Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 31

Ariana

Tuesday, 4:56 am

"I feel like you now." Justin says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I'm tired but I can't sleep."

"Oh. Yeah."

"Mommy." Aviella sits up from the floor.

She was supposed to be sleeping on our bed but she was awake and playing with Tommy on the floor. Eventually, I just gave up on telling her to go to sleep.

"What's this?" She holds the small gold packet in front of my face and I'm shocked.

"Umm, that is.."

"Something you don't need to be worried about." Justin takes it from her and I pull her into my lap.

"I think it's time for you to go to sleep. For real." I say, not being able to hide the smile on my face.

Aviella loves finding stuff, but most of the stuff she finds in our room is not appropriate for her, or anyone under the age of 18.

"Mommy, I'm not tired." Aviella whines.

"Do you want some sleepy medicine?" Justin asks.

"No, she doesn't." I say.

He laughs.

"Yes, I do! What's sleepy medicine?" Aviella says.

"You obviously don't need it. You don't even know what it is. Daddy was kidding."

"Oh." I set her down on the bed and she lays her head on a pillow.

"Sleep. You have 2 hours before you need to get up for school."

"Ari." Justin says.

I kiss Aviella's head and stand up, following Justin out of the room.

"I know what'll get you to sleep." I say.

"What is that?" Justin asks.

"It starts with a V and ends with an odka." I smirk.

"I'm not going to work hungover. And I don't drink unless you can too."

"I beg to differ." I say.

"Okay, maybe I drink a little without you."

"Yeah. A little." I laugh.

"You should just take a day off. You've been working for a month and half now. I'll call and tell them you're sick. That's exactly what I'm gonna do."

"You're the best. We should do that more often." Justin leans down to kiss me and I smile.

"I'm the best because I love you. A lot."

"You know what's funny? I love you more."

"No, you don't. I'm sorry. "

"Okay, Ariana. You're right. You love me more than I love you."

"Yes, I am right." I smile and kiss him again.

I pull away when I hear Aviella's voice in the hallway. It sounds like she's having a full-blown conversation, but I don't know to who.

"They put me to bed and left the room. I don't know. Oh, I found them!"  She walks into the kitchen and gives Justin his phone.

"Go back to bed, child." I say.

She nods and runs out of the kitchen.

I wait for Justin to get off the phone, half lustening to the conversation, half looking at my nails.

"I have an older brother? What are you talking about?" Justin says.

This is what catches my attention, so I stop looking at my nails and start looking at Justin.

"No, I've never heard of him."

"Are you fucking kidding me?"

"I'll definitely be there later today. Most likely with Ariana. Thank you for all your help, officer."

"Bye." Justin puts down his phone and sighs, running a hand through his hair.

I hate but love when he does that because it gets me in a mood that I don't like to be in but it's so fucking hot.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"Apparently I have an older brother on my dad's side. His name is Josh. He's the one who's been messing with us because my dad left his mom for my mom. He was trying to get revenge."

"Oh. That sucks. But at least it's almost over." I put my hand on his shoulder.

I can tell he's agitated, because the look on his face is distant and his breathing is getting heavier. He's thinking about this whole situation and it's pissing him off.

"Baby, chill. I think it's time for you to go to bed too."

"I'm not about to sleep after what I just found out, Ariana. Why the fuck would I do that? " He sighs.

"Justin don't get an attitude with me because you know I can get one twice as fast, and it won't be pretty."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. I'm very aware of that." He shows a small smile, pulling me in for a hug.

"You're adorable. Let's go to bed."  He kisses the top of my head and we walk into the bedroom.

"Finally. I've been waiting for ten years. I found another one." Aviella says.

She was far from asleep. In fact, she was wide awake, sitting on the bed, with another condom in her hand.

"God, Justin." I take it from her and press it to Justin's chest.

He laughs, taking it into the bathroom. I don't know what he does with it, and I honestly don't care. I'm tired and I want to sleep.