A Twist of Fate Read Free

"You'll probably be begging me to talk in like two though."
    "Don't forget whose tub you're in."  I backed away
to scowl at him, just as Cameron put my glass on the edge of the tub.
    When Cameron squeezed in next to me, he unintentionally
squished me even closer to Edwin.  There was no missing the press of Edwin's
bulky arms and legs against my side.  They were hot and large and thick.
    Cameron reached his arm around me and gave me a slow,
drugging kiss.  It was nice, but I could tell it was more to piss Edwin off
than to show me love.  Not able to continue with the awkward attachment to
Edwin’s hulking arm, I curled into Cameron’s and slid onto his lap.  I strung
my arms around his neck and gave him a healthy taste of my lips, to show
everyone that there was no confusion as to who my man was.
    Cameron smiled, in between kisses.  "I see your glass
is empty again."
    "Good wine, eh?" Aliah chimed.
    "Yeah, a little too good," I answered. 
"Cameron's been feeding it to me like water.  I can hardly taste it
anymore."
    "Maybe I should go get you some more," Cameron
suggested.  He kissed me again, dropped me into his spot and then leapt from
the tub, every muscle tightening in the cold, winter air.  Then he calmly
walked to the door as if the cold didn’t affect him.
    "While you're in there why don't you get me one
too?" Aliah hollered, as the door slid shut.
    "I can get you one," Hunter decided.  "I have
to use the pisser anyway."
    When Hunter left the tub, everyone shifted over and it felt
like I could finally stretch out and relax.  "Take your time," I
teased, enjoying the space.
    Aliah leaned over the edge of the tub and watched Hunter
exchanging words with Maddie inside the toasty hotel room.  I saw Cameron
popping the cork to yet another bottle of wine, as Edwin reached his arm out
and rested it on the tub behind me.
    Edwin leaned down and whispered in my ear, the hurt evident
in his tone.  "What's this, you can't even stand to be around me anymore?"
    "It's not like that and you know it," I answered, softly.
    He locked his aqua eyes on me, holding my terrified gaze. 
"Oh?  How is it then?"
    I blew out a harsh breath.  "Maybe if you weren't
always trying to piss Cam off, then we could hang out more."  Not
likely, though.
    "I know I’ve been kind of an ass lately," he
admitted, softening up.
    "Kind of?"
    "Fine.  I've been a total jerk.  But what do you
expect?  You chose him over me and that hurts."
    My eyes were frozen on him, dread filling my sharp features,
as I recognized the wounded look on his face.  I wanted to hug him, to make him
feel better, but I knew that would only escalate the problem.  I kept my lips
tightly pressed together.
    "Now you're living with him and I've got the whole
house to myself.  It's really quiet when you're not around and not in a good
way," Edwin told me.
    "It's only temporary," I said.  "Besides you
had your family over for a few days.  You weren't exactly alone the whole
time."
    "No, but it wasn't the same without you."
    I flipped my long, dry hair behind me and the tips dipped
into the bubbling water.  "I'm sorry.  I know it was kind of last minute,
but you didn’t exactly tell me your plans either."  Reality began to cloud
my buzz-induced smile.  I dipped my chin and closed my eyes, suddenly feeling
incredibly emotional.
    Edwin lifted my chin with his index finger and my emerald eyes
grew wide in alarm.  My heart pounded hard and fast, as I gasped for air,
unable to steal my eyes from his.  Then his hand dropped into the water,
acknowledging my distress.  Though his touch was gentle, it had zapped my
senses.  Then he slid up next to me.  Close.  Too close.
    "You know I just want you to be happy, right?"
    My entire body trembled.  "Okay."  I should have
pushed him away.  Why am I not pushing him away?
    He slowly gripped his hand on my thigh, sending my heart
galloping.  "If you can promise me one thing," he whispered, his
breath tickling my ear,