Page 33 of Red King (The Dragon Tributes #7)

33

P aisley

“I can’t believe it’s already been two weeks since you left,” Mags says; her smiling face takes up the whole screen of my phone, which I’m holding leaned up against my legs.

“Me neither. So far, I’ve accomplished nothing at all. Zip. Zero. Nada.”

“You’re allowed to take a break.”

I’m lying on my bed in Rebecca and Dave’s guest room. It’s the room they are going to convert into the nursery. For now, it’s mine. I’m propped up on pillows.

“Okay, that isn’t completely true,” I say. “I helped my friend Becs find a new wedding dress.”

“What’s wrong with the old one? The one she had, I mean.”

“She’s pregnant and needed something that would accommodate the bump.”

“Oh…I see. That’s…um…yeah… How do you feel about it?”

“It’s fine. I think it’s great. I wish people wouldn’t treat me with kid gloves. I can’t have kids, but I’m okay with it. It’s something I’ve started to come to terms with. I’m happy for Rebecca and her soon-to-be hubby.”

“Okay, babe. I’m glad to hear it. It’s just that it’s such a tough one.”

“It is, but I can do one of two things: I can wallow in self-pity and hate babies and young families, or I can come to terms with it and embrace being a godmother to their child when he or she is born.” I grin, feeling excited at the prospect. “I can choose to be happy for others, and that’s what I choose. I think I did do some healing on Mistveil Island.”

“That’s great. With all the shit between my ex and me, it never crossed my mind to start a family, but I’ve been thinking about it lately. I might not be able to have them, either…kids, that is. I’m a year older than you.”

“That makes you ancient.” I laugh. “You’ve been thinking about kids, huh?” I giggle. “I think you might have done some healing, too, since being on the island. How are things with Hazard?”

“They’re going great.” She smiles, and it’s really goofy. “We’re going steady.”

I choke out a laugh. “Oh, really now? I thought that was an outdated, terrible term.”

“It is; that’s why I love it. It works for Hazard and me…at least for now. He’s not allowed to call me his girlfriend yet, but maybe one of these days. That’s enough about me; more about you, please.”

I stick out my tongue. “Like I said, there isn’t much to tell. I’ve been pottering around the house, keeping it clean, and cooking the suppers. Trying to make myself useful. Otherwise, I’ve been bingeing Netflix and hanging out with their beagles: Fortune and Cookie.”

It’s almost time for their walk, so when the dogs hear their names, they jump up on the bed and attack me with their tongues.

I shriek and pull myself into a ball, then yell for them to get off, which they finally do.

“Sorry about that,” I tell Maggie, picking up my phone.

She’s laughing her head off.

“I might need to take a shower after that.” I join her and laugh. “Anyway, there isn’t too much news from my side. I really need to start applying for a new job. It could take a while before I find my next gig. Then, I’ll have something of interest to report. What else is new on the island?”

“Oh, you know, same ol’ same ol’. There is one bit of goss’.” She lifts her brows. Her eyes are twinkling.

“And what would that be?”

Maggie gets this downright evil look.

“Tell me.” My heart is beating a little because it might have to do with Arctic. I’m secretly hoping she tells me about him. There’s another part of me that doesn’t want to know anything. The two sides are at war right now.

“It’s Cathy.” Maggie starts cackling like a crazy person.

“What about her?’

“She was caught in a compromising situation with a candidate.”

“By compromising…?” I start to say, dragging out the word.

“She was caught giving one of the candidates a blowjob a few days ago. They went to the back of house at the event hall. Thorn saw them sneak off. He waited a few minutes and followed.” She laughs some more. “Caught them red-handed…or, in this case, red-lipped. She was literally sucking him off when Thorn caught them.”

“No!”

“Yes.” She cackles some more.

“Has Cathy been fired?”

“Yes, she left this morning. The lady who’s taken over from her is so much nicer. I mean, I only just met her, but I can already tell. You would like her. The new nurse, Tess, is also pretty nice. She’s not you, not even close, but yeah, she’s okay.”

“What about Arctic?” There. I said it.

I hold my breath. I shouldn’t have asked.

“What about him?” She sounds apprehensive. The frown tells me that she’s worried about me. “You haven’t been in touch with him, have you? It probably wouldn’t be a good idea, Paisley. You need to leave it alone and move on. I know it’s hard.” The frown turns to a look of concern.

“I know. I haven’t been in contact, and I don’t plan on calling him. I’m just making sure he’s keeping his promise to me, that’s all.”

“What promise would that be?” Mags frowns.

“I made him promise that he would start dating the Tributes.”

“Well then, he’s definitely keeping his promise. He’s dated a whole bunch of them since you left. He’s been out with Hannah the last three nights in a row, and she can’t shut up about it. It’s freaking annoying.” Maggie rolls her eyes. “But you don’t want to hear that.” She looks concerned again.

“I think it’s good.” I fake a smile. “Great, actually. I’m glad. He’s doing the right thing.”

I feel devastated at the news. I had somehow expected something different, although I’m not sure why.

“I’m sure he’s only doing it because you made him promise.” She looks sheepish.

“And because he has to. He doesn’t really have a choice,” I add. I think I’m trying to make myself feel better.

“Yeah, well.” She shrugs. “You probably shouldn’t ask about him again, babe.” She shakes her head. “It’s better if you don’t know.”

“You’re right.”

“The guy has to pick someone. He has to get married and start popping out babies. It is what it is. It’s better if you’re in the dark.” Her features are filled with pity and concern.

It is better if I don’t know. I was starting to feel a little better. I actually slept the last two nights. And I haven’t cried since…yesterday morning.

Right now, my throat feels clogged, and my eyes are stinging. It sucks. I brought it on myself. What was I thinking? That he’d mope around for weeks, months…years?

