Page 53 of Where Love Lies

“Yeah sure, I’m home for the day,” he replies on an exhale, his tone not giving away that he’s worried about anything. I don’t understand him. How can he not feel how severed our love is? We’re a butterfly that has a wing clipped, unable to fly and flopping around fighting and hoping we can still keep going.

He reaches for my hand as we cross the street, and I immediately pull away and smooth out my dress. Avoiding eye contact, I act like I’m unaware that he wants to hold my hand. Why would I try when he won’t even go to therapy like he agreed? Hell, I would have gone with him and did couples’ therapy, but we’re way past that now. Reaching Flynn and Owen’s walkway, I ring their doorbell. Heston rubs the back of his neck, seeming tense. He definitely knows I did not want to make physical contact.

The door opens, and Owen squeals in delight, ushering us inside.

“Come in, come in. We’re all out back!” he says, their perfectly clean house is decorated in modern-day earthy tones with lots of plants. Their gray couch looks soft and plushy, a Sherpa tan and white throw over the back, and on their coffee table is a statue of an English bulldog on a skateboard. Stepping through the glass double doors and onto the porch, Flynn’s eyes light up.

“Hey, guys! Glad you could make it.”

Then I see him. Rhodes. Sitting next to Flynn, a beer in his hand. My smile drops, and my heart beats a little harder.

“Have you and Rhodes met yet?” Flynn questions.

“No, I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.”

Rhodes’ eyes become hooded, his lips pulling the tiniest smirk at the corner of his mouth, as if he likes that I lied, and wants to be my dirty little secret. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to hide weighs on my chest.

“Nice to meet you,” I reply, making sure to come off polite and as if we’ve never met. I didn’t tell the truth because I’m afraid of how Heston would react. Just the thought of him getting worked up and physical makes my hand tremble. I fear he’d hit me again.

A knowing smile brightens Rhodes’ eyes. “Yes, happy to meet you. Been meaning to come over and say hello, but been busy.” His voice is like honey, and I ignore the fluttering in my stomach, and the desire that sends goosebumps down my back. Forcing a tight-lipped smile, I nod and look away. I refuse to see the delight in his eyes, knowing he affects me.

Taking a seat, Heston beside me, I try to avoid eye contact with Rhodes.

The back door opens and Owen steps outside with a pan of bagels topped with bacon and tomatoes and little green garnishes on the side.

“Who’s hungry?” he asks, looking around and waiting for someone to jump and plead for the food he’s slaved over.

“Wow, it looks good, Owen,” I compliment, wanting out of the circle Rhodes and Heston have put me in.

“Well, you definitely get the first one,” Owen says, pursing his lips, almost offended no one else is pleading to be the first one served.

“And this is why I love you more than everyone here,” he snips, sliding one onto my plate.

“Hey,” Flynn protests, and I can’t help but laugh. “Help me get the mimosas out and I’ll see about bumping you to the top,” he says, a little too seriously. “Do you need help getting the mimosas out?”

I nod a little harder than needed, but I need liquid courage right now.

“Yes! That sounds amazing!” I add and feel Heston tense beside me. He doesn’t like the idea of us drinking. He raises his hand and I close my eyes and quickly shift away from him.

“Hey, can I get two of those?” He points to the bagels, and it occurs to me that I just flinched. I thought he was going to hit me, but he just wants bacon. Clearing my throat, I situate myself back into place and look around to see if anyone caught my reaction. My eyes lock with Rhodes, his face hard and jaw clinched as he stares right through me. Tearing my gaze from his, I look at Flynn and Tenly, who are lost in conversation. The only person that saw was Rhodes, great. Placing my head in my hand, I start thinking about how I’m going to explain what he saw if he asks.

“Rhodes offered to BBQ for the end of the summer bash,” Tenly announces to everyone.

“Oh, that’ll be nice.” Owen’s eyes smile.

“Rain is making an apple pie,” she informs, and I inwardly cringe. Great, now everyone will know the burnt apple pie belongs to me.

“Good luck, she hasn’t even started trying to figure out how to make one.” Heston raises a brow and shakes his head as if I’m behind as usual. I roll my eyes. Tenly pushes forward, changing the subject. “Flynn, have you guys decided what you’ll do to contribute?”

“Um…we’re still thinking. But I’m sure it’ll be great whatever it is,” Flynn replies, looking at Owen, who gives him a reassuring smile. Owen must be beside himself with what to bring. I’m sure he’s got four ideas and is stressing which one would bring the most attention.

We eat, making light gossip and laughing. I can’t help but sneak a peek at Rhodes, here and there, and find him looking at me every time. Finished with my food, my plate in hand, I squeeze through everyone to take it inside. The cool air caresses my arms as I shut the door behind me and lean back, inhaling deep, taking in the silence and cooling my overheated skin. Pushing off, I make my way to the sink to rinse my plate, focusing on the sauce that doesn’t want to come off.

The sound of the glass door opening and shutting has me sneaking a glance at who is coming in. It’s Rhodes. My breath quickens, being in here all alone with him. He’s tall, a black shirt and ripped jeans, his brown worn boots not normally seen around these parts. Fantasizing about what we could get up to in here, I look back down at the plate, trying to act casual. Why does he affect me so much? My body acts on its own accord when he’s near, the strong desire I have for him surpassing anything I felt for Heston when we first met.

He stands behind me with his plate, his arms crossed, and I feel as if I’m holding him up.

Turning the faucet off, I finally turn around and face him. He’s so close, I can smell his cologne and feel his body heat. Notes of orange laced with a wooded vanilla smell caress my senses. My cheeks warm and my throat thickens from arousal. My mouth parts and his eyes land on my lips, the way he’s looking at me heightening my awareness. This isn’t right, the way I feel around this guy especially when Heston and I are having problems. Looking down, breaking the connection, I clear my throat.

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