Page 141 of Tormented in Silence: The Completed Duet

Hereyesgocomicallywide. I chuckle, “Yeah. When we had church earlier, I was going to bring it up, but we had to discuss some other things, so I’m going to bring it up tomorrow when we meet again.”

“Where would we live?” Presley questions.

I shrug. I want to tell her we would build a house here, but I think it would be a better surprise for her. And I still need to talk to my brothers about it all. “We could rent a small house close by and maybe look at buying down the road.”

Her eyes drop slightly, but she is trying to hide the disappointment. I have to fight to hide my grin because I fucking love that she would want to live on the property.

“We wouldn’t live on the property? Like Rage’s house?”

I pretend to be deep in thought before responding. “Maybe, down the line. But we have pretty full plates right now, and a couple of guys already are in line to get homes done. It would be quite a while.”

“But that is a possibility? Do you want to do that? Live here?”

“Yes, I can get us on the list for down the line. I would love to live here. This is my home. I love the plot of land we have here.”

She beams at me and leans down to kiss me. “I love it too.”

Perfect.

“You don’t have to, Pres.”

“Jackson,” she sighs, frustration clear in her tone.

We have been debating this for the last two days. I went back to work at the start of this week, but now Presley wants to come back and work at the shop, even though she doesn’t have to work; I’ll take care of her.

“I know you don’t think I should work, and you keep telling me I don’t have to. I understand that. But sweets, I need to. I need something to do. What would I be doing here? Nothing. When we get a house, then yes, I will have some other things to do so I could work fewer days a week maybe, but I need to stay busy.”

“I understand, but I just think you should relax. You’re growing a baby.”

Presley rolls her eyes, and with a groan, she stands up from the couch. We have been sitting in the main room for the last hour debating this. Making me late to work because she wants to come with me.

She walks to stand in front of me and crosses her arms. “Alright, I’m over this. I appreciate you, and I absolutely love that you don’t care if I want to stay home. Especially because after the baby is born, I would love to stay home. But until then? I want to work. Women work every day. Most work until the day they are giving birth, and then they are still running around doing things that day! You need to calm down. I promised I would come to you with issues, and I know this is what it’s really about. You are concerned that I am going to overdo it and end up stressed out or break down. I am trying to be open with you and when I find a therapist, that will help too. But until then, you need to lay off. I am literally going to come work with you. Would you prefer I go look elsewhere?” She raises a cocky brow at me.

I stand up, towering her over. “You win. But I swear to God, angel, if you don’t come to me and tell me if you are stressed out or have had too much, I will turn you over my knee.”

Her cocky look turns into a full ass grin. Her eyes lighting up with mirth. Even though I know she is going to say something to try to get under my skin, I can’t help but melt at the look. It’s something I haven’t seen often enough, and I want to see more of it. I want her face this lit up and happy every fucking day.

“You could, but I’m not sure I’d learn my lesson. You’d probably have to keep doing it. You know, reinforce it.”

Loud booming laughter sounds behind her, and Presley’s face flushes red, but she turns around and looks at the source of the noise with a glower.

Blade grins at her. “Is it that pregnancy moodiness thing that’s making her so bold?”

Rage, who is standing on his left, glances at Blade. “Pregnancy hormones, you mean?”

He nods. Nerds chuckles as he walks out from the hallway where he was. “Or she is just getting comfortable here. Either way, I like it.”

“Me too,” Rage says, offering Presley a soft smile.

“Me fucking three! Stick around, bold Presley. We could have some fun.” Blade cackles.

I shake my head at Blade and nudge Presley towards the door. “We’re going to the shop. Be back later.”

“Church at seven tonight!” Rage calls as we walk out.

We get to the shop and fall into an easy routine. I dive into a project I started this week. I want to get it done so I can work on getting myself a new bike and customizing it. The other guys work on their customer work, and Presley cleans up upstairs in the offices before getting comfortable at the downstairs front desk where she will take calls and help customers that come in.

Once it’s lunchtime, Presley orders from the sandwich shop that isn’t far from here. Josh leaves to go grab the food, which Presley rolls her eyes at. But they’re taking my orders. She is a princess. Treat her as one.

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