No!

Of course not!

I’m an idiot.

We continue talking about various things before ending the call. Even though I still feel like shit, there’s no time to cry because Fortune and Cookie, sensing I’m done, jump back on the bed and start in on me all over again.

“All right, all right, you two.” I get up. “Fine. You’re such taskmasters.” I laugh. “Let’s go.” I pull my sneakers on and grab their leads.

The dogs jump around me like crazies, somehow managing to stand still long enough for me to clip on their leads.

I walk into the hallway and pick up the mail that’s lying on the floor under the slot in the front door.

There’s a fancy-looking envelope among the pile. It’s a beautiful daffodil yellow. I recognize the address on the back instantly. Then I put the mail down on the kitchen island, with the yellow envelope on top, before heading out.

The beagles pull on the leads, dragging me along as we make our way down the driveway and into the cool evening air. The neighborhood is quiet, with only the occasional car passing by. We follow our usual route, strolling down the sidewalk and winding our way through the streets. I wave at an elderly lady sitting on her porch, and she waves back, the same as every day.

Once we reach the park, I let Fortune and Cookie run free as I sit on a nearby bench, watching them dart back and forth, chasing squirrels and barking at each other.

A guy arrives with two big German Shepherds.

“Come on, boys.” I whistle at Fortune and Cookie, and they run over to me. Once I have them secured, the guy lets his two go.

“Hi,” I say. I’ve seen him before.

“Nice evening,” he says back.

I nod and start the walk home.

Rebecca is peeling potatoes when I walk in. “Hi, Paisley. Did you have a good day?”

“Wonderful.” I sigh. “I still haven’t sent out my resume. I don’t know why I’m stalling.” I take the leads off the dogs, and they run for the water bowl, their nails clicking on the wooden floors.

“You’ll get there.” She smiles. “I’m sure you’ll get a job as soon as you put something out there, so maybe it’s better if you wait. Otherwise, you’ll be gone by next week, and we can’t have that.”

“I need to get out of your hair.”

“Rubbish.” She finishes peeling the last potato.

“You should sit. I’ll do that. You just got home from a long day at the office while I’ve done nothing. Less than nothing.”

“I’m fine.” She puts down the peeler and wipes her hands on a dishcloth. “And you didn’t do nothing. You vacuumed and did all the laundry.” She opens the refrigerator, taking out a package with a couple of bloody steaks inside. Her face goes green in an instant. She puts the meat back and slams the door, sucking in a few deep breaths as she backs away…slowly. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Sit…now!”

“It’s like my body has been taken over by a space invader.” She walks over to the chairs next to the center island. “Give me a minute. I’ll be okay.” She keeps sucking in air. “I swear I have a heightened sense of smell, especially when it comes to disgusting things.”

“That is a perfectly normal pregnancy symptom. Can I make you some ginger tea? You should probably have a cookie or a cracker with that.”

“You’re a lifesaver, Paisley.” She’s gone completely pale. “Maybe we should have something else for supper. I’m not sure I can…” She stops talking, going back to a shade of green.

“I’ll figure something out. Leave it to me,” I say as I put the kettle on, grabbing a mug and throwing a teabag into it.

She picks up the now open envelope, which is with the rest of the opened mail on the island.

“We got an invitation to Jim and Lexi’s baby boy’s christening,” she half-mumbles.

“I figured. When was he born? And what did they call him?” This is the first time we’ve spoken of it since I got back.

“A few weeks ago. His name is Solomon James Harper. You can take a look at the invitation if you want.” She puts it on the granite surface.

“Solomon after Jim’s grandfather.” I nod. “It’s a good name.”

She gives me this sheepish look. “I kind of might’ve accidentally said that we would go.”

“Accidentally?” I laugh.

“It was! I ran into Lexi the other day, and she’s so ridiculously nice. I couldn’t turn her down. I wanted to because I hate Jim, but—”

“Dave and Jim are still friends, aren’t they?”

She nods. “They’re not close or anything, but yes, they’re still friends.”

“So, it’s perfectly natural that you would go, then.” I’m surprised at how okay I am with this.

“My allegiance is to you, Paisley. Not to that asshole. I feel terrible about it. It was a weak moment. I had just found out that I was pregnant. I got all teary when I saw their baby. Lexi was out on a walk, and, as you know, they don’t stay far from here. I’m shocked you haven’t run into… I digress. Anyway, he’s tiny…like smaller than you would ever have imagined.” She purses her lips together. “I felt all weepy, and Lexi was so nice; before I knew it, I had agreed to go. I’m the world’s worst friend. I suck!”

“You don’t suck at all. Of course you should go. I understand. I know how nice Lexi is. Even I would have a hard time turning her down.”

“Well, on that note, she messaged me to say that she had heard you were back in town and said that we should bring you along.”

“No way,” I practically growl the words.

She giggles. “That’s what I thought you’d say, so I already politely declined on your behalf.”

“Good.” I snicker. “Can you imagine?”

“So, you don’t mind me going? If you do, I’ll make something up and—”

“I already said I was cool with it. You should go. It’s fine.” It really is shocking to me that I’m not that perturbed at all. In some ways, I’ve finally moved on.

Yay, me!

“What about fish for dinner?”

Becs makes this gagging noise and puts her fist in front of her mouth, closing her eyes. She shakes her head.

“Um…chicken?”

She shakes her head harder.

This is actually fun. “Sardines. Chocolate?”

Becs gives me the dirtiest of looks. It doesn’t hold much weight because she’s green. “I will kill you.”

“No, you won’t. You don’t have the stomach for it right now.”

We both laugh, even though she laughs with her hand over her mouth.