Page 61 of Where Love Lies

Shaking my head I say, “I don’t know, but he wasn’t drunk. That was the real him, one hundred percent.” His behavior like a Leopard. Gorgeous to look at, loveable and kind, but if he’s not king of his territory, he’ll kill and destroy whatever is in his path until he is. It scares me to think about what would have happened if I married him.

32

The sound of rain pelting the window wakes me from a light sleep; frustrated, I pull the blankets up under my chin and roll onto my side. I was too nervous to allow myself to fall into a deep slumber last night, the idea that Heston might come back and somehow sneak in haunting me, with every creak heard and shadow seen in the house. Thunder booms, making me startle, my heart beating so fast, you’d think I just got back from running. Slipping onto my back, my hands sliding down my face, I replay last night in my mind for the fiftieth time. I keep thinking I could have handled the situation better, or maybe I should have just called the cops. Sitting up, yawning, I grasp my phone from the nightstand. Owen messaged me.

Favorite Gay best friend, Owen: One, you’ll have to give me the details on Heston becoming Ted Fucking Bundy on your doorstep, but first things first. I saw a brooding, handsome Rhodes enter your house and not come out!!!!!!! Spill the tea woman!

Pursing my lips, I back out of his message and look through my other texts and emails, finding nothing on Cam. Blowing out a deep breath, I toss the phone on my bed and change into some clothes. Normally, I’d grab my robe, but I know Rhodes is here. Keeping it comfortable, I put on some sweats and a camo t-shirt. Leaving my room in search of some food, I hear light laughter and deep guffaws. Stopping in the entryway to the living and kitchen area, I watch Rhodes and Paige sitting at the dinner table. Paige on her knees in her chair as she leans over half of it.

Unsure of what is happening here, I say, “What’s going on?”

Paige’s head snaps in my direction.

“Rhodes is teaching me how to play chess.”

With my hand on the fridge door, I freeze and notice the gameboard between them.

“You can play chess?” My right brow lifts as I ask him.

“Yeah, I mean, somewhat. I know the basics.” Leaning back in his chair, he places a hand on his thigh and shrugs. His dark hair is up in a hair tie, his deep nude colored lips pulled into a slight smirk as he watches Paige move a piece. He’s really good looking, which makes me question why he’s helping me out so much. Surely, he has a girlfriend to attend to. Maybe he’s just a nice guy… but then I remember how we met and the asshole tendencies he possesses. Why are men so damn complicated to figure out. Seriously, they say we are complex creatures, but, I’ve come to realize, they’re not any better.

Not seeing anything I want in the fridge, I shut it. Crossing my arms, I lean against it. “Thank you for staying over last night, it was…”

“Not a problem,” he interrupts, his green eyes now on me, making me antsy. “What are you up to today?”

“Um, I have to make that pie for the block party thing.” My brows instinctively furrow. The fact that I’m going through a bad break-up, have no idea where my ex-husband is, and now have this damn baking project to complete is just too much.

“You know how to bake?” he asks, moving his piece that looks like a horse on the boardgame .

Sighing, I reply, “No, but I’m sure I can figure it out with YouTube or something.”

He chuckles, knocks the last white piece of their game off the board and stands. Paige’s mouth drops open as she stares at the bored like he just completed some magic trick.

“Grr, I didn’t even see that coming!” she shouts, causing Rhodes to smile bigger.

“My mom used to bake pies all the time for church. I learned a few tricks, if you want some help.”

That antsy, I don’t know what to say, but I’m thinking I know what I want to say, happens again, rendering me a mouth-gaping idiot.

“I don’t know, I’m sure you have things you need to do today; I don’t want to impose.”

His shoulders rise, just as he slips his hands into his back pockets.

“I need to work on my bike and call my daughter, but after, I can come back over. Besides, I need to prepare some meat for the party, so we can just do it together.”

His persistence makes me silently laugh. “What are you making?”

“Hell, probably just burgers and hot dogs.” His ‘I don’t give a fuck’ attitude is admirable. Taking his lead, I think about how I could use the company during this hell of a times, especially if Heston shows up again today.

“Yeah sure, let’s meet up later then,” I finally answer. His hand slaps the counter as he sucks a breath in through his teeth.

“Nice.” The electric tension between us is definitely there and I can’t help but wonder if he feels it. It’s horrible to think he’s sexy and strong, and that I feel safe around him when I am going through this break-up with Heston.

“I’ma run to the store and get what I need, do you want me to get anything for you?” I ask.

“Nah, I already have what I need,” he replies, his hand rubbing his beard.

Getting dressed in a brown tank and black shorts, I slip into my brown slides. Grabbing my purse, I find Paige sitting on the last step of the stairs, waiting for me.

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