Page 16 of Lust & Lies
“Go,” I told him, already reaching for the large wooden spoon. “I’ve got this.”
He nodded and took a step back, but his eyes didn’t stray from me. The phone ceased ringing.
“Look,” I said, stirring the food. “You took so long to answer, he hung up.”
“Trust me, he’ll call back,” Aiden countered, still staring at me.
I turned back to the stove, unable to meet his gaze. There was so much I wanted to say. So many questions I wanted to ask. But I was afraid to bring it up. Afraid of the Pandora’s Box I’d opened if I mentioned what I’d remembered. His phone started ringing again.
“Go,” I insisted, not looking his way, yet feeling his eyes on me. “Hurry, before you miss the call again.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he muttered.
My heart fluttered for some silly reason. But the guilt hit me harder. I looked over at him as he walked a few steps away and answered his call, continuing toward the exit.
“What?” he hissed, staring at his phone.
“Don’t‘what’me,” a deep voice retorted. “I didn’t call to talk to you anyway. Where’s Noe?”
Noe?Was he referring to me?
“Ethan, I told you not to disturb me unless it’s important.”
“This is important,” the man, Ethan, insisted. “Tristan told me you took Noe to the country estate instead of bringing her to the city.”
Aiden was in the hall now, but I could still hear their conversation as I stirred the food. I stirred slower, unable to stir properly and listen at the same time.
“Did you take her all the way out there so I wouldn’t be able to see her?”
“She’s healing, Ethan.”
His voice was getting fainter. Feeling nosy, I moved the wok to the back burner and tiptoed toward the open door to hear them better. Since they were talking about me, maybe I could get some insight into my life by listening in.
“I know she’s healing,” Ethan stated. “Seeing me won’t wound her.”
“Ethan!”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.”
“You’ll see her soon.”
“Let me talk to her, or I’m coming out there.”
Aiden sighed. “Listen, don’t make me...”
“I’m picking up my car keys.”
“Ethan!”
“I’m walking to the door. You know I’ll do it.”
I smiled. Who was this guy?
“Fuck, Ethan. This is her first day out of the hospital.”
“I won’t keep her on the phone for long, brother.”
Ethan was his brother. It seemed I was close to my husband’s brother. Was I close to his entire family? If so, that made me feel guiltier about the memory from earlier.
