Page 51 of Down the Aisle
It's not that I didn't want to return and get my pharmaceutical degree—I couldn't. As real as my fake records were, I didn't want to put them to the test through the system. The last thing I wanted was to end up in jail for identity fraud or some shit like such. Well, if James didn't find me first somehow.
Even if he didn't press about my past, how long could I keep it hidden? I mean, such things were important to divulge to your partner. Granted, I could lie and make up a fake ex to tell himabout. What was Adam going to do with the information? Go out and kill the man for being a raging asshole to me?
It'd have to come out eventually, either on my terms or when we'd get married. That would be disastrous because, well, telling your husband-to-be that you're not who you've claimed to be and that the wedding can't happen because, surprise, surprise, you're still fucking legally married in Idaho to some douchebag wife-beater of a cop!
Still, it didn't feel fair to hide my real self from him, not when he was so forthcoming with me. I practically knew my boyfriend from the moment he was born until now, and he knew nothing real about me. Well, maybe saying that was a little extreme because all my likes and dislikes, limits, personality, and attitude was all me. Nothing about any of that had been a lie or remotely fake about me.
I mean, he didn't have to know about my past, right? The past was in the past; that's what all people say, right? So, no point in digging it up.
Yeah, and what's gonna happen when James finds you? Then what?
My brain really needed to shut up and not work sometimes, I swear. My ex finding me was always a risk as long as I was on the run, but it wasn't a guaranteed thing to happen. I mean, people have disappeared before in history, and criminals have broken out of jail and assumed a whole new identity successfully.
It wasn't as if I was reckless, either. I kept myself from social media, never ventured out much or any, and lived in a quaint town that wasn't too bustling. Honestly, what even were the odds of James finding me? Especially with the alterations to my appearance. Shockingly, going from dark blonde to dark brunette changed my look quite a bit, and the same went for Asher. Well, I wasn't so worried about Asher becausehis appearance wouldn't stop changing until he was a teen, basically.
Groaning, I ran my hands down my exhausted face before slamming it against the steering wheel a few times.
What do I do?
Sitting in the car brooding to myself didn't help. All it did was make me more frustrated.
You know what? I'll just mull over it in the bath!
It almost slipped my mind; the bath Adam had waiting for me. A lovely bath, and Adam's baths were always lovely, sounded perfect for helping ease my mind. Seriously, he always added extras to the water to make it all the better. Oh! Especially bath bombs! I seriously hoped he left one out for me today. I loved plopping them in and watching them fizz out and turn the water fun.
A small surge of excitement gave my aching legs the energy they needed to step out of my car, into our home, and into the bathroom.
God, that was still a little strange to think about.
Our home.
I never thought I'd call a place home with another man in my life. I thought 'our home' would be with Asher and me, not us two and Adam. Not that I was complaining, just thinking about how strange my life has turned out so far.
A giggle chirped from my bouncing body when I saw a line of bath bombs lining the grand tub, and I eagerly snatched one up and tossed it into the bubbling water. While I watched it dissolve, I quickly stripped myself and put the other bath bombs away into the basket on the floor before slipping into the jetting tub. "Fuck, this is perfect." I moaned happily as I sank into the water, stopping when it reached my chin.
Oh, this is Heaven.
The soothing floral scents of the bath bomb paired with the hot water eased my aching body to bliss. I could stay like this for hours or forever. Too bad I couldn't without turning into a prune.
Shame.
Sighing, I let my head fall back over the tub's edge, resting it against the cushion. I probably shouldn't have stayed as long as I did, considering how tired I was. Seriously, I nearly fell asleep and drowned myself a few times. The most recent, when I was fully submerged, drove it home for me to get my ass out.
Begrudgingly, I dragged myself out of the warm water with an internal groan. God, guess I was more exhausted than I thought. Even though I only had two places today, there was a lot to be done. I thought the nice bath would reset me, but my body felt heavier for some reason. It felt like someone chained anchors to every joint of every limb right now.
Maybe I'll be good and see if Adam will let me nap in his lap or something like that because, lordy, I did not feel up for any funny business. The energy to pull on this little lingerie dress felt nonexistent as I struggled to work out the lace of the corset top.
"Ugh!" Frustrated, I threw my hands down and my head back, letting out a long, raspy groan.
The thought of marching my ass down to the office half-dressed to ask Adam for help crossed my mind quite a bit, and I nearly did it. Actually, I would've if it weren't for the sudden heart attack.
"El—!"
My heart leaped out of my chest with a sudden startle to my body. It felt like my thumping heart ping-ponged around in my chest from the violent grab from a familiar pair of rough hands.
Panic chilled me to my bone, making my body freeze up as my breath choked itself in my throat. All I could do was stareat Adam's worried and rageful face with wide eyes and a gaping mouth that refused to let any words out.
Concern softened his gray eyes, but then the wave of pure wrath sharpened them into a jagged stone the next second.
