmas. His final argument, the one that finally won, was his desire to have me by his side. However, I was left to sit alone with his mother and Larissa once his fellow doctors arrived with their wives. They stood gathered in a far corner of the living room by the bar, drinking scotch and talking about the benefits of using a laser in surgery.

  I groaned out loud, garnering me with a couple of weird looks from passing caterers. Why was I letting Grace get to me? Why did I need Collin to be around me? I really didn’t want to care that he was talking with his co-workers, but it was really getting on my nerves. In fact, my temper had been short for a couple of weeks and everything bothered me.

  “Sophia.” Ilene’s voice pulled me out of my head.

  I quickly changed my face from a grimace to a smile and looked from the caterers in the kitchen to her.

  “Yes?”

  “We were wondering where you had gotten to.”

  “Oh, just checking on the appetizers,” I lied.

  Ilene escorted me back toward the living room. Along the way, Victoria ran by shrieking as the twins chased after her. I smiled and almost laughed aloud, but Ilene killed my humor.

  “Why are
n’t the children in the other room?”

  I straightened my spine and took a deep breath to quench the flames of anger lapping at my chest.

  “Christmas is for children,” I stated firmly. “I asked them not to run in the living room, but they could have free reign over the rest of the house.”

  Ilene looked at me and started to speak. I must‘ve made one hell of a face because she shut her mouth as quickly as she opened it.

  Upon our return, Collin grabbed me by my waist and pulled me into his chest. He was still speaking with one of the doctors, but I was glad to feel him next to me.

  “Excuse me?” Allison’s shrill voice rang out from the crowd.

  I pulled away from Collin and walked toward her. As I got through a group of guests, I saw Allison and Grace in a heated stare down.

  Oh dear baby Jesus!

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Allison hissed. “Why don’t you take your gold digging ass where you’re wanted?”

  “It’s not my fault your husband has already started dating. I thought you knew.” If Grace wanted to be an actress, she needed some serious lessons.

  “Get out, you bitch,” Allison hissed and stepped closer.

  “Okay, okay, Allison, come with me. I need your help.” I grabbed her arm and began to walk her away from Grace. However, Grace couldn’t help but get one last dig in.

  “Huh, I guess once he found out you were having your nanny’s baby…what’s his name? Will? Well, I figured he realized it was time to move on.” There was a small giggle from Grace and a growl from Allison. Allison spun around and dropped her arm from mine.

  “Don’t talk about things you know nothing about. Especially when your baby doesn’t even have a father!” Allison yelled. The room dropped into silence.

  “There is too a father.” Grace threw her glass onto the floor.

  “Enough.” Collin stepped forward. “This is not the time or the place.” He turned to Grace. “Behave or leave.”

  She gasped. “Your sister insults me and you are going to—”

  “Behave or leave, which will it be Grace?”

  She huffed and glared at Allison, disappearing into the silent crowd of guests. I couldn’t wait for this gathering to end. Larissa took Allison to sit with her on the couch and I returned to my seat next to Ilene.

  The wedding talk picked up where it had left off. As I was listening to Larissa recommend a small shop downtown for the invitations, there was a loud grunt from behind our group. I turned my head to see Grace clutching her baby bump.

  “Are you alright?” A tall, overly tanned blonde woman took Grace’s arm.

  “You should sit down.” The blonde’s husband took her other arm and walked her to a chair next to us.

  “I’ll be fihh….Oh…” she groaned.

  She couldn’t be. I mean she can’t possibly be going into labor here, could she?

  “Dr. Bishop,” the husband called out and looked around the room.

  “Yes?” Collin stepped from a group of men, his eyes falling on Grace.

  “I believe she is suffering some problems.”

  “I think she’s going into labor,” the blonde wife corrected him with certainty.

  “Then we should call an ambulance.” Collin pulled out his cell phone. “I’m a neurologist, not an OB.”

  “Please,” Grace interjected, “I’m fine. I’ve just been on my feet too long. Could I possibly go lie down?” Collin furrowed his brow. “Just for a bit.” Grace plastered a fake smile.

  “That sounds like a good idea. Collin, where can we take her?” The blonde woman reached down and took Grace’s hand. Grace stood to her feet, holding her stomach with her free hand.

  “I can find a room,” she smiled slyly. “I’m very familiar with the bedrooms in this house.”

  It took three deep breaths for me not to hit her. When I looked at Collin, his posture was stiff.

  “Collin, you should help her. She’s your guest.” The husband made the suggestion without knowing what he was asking. There was no way I was letting that woman get him alone in a bedroom.

  “I’ll take her.” I quickly took Grace’s arm before anyone could say another word.

  “Sophia?” Collin began, but I stopped him.

  “I’ve got her.” I forced a smile and helped a now scowling Grace to the stairs.

