Page 73 of The Light to My Darkness (The Light to My Darkness 1)

"Feel free to keep punching Matt as long as he keeps flirting with you," James said and placed a kiss on my cheek. "I'm going to have a little chat with him before I head out."

Before I could say anything, James had dropped me from his embrace and was stalking over toward Matt. He grabbed him by the arm and pulled him off the dance floor.

Bye, James. I put my hand on my stomach. What was this feeling? All I knew was that it wasn't just a chill down my spine. It was like my whole body felt cold.

Chapter 25

Sunday

Maybe I was wrong about Axel weighing more than Scarlett. Tonight she felt like she weighed a ton. It was almost tempting to wake her up so that she could walk. Instead, I adjusted her on my hip and pressed the button for the elevator. James had been gone less than an hour and I already missed him terribly. I carried Scarlett onto the elevator and leaned against the wall as the doors closed.

Ow. I slouched forward as a pain rippled through my side. Are you doing cartwheels now too? I put my free hand on my stomach. I need you to behave while your father is gone. Okay? Another sharp pain made me wince.

When the elevator doors opened, I slowly stepped out. I glanced at the sign posted on the wall, signaling that our room was to the right. I adjusted Scar again and made my way down the hall. My hand rummaged around in my purse, searching for the keycard. Damn it, where did I put it? This was why I didn't like when James left. I wasn't good at handling more than one thing at a time. I was exhausted. My stomach hurt. It felt like I was holding a bag of concrete in my arms. And I couldn't find my fucking keycard. I knew it was just my hormones that made me start crying. I wasn't even sure why I had agreed to spend the night in the hotel. All I wanted to do was curl up on James' side of the bed at home and breathe in his smell. I was always a mess when he wasn't around.

The sound of a door opening and laughter made me turn my head in the opposite direction. I'd recognize Tyler's laugh anywhere. I didn't want anyone to see me in my current state, whether I knew them or not. Come on, you stupid keycard.

"Penny? Are you okay?"

I could smell the alcohol on him. But his appearance was evidence enough that he was drunk. His tie was hanging loosely around his neck. Half the buttons were undone from his dress shirt and his tuxedo jacket had long ago been abandoned downstairs in the ballroom. He was holding an ice bucket in one hand and was awkwardly trying to button his shirt back up with the other.

I turned away. "Yeah, I'm just trying to find my keycard. Goodnight, Tyler."

"Let me help you," he said and reached for Scarlett.

The relief of having her weight off of me made me sigh.

"You're not really supposed to be lifting anything, are you?"

"No, not really, but she's not that heavy." Now that I could actually see into my purse better, I was easily able to find the keycard. "Found it." I lifted it up and smiled at Tyler. "Thanks." I put my arm out for Scarlett, but he kept her on his hip.

"I'll put her down for you." He nodded to the door.

"Oh, that's not necessary. I can do it."

"You're not really supposed to be lifting anything," he repeated.

I rolled my eyes and he laughed.

"Fine." I put my keycard in the door and it beeped open.

Tyler followed me in, hitting the lights as he made his way through the room. He set his ice bucket on the nightstand and easily pushed back the sheets while still balancing Scarlett in his arms. He gently laid her down and pulled the covers up, tucking them under her chin.

I leaned against the wall as I stared at them.

He pushed her hair off her face. "She looks just like you."

"She has James' eyes."

Tyler nodded and looked up at me. The smile seemed to evaporate from his face. "Have you been crying?"

I quickly shook my head. "No. I'm just tired."

"Why do you like to pretend that I can't tell when you're lying?"

I didn't know what to say. That I missed James desperately? That my baby wouldn't stop kicking me? That I was worried a snake was going to kill me in my sleep?

"Okay, you don't have to tell me." He pulled the covers off of Scarlett and lifted her back in his arms. "But you don't have to sit here moping all night." He grabbed the ice bucket off the nightstand and walked past me.

---