Page 78 of Treason's Temptation
I quickly rushed through Treason’s room and locked myself in the bathroom. Sitting in the living room with my fake boyfriend’s mother felt too normal. She didn’t have a weird affinity for her son that made her passive-aggressive. She was sweet, adding to the normalcy that had me hiding in the bathroom.
How fucked up was I that normal had sweat beading on my forehead.
Most people hated loneliness, but I loved it. I thrived in it because there were no conditions or disappointment. Loneliness felt safe, but I was never alone long with Treason lurking.
“Blue,” his voice called out, accompanied by a soft knock.
I took a deep breath and yelled, “Give me a minute.”
He refused, knocking again firmer, forcing me to yank it open. Whatever witty remark he planned died on Treason’s lips, looking at me. Stepping inside, the pads of his fingers brushed across my cheek, causing me to back away.
“What’s wrong?”
“I just need a minute,” I replied, swallowing my nerves. “I’m fine.”
Treason’s eyes searched me, looking for evidence to support my claim. He didn’t find any, so I had to create one before the trepidation on his face made me cry.
“It would help if you stopped going up my skirt in front of your mother! She’s goin’ to think I’m some fast woman clinging to her son for a come up.” I fussed because he’d stuck his hand under my skirt, acting out his teenage dream of being in the Tip Drill video. Thankfully, her back was turned at the time.
His mouth twitched like he wanted to say something slick, but didn’t. Treason just stood in the door frame, studying me, making matters worse.
“Why do you care what yourfake boyfriend’smom thinks about you?”
My gaze narrowed, chewing the inside of my cheek.
“Just keep your hands to yourself. The rules haven’t changed.”
“I have the green light when the camera’s rolling. Plus, I have to sell it, or she’ll know,” Treason gushed, standing behind me, kneading my shoulders. “I didn’t think you’d mind the attention. This is why you’ve been mad all day, right?”
“You’re so annoying.”
“You know what else is annoying? Getting bitched at because you’re allweirdand shit after the other night. I’m notthatpatient, and you know I have to work.” His jaw ticked, but he didn’t look away. “That smart ass mouth doesn’t have shit to say now, huh?”
I fought the urge to overexplain that sharing my past had my nervous system lit up like a dashboard needing a tune-up. Instead, I crossed my arms, trying not to squirm under the weight of his gaze.
“There’s a lot I could say.”
“I hope it starts with I’m sorry,Stink,”buthe didn’t bother waiting for something that wouldn’t happen. “You have to come out, or she’ll worry. Then you’ll have to explain why you’re hiding in the bathroom.”
Treason grabbed my shoulders, marching me back down the hallway to the living room. As expected, concern marred her face until I blamed it on my cycle. She understood sympathetically, patting my leg before sharing her ‘war stories’ from raising Treason.
“Gram is calling,” Inez announced, causing Treason to groan, “Hey, Ma.”
“Is my baby okay?” An older woman yelled.
“No, I’m not. Your daughter is over here acting up!” Treason yelled loud enough for her to hear.
“He and Navie are just fine,” Inez assured her.
“She’s there now? Turn this camera on so I can see her,” His grandma yelled.
Inez instructed her to press the camera button, but she complained that the phone was broken, while Treason shook his head in disagreement. When she finally got FaceTime working, Inez shoved the phone to Treason.
“Wassup, Gram?”
“Oh, you remember who I am now?”
“Don’t do me like that, baby,” Treason charmed.
