Page 51 of Their Broken Tears
Chapter Eighteen
Marisol
The last twenty-four hours resemble a dream. I’ve already pinched myself several times, each one hurting, and leaving a fingernail sized bruise but also slapping home reality that this is actually happening. Jace and I are happening!
My bladder was seconds from bursting when I finally wiggled free from Jace this morning, refusing to separate from the comforting warmth of his embrace until the last possible moment.
Once my morning routine is complete and Jace has his wicked way with me again… twice, we start packing, readying the room for checkout. The silence encourages idle thoughts, not just those about our new relationship, and how we’re going to reveal our secret, but also the commotion that’s happening at home with Jasmine.
“Jace,” If he wanted us to know, they’d have offered the information long ago. Instead, I pry. “What’s going on with Jaz and your mom?”
Jace sits heavy on the bed, the question resting awkwardly on his shoulders, as he juggles the best way to answer. “Margret’s rough around the edges, and Jasmine deals with some of the fallout from that.” His non-answer pisses me off and by the way he flinches at my glare, he knows it.
“That’s a bullshit answer, and you know it. Don’t you trust me?” She pauses, then asks, “Is she safe? Is there anything I can do? What the hell is really going on, Jace?
Even though it’s clear how upset I am from the lack of information, there’s still a delay when he replies. “Mare, I trust you completely. That’s not why I haven’t said anything. This is Jasmine’s secret to tell, not mine. If she wanted you to know, she’d tell you.”
Some of the fire leaves my tank because he’s right. Jasmine could have confided in me long ago. She’s the one who chose not to. “There are times people don’t always ask for help when they need it the most.”
He doesn’t answer right away. “You’re right. Which is why I spoke with my dad and he’s filing for divorce.” The guilty expression speaks more to the turmoil coiling inside of him than his actual sentences.
“You can talk to me, you know. I want to be there for you, for her, for the both of you.” I kneel in front of him, collecting both of his hands.
“I know you do.” But he still doesn’t meet my eyes.
Not wanting to pressure answers, since this is one secret the twins have guarded for years, I offer an out. “How about this? Let’s get out of here and head home, and if on the way you’d like to talk, then great. If not, that’s all right too.”
“Yeah, okay.” He agrees reluctantly.
His tone is confirmation; he’s about to divulge their deepest secrets. Rolodexing through the tidbits I’m already aware of conjures further concerns that wreak havoc on my nerves, scared to learn anything new.
Our clothes are gathered, towels in a pile on the bathroom floor, and memories savored before heading out the door and down to the lobby.
As luck would have it, the same guy that checked us in is behind the counter. Glancing sideways, Jace has an evil smile plastered to his lips. Tilting my face to the sky, closing my eyes, I shake my head. Here it comes.
“Good day, my man,” Jace says when we reach the desk, still attempting the southern drawl.
“Hello. How was your stay?” He has to remember us. There’s no way he’d forget a story like the one we told.
“Fine. Just fine. My gal and I found the accommodations perfect.” He wags his brows at me suggestively. Such a pig. “If you know what I mean.”
“Hi.” I try for politeness. “We’re checking out. Here are our keys.”
“Thank you,” he replies, his eyes getting shifty. Oh, he remembers for sure. “Here is your receipt. Everything is taken care of. Have a wonderful day.”
“Your momma and daddy pay the bill? Well, we-doggy. They must not be as mad about Cousin Willy as we thought.” He hugs me from behind, lovingly, cupping the underside of my nonexistent belly. “I’m so glad we had unprotected sex in the back of your daddy’s car. Best decision ever.”
I turn into him, as his hands drop to cup my ass, while visions of round belly’s and baby’s dance through my head. “You sure know how to treat a lady.” I kiss him slowly, letting tongue peek through.
The desk clerk clear his throat, again. “Excuse me. Can you take your PDA somewhere else?” Now his tone’s rude.
“No. I’ll kiss my husband whenever and wherever I please,” I snap.
Jace snags my hand, pulling me back out to our waiting vehicle, where reality is waiting to sink its claws into us. A reality in which my best friend might hate me after she finds out that I slept with her twin.
~~~~~
Twenty minutes into the ride, my cheeks are sore from biting them, trying to keep my mouth shut. Jasmine’s jaded history is all that’s circling my mind. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I run conversation starters over in my head, attempting to figure out where to begin.