A DEADLY NUPTIAL

23.

"High school. You're at least in college. Look at me, I'm stuck here doing nothing."

"Why don't you go to college?"

"I don't know. I guess being married to your brother put a hold on college for a while." It was hard believing Alexa was a year older than me by the way she acted.

"Well still. You're lucky you don't have anything to do. I'd rather be at home any day."

I smiled, feeling slightly guilty. We left the dining table and just as I was following Alexa upstairs, Aaron walked in through the front door. He had on a long sleeved plaid shirt that was rolled up to his elbows and some nice jeans. He was actually pretty good looking for my husbands best friend.

"Well if it isn't Josephine." he smiled playfully.

I put my hands on my hips, "And if it isn't Aaronby." I smiled back.

"Hey, I told you not to call me Aaronby. It sounds so...childish."

"Fine, Aaron." I emphasized his name. "So what brings you here?"

"Oh right! Is Dark around?" he asked with his blue eyes searching the house.

"No, he left a while ago." He frowned. "What did you need him for?"

"Just wanted some bro time. You know, talk."

"You could always talk to me, you know."

"Well.." he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"It's about a girl isn't it!"

He blushed and smiled sheepishly." You caught me."

"Come let's talk." I said, grabbing his hand.

"What? We Dark 't talk here, someone will hear us!" he whispered loudly.

"Then where Dark we go?" I had no idea where anything was in this giant house.

"Come on," this time he was pulling me by the hand, "we Dark go riding."

"Riding?"

"Haven't you ever ridden a horse?" he questioned.

"Of course! I love horses. I was just unaware they had horses."

"Dark never told you?" he c****d his head to the side. "He even has his prized beauty."

"Really?" There was so much I was learning about Dark .

"Well yeah. Geez woman. Do you even know his favorite color?"

"That I do know," I pointed out, "it's blue."

"Well at least you know something," he muttered under his breath.

"Hey!" I smacked his arm, "I heard that!"

"Ow!" he rubbed his arm. "That actually hurt!"

I smiled pleased with myself. We reached the white barn. As we entered I was appalled at all the beautiful horses. It was like a little girl's dream; finding a stall full of gorgeous horses. There was one that immediately caught my eye. I walked to the stall and stood in front of the beautiful creature. It was a beautiful black mare. It's eyes were so Dark you could get lost in them forever...just like Dark 's.

"Ah, I see you've found Beauty," Aaron stated coming up behind me.

"She really is a beauty," I commented stroking her soft neck. "Is she Alexa's?"

"Nope. She's Dark 's".

"Really?" I looked at Aaron to see if he was lying.

"Yeah really. She's his prized possession."

"I never saw him as the horse type," I resumed stroking the velvet fur. She nuzzled my hand.

"Me neither. You really should see the way he takes care of her. No one but him takes care of her, but I see she likes you. Me on the other hand, she Dark 't stand me."

"Dark I ride her?" I eagerly asked.

"I don't know Josephine...."

"Oh please Aaron!" I begged.

"Dark , won't like it.."

"He doesn't have to know. Besides, I am his wife. I have a right to ride his horse don't I?"

"Well you have a point.."

I knew I had won my case. Ten minutes later Beauty was saddled up, and Aaron had chosen one of the other horses. A beautiful brown and white paint named Lucky. We rode on the gravel travel that went on for miles. There was lucious green land that stretched for miles and mountains that painted the sky. It was a cool day, not too cold for an almost winter day. It was still technically fall. After riding in silence for a while I popped the question, "So what did you want to talk to Dark about?"

He looked at the sky before answering, " Well I wanted to talk to him about his sister."

"What's wrong with Alexa?"

"Nothing, it's just..."

I put two and two together, and the light bulb went off in my head. "You like her don't you?!" He turned beet red. "I'll take that as a yes."

He chuckled, "You're really good at figuring people out, Josephine."

I shrugged, "Not always. Anyway, why did you need to talk to Dark about Alexa? Shouldn't you be talking to Alexa?"

"It's not that easy. Dark 's always been super protective of Alexa. I don't know how he's gonna respond to me liking his little sister."

I frowned. He had a point. Alexander was not happy at all when he found out I was marrying Dark . He had always been protective of me, so it was understanding that Dark wouldn't like his best friend dating his little sister.

"Do you really like her Aaron? I mean really like her, like she's a serious thing not just a fling?"

"Josephine," he looked at me and I could see the twinkle in his eyes, "I've liked her since forever. I've always had eyes for Alexa. You don't know what I would've given to hold her at the funeral and be there for her."

I almost started tearing up. Who knew Aaron could be such a sensitive guy. "Well if you really like her that much I say go for it. She's 19. She's an adult. She Dark date whoever she wants, it's not Dark 's business."

"I know, I know, it's just that I feel like I should talk to Dark first."

"I know what you mean. Then go and talk to him. I'm sure he'll understand."

He sighed, "I hope so."

It was getting late and almost lunch time, so we decided to head back to the house. On the way back we stopped by a pond to give the horses water. We got off the horses and continued talking about school and other things. As I was trying to get a rock out of my boot I lost my balance and fell into the water. Aaron couldn't help but burst out laughing tears running down his cheeks. I stood up and got out of the freezing water.

"So you thought that was funny?"

"It was hilarious!"

