Page 3 of His Reward
I chose independence, and what did that get me?Bills that swallow up my income and then spit out anxiety, and nobody in my corner except for dust bunnies because I’m often too tired to clean.
Sunlight pokes through a gap in Daphne’s curtains, streaking a line on the wall.After a yawn and quick stretch, I grab my phone from the bedside table to check the time.I frown at the text message on the screen.
Morning, baby.Can’t wait to see you tonight.;)
It’s from a number I don’t recognize, but I know it’s my ex who sent it.
What the hell.
I’ve blocked Tyler three times already.Why won’t he stop?How does he keep spinning up new numbers?But that’s not even the worst part.It sounds like he’s coming to Daphne’s engagement party tonight.
I look at my sister who’s still sound asleep.If I tell her about Tyler’s creepy behaviour, I’m sure she would stop him from attending the party.
But Tyler is one of her fiancé’s best friends.Jeremy would want him there.I could tell Daphne that if Tyler’s there, then I won’t be, though it would be shitty to create drama on my sister’s special day.
My frown deepens when I reread the text, my grip tightening around my phone.
Honestly, I sort of brought this on myself.When I ran into him at the coffee shop the other day, I should’ve held my head straight.Should’ve flipped him off as I walked past him too.It would’ve been justified.
Instead, I wanted to be mature and civil, so I paused for a quick chat.How was I supposed to know he would see that brief moment as an invitation for more?
I need to grow some fricking ovaries and make lemonade out of this sour situation.That analogy is a little disturbing to envision, but whatever.The point is, Tyler attending the party is actually a good thing.
I never explicitly told him to stop contacting me.Later that evening after we met, he sent me a text that he wanted us to get back together, and I ghosted him.When he wouldn’t take the hint, I blocked him.
Clearly, he’s not getting the message.He needs to hear it straight from my mouth.That’s exactly what will happen if he tries to talk to me tonight.
A couple angry taps on my phone screen fills me with satisfaction.There.Text deleted, new number blocked.Screw you, Tyler.I put down my phone on the bedside table and get out of bed, an urge to pee leading me out of Daphne’s room.I shut the door and turn, bumping into Malcolm.
I let out a startled sound as I stumble sideways and accidentally stomp on his toes.He grabs my waist, steadying me.
I make a face.“Sorry, I didn’t see you.”
Although, I don’t know how.Malcolm is hard to miss, even in a room full of people.He’s built like a centuries old tree.Tall, hard, and unshakeable.His presence is magnetizing too.Everyone pays attention when he’s talking.Last night at dinner, we were all gripped by his stories about his time in the army.
“That’s OK,” he says.
His hands linger on my waist, his warmth seeping through my loose tank top.His towering nearness makes me feel shorter and smaller than usual.I openly stare at him, marvelling at how he looks the same yet different after all these years.
He’s handsome.That’s something I never realized when I was younger.As an adult, it’s hard to miss.I do remember his dark brown hair would turn auburn in the sun, and I’ve always thought his hazel eyes were nice.
Very nice.Staring into them, admiring the light green circling the gold seems to put me in a trance.I can’t move.Or maybe I don’t want to because he smells good, like wood and spices softened with vanilla.
Malcolm glances down, then quickly releases me and takes a step back.I look down too and heat rushes to my face.Oh god.My nipples are hard.I fold my arms over my breasts to hide them.
I might be the first person to suffocate from shame because I don’t think I’m getting enough oxygen.I want to die so I can be buried, hidden away from this moment.My dad’s best friend probably thinks I got turned on from his touch.
Wait.Did I?
I haven’t had sex in almost a year, and Iwasenjoying his closeness.My mind knows he’s absolutely off-limits, but my body wouldn’t care.Ugh.No.I don’t want to accept that explanation.My nipples got hard because that’s just what they do sometimes.
“Slept well?”
He’s moving us on from the awkward moment.I’m grateful for it.
“Kind of.I woke up from a bad dream, though.”
“What was the dream about?”
