manspreading
Saige
Islip out of bed before my alarm—slowly, so as not to disturb Dax. Arcadia gets up and follows me out of the bedroom, her tags a little loud for my comfort, but even so, they don't wake him. I close the door behind me, but I don't let it latch.
He didn't wait until morning to fuck me again.
The house is a lot less menacing when the three of them are asleep.
I shower and do my makeup, leaving my hair in loose waves down my back. Then, I dress in some of the clothes I bought yesterday—a flannel skirt and an oversized crew neck sweatshirt. I opt for my Docs instead of sneakers, checking my reflection in the mirror.
I almost feel like an actual human today. But I know that will end once I leave this room. And I already smell coffee; someone is awake now.
I find Dax in the kitchen with Nolan. Both lean against the counter, just centimeters separating them, and Dax dips his head and whispers something in his ear.
He told me Nolan doesn't like to be touched, but I watched Dax touch him on the couch the other day, and their fingers are intertwined now. I realize that after last night, I wasn't really prepared to see Nolan like this. I barely look at either of them when I walk into the kitchen.
"Is there any more coffee?"
"Of course, baby. You can have whatever you want," Dax says. He pulls a mug from the cabinet just above him. "Let me show you how this works."
I cross my arms in front of me, and Dax shows me how to use his fancy espresso machine.
"You look really pretty, by the way," he says, kissing me while the cup fills.
"Now, you're wearing lipstick," Nolan tells him.
"I am?" He checks his reflection on the door of the microwave. "Oh, shit, you're right. Did I get it?" he asks after wiping it with his thumb.
"Not really."
Dax shrugs. "Oh, well. I'm sure I still look good." He runs his hand down my backside until it reaches the hemline of my skirt, toying with it between his fingers. "This is cute. Did I buy it for you?"
I nod, taking a sip of my coffee. "Yeah."
"Well, you're welcome, baby."
I shake my head and go to the fridge to grab the milk and eggs, accidentally making eye contact with Nolan in theprocess, and my heart stops for a moment. He doesn't react; he doesn't bother looking away, even when I do.
I feel my face flush.
"What are you making, Ripley?" Dax asks, grabbing a seat at the bar.
"Pancakes," I tell him, grabbing a bowl to mix the batter. It's early enough that I should be able to make some and even take one out the door with me before Elias wakes up.
And then I won't have to cook for some random girl again.
"You should get a waffle maker, though," I add. "I like waffles better."
"I'm kind of surprised you know how to cook," Dax says. "No offense."
"Single parent. My mom usually didn't get home from work until eight o'clock. The only meal we had together was breakfast."
"So we're continuing the family tradition."
"This is not a family. It's a consequence."
"That's not entirely true; your brother is here."