  “I can make it on my own,” she growled, pulling her arm from my grasp.

  “Oh, I’m sure you can. But see, there is no way you’re getting into my bed.” I batted my eyes and spoke as sweetly as I could.

  “It’s Collin’s bed, not yours, and I should remind you that I’ve been in that bed many, many times.”

  My eyes narrowed on her. Bitch.

  “Mmmm…” She started up the stairs. “I can remember all too well the way he would wake me up with...” She smirked over her shoulder.

  “Enough,” I growled.

  “Ask him who picked out the bed,” she purred as she disappeared into an empty guest room.

  There was no going back to the festivities. Too many tears were threatening to break through. Descending the stairs, I shot straight for the bathroom in the back hallway. On the way, I ran into Will.

  “Sophia?”

  I pushed by him and hurried into the bathroom. With the door closed, I sat on the lid of the toilet and cried. I’d let her get to me once again. When did I become this emotional wreck?

  After twenty minutes, Collin knocked on the door, loudly. I worked on calming my sobbing and trying not to appear so distraught. One look in the mirror over the sink and I knew it was pointless. I splashed cool water on my face as Collin’s voice became loud and alarmed.

  “Sophia? Sophia, what happened?” He knocked again “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” I quipped. “I’ll be out in a bit.”

  “Let me in,” he ordered.

  “I’m fine, Collin.” I was too embarrassed to admit my emotional state and too irritated from knowing she’d picked out his bed. The bed I slept in every night.

  Her comment only brought on a thousand images of her in that bed with him, the two of them having sex, cuddling, watching television, just being together in general. I didn’t want to think about it. It didn’t help matters when I instantly remembered her in the foyer, on her knees, going down on him. The tears pushed forth again.

  “I don’t believe you. Let me in, please?” he begged and pounded on the door. I couldn’t respond. My hand was covering my mouth to stifle the sobs. “Damn it, I’ll break down the door,” he threatened loudly.

  I yanked open the door.

  “There are almost a hundred people out there. Stop shouting!” His eyes looked me over and worry deepened his brow. “I’m fine and will be out—”

  “What happened?” He pushed me back into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. “Are you alright? Why are you crying?”

  “I’m just emotional. It will be—”

  “Why? What did she do? So help me I will kill that woman if she—” I covered his mouth.

  “I shouldn’t let her get to me. It’s my own fault for allowing her in.”

  “Please, talk to me.” His green eyes pleaded for me to open up.

  I closed my eyelids and took a breath before I told him about my exchange with Grace. His green eyes darkened as I told him. When I spoke of the bed, his face changed into a mixture of anger and worry.

  “I’m so sorry.” He pulled me to his chest. “My past puts you through so much.” He held me closer. “Tell me how to make it better. What can I do?”

  “I want a new bed.”

  APART FROM THE scene Grace made at the party and once she was finally out the door in miraculous recovery, Christmas went by beautifully. The first business day after Christmas, deliverymen arrived to remove and replace our bed. The disturbing images of Grace and Collin were replaced with a beautiful, wooden four-post bed. Just after Christmas, my publisher called to let me know my book was through the final and o
fficially published copy. It hit store shelves just after New Year’s. I was excited and immediately shared the news with Collin that evening. He seemed happy for me, though somewhat guarded.

  Allison still had not moved out of the house so Will and the twins were often part of our daily routine, mostly in the mornings and around dinner. It was nice to have company sometimes since Collin was often at the hospital or called away for travel.

  I couldn’t explain it, but the more Collin traveled, the more irritated I became. He seemed to be fine with leaving for speaking engagements and seminars, but the idea of my leaving devastated him. I began to question once again if getting married was a good idea. What I wanted didn’t seem to be what he wanted for me, and it was becoming a challenge for me to come to terms with.

  For New Year’s, Collin suggested a large party he usually attended, but I didn’t feel up to it. Things felt off. I tried to stay awake until midnight but just couldn’t do it. Uncommon exhaustion took over, and I passed out on Victoria’s bed before ten. The next morning Will laughed and teased me about Collin carrying me to bed by eleven. Will put Victoria to bed. I felt horrible.

  Hoping to jump-start my sluggish body, I drug myself to the coffee pot for a second cup.

  “Can I have more juice?” Victoria slid her plate into the sink, her cup still in her hand.

  “Sure,” I mumbled and pulled the fresh cup of livelihood to my lips.

  “Are you okay?” Will’s voice made me fully open my half-closed eyes. I nodded and swallowed the hot coffee.

  “I don’t think I’m sleeping well.” I shoved the peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich into Victoria’s lunchbox. This had become her newest favorite thing to eat – every day.

  “You don’t think you are sleeping well? You don’t know how you’re sleeping?” He looked at me with a half-grin.