Page 23 of Bound By Obsession

We slip out just as the bathroom door opens. I don’t see Meg exit, thinking she would rather not see my face for a little while. She waited so long to have company. She showed me that her cell didn’t have any service, told me how she clung to the device each night just in case something happened to come through. And all I’ve done is given her a hard time and accused her of colluding with Nixon. I don’t think I want to see my own face for a while either.

Following Dax’s lead, we descend the two flights of stairs and do in fact find Garrett already at the head of the dining table. It’s a huge slab of polished mahogany, big enough to seat us all comfortably. I take a seat next to Garrett, Dax lowering on my other side. Axel is directly opposite and after placing down a final bowl of salad, Huxley sits on his left.

“Thanks Hux, this all looks delicious,” I smile warmly. Given that Keren and Meg weren’t expecting us, he’s managed to make a meal of buttery fried potatoes, roasted cauliflower, stuffed mushrooms and a green leaf salad. It smells incredible, infused with vinegar and garlic. I didn’t realize until this moment how sick I am of fast food and greasy diners. Standing, I pick up the plate in front of Hux and start to load it with a small portion from each bowl. “I’d hate for you to miss out on any of it.”

Smirks are passed around with the cutlery. Hux stabs a piece of potato with his fork and does his best to nibble on it, clearing his throat. “Are the others joining us?”

“Keren used some sort of voodoo on me and left,” Garret says in time with chewing. My eyes widen and fly to him.

“She’s left?! But I was in Meg’s room. She didn’t even come to say goodbye.”

“Did she say what was so urgent?” Axel frowns. I’m trying to ignore the fact he’s topless again, the panes of his chest a firm distraction. Garrett, who is currently sitting in Axel’s T-shirt, is also having a hard time keeping his eyes on his food as well, which is a feat in itself.

“Something about Nixon wanting to keep up appearances. It was hard to hear while she was prying open my soul.”

“You know Keren is my childhood therapist, right? That’s how Meg and I met.” I raise a brow. Garrett stills, fork halfway up to his open mouth. He looks like he’s been struck with a blunt object, staring dully into space.

“Well,” he sits upright and clenches his jaw. “That makes sense. I knew there was something witchy about her.” I can’t decipher the way Garrett glances at Axel, a hidden spark of light behind his dark eyes. Axel’s hazel eyes are humorous and focused on me.

“Garrett has an aversion to therapists.”

“She raped my mind,” Garrett is starting to raise his voice when Meg appears.

“Guys! My mom is gone?! I went to check in and there’s clothes and shit all over the floor!” Everyone glares at Garrett and he simply rolls his eyes. I stand, opening my arms out to my best friend.

“I know, Meg, I just heard too. I’m so sorry. Apparently your mom is following Nixon’s orders too, but she should have said goodbye. That was really shitty of her.”

“Yeah I know, but that…I don’t,” Meg shakes her head, pushing out of my hold and gripping her temples. “I’ve been here for two weeks. There’s no phone signal. How the hell did Nixon get a message to her? And she’s taken the car. What am I supposed to do when we can leave? Hide in the trunk of the SUV?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Garrett turns, dabbing his mouth on a napkin. “Avery can ride in the trunk. She loves it in there.” I smack the back of Garrett’s head. Now is not the time. Coaxing Meg to come and join us, Dax scoots over a seat so I can keep her under my arm. I watch Meg, picking at a lettuce leaf, and once again that clawing worry settles in.

We eat in silence. It’s deafening, despite the downpour pounding against the windows. Apparently Keren felt that she would risk the slippery mud trail leading to the beach house, rather than sit with us and wait for the rain to pass. How is Nixon’s influence so strong? Are we all just puppets, hooked up to his strings? Huxley’s warning from the gas station rings in myears. I should have listened to him, but at least Meg isn’t isolated anymore. She has us now.

I glance at Huxley, who manages a few forkfuls of food. All for my benefit I assume. I finish my water and place my glass down with a light thud, just as a firm hand pushes down on my bouncing knee. I hadn’t realized I was outwardly showing the stress building within. I peer up at Garrett from beneath heavy eyelids.

“Don’t feel down Peach,” he winks at me. His thumb strokes small circles on my outer thigh. “We won’t be here forever, and I’ll make it my personal mission to ensure you’re thoroughly entertained.” I find a small smile for him, marveling at how Garrett also knows the right thing to say. “With my cock.”

I take it back.

“Ew,” Meg suddenly perks up. She’s managed to shake her anxiety for a moment, the spunky girl I know and love shining through. “Keep it behind closed doors.”

“Ugh, just when I thought I liked you.” Garret throws a carrot stick in Meg’s direction. She snorts, lifting her spoon. I manage to talk her down from the edge just before she flings a mass of stuffed mushroom back. We need to be sensible with our food. There’s no telling how quickly Garrett will eat through everything. Settling back in her seat, Meg eyes each one of my men in turn.

“So this is still happening,” Meg waves a breadstick at everyone, ending with me. I smirk and nudge her shoulder. There’s the overprotective bestie I’ve missed for weeks. Dax pushes back in his seat, humbled to high heaven since our exchange upstairs.

“It’s still happening,” Dax chuckles gently.

“And it’s working? Like the whole sharing thing,” Meg looks at each of the boys suspiciously. Axel’s boyish grin reveals his dimples and I swoon. His handsomeness should be illegal.

“It’s working just fine.” He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth, almost giving me an aneurysm. Meg assesses the expression on my face and the rest of her unease melts away.

“Well, good. I’m happy for you all.” I raise a knowing brow and Meg laughs. “I mean, I’m surprised - don’t get me wrong. It’s odd that there’s no arguing or possessiveness.”

“Oh,” Huxley snorts, “there’s definitely possessiveness.” His chocolate eyes slide to Garrett. “Some of us struggle to get a look in sometimes.” The man in question is taking a questionably sized bite of cauliflower. Shrugging, he mumbles around his food.

“I am who I am. Deal with it.”

“Well,” Meg rolls her neck so it clicks. Oh, she’s going into full defensive mode. The breadstick turns on Garrett sharply. “All I’m saying is, if you ever put Avery in a position where she is going to get her heart broken, it’ll be you who is ‘dealing with it’. Because my foot will be so far up your-”

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