“You have PT in the morning. Let’s get you to bed.”
I struggled momentarily, but it sent a shaft of pain right down my left side. “Why can’t you leave me alone?”
“Because I’m your loving husband,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “You belong to me, remember?”
He dragged me all the way to the bedroom, where he deposited me unceremoniously onto the bed.
“Why are you mad at me? I didn’t invite him over. Go yell at Shelby.”
“I would but she’s just as stupid as you are. You keep thinking this guy is so special just because he lost a leg. His dick swings just like the rest of us. Now that you’re out of commission, he’s moving on to someone else. And she’s too naïve to see it.”
“As naïve as not knowing what you’re doing every time you open your mouth? You’re no saint. You’re trying to get into her pants and you’re a married man.” I figured I could throw that in his face, considering it was never my idea to get married in the first place. “She’s never going to sleep with you.”
“She will once she realizes her precious ‘sis’ is sleeping with her man behind her back,” he promised, his face hovering over mine. “All I have to do is show her that tape. She’ll see what a two-faced liar you are and she’ll have nothing but sympathy for me. I’m just laying the groundwork is all.”
My eyebrow arched. “So what are you waiting for? Show her the tape now. You guys can fuck like bunnies in the loft upstairs. It’d be perfect because all this would all be over. No more games. No more pretending. Just you and the new star of the tour.”
It was a bluff, granted. I’d never encourage her to sleep with the likes of Eddie. If she found out about Jace and me, sure she’d be hurt. Hopefully she could understand and we’d move past it without having to sign away her soul to the devil by sleeping with Eddie. But if the thought of her conquest could force Eddie’s hand, I wasn’t above playing it.
“She will see the tape,” he promised. “But not tonight. Let her think her precious Jace is her sweet prince charming. The more invested she gets, the more comfort she’ll need.”
“You’re disgusting,” I spat.
“I told you before. I’m a realist. There are always opportunities to seize what you want. You just have to be aware enough to grab them when they pass by. Now get some sleep,” he instructed. “You have physical therapy first thing in the morning.”
“Worried your work horse may have to be put down?” I sneered as he headed for the door.
He just chuckled. “No, I actually have no doubt at all that you’ll get well, Jordi. There’s no way you’re going to let Shelby steal your thunder for long. Like it or not, Mrs. Nix, you’re just like me. You’re going to go after what you want, no matter who you hurt in the process – including your precious ‘sis.’ I’m just the slap-happy asshole on the other end of that who gets to cash the check.”
He shut the door behind him, leaving me in the darkened room. I tried to fight off the pills until I heard her return to the house, but I was sucked under water with the power of the strong narcotics. I finally caved, but my dreams were already tarnished by my growing envy of my closest girlfriend. I could clearly see Shelby and Jace walking along the beach, hand in hand.
When she reached for a kiss, he didn’t turn away.
I awoke in a start, feeling as empty as I ever had. Thanks to my sadistic subconscious, I knew now what it felt like for it to be truly over. I had a full-color preview of what it would be like when Jace was finally done and I, once again… and as always… was left alone.
I didn’t sleep another wink the rest of the night.
CHAPTER FIVE
Malibu, CA
January 29, 2012
I arrived at Graham’s Malibu mansion by eight o’clock sharp that Sunday morning. I was ready to do whatever it took to be back up on that stage by Friday, and I knew Maggie Fowler was
I struggled momentarily, but it sent a shaft of pain right down my left side. “Why can’t you leave me alone?”
“Because I’m your loving husband,” he gritted through clenched teeth. “You belong to me, remember?”
He dragged me all the way to the bedroom, where he deposited me unceremoniously onto the bed.
“Why are you mad at me? I didn’t invite him over. Go yell at Shelby.”
“I would but she’s just as stupid as you are. You keep thinking this guy is so special just because he lost a leg. His dick swings just like the rest of us. Now that you’re out of commission, he’s moving on to someone else. And she’s too naïve to see it.”
“As naïve as not knowing what you’re doing every time you open your mouth? You’re no saint. You’re trying to get into her pants and you’re a married man.” I figured I could throw that in his face, considering it was never my idea to get married in the first place. “She’s never going to sleep with you.”
“She will once she realizes her precious ‘sis’ is sleeping with her man behind her back,” he promised, his face hovering over mine. “All I have to do is show her that tape. She’ll see what a two-faced liar you are and she’ll have nothing but sympathy for me. I’m just laying the groundwork is all.”
My eyebrow arched. “So what are you waiting for? Show her the tape now. You guys can fuck like bunnies in the loft upstairs. It’d be perfect because all this would all be over. No more games. No more pretending. Just you and the new star of the tour.”
It was a bluff, granted. I’d never encourage her to sleep with the likes of Eddie. If she found out about Jace and me, sure she’d be hurt. Hopefully she could understand and we’d move past it without having to sign away her soul to the devil by sleeping with Eddie. But if the thought of her conquest could force Eddie’s hand, I wasn’t above playing it.
“She will see the tape,” he promised. “But not tonight. Let her think her precious Jace is her sweet prince charming. The more invested she gets, the more comfort she’ll need.”
“You’re disgusting,” I spat.
“I told you before. I’m a realist. There are always opportunities to seize what you want. You just have to be aware enough to grab them when they pass by. Now get some sleep,” he instructed. “You have physical therapy first thing in the morning.”
“Worried your work horse may have to be put down?” I sneered as he headed for the door.
He just chuckled. “No, I actually have no doubt at all that you’ll get well, Jordi. There’s no way you’re going to let Shelby steal your thunder for long. Like it or not, Mrs. Nix, you’re just like me. You’re going to go after what you want, no matter who you hurt in the process – including your precious ‘sis.’ I’m just the slap-happy asshole on the other end of that who gets to cash the check.”
He shut the door behind him, leaving me in the darkened room. I tried to fight off the pills until I heard her return to the house, but I was sucked under water with the power of the strong narcotics. I finally caved, but my dreams were already tarnished by my growing envy of my closest girlfriend. I could clearly see Shelby and Jace walking along the beach, hand in hand.
When she reached for a kiss, he didn’t turn away.
I awoke in a start, feeling as empty as I ever had. Thanks to my sadistic subconscious, I knew now what it felt like for it to be truly over. I had a full-color preview of what it would be like when Jace was finally done and I, once again… and as always… was left alone.
I didn’t sleep another wink the rest of the night.
CHAPTER FIVE
Malibu, CA
January 29, 2012
I arrived at Graham’s Malibu mansion by eight o’clock sharp that Sunday morning. I was ready to do whatever it took to be back up on that stage by Friday, and I knew Maggie Fowler was
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