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.She cut me off, and this time she turned her head and looked up at me. I said not now.Seconds passed as we stared at one another.A mixture of hurt and anger flooded her eyes.I shook my head and pushed off the counter.Walking to the bathroom, I flipped on the shower andtore my clothes off.I spent the next thirty minutes trying to figure out how the hell Donna could have figured outanything about Alexis and her past.***Dinner was quiet, except for the sweet chatter of Maddison.She was our source of distraction.Alex continued to avoid eye contact, but I didn t let it stop me from trying. How did everything go today with Alice? I asked her. Good, I start Monday, she said without looking up from her plate. We need to go look at cars for you. We had continued to put it off, and now she needed one. I ll take care of it. She was pissed.I had no doubt about it.Her voice was distant anddismissive.Maddison jumped up from the table and took her plate to the sink.I waited until I knew she was farenough away from us, busying herself with some toys in the living room.I turned back around and leaned forward a little closer to Alex. How long do you plan on beingpissed off at me for something I didn t even do?Her eyes locked on mine as she narrowed them, glaring back at me. Well, who else could havefilled in your little friend about my past? I sure as hell didn t tell some complete stranger mybusiness, so that leaves you.She pushed her chair back and stood from the table.I sat silently watching her clear the table, onedish at a time.I was hoping she would work off some of her aggression. How is that supposed to make me feel, Colton? she growled. I walk in to find her drooling overyou.My daughter and she appear to be all chummy, and then she snaps off about how sad my past is.Alex was doing everything she could to maintain her composure.I joined her in the kitchen andforced her to face me. I never said shit to her about your past.I don t know where that commentcame from.We stood staring at one another, having a silent stand-off.She was mad as hell, and I wasbeginning to reach a level of anger myself.For her to think I would offer up her business to randompeople was enough to make me want to shake her until she wised up. How else would she know, Colt? she asked.I let the afternoon s events run through my mind over and over.Donna had only stayed for a littleover an hour.She waited patiently while I finished up with Mr.and Mrs.Williams, before I took thetime to show her the piece she had ordered.She sat with Maddison, and they laughed and colored side by side.Then the thought hit me. Hey Maddi, can you come in here a minute? I hollered from the kitchen.Alex wrinkled up her eyebrows and was about to ask what I was doing, when Maddi rounded thecorner.She was carrying a baby doll and a blanket in her arms.I knelt down on my knees and pulled her in close. Did you have a nice afternoon with me down inthe shop today? I asked.She nodded her head and smiled big. I like having you there too.I paused, watching her wrap her doll a little tighter in the blanket. You made a few friends todaytoo, didn t ya? Yes, they called me your little helper, she announced with pride. That you were, sweetheart. I ignored Alexis questioning expression. Donna was pretty nice toyou.You even colored together. Her little head bobbed up and down in agreement. What else didyou two talk about besides coloring?She continued to toy with her blanket and the doll wrapped in it. Um, we talked about you, shestated.A humph noise came from Alex.I ignored her and pushed a little further for information. What else? I asked Maddi. I told her about Nana, and the dollies at her house.I miss those dollies, so maybe Nana will letme bring them here. Maddi was slightly side-tracked by the dolls, and I had to redirect her back toour conversation. What else did you talk about? I askedShe thought it over for a few minutes. Donna has never been to California.She asked me where we used to live. My throat tightened,but I remained silent. I ll never go back there.Seth hurt mommy and he lives there.My eyes shot up and my gaze locked on Alexis.Her glistening stare registered what hadhappened.Donna had used Maddison to get information regarding our relationship.She was sneaky about it,pretending to be interested in Maddison and what she was doing.The entire thing now made meangry.Alex knelt down in front of us. Maddison, honey, you shouldn t discuss personal things withstrangers.Donna is a stranger.She doesn t need to know about Seth or California. She s not a stranger, Mommy.She is Colton s friend. I shook my head and pinched the bridge ofmy nose in frustration.I eased back from the two of them as Alex continued to try to explain privacy to Maddi.Butmaking a young child understand the concept was pretty impossible.We now knew where Donna sinformation about Alex had come from.Maddison was an easy target and had filled her in easily.I walked toward the bedroom and slipped on a pair of jeans.I was sitting on the end of the bed,putting on my boots, when Alex entered the room.Her feet were stepping into view just in front ofme, but I kept my eyes averted to the floor. Where are you going? Alex asked in a low, pained whisper. Gonna take a drive. I replied.She knelt before me on her knees and scooted in closer.There was no way to avoid her eyes now. Don t leave, she pleaded. I m sorry.I held her gaze for a moment before I leaned forward and kissed her forehead lightly.Standing up,I stepped around her and walked for the door.I just needed a break.The tension between us had builtfor hours, and now I just needed a break.I had to clear my head [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]