Page 41 of Paradox
“Nah, they were always crazy. I just never bothered or cared to find out. I think you’re safe.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Because I cared to find out—and did—before I put my dick in you.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that one.”
“Good.” He stands, kissing my forehead and snatching up the test results. “Now I’m gonna deal with the crazies.”
“Wait. I’m coming with you.”
He helps me out of bed and to the room where the women are. The moment we walk in, the one who came with Britney charges at us.
“You know this is illegal, right? You can’t keep us locked up—”
Gage silences her with the paper in his hand. She reads it, eyes going wide in shock before she turns them to Britney.
“Brit?”
Britney avoids her gaze, staring at the floor. Gage calls Tyler into the room, telling him to take the little boy away. Standing back, we watch the drama unfold. It’s obvious the woman wasn’t privy to Britney’s plan, whatever it was.
“You lied to me?” she continues. “Why?”
“Leanne….” Britney shakes her head, throwing me an evil glance. “This is all your fault. You stole him from me!”
Gage steps in front of me, crossing his arms over his chest. “I told you not to address her.”
“Why, Britney?” the other woman demands again. “Was any of it true? Or was it to get me to feel sorry for you? I took you in, looked after you and your son, all because you said his father kicked you out when you told him you were pregnant. I came here with you, disrupted these people’s lives… for what?”
“I just wanted to hurt her… and it almost worked. She got me banned from the club, and broke my fucking nose! I couldn’t think of another way to get to her.”
“Oh my God.” Leanne throws her hands in the air. “And the rest? Obviously, that was a lie, too, because you’re still hung up on him. I can’t believe I fell for you and your lies… that I helped you put this woman’s children at risk.”
I find the woman’s choice of words strange. She also seems to be taking this way too hard. Something else is going on here. Gage speaks first, beating me to the question.
“Wait.” He motions between the two women. “Are you two… together?”
Leanne picks up her things, standing before Gage.
“Not anymore.”
***Gage***
Holy shit.
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Looks like when Britney left here, she started batting for the other team.
“I apologize,” the woman says. “I came here, judging you without knowing the facts. I had no reason to doubt her.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Can I go? I don’t want to be around her.”
“Leanne, wait,” Britney begs, desperation taking over.
“Forget it. I’m gonna miss that little boy, but I don’t want to see you again.”
Without looking back, she leaves the room, slamming the door behind her. Lonnie emerges from the bathroom, a clueless glance sweeping the room.
