Page 86
Story: Triple Power Play
She giggles. “You tell me that every day.”
“Because it’s true. I hate being without you.”
Can someone please rip out my eardrums?
Still, I remain captivated by them. It’s as if they have their own language. They stare at each other and have entire conversations with their eyes.
She lowers her voice. “Are you mad?”
“Do I get to be with you?”
“Do you want to be?”
“Am I breathing?” He tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I have a lot to make up for. If this is what you want, I’ll survive. As long as you’re with me.”
Satisfied with his answer, I return my attention to my phone when he says, “I still plan on stealing you away, but for now, I’ll put up with him.”
With Jackson, there’s no telling if he’s joking or not. But, same as him, I have no choice but to deal with it.
THIRTY-ONE
JACKSON
“We agreedto buy a place I could afford. You know my budget doesn’t stretch this far.” Aurora stands in the courtyard of the Santa Monica beach house, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s adorable when trying to be assertive, especially bundled up in the giant hoodie she stole from me.
Little does she know, I’ve already purchased this home, and she’s going to love it.
“Babe, we are splitting. Between the three of us,” I gesture between me, her, and Ethan, the third wheel in our fucked-up dynamic.
When Ethan insisted Aurora and the baby live with him, alarms went off in my head. The thought of her agreeing filled me with panic, fearing I’d eventually fade out of the picture.
Her desire to give the baby a stable home with his father is understandable, but shit with Kyle has me feeling mental. He played a significant role in me losing her. Add Ethan, and I’m teetering on the edge of a psychotic break.
“There are four of us if you count the baby. I’ll cover the expenses for my child.” Ethan poses similarly to Aurora, arms folded as a protective shield.
I don’t know why he’s defensive. He’s got it made. He’s a permanent fixture in Aurora’s life for the next eighteen years.
At the hospital, a plan to outmaneuver him formed in my mind. If I own the beach house, add her name to the deed, and ensure she loves it, she’ll stay. She definitely won’t refuse if Ethan agrees.
He’ll have the baby, and I’ll have the house until I persuade her to marry me. That way, this asshole can’t force me out of our situationship.
Bonus points if I can get the next kid—which I will.
I scoff. “No, that’d give you two shares. You wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t fucked up. I’ll cover the baby’s costs.”
Pissing Ethan off is my new favorite hobby. I mean, he started it—first, by putting his dick—and baby—in her when he knew she was mine, and second, by taunting me with that kiss.
I may have fostered the misconception that Aurora would only accept a place she could manage financially. Not a complete fabrication. However, he believes a larger financial split is required because this is Aurora’s dream home. Again, not entirely untrue.
Thus, I’m necessary and can’t be forced out of my own home.
I’ve truly outdone myself this time. I even have a lawyer who’ll finagle the contract.
“Don’t even think about taking credit for my child. It was my fuck-up.” He turns to Aurora, a hand over his heart. “A very,verygood fuck-up.” Then, he levels his stern coach expression at me. “It’s on me. I had that expired condom in my wallet for over six years.”
Aurora’s cheeks flush, and her caramel eyes widen. “Are you serious, Ethan? Why?”
He grins, all smug, and I want to wipe it off with my fist.
“Because it’s true. I hate being without you.”
Can someone please rip out my eardrums?
Still, I remain captivated by them. It’s as if they have their own language. They stare at each other and have entire conversations with their eyes.
She lowers her voice. “Are you mad?”
“Do I get to be with you?”
“Do you want to be?”
“Am I breathing?” He tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I have a lot to make up for. If this is what you want, I’ll survive. As long as you’re with me.”
Satisfied with his answer, I return my attention to my phone when he says, “I still plan on stealing you away, but for now, I’ll put up with him.”
With Jackson, there’s no telling if he’s joking or not. But, same as him, I have no choice but to deal with it.
THIRTY-ONE
JACKSON
“We agreedto buy a place I could afford. You know my budget doesn’t stretch this far.” Aurora stands in the courtyard of the Santa Monica beach house, her arms crossed over her chest. She’s adorable when trying to be assertive, especially bundled up in the giant hoodie she stole from me.
Little does she know, I’ve already purchased this home, and she’s going to love it.
“Babe, we are splitting. Between the three of us,” I gesture between me, her, and Ethan, the third wheel in our fucked-up dynamic.
When Ethan insisted Aurora and the baby live with him, alarms went off in my head. The thought of her agreeing filled me with panic, fearing I’d eventually fade out of the picture.
Her desire to give the baby a stable home with his father is understandable, but shit with Kyle has me feeling mental. He played a significant role in me losing her. Add Ethan, and I’m teetering on the edge of a psychotic break.
“There are four of us if you count the baby. I’ll cover the expenses for my child.” Ethan poses similarly to Aurora, arms folded as a protective shield.
I don’t know why he’s defensive. He’s got it made. He’s a permanent fixture in Aurora’s life for the next eighteen years.
At the hospital, a plan to outmaneuver him formed in my mind. If I own the beach house, add her name to the deed, and ensure she loves it, she’ll stay. She definitely won’t refuse if Ethan agrees.
He’ll have the baby, and I’ll have the house until I persuade her to marry me. That way, this asshole can’t force me out of our situationship.
Bonus points if I can get the next kid—which I will.
I scoff. “No, that’d give you two shares. You wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t fucked up. I’ll cover the baby’s costs.”
Pissing Ethan off is my new favorite hobby. I mean, he started it—first, by putting his dick—and baby—in her when he knew she was mine, and second, by taunting me with that kiss.
I may have fostered the misconception that Aurora would only accept a place she could manage financially. Not a complete fabrication. However, he believes a larger financial split is required because this is Aurora’s dream home. Again, not entirely untrue.
Thus, I’m necessary and can’t be forced out of my own home.
I’ve truly outdone myself this time. I even have a lawyer who’ll finagle the contract.
“Don’t even think about taking credit for my child. It was my fuck-up.” He turns to Aurora, a hand over his heart. “A very,verygood fuck-up.” Then, he levels his stern coach expression at me. “It’s on me. I had that expired condom in my wallet for over six years.”
Aurora’s cheeks flush, and her caramel eyes widen. “Are you serious, Ethan? Why?”
He grins, all smug, and I want to wipe it off with my fist.
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