Page 34 of Ex- Factor
But she didn’t look to me either. It was like neither of us really mattered.
And I wondered.
Why had she slapped Sinica and mentioned her stealing her man? Was it because there was still something she hadn’t let go of when it came to Donte?
But she had also hit him too, my brain reasoned.
I didn’t like asking myself any of these questions.
Didn’t like wondering if her life with him wasn’t fully buried yet.
But I didn’t say anything.
I wouldn’t force her to let him go until she was ready.
Even if it meant sitting here, wondering how long it’d take for her past to stop knocking on the door.
Chapter Nineteen- Eshe
I woke up alone.
Mouth dry. Head pounding. Eyes crusty from sleep. My lashes felt like bricks. I blinked a few times, then groaned. My tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth like Velcro.
Silas wasn’t in bed.
My first instinct was to call for him, but my voice sounded like gravel. I sat up slowly, holding my head like it might fall off if I moved too fast. The house was quiet. The digital clock on the nightstand read three a.m. My toes hit the floor, and I stood on shaky legs, grabbing one of Silas’s shirts from the end of the bed to throw on.
I padded out of the room, the faint sound of gunfire pulling me toward the living room. I found Silas sitting on the couch, bare-chested in boxers, headset around his neck, PS5 controller in his hand.
I didn’t say anything. Just walked past him, dragging my nails across his back as I headed to the kitchen. He shivered under my touch, a little muscle in his shoulder twitching. I smirked to myself.
I pulled two bottles of water from the fridge, cracked one open, took a few sips, then walked back toward him.
He didn’t look up.
I stood in front of him, popped the controller from his hand with one finger, and crawled into his lap, facing him. My thighs spread across his, my bare pussy in his lap. He blinked at me. There was something in his eyes, but it wasn’t annoyance.
I kissed the dip of his throat, right where his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. I felt his dick twitch. I held up the water bottle and pressed it to his lips.
He drank slow, watching me the whole time.
When he reached for the controller again, I hit play and settled against him, laying my head on his shoulder. He didn’t start playing though. Just stared at the screen like it owed him answers.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered, rubbing his thigh slowly, trying to ease whatever tension he was carrying.
He sighed. “Don’t wanna say. Makes me feel stupid and insecure.”
I tilted my head up. “Silas. Nothing you say could make me think you’re stupid. Say it.”
He looked at me, conflicted, like he was debating if it was worth it. Then finally said, “You sure you’re over Donte?”
The question hit like a cold splash. But I answered without flinching and truthfully.
“Yes, I’m over him. What else you want to know?” I didn’t like the tone of his voice, and I wanted to reassure him.
He paused the game again.
His voice came low, careful. “Were you in love with him?”
