Page 24 of Sexting the Silverfox

We go out once in a while. We go shopping for groceries or whatever else our hearts desire. We spend most of our time together, and I’m loving every second of it.

Lily is a treat. She’s been the kindest, sweetest little girl, and I’m genuinely surprised by how quickly we’ve bonded. Rita takes good care of us, but I can’t sit back and let her do all the work. Jason has started to attend Lily’s piano lessons, and more often than not, he’ll bring her back to find Rita and me working our asses off in the kitchen, making a scrumptious dinner for four.

We talk and laugh for hours, and I love spending time with Jason’s daughter. It’s weird how I’ve settled in so quickly with such ease and comfort.

I’m afraid it won’t last, however.

Jason’s security team scoured through the CCTV footage from The Emerald. They managed to get some stills from the tape, but the stalkers knew to dodge the cameras, so there wasn’t anything conclusive—nothing that could be processed through facial recognition software by the appropriate authorities.

On the other hand, there haven’t been any sightings or suspicious activity reported at The Emerald for about two weeks. It appears the coast is clear.

I cling to the hope that those bastards figured out that I skipped town and gave up. I’d hate to have to leave this place, this city. I definitely don’t want to leave Jason. Lily and I have grown so fond of one another and Rita and I have grown close as well. I love my kindergarteners, even the spoiled ones, and my coworkers are great.

My heart soars with the purest energy whenever I’m with them, shaping their minds and teaching them to become better humans. It’s why I became an educator—to provide the world with curious and educated minds.

We need a brighter future and mine seems a tad shady at this point.

As I browse through one of the drugstore aisles, looking for some cough medicine, I look up to see Jason by the haircare section, picking out some shampoo and conditioner. I love how he takes such good care of himself and his family. Unlike most men of considerable means, Jason still handles the little things. Groceries, household items … you name it, and he buys it himself. I finally got him to order some stuff online, though, to make it easier for him and Rita.

The more I look at him, trying to decide between shampoo brands, the fonder I grow of this man. I’ve yet to find the courage to tell him the truth, but he hasn’t pressured me, either. That just makes me love him even more. Love. Oh, God, what a dangerous word that is yet it speaks the truth of how I feel. I’m in love with him; there’s no denying that anymore.

“Can I help you?” one of the attendants asks me. I didn’t notice her approaching; I was too busy fawning over my man. “Are you looking for something in particular?”

“Oh, sorry, um, yeah,” I reply, keeping my voice down. “I need a pregnancy test.”

The girl can’t be older than twenty, dressed in the drugstore’s branded white and blue T-shirt and a pair of jeans, her brown hair pulled back in a tight ponytail and a pleasant smile permanently adorning her pretty, tanned face. She glances down at the shelves. “Sure, we have a few options. They’re right over here,” she says, pointing the way as I follow her to the other end of the aisle.

“Thanks, I’ll take it from here,” I mutter and give her a gracious nod.

She nods back before going to help other customers while I grab the first box I recognize and head straight to the counter with it, careful so that Jason doesn’t see me. I haven’t shared my recent concerns with him, but my period is late, and I’ve been feeling a tad weird lately.

At first, I put it all on account of stress. Having to leave my apartment, fearing that my family might’ve found me in Chicago, adjusting to my new living situation. But the morning sickness hit me like a ton of bricks today as soon as I opened my eyes.

I need to be sure.

Once I pay and get my receipt, I slip the box into my coat pocket and go back to browsing through the cosmetics section. I don’t like keeping secrets from Jason, but given the uncertainty of my situation, I don’t want to tie him down in any way.

I haven’t heard from my brothers or my father, but the note that was slipped under my door still haunts me. Someone from my old life knew where to find me.

“What are you up to?” Jason asks from behind, startling me.

I pause and take a deep breath. “You have a knack for sneaking up on me, don’t you?”

He laughs lightly. “Yeah, but there’s nothing like a good jump to get the heart rate going, right?”

“We’re in a playful mood, I see.” I giggle and get up on my toes so I can kiss him. He welcomes my lips and reciprocates with gentle sweetness, then shows me his small shopping basket. “Ah, there’s the loot.”

“Got everything we came in here for,” he declares. “Found your conditioner, too.”

“Should we get that cough medicine for Lily while we’re here? I saw it in the other aisle.”

Jason shakes his head. “Rita said she was going to give her the ginger, lemon, and honey concoction another day before resorting to medication. Lily’s throat is getting a tad better, I must admit.”

“Fair enough. If we can cure it the natural way, even better.”

“Ready to go?”

I nod, masking my anxiety as best I can as I accompany him back to the counter. Once we’re in the car, I sink into the heated passenger seat, giving myself a moment while Jason loads the trunk. We’ve been on quite the shopping spree all afternoon. There will be a lot to unpack when we get home, but Lily will be more than happy to assist.

---