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

Chapter 36

$$$ INDIA $$$

"Let's go to Paris!" Adrianna suggested, her face lighting up with excitement.

"I actually like that idea," Grey responded with a smile.

We were all sitting together in the family room, trying to decide on a destination for our annual family vacation. Or rather, Grey and Adrianna were; I was simply watching them, my mind elsewhere as I kept an eye on Ivy playing in front of me. Truthfully, I didn't want to go anywhere with him. I loved Grey deeply, but lately, he felt like a stranger. That man sitting across the room wasn't the same person I married. Grey needed help. I believed that if he got it, maybe he'd return to being the kind, loving man who'd once been my rock—the man who would protect me at all costs.

"Mommy, where do you think we should go?" Adrianna's question snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh... I'm not sure, sweetie."

"Come on, Mommy, there must be someplace you'd like to go," she insisted, her eyes pleading.

"Actually, I'd just like to stay here this year," I admitted softly.

"That's no fun! We're here every day. I love our family vacations," Adrianna said, her voice filled with disappointment.

"I used to love them too," I murmured.

"Used to?" Grey's eyes shot to mine, his gaze hard and unyielding. If looks could kill, I would've been done for.

"I'm just not feeling it this year, honey," I said, averting my gaze.

"Aw, come on," Adrianna pleaded.

"We're still going, baby. You pick the place, and we'll go there," Grey assured her, smiling warmly.

Her face lit up. "Really, Pops?" she asked, climbing onto his lap. "Pops" was a nickname she'd occasionally used since she was little, and it always brought a tender look to Grey's face. He'd been a father figure to her since she was a year old, which had made it hard for him when her biological father, Trey, reentered her life. In Grey's eyes, Adrianna was his daughter, and he treated her with the same love as he did Ivy. I'd always been grateful for how he stepped up when we met, bonding so deeply with Adrianna. Even with Trey in the picture, their connection hadn't wavered.

"So, where will it be, little miss?" he asked, chuckling as she pondered.

"Um..." Adrianna thought hard, placing her hands on her chin as if the answer might appear on the ceiling. "I want us to go to Australia!"

"Australia?" Grey chuckled.

"Yeah! We could see kangaroos!" she exclaimed.

"You know, you can see kangaroos here too," Grey pointed out with a smirk.

"Yeah, but they're famous in Australia!" she countered, eyes wide with determination.

"Well, then, Australia it is!" Grey declared.

"Mommy, did you hear that? We're going to Australia!" Adrianna turned to me, her face glowing with excitement.

"That's wonderful, sweetheart." I mustered a small smile and nodded before looking back down at Ivy, who was still absorbed in her toys.

"When I get back from my trip, we'll go," Grey said, turning to Adrianna.

"Promise?" she asked, holding up her pinky.

"I promise." He locked his pinky with hers and kissed it. "I have to go now, though."

"Already?" she asked, her smile fading.

"Yeah, baby, but I'll be back in four days." He kissed her forehead and then turned to Ivy, scooping her up with a smile. He played with her for a moment, his eyes softening, before giving her a gentle kiss. When he finally looked at me, his expression seemed almost regretful. He tried to kiss me, but I turned my head, unable to shake the distance between us. He sighed, a flash of the old Grey glinting in his eyes, and instead kissed me on the forehead. Placing Ivy in my lap, he grabbed his bags and headed out the door.

The moment his car disappeared down the driveway, I sprang into action, placing Ivy on the floor as I hurried up the stairs to grab the bags I'd hidden in Adrianna's closet.

"Dri, come on. Put your coat on," I called down to her.

"Why? Where are we going, Mommy?" Adrianna asked, confused.

"We're going on a little trip."

"But we're supposed to go on a trip when Grey gets back," she protested as I buttoned up Ivy's coat and slipped on her shoes.

"This is a special girls' trip. Just the three of us."

"Where are we going?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Out."

"But, Mommy—"

"But nothing, Adrianna. Put on your coat now, and let's go." My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Reluctantly, she complied, and we made our way out of the house.

Trey

"Stop cheating, man," I teased Forrest, chuckling as Bully shook his head.

"Trey, you da one cheating, bro," Forrest argued, laughing.

"Come on, Bully, don't back him up on that," I protested as we all laughed, enjoying the game, food, and drinks. It was a rare, laid-back evening, just us hanging out.

Suddenly, loud banging echoed from the front door, stopping us mid-laugh.

"Who the hell's pounding on my door like that?" I muttered, annoyed as I set the controller down.

"I'll get it," Bully said, heading toward the door. Moments later, he returned with India and the girls right behind him.

"Daddy!" Adrianna ran toward me, throwing her arms around my neck.

"Hey, baby girl! I wasn't expecting to see you for a couple of days." I hugged her tightly, then glanced up at India. She looked pale and worn, a shadow of the woman I'd once known. It had been ages since I'd last seen her, except for the few moments when she dropped Adrianna off at my place. "What's going on?" I asked, concerned.

"I... I need you to watch them for a while," she said, her voice wavering.

Even though we were in the middle of guys' night, I didn't mind keeping Adrianna with me. "I don't mind watching Dri, but are you sure you want me to watch Ivy, too?" I asked, a bit surprised. I'd never actually cared for the baby before, and the request felt unusual.

"Please, Tremaine. I know things aren't exactly great between us, but I wouldn't be asking if I didn't really need the help," she replied, sounding desperate.

"India, are you okay?" Concern laced my voice as I studied her face. No matter how complicated things were between us, I still cared about her.

"I'm fine. Normally I'd ask Gloria to watch them, but... you know why I can't. I just need a few hours to sort some things out. Please." Her eyes were pleading, and I could see how much she needed this.

"Alright... yeah, I got them," I replied, still feeling uneasy. Something was definitely off.

"Thank you." She placed a diaper bag on the floor, then carefully handed Ivy to me. Holding her felt strange but oddly comforting.

"I'll be back soon, girls. Be good for Daddy, okay?" She kissed each of them on the forehead, gave Bully and Forrest a nod, and then disappeared out the door.

As the door closed, I felt a heaviness settle in my chest. India rarely showed vulnerability, and for her to show up here unannounced, asking for my help with the kids—it was unlike her. A part of me knew this wasn't just about a "few hours." Something was seriously wrong, but for now, I'd focus on keeping the girls safe and entertained. Whatever India was going through, I hoped she knew I'd be here for her, no matter what.

XoXo Lilly 😘