18
1042 Words
Friday
It took me awhile to completely relax around Rob. But his inappropriate s****l comments and the fact that I barely knew him went out the window when we found a show we both loved. Now my feet were propped up on his lap and we were laughing at a re-run of Shark Tank that didn’t feel like a re-run to me.
“I bet Kevin’s going to offer him a terrible royalty deal,” Rob said.
“Are you saying that because Kevin always offers royalty deals or because you’ve seen this episode before?”
Rob laughed. “Both. I’ve missed this,” he said and looked over at me.
“Missed what?” I asked through a mouthful of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.
“Hanging out just the two of us. We used to do this all the time.”
I set my ice cream down on the coffee table. “What changed?”
He shrugged. “Marriage. Kids. Work.”
“You have children?” I smiled at the thought. He was probably such a good father. He was so fun. Any kid would be lucky to call him Dad.
“Two. Well, one with another on the way. My daughter Sophie is three and a half. And my son will be born next month as long as everything goes smoothly.”
“I’m sure everything will go smoothly,” I said. “If there weren’t any complications with the first delivery, there probably won’t be with the second, right?”
“Yeah. I guess.” But he didn’t sound all that convinced. It was charming that he was worried about his wife and child.
“If I ever have kids, I don't want to know the s*x. The surprise is half the fun.”
He pressed his lips together, like he was holding something back.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
I looked back at the screen, but I was having trouble focusing on the show anymore. Rob had been so carefree moments ago, and now it seemed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I didn’t want to press him, but I still had so many questions. Mostly about James and my life here. What we were like as a couple. What a normal day for us looked like.
“Where's James?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible.
Rob kept his eyes on the TV. “Um…he had a class.”
That pause was a little suspicious. “He teaches during summer session?” I pulled my feet off of Rob’s lap.
“Yup. He’s teaching two classes until fall when he’ll have a normal schedule again.” It was like his eyes were glued to the TV.
“And one of those classes takes place in the middle of the night?”
He took another bite of ice cream, clearly buying time for whatever lie he was about to tell. “He has more on his plate than just teaching.”
Like what, a mistress? I ignored the comment that wanted to spill out of my mouth. “Do you have work?” I asked instead. “It’s Friday morning. Surely you have something better to do than babysit me?”
He finally pulled his gaze away from the screen and smiled at me. “There’s nowhere I need to be right now.”
“The two bulldogs keeping watch outside aren’t exactly going to let me out. An inside man isn’t really necessary. Two watchdogs is plenty.”
“I’m sure Briggs and Porter will appreciate their new nicknames. And actually, you have four members in your security detail.”
“Yeah, I heard about that. It seems a little obsessive.”
“Apparently not obsessive enough. James called me in as backup. I’m lucky number five.”
I pulled my knees into my chest, hugging my legs close. “Why exactly do I need five security guards today?”
“I’ve already told you, you’re going to have to talk to James.”
“Pictures are missing from all over the apartment.” I looked over at one of the empty hooks on the walls. “Who were they of?”
“Penny, you know I can’t tell you.”
I looked up the stairs. I couldn’t see the locked rooms from my seat on the couch, but I knew they were there. I knew there were secrets that I wouldn’t understand all over this house. But I wanted to try to understand. “There are two rooms upstairs that are locked. Why? What doesn’t James want me to see?”
Rob lifted the remote and turned up the volume.
I should have laughed the action off, but it made me angry. “You’re keeping secrets for him.” I practically had to shout. “Why?”
He ignored me.
“Rob! You can’t expect me to sit here all day with all these questions running through my head. I’m sorry if this is stressful for you, but…”
He reached over and started tickling me.
“What are you doing? Stop!” I gasped for air as I started laughing. “Get off of me.” I tried to push his hands away as I laughed hysterically. “Rob!”
When he started laughing at my pain, I took the opportunity to retaliate. “Oh, it’s so on!” I said and tickled his side.
He barely even flinched. It was like he was a tickling aficionado. He climbed on top of me and grabbed my arms to pin them down.
“Stop!” I yelled through a bout of laughter as he tickled me with his free hand. “I can’t breathe.” I tried to squirm away from him, but I was trapped underneath of him. “I surrender!” I said through a giggle. But I didn’t actually want him to stop. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had laughed so hard. Probably before meeting Austin. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like his hands on me. Or him on top of me. God, did I have the hots for my husband’s brother?
- Writer
