Page 36 of The Wife Deception
My body was still deliciously sore, and every throb reminded me of how I came apart in his arms. It was as though he had left an invisible mark that only I could feel. And yet he was lessaffected by the experience than I was. Maybe that's how the more sophisticated, sexually liberal people did it, but I was too inexperienced to act like him. Even when I knew he was being rational when he said he would only sleep with me once, hearing him say that to his brother had still hurt. But he wasn't as cool as he pretended to be. I'm pretty sure I saw a flash of jealousy pass through his face when his brother kissed me on the cheek. And now he was talking about extending our agreement from one night to indefinite.
Until one of us gets bored.
He didn't want to say he would be the one to 'get bored' of me than the other way round, true as it was. Was there any harm in saying yes? It's not like I would fall in love with him. It was obvious he had no feelings for me. Grandfather would like this, though. I don't know what he has planned, but he wants me to have Nolan's child. I am not on birth control, and even though we used a condom last night, who knows what will happen in the future?
"So you like me now." I smirked. "I should have known you wouldn't be able to stay away."
His lip curled. Good. It was working. I chuckled. "You men are all the same. You swear up and down that you don't want us, but one night is all it takes to flush your principles down the drain."
"Please. You were the one who failed the test, remember?"
"And you are the one who's begging for seconds."
He turned his gaze down to his plate. "Forget I said anything."
I won this round. The minor victory should have been satisfying, but it felt hollow.
***
The sun was high and the sail boats looked like paper toys in a river from the vantage point of the yacht club terrace as they sailed to the starting position. I sat in silence, occupying myself with the binoculars while Thalia and Ivy chatted next to me. Nolan was at the pier with the 'men,' Damien, his son, and Levi, as they watched Carey sail his boat to the start line. They all stood in a row, Damien on the far left, holding his son's hand, then Levi and Nolan on that far right. My stomach somersaulted as I focused my binoculars on Nolan. He looked like aRalph Laurenmodel in a navy blue polo shirt and pristine white shorts that looked like they had never seen a speck of dirt.
The trip to Massachusetts had been tense. It wasn't hostile. Far from it. Nolan was kind, but he was distant. Respecting my boundaries and keeping to himself. And yet that was not what Iwanted from him. I wanted him to be angry and aggressive. But instead of passion, all I got was the same professional he was before. Gone was the man who made me come twice in his bed.
"The race is about to start," Thalia said beside me. She was speaking to Ivy, who nodded. The conversation was stilted, and it was obvious that they were barely tolerating me, which I understood. I would not want to talk to me too, if I thought I was the type of woman who calls CPS on a friend out of spite.
"Where’s Lake? He loves wandering away at events like this." Ivy asked as she picked up her binoculars on her lap.
"With Damien," I said, pointing at her husband.
An awkward silence fell upon us. I guess she wasn’t talking to me, but with Thalia. I had instead ruined the mood with my loud mouth. And as if to validate the thought, Ivy turned to Thalia and said, "Damien lost him for an hour when Lake wandered off at Comic Con last year.
"Yeah you told me about that. It must have been scary for you."
"It was scarier for Damien. You should have seen him. He didn’t want to bring him and instead wanted to leave him with the babysitter, but Lake insisted."
"Carey told me Lake likes his boat." Thalia checked her phone. "When is this thing starting?"
As soon as she spoke, a voice boomed through the speakers, announcing the sailors and the name of their boats. Carey's boat was in the third lane. Thalia clenched her fists in her lap and looked to the side. "I don't think I can watch."
A gun went out, and the race began. The boats were moving faster than I expected. Carey was in the second to last position. His boat started slowly and other boats, except one with an even slower start, passed it. But as the race went on, he quickly gained momentum. First by overtaking one boat, then two, until he was in third position. Ivy clapped, jumping up and down in her seat. Her sunglasses, which were perched on top of her blond head, threatened to fall.
"What's going on?" Thalia asked, eyes shut.
"He's in third now," I said to her.
"Really?" She glanced at the race and jumped up as Carey went into second position. My adrenalin rushed, and I stood up too, fueled by the announcer's ever rising voice and Carey's speed.
"They are neck and neck! Who will win, the veteran or the rookie? It's too close. They're both racing hard towards that finish line."
Many people had gotten up, cheering the boats. On the pier, Nolan now had his nephew on his shoulders, pointing at the two boats. Carey edged in front, but his opponent thrust himself forward again. Carey pushed on. So did theopponent. Back and forth, they switched positions.
"This is too much. I fear my heart is going to drop," Thalia said under the cheers.
"I have never seen anything like it! This race is going to be close!" The announcer's voice had reached its limit. It croaked, but he continued. "Who's gonna take it! Who's taking first! They're both close to the finish line! And the first bow past the finish line isThalia's Glorywith Carey Hawthorne at wheel!"
Thalia and Ivy hugged each other and jumped in the embrace. Their celebration was infectious, and I squealed in excitement as I clapped. "Let's go to the dock," Ivy announced as they disentangled. I watched as Ivy and Thalia got out of their seats and I was about to sit down in mine when Thalia turned back and said, "Come on." I hurriedly rushed after them and followed a step behind as I listened to their excited chatter.
"Carey didn't want to do it at first,"Thalia said. "I had to convince him to sign up when I told him it's an amateur competition. He thought he was going to be last and embarrass himself."
