Helpless

Chapter 4: Dinner Party

Waking up the next morning was even harder than I thought. Not knowing whether Conner's soft, gentle side was apart of a dream or not was killing me. And I can't ask him. I can't risk him getting upset with me, especially not tonight.

Tonight is Parker and Nora's annual dinner party where Parker, Nora, Conner, and I get together to hang out without our kids. Oh, can't forget about Ben. Ben. I haven't seen Ben since last year at Nora's house. Aside from a few texts here and there, I haven't really even talked to him since the party.

Ben has been both mine and Nora's friend since our sophomore year at college. Nora liked him for awhile there but he would always let her down gently, always saying that he was in love with someone else. Of course, Nora and I have never heard or seen this mystery girl. Ever. For awhile we thought it was his lab partner in Chem 101. I mean he was always hanging out with her but he never introduced us so that made the most sense to us.

We quickly dismissed that theory when we found out that they were cousins. Talk about awkward. Thank God we never brought up our theory, otherwise I'm pretty sure Ben would have disowned us as his best friends.

Ben still refuses to tell us so we have let it go, hoping that he will tell us eventually.

I tip-toe downstairs trying not to wake up the kids considering its about 6 a.m. and I would rather not have them up that early on a Saturday. Conner wasn't in bed when I woke him up so I'm assuming he's in his home office or somewhere in the kitchen.

I walk in the kitchen and there is Conner standing by the stove making... breakfast? My shocked gasp is probably what made him turn around. Oh hell. I thought as I took in his abs and v-lines. I don't care what anyone says, I think v-lines are sexy.

"Hey, El," he says with a huge smile. "I was just making you some breakfast before the kids got up. I'm sure it has been awhile since you've sat down and eaten a proper breakfast." He ushers me to a chair and sets down a plate filled with the works: pancakes, sausage, hash browns, fresh fruit, and a glass of orange juice.

I am so confused.

"What's wrong? Can a man not make his wife breakfast?" No...

I put on a fake smile and look up at him. "Of course. Sorry, I'm just a little tired." I glance at my food before saying, "It looks delicious." I take a bite with a shaky hand. I don't know if it sounds crazy or not but I'm really afraid that he finally realized that he's done with me and poisoned the food.

After a few more bites, I come to the conclusion that if he did put something in the food, it wouldn't kill me. It tastes just like how my dad used to make my breakfast.

He takes a plate and sits across from me. We eat in silence until I finally have had enough. "I don't really think I'm that hungry. I'm just going to-" I start to stand up when out of no where, Conner's fist slams on the table rattling everything on it.

"You will sit down and enjoy this god forsaken meal that I just prepared for you. And you're gonna like it, dammit. I quickly sit back down and eat my food with shaky hands and wide eyes. I don't know why I'm so surprised, I knew I couldn't get away from this awkwardness.

"So-sorry," I reply nervously. I'm really trying not to upset him anymore than I already have. My cheek is finally starting to heal over and I don't need a new one to worry about.

Once I am done eating, I wait until he's finished before I grab his plate and start doing the dishes. Maybe this will get me a little leeway for my mistake just now.

"I'm going to get the kids up and dressed," Conner says on his way out of the kitchen. He halts in the door way and whispers over his shoulder, "Sorry for yelling." And with that he goes upstairs.