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He holds up a pair of red lace thongs. “Do you get to see her in these?” he whisper-yells.
My face flushes, and my body breaks out in a nervous sweat. “Put those fucking down,” I grit through my teeth. “I will rag-doll your skinny neck.”
He snickers, drops the underwear, and toes off his shoes. “Maybe she’ll model something for us. How did you get her naked, exactly?”
If it wasn’t for the smirk he’s failing to hold in, I’d kidney punch him right here and now. I need no reminder of Aurora naked, water glistening off her body… Jesus.
She believes I held that towel open for her when, in reality, it was a strategic placement. Even pregnant, she’s a knockout. That, or she unlocked another new kink.
“Do you wanna be beaten by an unhinged hockey player? I won’t stop him.”
“I love getting you riled up.” His chest shakes with silent laughter. “Your face is the color of those sexy-as-fuck underwear.”
God help me through this night.
The living room resonates with the sounds of a televised game, Jackson watching from the couch while playing on his phone.
“Hey, man.” I lift my chin. “Jackson, this is Charlie.” I motion between them. “Charlie, Jackson.”
My partner steps forward and raises his hand in a stiff wave. “Hi,” he squeaks. “I know who you are. I mean…I don’tknowyou. I saw you here the other night and on TV…” He catches himself babbling and lowers his arm to his side. “You look different in person, though.”
Jackson’s skeptical gaze bounces between us. “Yeah, the skates and equipment make me appear bigger.” His lips curl into a tentative smile. “Sorry to disappoint.”
“No!” Charlie slaps his chest dramatically. “I’m not disappointed! You’re huge. Not as huge as Ricky, which I like, you know, because he’s my?—”
I fist the back of his shirt and force him into the armchair, shutting him up before this gets any more awkward. “Ignore him. He’s starstruck.” I glance around the open space. “Where’s Aurora? Is she still sick?”
“Taking a nap. She worked this morning.”
He returns his attention to the hockey game, dismissing me. His indifference sets me on edge.
I head to the kitchen. “Has she been eating? Drinking enough water?” I call out over my shoulder.
She’s a picky eater and forgetful, too focused on securing a future for herself and the baby. I’m usually the one who makes sure she eats, and after counting the prepared meals, it’s clear she’s been skipping some.
Jackson doesn’t answer. I slam the fridge and march back into the living room. “Hey, has she been eating?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he breaks away from the flatscreen. “Yeah, why?”
I’m getting the hunch he dislikes me, which is strange, since he gets along with Ethan, who you’d think was the greater threat. Besides their previous relationship, though, I’ve spent more time with Aurora than either of them.
“You’ve seen her eat three times a day? There are extra meals.”
He narrows his eyes. “I can feed my girlfriend, dude.”
His flippant attitude grates on my last fucking nerve. He wasn’t with her every time she fell apart over him, wasn’t the one to pick up the broken pieces, and wasn’t the one encouraging her to get out of bed and put food in her system.
Yet, here he is, taking up space and oxygen.
“Are you sure,dude? Because you haven’t cared for her in…ever.”
That was harsh, but I’m feeling some sort of way between being separated from Aurora and the meal situation. Besides, a genuine friend would be concerned, right?
The air carries a nervous energy, or maybe it’s Charlie. I practically hear him screaming,What the fuck are you doing? This isn’t part of the plan.
Jackson glances toward the bedroom, his jaw pulsing as he seems to weigh the consequences of losing his temper. “I understand you’re among the many people who hate me. I fucked up. I get it more than you realize, but treating me like shit doesn’t make things easier on Aurora. If you have concerns, let me know, but I eat a lot, and she always eats with me.”
Damn it, why does he have to be reasonable? He’s trying to be amicable, and I’m not.