“I’m not. I’m just not hungry. I had a big lunch.”
“Please,” I begged.
She groaned and got up. We walked across the yard, arm in arm. I knew I was being sly, but I couldn’t help it. I had to know.
Dawson was setting plates out on the table and getting spoons for the carton of mashed potatoes and corn.
I went to the kitchen and got Lauren a plate and the butter for the biscuits. I watched the two of them exchange a glance. It was not my imagination. I know what I saw, and I know that Lauren quickly redirected her eyes.
I placed the utensils on the table and decided to try something else. I wrapped my arms around Dawson’s neck and kissed him.
“Hi,” I said as his hands moved around by ever growing body.
“Hi,” he said, and I kissed him again.
“I think I will just leave you two alone,” Lauren tried.
“No. I’m done. I promise,” I said, playing it off.
“Sit.”
We ate the chicken, and I purposely touched Dawson every chance I got, just to observe Lauren’s reaction. It was obvious. She didn’t want me touching him.
There was something going on. I knew it.
Lauren helped clean up the trash. I could tell that she wanted out of there. I kissed Dawson again in the kitchen, and that was it. She was gone.
“I’ll see you guys later,” she stated, not looking back.
“What’s her problem?” I asked Dawson.
He shrugged one shoulder. “She’s your friend,” he accused, like I should know better than him.
“Did you miss me?” I asked, moving into his arms.
I don’t know what the hell I was doing. I guess I felt a little rejected or some shit. I had planned on telling him that I didn’t want to be with him and that I was going home to my husband. I didn’t feel that way anymore. I wanted Dawson, especially after realizing that Lauren wanted him too.
“Of course I missed you,” he assured me, pulling me into his arms. “How’s your family?”
Was he now fishing for information? “Good, I’m going back down in a couple of weeks. Caroline is in a school play and I promised her I would come and watch.”
I’m pretty sure he bought it. He kissed me, parting my lips with his tongue. I kissed him back and ran my hands along his ribs and to his strong back. I wanted him. I wanted him right that second. What the hell was wrong with me? I needed professional help or something.
Dawson tried to lift my shirt over my head. I stopped him. I hadn’t forgotten about the nice little surprise that Drew had left for me.
“I need a shower,” I whispered to his lips.
He placed his forehead on mine and took a deep breath. “Then you better get away from me and go,” he assured me.
I kissed him again and left him.
I prayed that he didn’t come into the bathroom. I think I showered quicker than I ever had in my life. I even dressed in record time.
Dawson was in my room emptying his pockets when I came out. He took clothes from his dedicated drawers and kissed me as he headed to the shower next.
Damnit he was staying. We were going to have sex. This was not the plan…at all.
I slipped on a pair of socks and eyed his cellphone, trying to tell myself not to do it. I had never looked through his phone. I never had a reason to. I jumped up and practically ran to it. I opened it up and went right to the messages. Fifty seven of them were to and from Lauren. I scanned them quickly, listening for the shower to shut off.
Most of them were just quick little text. Like, good morning, good night, how is your day going? And then I read where they were meeting. He knew that I was home the night before. Lauren had text him and told him not to come over because I was home.
Why was I so pissed about Dawson and Lauren? It wasn’t like I hadn’t just lied to him and spent the last few days with Drew. I was furious. I was reading one from Lauren, telling Dawson that she missed his lips and couldn’t wait until she could kiss him. I didn’t hear the water shut off, and I didn’t hear Dawson walk in.
I don’t know how I knew that he was standing there. I guess I just sensed his presence. I turned to see his tight lipped face staring right at me, going through his phone.
“Dawson?” I said. I needed to know. Screw the private investigator crap. I wanted to know, and he was going to tell me.
“I’ve wanted to tell you, Riley.”
“Tell me what?”
He didn’t speak. I could feel my heart beating. I could feel the blood pumping through my veins. I was ticked. I wanted to pick his gun up and shoot him in the head. I was literally seeing little light prisms. I was so freaking mad. I couldn’t see straight. Why, I wasn’t sure. I really had no right, but God damnit, this hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn’t expecting this. I could have never seen this coming, not in a million years.
“How long has this been going on, Dawson?” I asked. I was trying my best to keep my cool. Never mind the fact that I was planning on dumping him that very night.