Slut - Woodruff Jettie - Страница 40
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“I never told you to stay out of a photo,” Paxton defensively assured me.
“Yeah, obviously,” I nonchalantly said as my finger swiped the next one. I hated that he could read me like that. That he knew what went through my mind by the expression on my face. I did smile with the next swipe. Rowan was upside-down, stuck on the slide by the seat of her pants. Ophelia’s entire face lit up with laughter, watching her sister dangle in the air. I loved that laugh. It was something between a cackling chicken and goat. Funniest thing ever, and contagious.
Paxton took his phone and went back to the beginning, the ones where I was. “You photobombed this one,” he said with a finger pointed right to me. I was behind the girls, rabbit ears behind both their heads, “the ones from Disney, you made sure someone else took our photo. You put yourself in them. I never told you that you couldn’t.”
“But you never told me I could, right?”
“I guess that depends on who you ask. There’s always three sides, mine, yours, and the truth.”
I didn’t bother to hide the attitude. I wanted him to see it. “Yeah, okay.”
“You didn’t jump in the center of Rowan and Ophelia when I wanted a picture before. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Whatever, are you done snooping through my phone?”
“What’s she talking about?” he questioned.
He gave me my phone, and pouted, crossing my arms over my chest, staring straight ahead. Full blown, teenage attitude intact. “Did she reply, Paxton? I don’t know. You read the same thing I read. You tell me.”
Paxton moved his face close to mine while one hand slithered up my arm and to my throat. Sneaky like a snake. Sultry words from his breath touched my lips when he spoke, forcing a few extra beats in my heart. Like a coward, I backed down. “I’m not your enemy, Gabriella. I fucking love you. Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself for five minutes and see that? Can you do that, Gabriella?” Paxton didn’t give me time to reply. He kissed me, really kissed me and I kissed him back, feeling that glittery explosion in my chest. “Stop, okay?” he asked as his fingers slid down my chest. With another soft kiss, Paxton moved to my side, this time closer, where the blanket separated us before.
I still didn’t respond. I stared ahead, letting the adrenaline flow in my veins while he went to my email, and opened the newest message. Only it wasn’t a video either. It was a link to join a video chat.
“Now what?” Paxton questioned, frustration evident in his tone.
I didn’t speak until he looked over to me. “What? I’m not answering you, because you get mad at me when I say I don’t know. Yet you keep asking questions that I don’t know the answer to.”
Paxton shook his head a little like he had no clue what I had just said, and frowned. It made perfect sense in my head. He hit the download button and leaned back, waiting for the installing process.
We watched the slow green bar, avoiding eye contact until Paxton broke the silence. “I have to close off the glass door in your room and make it a window.”
“Why?” I asked, confusion heard in my tone.
“Vander can’t be in a room with an exit to the pool. The state won’t allow it. I’ve got guys coming Saturday to help me switch it out. I thought maybe we’d put a window seat there instead.”
I didn’t care about a window seat. I heard one thing. “Where am I going to sleep?”
Paxton snickered, lacing his fingers through mine. “With me, I hope.”
“Every night?”
“That is normal, Gabriella. Most married couples do sleep in the same bed.”
Both our expressions changed to frowns when Paxton hit the button to join the conversation. A close up of Nick took over the screen.
“Nick?” I questioned.
“Oh, hey.”
“Gabby, Gabby!” Mi called from the background. Her arm waved wildly while she jumped up and down, determined to get my attention.
Of course I had to laugh at her. “Hey, Mi. I’m still sorry.”
She moved in closer to Nick and then scolded me. “You already said that. Don’t ever say it again. That’s in the past. Hey, Pax.”
“It’s Paxton. Hi.”
“This is my boyfriend, Nick.”
“How are you, and I’m not her boyfriend. I break up with her every day, but she won’t go away.”
I smiled when Mi kissed his cheek.
Paxton did not. He had to be a dick. “What is this?”
Nick lost the half smile he’d directed toward Mi, and cleared his throat. “As a professional, I don’t think it’s a good idea to continue with this arrangement Mi made with your wife. I know what’s on every video. I can’t see where hearing one side of things will help anything. There’s always three sides, yours, hers, and the truth,” Nick explained.
“Ha, told you,” Paxton boasted like he’d been the first one to ever say the phrase.
“So, what are you suggesting, Nick?” I questioned while sidestepping Paxton’s ego with a look.
“I’m going let you listen to the rest of the videos while we talk about them. I'll ask you both questions about what I’ve learned in the next video. I’ve already watched it twice today, so it should go pretty smooth. Got it?”
I said okay right away, but my obstinate husband did not. He pulled me inside.
“Hold please.”
“What, Paxton? What?” I questioned in an exasperated tone.
“I’m not talking to this guy. He works for Lane. I don’t want that fucker knowing my business.”
I tossed my arms into the air in disbelief and reminded him of the facts. “I think that fucker already knows your business.
“I’m not talking to a psychologist about my personal life,” he assured me.
I tried my best to keep my cool, but stupid is stupid. “Fine, Paxton. I’ll go it alone. I’ll download it to my tablet.”
I took one slow step toward the door, knowing he’d pull me back.
“I say when we stop,” he insisted while pulling on the back of my shirt.
“No, you don’t, Paxton. How about we make it an us thing? You know, like a partner kind of deal.”
A deep breath, a stressed expression, and an open hand to the terrace, conveyed my win. Somehow I didn’t think anyone was going to win at this.
Letting Paxton’s ego off the hook, I started. “Okay, Nick. What do you want us to do?”
“Where are your stones?” Mi called from behind him.
Nick pushed her away. “You don’t need stones. I’m going to tell you—”
“Yes they do. Yes you do. Where are they?” Mi questioned.
Nick crossed his arms and rolled his eyes, but she too won. He waited for her to do her thing before continuing, attitude showing in his demeanor, just like mine.
“Mine’s downstairs on my bathroom sink,” I said, unable to hide the amusement. I loved the way Mi just overruled Nick, totally sidestepped his requests.
“Go get them. Where’s yours, Pax?”
“I got it right here.” That surprised me. I didn’t think for one second Paxton would carry the stupid stone, let alone believe in anything magical. He didn’t even correct her when she called him Pax.
I knew better than to argue with Mi. If she said I needed my hematite, I needed it. She wouldn’t shut up until I got it.
Not only did Paxton carry his own little rock on him at all times, he offered to get mine. I was sure he had a fever. “I’ll go. I want a beer.”
“I’m not sure about this, Nick. Paxton’s not one to air his dirty laundry,” I said, worried about the outcome, using my time alone with him wisely. He wasn’t the one on a second-floor balcony. I might slip, thanks to Paxton.
“I get that, but I was there. I already know everything.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think I’m the wrong twin?”
“Not at all. That’s why I want to be here. That’s why I want to be the one in charge. This is about to get real, Gabby.”
I took a deep breath, not sure I was ready for any more real. How much realer could it get? Now that was a loaded question.
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