Lydia
“DID YOU SIT in some sugar?” Marcus asks when I answer the phone. “Because you have a pretty sweet ass.”
“Are you on your way home?” I ask with laughter in my voice.
“Yep, I should be there shortly.”
“Good because dinner is just about ready.”
“I’ll be quick.”
“You better not be saying that later,” I tease.
“As you know, being quick has never been my problem, sweetheart. But for that comment, I’ll be sure to pull out the handcuffs and blindfold again. Trust me, you won’t be able to walk when I’m done with you.”
His words travel through my body and my legs clench in anticipation of what’s to come.
“Think of that as you wait for me, okay?”
“Mmm hmm,” is all I manage. Without another word, he hangs up, leaving me to my thoughts. My dirty thoughts.
It’s been a month since I’ve moved in, and things couldn’t be better. I was nervous about Seth’s lawsuit threat, but nothing ever came of it. I guess he decided it wasn’t worth it to pursue. Or hell, maybe realized he’d put me through enough shit and let it go. Either way, I’m glad.
It’s also been a month since I saw or heard from my parents, not that I expected to after the way things ended. I felt like I had cut old scars open again by rehashing everything, but I’m glad I did. The human heart is an incredible thing. Not because it pumps oxygen through your body and keeps you alive, but because it has the ability to make you feel like you’re dying. It hurts so bad it becomes hard to breathe. I was terrified of experiencing that hurt again, but now that I’ve laid old demons to rest, I can look forward to my future with Marcus.
He’s different, and I actually feel safe when I’m with him. Seeing him defend me against my parents only solidified that. He would never lie or cheat on me. I know that in my heart, which is why I’ve given it to him.
There’s a knock on the door, pulling me out of my thoughts. We’re not expecting any company, so I have no idea who it could be. When I open it, a woman stands before me. Her eyes bug out when she sees me in front of her, looking shocked as hell. My brow furrows at her odd reaction.
“Who are you?” she asks as she looks me up and down with a snarl on her face.
“I live here. Can I help you?”
“I just need to talk to Marcus. Is he here?” She attempts to look over my shoulder, but I close the door some behind me to block her view.
“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” I ask her.
“I didn’t. Now is he here or not?”
My arms cross over my chest and my eyebrow arches. “He’s not home, but I’ll be sure to tell him you stopped by. Is there a message I should leave for him?”
She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Just tell him Stacy dropped by. He’ll know who you’re talking about.” Her grin is knowing, like she has a secret she wants to tell me.
Both of us turn our attention to the driveway as Marcus pulls up. “Perfect timing,” she says to me with a smug expression.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Marcus asks her when he gets close. I watch their exchange closely, trying to figure out what the hell is going on and why this woman is on our porch.
“I’m pregnant,” she announces.
He shrugs while shaking his head. “Okay? Why would I care?”
“Because it’s yours.”
I discreetly grab the doorframe to steady myself.
God, please no.
It’s yours.
I feel dizzy and I think I could throw up right now.
It’s yours.
This can’t be happening.
It’s yours.
Tell me I haven’t fallen for someone only to be betrayed again.
She’s lying. She has to be lying. There’s no way this is possible.
A combination of rage and disgust consumes his features as he moves closer to my side. It’s as if he can sense my internal withdrawal. “You’re a goddamn liar. I haven’t had anything to do with you since we broke up and you know it.”
She looks up at him through her eyelashes, but it takes on a more sinister feel. “Oh, really? I don’t remember it that way about six months ago.”
Six months?
We’ve been together for a little over seven. I swallow the bile that rises up my throat, willing myself not to puke in front of them.
Marcus finally turns his attention to me, and his entire posture deflates as soon as he sees my expression. My eyes have started to well up with tears, and I bite my lip to keep it from quivering. He grabs my shoulders gently. “Lydia, I swear to you she’s lying about everything. I haven’t seen her in two years.”
“Does he ever pull extra shifts?” she asks, using her fingers for quotation marks. “That’s when he’s with me.” It’s not often, but he’ll cover for a buddy of his every now and then. Or at least I thought he was. Now, I’m not so sure.
Marcus says something to her, anger clear in his tone, but I tune it out. I glance at her, then her stomach, then back at him again. My insides are twisted up so tight it becomes painful. She could be carrying his child, a little piece of him that she’ll have for the rest of their lives. I’d have to share a part of him I thought was reserved for only us after we got married. I want to believe him, I really do, but my instincts are telling me to get the hell out of here.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I can’t do this right now.” I turn around to go back in the house, but Marcus grabs hold of my hand.
“Lydia, please listen to me,” he pleads. Without looking back, I yank my hand from his grip and continue inside. Running toward the bedroom, I start to hyperventilate as soon as I get my suitcase and throw whatever I can grab into it.
Life is cruel. Right when you think you’ve got a handle on her, she’s there to kick you back down and remind you who’s boss.
I force my mind to shut off and focus on one task and one task only.
Get the hell out of here.