Page 130 of Unspoken Lies

At night, they massaged my stomach over the heating blanket so I could sleep, and they said that they have a healthy respect for what women go through. There have been moments during those past three days where I can forget how awful they were to me.

That freaks me the fuck out. I can’t be this easily swayed, can I? Am I that starved for touch?

My period is almost over, and I can’t handle being inside with them anymore. That’s laughable since going outside fucks with my ability to function, but since I have been spending so muchtime in the pool, I’m finding that my brain thinks of the backyard as a safe space.

Laying in a lounge chair with my eyes closed is how Elijah finds me after they get back from their classes. I begged them to go since they’ve basically missed the entire week at this point. I’m wearing cut off shorts and a tank top since it’s warm out.

California is the kind of state where the weather changes at will. I’m going to enjoy the warmth while I can.

“Hey, baby,” he says, crouching by me.

I’ve stopped telling him not to call me that, though I give him some impressive side eye that makes him smirk at me.

“Hey yourself,” I murmur, closing my eyes again.

“You look very comfortable,” he observes. “How long have you been in the sun? You look a little pink.”

“I lost track of time,” I groan. “I should probably go inside.”

“Yes,” he says, picking me up as I gasp and throw my arms around his neck, “you should.”

“Don’t drop me,” I say sleepily, laying my head on his shoulder.

“I wouldn't dream of it,” he says. “Have you eaten today?”

This would be an annoying question, except people rarely asked me this while I was living alone.

“Breakfast and then a smoothie for lunch,” I reply. “I’m still not super hungry.”

“As long as you’re eating, I’m good with it,” he says, opening the back door to walk inside with me. “I looked up your medications, and one of the side effects is a lower appetite. Calvin has been worried because you were eating really well.”

“Oh,” I say. “I haven’t been on this combination so I didn’t think about it. I know you’ve noticed I’ve been having really vivid dreams. Well, less so the last few days, but I saw it could also be because of my meds.”

“Side effects are sneaky assholes,” he grunts. “The lack of nightmares means you should keep sleeping with us.”

“I knew you’d say that,” I say with a huff.

“How are you feeling otherwise? Stir crazy yet?” he asks.

“I’m getting there. The idea of leaving the house still isn’t my idea of a good time,” I mutter.

“What if I told you that Brea has a list of clients that are begging you to read tarot for them?” he asks, carefully placing me on my feet. “That’s all you’d have to do for a couple of hours.”

“Really?” I ask with a smile. I kind of thought they’d fired me and just decided not to tell me.

“Did you think Brea or we would let you go so easily?” Elijah asks. He must see something in my eyes because he shakes his head. “So little trust still. Ugh, you’re killing me. I saw that Calvin was making cookies. Go grab one and I won’t tell your husband about this.”

“Tell me what?” Jared asks, making me squeak.

“Nothing. Fuck, you all need bells,” I breathe, my hand on my chest as I twist my body to face him.

“You didn’t have your phone on you today, huh?” he asks, amused.

“No, I went outside and pretty much forgot it.”

Catching me around the waist, he gives me a panty melting kiss before pushing me in the direction of the kitchen. Fuck, I bet he heard Elijah and my conversation.

Gooey chocolate chip cookie in hand from Calvin, I am happily eating it when Theo finds me.