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The bubble popped up again; the dots bounced. Then a pause. The pause turned into him leaving me on Read just like he did on vacation. I’d finally pushed it too far. Groaning, I set my phone on the table and turned the other way.
Great job. Laying still for what felt like an eternity, I started to feel stupid. My mouth was still dry, and I’d not grabbed a water bottle before sleeping like I always did. Throwing the blanket back, I grumbled to myself as I stepped off the bed, the beige tweed rug tickling the bottom of my bare feet. I glanced down at my phone once more then rolled my eyes.
I opened the door and crept down the long abstract navy-blue rug lining the hardwood hallway, past his room toward the back staircase. I hesitated at the top, twisting toward his closed bedroom. He hates me now.
As quietly as I could, I snuck downstairs to the refrigerator. The moment I entered the dark kitchen, I jumped. James was sitting at the island bar, facing the other way… shirtless. Every muscle flexed in the reflection of the moonlight. The trees blowing in the wind cast moving shadows over the room as they swayed, causing it to appear eerie. He twisted around. Braving the aftermath of what just happened, I held my head high, swallowing any embarrassment. His phone was laying in front of him, screen up.
“I was thirsty.” It was the only three words my brain would allow my mouth to speak.
He stalked me as I ambled to the refrigerator, and I was pretty sure his phone was open to our conversation. The moment I opened the door, I heard his barstool scoot on the marble floor. He couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with me now. Damnit! I grabbed the water bottle, closed the fridge, and spun around.
“Oh, God!” I gasped, dropping it to the floor.
“Yes,” he muttered, his face just inches from mine.
“Yes what?”
Reaching down, he took my hand in his, walking me backwards into the cabinets next to us. For what felt like an eternity, we peered into one another’s eyes. He rolled his tongue over his bottom lip, his eyes lowering to my mouth. Moving his hands to my hips, he squeezed firmly but somehow his touch still felt gentle; like he was holding back in a way. Thumbs circling my exposed skin just above my shorts, he tilted his head. “I shouldn’t but, yes, I want—”
Security Disarmed. Front door open.
“Shit!” we hissed in unison.
JAMES
I marched back to the stool, grabbed my phone, and sat down. Maddie picked up the water bottle and sprinted up the back staircase. Scrolling through my phone mindlessly, I pretended like nothing happened as footsteps neared the kitchen.
“Dad?”
I twisted around to see my son sauntering through the archway. “Hey, Luc.”
He wrinkled his nose, wandering to the refrigerator. “You up early for the gym again?”
I glanced down at the time on my phone’s screen. “Nah, just couldn’t sleep.” Taking several slow breaths, I did my best to tame the semi-erection Maddie left me to suffer with. “I thought you weren’t coming home until Monday.”
He took a bottle of water from the fridge and twisted it open, shrugging. “Just wanted to come home, I guess.”
Lucas never wanted to be home. So, I knew he was lying. Propping my elbows on the island, I squinted as he chugged the entire bottle of water, crumpled it, and screwed the lid back on.
“Now, you can tell me the truth.”
Rolling his eyes, he folded his arms, clutching the crushed plastic. God, he looked so much like me when I was his age, it was almost scary. He leaned back on the counter. “Can I ask you something without you reading into it or being a lawyer about it?”
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “I never make such promises but go on.” My phone screen lit up, vibrating on the counter. “One sec.” I picked it up, scrolling through my messages.
Everything okay?
Yeah Luc came home.
Should I leave?
No it’s fine.
Okay, then I’m going to sleep if that’s okay?
Yes goodnight.
Night