"Well I think this is hilarious." I pushed him into the water holding my sides as it was my turn to laugh. He glared at me as he was getting out of the water.

"Haha it was hilarious," he said sarcastically.

"I know right?" I smiled broadly. I shivered and the water had gotten me freezing.

"Here," he said, handing me his plaid shirt. He had taken it off earlier, and was now only wearing a soaked white undershirt. I took off my jacket and put on his plaid shirt relieved to have something dry and warm.

"Thanks," we looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh again. After recovering from all the laughing we walked back to the stables with the horses.

Dark 's POV

I got home early wanting to spend time with Josephine. I checked the room and found that it was empty. I headed back downstairs where I found one of the maids, Victor, carrying a hamper of dirty clothes.

"Victor, have you seen my wife?"

"Mrs. Evan went riding with Mr.Aaron."

I thanked her and went off to the stables hoping to find them there. Why was Josephine with Aaron? This all seemed very suspicious. I entered the stables loving the smell of hay and horses. I noticed Beauty and Lucky were gone. They must've taken them. I was about to leave when I heard voices outside of the stables. I quietly walked to the entrance where I could hear Josephine and Aaron discussing something.

"Josephine, no one Dark find out about today ok? Especially Dark , he'll have to know the truth sooner or later."

What truth were they speaking of?

"Fine," Josephine agreed in a hushed voice, "but you Dark 't tell him what happened at the pond. It's between you and me." I took that as the end of their conversation, so I walked back to the end of the stables pretending to be looking at Lily, my sister's mare. Josephine and Aaron entered looking all sweaty and muddy. Josephine's hair was everywhere, and she was wearing Aaron's shirt. Aaron looked flushed with his hair sticking out everywhere. They froze when they saw me in the stables. I froze as well, all these ideas running through my head. They couldn't have....

Josephine's POV

As Aaron and I entered the stables we immediately froze. Dark was standing a few feet away petting Alexa's palomino.

"Dark ," I breathed in. His hands were balled up in fists. He was clearly furious. It took me a while to think of what this situation looked like, but he couldn't possibly think I slept with his best friend, could he? I took a step forward, but he ran out of the stables through the back exit door before I could say It's not what you think.

Aaron took the bridle from my hand, "Go after him I'll take care of the horses."

I thanked him, grateful that he understood. I ran back to the house catching my breath as I entered the living room. Yusi was dusting book shelves when she noticed me trying to catch my breath.

"What's wrong dear?" she asked concerned.

"Have you seen Dark ?" I asked.

"He rushed to his study. What happened?"

I ran up the stairs only to say, "I'll tell you later Yusi," over my shoulder.

I hurried to Dark 's study, thankful that he had locked the door. I barged right in knowing if I had knocked he wouldn't have let me in. The door slammed behind me, and Dark looked devastated. His elbows were propped up on his mahogany desk his head in his hands.

"Dark -"

He interrupted me before I could go any farther," Don't. Don't try and give me any explanations. I know exactly what happened."

"It's not what you think," I pleaded.

"Then what is it?" his voice was surprisingly calm as he got up and walked around his desk to stand before me crossing his arms.

"I know you probably think I slept with Aaron, but that's not what happened at all. We went riding and we just talked. After heading back we stopped by the pond to give horses water, and I fell in the pond." Before I could finish the story he interrupted again.

"Do you really expect me to believe that?" he asked amused.

"It's the truth!"

"Then tell me, what were you and Aaron talking about?"

Uh oh... I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. This could not be happening. Should I tell him the truth?

"I Dark 't tell you it's a promise I told Aaron I would keep."

"Great! So now there's secrets between us too! Why don't I know?! I am Aaron's best friend."

"He didn't want to tell you...yet."

"Josephine just get out, I don't even want to see you right now." He didn't believe me. I had no choice but to leave his office. I closed the door and pressed my back to it. Tears were already threatening to come out. Alexa happened to walk by right at that moment and noticed me.

"Josephine, what's wrong?" she asked, touching my arm. "Did you and Dark have a fight?"

"Your brother doesn't believe in me any more."

"What are you talking about? Here, let's go to my room." We walked to her room across the hall. It was the typical girls room. Peach colored walls, white furnishings, and a bed covered with stuffed animals. I took one of the giant teddy bears hugging it for comfort.

"So tell me what exactly happened?"

"Your brother thinks I slept with Aaron."

"You didn't, right?" she looked desperate, wanting to know. Was she jealous?

"Of course not! Do you really think I would do that?"

"No..I just wanted to make sure." I smiled a little. I could tell she cared about Aaron. "Keep going, why does my brother think you slept with Aaron?"

"I went riding with Aaron, and when we were coming back we stopped at the pond. Long story short, I fell into the pond, pushed Aaron into the pond, Aaron let me borrow his shirt, we walked into the stables and your brother assumed I slept with Aaron."

"Well my brother is going to listen to me." she angrily got up, but I grabbed her hand before she could go any further.

"Alexa, there's no point. I already tried to talk to him, besides there are other things we argued about."

"Like what?"

"Well, Aaron asked me to keep a secret, and Dark wanted to know."

"Dark you tell me?" she asked sitting back down.

I shook my head. "If only it were that easy Alexa. If I could tell anyone it would be you."

She sighed, "Well I hope you and my brother work this out."

"Me too."