Lipstick on the Glass

Chapter 2

Eden

“He’s not coming, King.” I sighed stepping onto the terrace.

Pulling the blanket tightly around, I placed a hand on his shoulder and laid my head on top of his. It’s been two days, since our honeymoon had begun. I’ve never been in love, so I can’t imagine how he could be feeling right now.

Kingsley let out a huff and shifted in his seat, I sat on his lap and wrapped the blanket around us both. We’ve became comfortable in each other’s space to the point that I could feel at ease whenever. His arm wrapped around my waist as he pulled me in closer.

“He’s not coming.” He repeated.

“I’m sorry.” I mumbled quietly.

Kingsley let out a heavy sigh, slouching down in the chair. I twisted myself to throw my legs across his lap. I watched him stare out at the veranda, the ocean not too far away.

“We have a whole two weeks, didn’t we say we’re not going to cry over men?” I reminded him.

He chuckled slightly, trying to hide the smile that was fighting it’s way to his face. I nuzzled my face into his neck. He hates it because it causes him to be ticklish from my eyelashes.

“Come on.” I urged lightly.

“Easy for you to say, you don’t even want to socialize.” He teased, laying his head on top of mine.

“Hey, I think I’ve socialized enough. Your mother drags me to every even there is.” I rolled my eyes.

“Better you than me.” He cracked a smile.

I folded my arms over my chest playfully and we laughed. His body relaxed and I watched as the sea crashed against the land. One would think it was a peaceful action until the mind travels deeper. It was violent, heavy waves against the soft sand.

“Hey, I was thinking maybe we could do something we’ve never done before.” Kingsley nudged me.

“Hmm? Like what?” I turned my head to look up at him.

“Have you ever been underwater before?” He quirked up a thick brow.

“Well, I haven’t swum since I was a child, why?” I asked.

“Let’s go snorkeling.”

“I’m sorry but you still enjoy going underwater?” I inquired.

Given his actions that he mentioned years ago. I didn’t that he would go near water ever again. Or maybe I’m overthinking it. My past decisions didn’t turn me away from sharp objects.

“I love the water; it’s been a while since I could be in it. I mean, I’m not allowed anywhere near it but who’s here to stop me?” He smirked.

“Don’t smile about it. You’re so shameless.” I scoffed.

“Well? What do you think?” He hummed.

“I’m down for it.” I reluctantly agreed with it.

He nodded, wrapping his arm around my waist tighter. I tried to wait on him to speak his mind, but it never happened without any prodding on my end. He hesitated with little pats on my thigh while we sat in silence.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s nothing, just—” He paused for a moment, “Have you ever felt like you’re suffocating?” He inquired.

I knew that feeling all too well, from just being alone in my own mind, or just having a few eyes on me. It was an overwhelming feeling that tries to overtake me. Fighting it off isn’t an easy feat, especially when all I want to do is let go.

“Yeah, I do.” I muttered.

“That’s how I feel when I can’t see him, the only ounce of happiness I’ve had.” He huffed.

Oh.

That’s what he meant.

I’ve never experienced that type of feeling as if an entire person is the air that moves in and out of my lungs. That the absence of their being causes me mental distress. Nope, I’ve never experienced that, ever.

“Well, there’s always tomorrow. You know he likes to play games. He’s probably just trying to make you sweat.” I suggested.

Offering some type of hope, was the only thing I could do for him. I shifted on his lap and his phone lit up, ringing from the table. It was a specific song, one that he personally chose for him.

I smiled and handed it to him before I stood to leave him. Their love was beautiful but sad. It can never expand or become anything more but a web of secrets.

Everyone had a relationship like that, it was a sticky web that would make a mess of everything, trapping them with every movement they made.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pulled my knees up to my chest. It was weird, that I'm no longer alone but still very much alone. I've spent the last three years surrounded by people everyday.

I'm stared at, whispered about, and still it doesn't get easier.

My phone rung, pulling my from my depressing thoughts. I see that it was my father. It's become a nightly ritual that he drunk calls me, sputters some nonsense and my mother yells at him to hang up.

"Hi, daddy." I answered.

There's a long pause, but I van hear him breathing.

"Have you been drinking tonight? You know mother will be mad again. Aren't you tired of her screaming?" I sighed, sticking it between my ear and shoulder.

"You look just like your mother." He spoke.

"I know." I replied.

I hated that.

A comparison to what people call perfection personified.

I looked like my mother but could come nowhere close as being her. My father says it's a good thing, that I should be happy that all I have is her looks. He says alot of things, some doesn't make sense.

"You don't have her heart and that's a good thing." He slurred his words.

"I know. I have a good heart." I mumbled.

"You have to remain compassionate and honest. It'll get you a long way in life. So will your looks, but that can only get you so far over the years." He rambled.

I just listened.

As like clockwork, my mother could be heard in the background. But it wasn't aimed at my father. She was screaming into a void not aiming at anyone.

Moving out may have saved just a little bit of my sanity

"Daddy, I have to go. Maybe you can calm her down or something. I don't know. I just got to go." I sighed rushing off the call.

"Eden, baby girl, I have some liquor being sent up. Drink with me." Kingsley swirled into the room.

"What? Why? This late?" I glanced at the time.

He ignored me as he went into the attached kitchen. Grabbing some snacks from the cabinets, he tossed them onto the bed. There was a knock on the door, he went to answer and returned with two bottles of Hennessey.

"King...I can't eat this? If I gain--"

"Who cares if you gain two pounds or four? Who will notice? It's our honeymoon. Let's enjoynourselves." He held up the bottles.

His mother would notice.

She'd notice a single split end.

"You know I'm going to be the best husband I can be for you? Unlike the elite couples around us, I'm going to be faithful to you." He claimed.

"King, you're gay." I sighed.

"I've been with women before, we can make this s**t work. We're going to make each other happy. Because we don't need the bullshit that people try to feed us." He chuckled.

"What happened between you and Liam?" I questioned.

"I don't want to talk about him, just know that we're going to be the best for each other. It's been so f*****g long since I felt anything. Eden, I want to feel something, anything." He stared at me.

When Kingsley stared at me, he was looking at me. I felt seen, I felt heard. I felt as if even if I hid myself away that he could still find me.

"Make me happy and I'll try my damnest to return it ten folds to you." He said, taking my face into his hands.

"King--"

"Eden, I mean it." He cut me off.

Laying my hands on top of his, I smiled up at him and nodded.

"We can give it a try. I just don't want you forcing yourself. But wait. We still don't have to have kids, right?" I pulled away.

"Hell no." He broke out into a grin, pulling me back in.

His mouth covered mine in a heated kiss.

Kingsley had always been a great kisses. I could honestly say it was what contributed to my little crush on him. His lips were soft and full. I could let him kiss me all over.

"Let's get drunk and do some married people things." He grinned.

I laughed.

A real laugh.

I almost forgot what mine sounded like.