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THIRTY-ONE
HADLEY
The rocky start to the morning seems to have been a preview because the rest of the day went downhill. After breakfast, Theo received a call that put him in a foul mood. Whenever I approached him and asked about it, he brushed me aside until he finally snapped.
“It’s none of your fucking business,” he yelled before stalking into his office and slamming the door.
I tried not to let his outburst get to me, but it did.
As I sit on the porch, watching Piper set up a tea party for all her stuffed animals, I gnaw on my fingernails, worried though I realize I’m not necessarily entitled to know everything about Theo’s life. We haven’t known each other long and have been together even less time. We’re learning about each other and eventually, he’ll confide in me. I have to give him time, but the way he’s shutting me out is a sharp contrast to the level of confidence he’s shown in sharing his life with me.
It's hard to give him space, though, when my brother is set to make an appearance in Portland, and I want to be prepared for the worst.
Colton steps onto the porch and asks to go visit his friend down the street. I don’t give it a second thought. “Sure,” I tell him with a smile. I check my watch and tell him to return in two hours for dinner. He agrees before bouncing down the steps and disappearing.
A few minutes later, Theo appears on the porch. “Where did Colton go,” he asks, his mouth turned down with a scowl.
“To a friend’s house to play. I told him to be back for dinner.”
“Which friend? He came and asked me the same thing, but I told him he couldn’t go.”
My cheeks heat from the guilt surging inside me. I fucked up. “I don’t know which friend. I’m sorry. I didn’t think to ask.”
“That’s right, you didn’t think. Jesus, Hadley, you’re responsible for my children! How could you let him go off like that?”
Hot tears sting my eyes as I blink rapidly, determined not to cry. “He’s been doing it all summer, Theo. What do you want me to do? Keep him locked up at home?”
“Yes!” Theo’s outburst is surprising, causing Piper to finally take notice. She reaches for a stuffed bear and clutches it to her chest.
I push out of my chair and walk across the porch. “It’s okay,” I tell her, stroking a hand through her hair. I look up at Theo whose expression hasn’t softened. It’s still hard with anger, and deep down, I know whatever is bothering him has nothing to do with me or Colton.
He turns, slamming his way back through the door.
“I’ll be right back,” I assure Piper before heading into the house to search for Theo.
He’s in his office, fingers pounding against the keys on his laptop, his mouth tight. I stand in the doorway, watching and waiting for him to acknowledge me. It kills me seeing him so upset, knowing there’s nothing I can do until he talks to me.
After a few minutes, he still hasn’t said a word, so I decide to take matters into my own hands. I step inside his office, a place I rarely go because this is his domain, and I don’t want to intrude. When he doesn’t immediately tell me to get out, I keep going until I stop directly behind his chair. Slowly, I slide my arms over his shoulders and lean forward to press my lips against his cheek.
He sighs. His fingers stop their assault on his laptop, and he lifts a hand to cover one of mine.
“I don’t want to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong,” I say, “but you sure were madder than a wet hen back there.”
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs as he picks up one of my hands and kisses the back of it. “I shouldn’t have snapped.”
“Do you want to tell me what’s got your boxers in a bunch?”
He laughs and swivels his chair around. “Where did you come up with that?”
I shrug as I slide onto his lap. “Seemed like the logical choice since you don’t wear panties or knickers.”
With one of his hands firmly pressed to my back, he skims his free hand down my front, stopping right over the center of my body. “Maybe I need to get inside your panties for a few minutes. Fuck away some of these feelings.”
“You’re more than welcome to try, but sooner or later, you’re going to have to tell me what’s bothering you.”
His finger slides under the hem of my shorts, teasing its way along the edge of my panties. “It seems as if our worlds are colliding right now. Your brother arrives tomorrow and is demanding a family breakfast, whatever that means, and Serena was released yesterday.”
“Yesterday? I thought you were supposed to find out before it happened.”
