Page 15 of Roman

“Girl rule huh?” I laugh. “Never heard of that one.”

“Mike is a nice guy but he isn’t the one for her.”

“That is for your mom to decide. I need to get some sleep. You do too. Goodnight, Rhylee.” I keep walking this time not wanting to get drawn into a further debate in girl logic or whether or not Pria wants her stupid boyfriend. I do know for certain that when my head hits the pillow I find myself holding on to a twinge of hope that Rhylee is right.

15

Pria

I’m up early after barely sleeping last night. Every time I would hear something outside, I would get up and go check on Rhylee. Each time she was sound asleep in her bed. Then I would stand there longer than necessary to make sure she stayed that way then I went back to my room only to have the whole process start over again when a car horn would honk. Or a cat would screech outside.

The coffee does nothing to help perk me up as I take a seat at the kitchen table. Not even the smell of cinnamon floating through the house brings me contentment. I know Roman will be out here soon. When I walked by the room he slept in the door was closed so I peeked in to make sure he was still here. Half expecting to see the room empty, I was surprised when I found him tangled in his bedsheets, naked from the waist up. Really for all I know he could have been completely naked; he was covered so I couldn’t tell. Just like I did with Rhylee during the night I found myself standing there a little too long. Only with Roman I found myself admiring his toned bronzed body and the tattoos that adorn his skin. I had nearly forgotten what the man looked like without a shirt on and it is completely unforgivable he still looks so good. I mean he has to be in his fifties now, right? Glancing at the window I stare at my reflection. It’s a poor one but I can still make out the tiredness in my eyes and the bags that go with it. I still have the small stretch marks on my stomach from when I was pregnant with Rhylee. I had gained way too much weight because I was so darn depressed, I did nothing but eat. That nice little thigh gap I used to have disappeared overnight leaving behind dark red stretch marks on its exit. There is absolutely no way Roman would find me attractive still.And really not that it matters, I’m with Mike!I scream at myself in frustration. What kind of a person am I? Letting out a sigh I drop my head to the tabletop with a thunk.

“Damn someone must not have gotten much sleep last night.” Roman of course comes walking into the kitchen then, a devastating smirk on his face. I want to smack it off.

“I didn’t,” I grumble and take a sip of my coffee, it’s getting cold. How long was I sitting here bitching to myself?

“Something smells amazing.” Roman walks past me and into the kitchen, right to the oven where he opens up the door just a crack. “What the fuck is it?”

“French toast casserole. And if you could refrain from swearing, that would be great.” I stand up from my chair to grab the oven mits.

“Yeah, sorry forgot you have a problem with the swear words,” he laughs sarcastically. “I’ll try to refrain from using the word fuck.” He lets the K pop at the end of Fuck then laughs even harder when I roll my eyes at him. “We expecting Mike this morning?” he asks while I pull out the casserole.

“No Why?”

“Because he’s here.” Roman points to the kitchen window where I can clearly see Mike stepping out of his car to come up to the house. He has his phone glued to his hand as per the usual.

“Maybe he’s just checking in.” I shrug and meet Mike at the door with a forced smile. “Hey.”

He beams a smile at me and then does something on his phone before pocketing it. “There’s my girl.” He comes in for a kiss and for some reason I turn my face, so he only gets my cheek. If he is at all skeptical of the action he doesn’t let on. Me however, I’m perplexed as to why I did it.

“What brings you by this morning?” I ask trying to sound curious instead of accusatory.

“I can’t stop by to see my girls?” he smiles and then must just realize Roman is still here. “Oh. Hi there. I thought you left already.”

“Mike.” I hiss at the rude tone in his voice.

“All good Pria. Na Mikey, I haven’t left yet.” Roman holds his hands out at his sides. “Clearly.” And now there is suddenly a pissing contest in my kitchen. It is way too early in the morning for this.

“How about we eat some breakfast and not worry about who is here and why?” I place the casserole dish down on the table right when Rhylee walks into the kitchen.

“You made French toast casserole?” she gets that wide grin on her face and goes right for the table.

“Course I did. It’s your favorite.” I go to grab a stack of plates down when Roman beats me to it. How did he even know where I kept them?

“Let me help.” He flashes me a smile and takes the plates to the table, setting them out when he does. There is one for all of us. All except Mike. “Sorry about that man. Mis counted.” Roman shrugs and takes his seat, conveniently between both me and Rhylee.

“No problem.” Mike grits between clenched teeth. “I need to get going anyway.” He comes to my side, bending down to give me another kiss. Only this time I don’t get a chance to turn my head. He grips my chin in his hand and places a kiss right on my mouth, forcing me to stay like that until he is done. Which seems to take forever then he pulls back with a smug smirk on his clean-shaven face that he directs right toward Roman. “Goodbye baby.” The man almost never calls me baby, so I know it’s just to piss off Roman. When I look his way, however, he seems to not be bothered one bit by the display and I can’t help the annoyance that brings me.

16

Roman

It’s a good God damn thing that motherfucker left when he did. I was about to break his fucking face. That little show he put on, kissing Pria like that… I’m still reeling. It took every ounce of energy I had in me to not launch across the table and rip him to shreds. That grip he had on her jaw was enough to sign his death warrant. I still have my fork clenched tight in my hand when the door closes behind him. The damn French toast thing Pria made stays uneaten in front of me, my appetite completely lost. “Is there something wrong with it?” Pria asks taking a small bite.

“Not much of a French toast guy.” I stand from the table needing to get the hell out of here. I need to get a damn hold on myself and I also need to make a call. One I should have made last night. I take off out of the kitchen and outside. Phone in hand I dial the number I’m looking for.

“Let me guess, you want me to track someone down?” Reek says on the other end of the line.

---