One Night Only

Chapter 23

The boys sit at the table talking as I wash the few dishes that we used. I don't mind it because I wanted to get away from them. "Need any help?" Dominic asks from behind me.

"No," I respond, keeping my attention on the dishes.

"Are you okay, Madison? You seemed different at the table."

"I'm fine."

"I know you better than that," he responds softly.

"Fine. I don't think it's a good idea for us to continue hanging out and talking as much as we do."

"What?" he asks in confusion. "Where did this come from? Is Owen making you do this?"

"No. It just makes things more complicated and trust me, they're complicated enough."

"Madison, did I do something wrong? We were fine before this. In fact, we were great. You were on better terms with me than him."

Placing the last dish on the drying mat, I shut the water off then dry my hands on the towel. "I'm sorry, Dominic."

"Madison, please."

Walking away, I sit down at the table beside Owen. He glances at me as I lean against him. "I think we should go to the house now," I whisper.

He kisses my forehead. "Sure. Let's get Bryant then we can go." Holding my hand, he stands up and I follow suit. "Clean up after yourselves and lock up behind you."

Michael frowns. "What the hell? We're supposed to plan your bachelor party. You can't leave."

"I already told you, I'm not having one. I'll see you on the wedding day," he says, turning and heading towards the door. "Dominic, text me when you get back to the house. We need to talk."

"Okay," Dominic says, staring down at the counter.

The guilt weighs down on me but I know this is for the best. I just have to get through this week and everything will be much calmer. We make our way to the elevator where he takes my hand. Stepping on, he presses the button for the first level and the doors close. As the elevator lowers, I think about all that has happened the last few days. It's been a fucking mess. I frown as I remember the sight oh him and that woman on the couch. "Owen?"

"Hmm?" he hums in response.

"What's that woman's name?" I ask, looking up at him.

He glances at me. "Which woman?" I tilt my head to the side and he sighs. "I don't want to talk about her."

"Just tell me, please."

"Fine. Her name is Aubrey."

"Has anything ever happened between you two?" I ask cautiously.

He releases my hand. "No, Madison. I've made it very clear to her that I'm with you."

"Don't get mad at me for asking," I say softly.

"Well how would you like it if I kept asking about Dominic?" he asks, turning towards me.

I cross my arms over my chest. "I told him we needed to distance ourselves from each other out of respect for you."

He raises his eyebrows in surprise. "Really?"

I nod. "I want you to stop seeing her."

He takes a step back, leaning against the wall. "It isn't that easy. She's one of the women."

"She doesn't act like it."

"Well neither did you," he points out.

"It hasn't even been a day and we're already arguing again," I say, raking my fingers through my hair in disbelief.

The doors open and I exit the elevator with him trailing behind. "Fine. I'll transfer her to another house. What else do you want?"

I come to an abrupt stop, turning around to face him. I wait patiently as a small group passes by. "I want to trust you. I want you in bed beside me every night. I want you to spend more time with Bryant and I."

"Okay," he says, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me against him.

Part of me lusts for him once again while the other is pissed that he can always convince me that things will be okay. I fell for him too fast and now I have to deal with the consequences. He can control me in every way possible and it scares the hell out of me. I want this to work but I know if it doesn't, I'm going to be the one that gets hurt. He'd replace me in a minute. But girls aren't like that. They grieve for far too long before moving on. Will that be me? We're a few days away from the wedding and I am still questioning everything. Why can't things just be simple?

He leans his forehead against mine and I close my eyes. "Let's get Bryant then go home. I promise you everything will be okay."

He presses a chaste kiss to my lips before leading me outside. When we get into the car, I notice the door to the building open. Dominic leaves the building with two women clinging to his arms. Now that I think of it, I have never actually saw him with a woman so it's an odd sight. It makes me frown but I attempt to ignore it. Owen drives us back to the Bellevue house where we go in to get Bryant. "Dad!" he yells excitedly. "Look, I made a dinosaur."

He holds up a piece of hardened clay that resembles a dinosaur. "Good job, buddy. We can put it on your nightstand at home. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," he says, turning around and waving at the teacher. "Bye Miss Jasmine."

"Bye Bryant. I'll see you soon," the woman says, waving back.

Bryant takes our hands and we exit the room. As we pass through the lounge, I look around. Dominic walks up to the bar with Aubrey beside him. He orders a drink then sits on a bar stool. Aubrey says something, causing him to smile a little and that's when she kisses him. The sight makes me sick. "Mommy!" Bryant calls, pulling my attention away from the two. "Can we build a fort in my room tonight?"

"Sure," I respond softly.

This is where I'm meant to be, I remind myself. It's where I belong now. Things will work out. I know they will.

**************************

Vote ★ Comment ★ Follow