Page 13 of Blurry Little Lines
I lean forward, giving her my full attention. Where do I even begin with this? Her arms cross and her head tilts to the side, looking bored.
“You told me to change, so we cantalk”—her attitude alarms the dominant side of me that she’s never seen—“yet here you are, sitting as if I traumatized you with my attire.” I clench my teeth to keep myself in check. “Talk, or let me carry on with the little ‘metime’I get.” The urge to grip her chin and kiss the sass off her lips heightens.
“If I did something to upset you, please tell me,” I reply slowly to regain the composure I’ve never lost with her before.
“You haven’t doneanything.” She looks down and her fingers pick at the pilling of the wool blanket.
“ShouldI do something?” I respond in the same annoyed tone. “I’m not throwing away a lifetime of friendship because of something I don’t know I did or didn’t do.”
She shakes her head with a small shrug to her shoulders. I don’t like to be the guy that rolls his eyes at a woman with her guessing game of words and emotions, but why can’t she just flat out say what she wants. Or, what I want to hear.
“Is it that time of the month?” It’s a dangerous question to ask, but I’m familiar with her cycle. With her glare and the tightening of her jaw, I lift my hands up to surrender. “Sorry, I’m sure your attitude is well justifiable.”
“A period is justifiable, Max.” She shifts, and theVneckline of her shirt presents part of the red lace she didn’t take off. “To answer your question, I am about to start. That’s not why I have been avoiding you, though.”
“So, you have been avoiding me.” I raise an eyebrow in curiosity and run a hand through my hair, waiting for the rest of her confession.
“I’m not mad.” Her voice is merely a soft whisper.
I don’t have any alcohol in my system to blame my words on, so I choose them carefully.
“You would tell me if there was something wrong, or if there was anything you needed, right?”
She holds her gaze on the city lights outside the window before connecting her eyes with mine. “Yes. I just needed my own thoughts for once to work through.” She moves closer to cuddle against me, molding to my body as if it was made to fit. “I… it’s been a really weird week for me, and I needed to get out of my head.”
Giving me entire control over your body would help.I feel my body clench, hoping I didn’t say that out loud.
“I’m here for you.” I wrap my arm around her, kiss the top of her head, and take it that we are back to being on good terms. Moments later, her breathing evens out. I glance down and smile, knowing how comfortable she’s always been in my arms. Kelsie’s soft features while asleep add to her angelic-ness. I carry her to bed and head back to my condo for the night.
Chapter 7
Kelsie
Adam and Max each took a morning one day this week to help with the kids. I have made it to work on time each day, but I really need to get a routine set in stone, so I don’t have to rely on others for help. Max and I managed to swipe the slate clean once again when it came to the possibility of making something awkward. Did I want him to check me out the other night when Lauren stopped? I honestly don’t know. What I didn’t want was for him to turn away and make things weird when he has seen me in a bathing suit a million times. I know I’m not his type to begin with, and I’ve accepted that. But I didn’t expect to be looked upon as repulsive. A brief drop of his jaw or lingering stare would have boosted my confidence.
“Last flight of stairs, James.” I reach for the door to my parents’ floor. This is the only floor which hosts the large penthouse we grew up in. James runs past Mallory on the stairs, still full of energy. I avoid elevators at all costs and the stairs help exhaust my children.
Mallory barges through their door, excited for ice cream and her happy meal. In reality, it doesn’t matter how much money I have. My children are forever thrilled with a useless plastic toy and processed food wrapped up in a colorful box. My parents give the children a hug, when James spots a big blimp going over the city. My father opens the sliding door to walk the kids out to the balcony. Finally, a second of silence.
“Thanks again for watching them,” I say to my mother as Adam and Max walk out of Adam’s childhood bedroom. “Wow, what a flashback.” I remember younger versions of them walking down that hallway, though this time they don’t sport mischievous grins and preppy school uniforms.
“We set up a mini bouncing castle for the kids to play on tonight.” Adam yawns and shakes his head. “I hope I can stay awake this evening.” Adam, Lauren, and Max are coming over for drinks at my place later.
“Today was pretty slow at the office.” I roll my eyes. “You didn’t even go for a workout, lazybones.”
“Lauren binged a smutty book in one day, and I benefited from it most of the night,” my brother says proudly.
“Nice, bro.” Max chuckles.
“Adam, Lauren might not appreciate you talking about your sex life.” Our mother’s brown eyes track the three of us. “Kelsie, remember there is the charity gala in two weeks.” She changes the subject, and for once, I’d rather continue talking about my brother’s sex life.
“Mom, you know I avoid those at all costs.” Since Benson and I split, I spend the events with fake friendly people who only talk to me in hopes for a gossip story to spread around. “I have the kids too.”
“Adam and Lauren said they’d watch them for the night,” she replies. I shouldn’t let my shoulders slump and groan as an adult, but I revert to my teenage self. “Look, Kelsie, you’re back to work again and need to start networking. This is also for a good cause.” Isn’t that what all charities are for? “I’ve let the past few events slide, but your networking is an asset.”
“Yep, I get it.” She is right, but I don’t want her to be.
“I’ll keep you company.” Max smiles and nudges my shoulder.