Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 22

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$$$ INDIA $$$

"Grey, stop," I laughed, playfully swatting him as he wrapped himself around me on the bed, his head resting heavily on my chest, making himself comfortable. I ran my fingers through his hair, relaxing under the weight of his warmth. But soon his phone buzzed. And then it buzzed again. He ignored it, his eyes closed, but the phone kept ringing, relentless.

Finally, sighing with clear irritation, Grey lifted himself off me just enough to glance at the screen, sucking his teeth as he rolled his eyes. He leaned down to give me a quick kiss before sliding off the bed. "Imma go take a shower," he murmured.

"Kay, babe," I replied, reaching for the remote. I flipped to a rerun of Martin, but I couldn't concentrate on the show; the phone kept ringing over and over. I felt my irritation building with each ring. Who on earth needed him that badly?

Finally, curiosity getting the better of me, I sat up, swung my legs over the side of the bed, and reached for his phone on the nightstand. The screen flashed with a name I didn't recognize. Karen. The picture showed a blonde woman, lips pouted, her cleavage on full display. Feeling a spark of anger I couldn't ignore, I took a breath and answered.

"Hello?"

There was only silence on the other end. I could hear faint breathing, but nothing else.

"Hello?" I repeated, but still, there was no response. After a tense moment, the line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it, a flurry of questions running through my mind.

Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Grey walked out, a white towel slung low around his waist, another towel in hand, rubbing the dampness from his hair. He looked at me, then at the phone in my hand. I could see him tense up.

"Who the hell is Karen?" I asked, my tone steady but with an edge I couldn't disguise.

He didn't respond at first, just stared, his jaw tight. "What are you doing?" he asked slowly, avoiding my question.

"Well, I was trying to watch TV, but I couldn't focus because your phone wouldn't stop ringing. And now, I'm asking you again—who is Karen?"

He dismissed me with a wave, opening a drawer and pulling out sweatpants and a tank top. "Don't worry about it," he muttered, his voice low.

My anger flared. "Don't worry about it? So you're telling me not to worry when some blonde with half her chest hanging out is calling my husband repeatedly, and when I answer, she just hangs up?"

Grey kept his gaze down, slipping on his clothes as if he didn't hear me, brushing me off with a casualness that felt like a slap in the face.

I got up from the bed, throwing his phone down in frustration. "Are you serious right now, Grey?" My voice trembled, but I steadied myself, forcing him to look at me. "Who is she?"

Finally, he let out an exasperated sigh. "She's nobody, India. Drop it."

"She's nobody?" I repeated, my disbelief mounting. "A 'nobody' wouldn't be calling you like that. Why are you acting so shady? I deserve to know who she is!"

His expression hardened, and he raised his voice, cutting me off. "I said drop it!"

In one swift motion, he crossed the room, and before I could react, his hand was on my throat, pushing me back against the wall. Shock froze me, his grip firm, his face close enough that I could see the tension in his jaw.

"Grey..." I barely whispered, feeling the press of his fingers. Tears stung my eyes, one slipping over the edge and trailing down my cheek. He held me there for a moment longer, then finally seemed to realize what he was doing. His grip loosened, and he dropped his hand, his face softening in an instant.

"Oh my god, India," he whispered, reaching out toward me, his hands trembling as if he were only just waking up. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." His voice was thick with regret. "Are you okay?"

I didn't respond, the words stuck in my throat. I was still too shocked, my heart hammering. Grey reached out again, hesitantly, brushing a thumb across my cheek. I flinched involuntarily, and he froze, looking wounded.

"India..." he whispered, his voice breaking. "Please, believe me. I didn't mean to. It won't happen again." His eyes searched mine desperately, pleading. Slowly, his arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, his chin resting gently on the top of my head.

I stood there, feeling the warmth of his embrace, feeling the racing of his heart as he held me. And after a long moment, I slowly returned his embrace, clinging to him because some part of me wanted to believe it wouldn't happen again.

Looks like trouble in paradise for both India and Trey...