A Twist of Fate Read Free Page A

"I’ll leave you two alone for the rest of the
weekend."
    Just the rest of the weekend?  How about permanently?  
"Don't go too overboard," I managed to blurt.
    His hand squeezed on my thigh, then he loosened his grip but
it remained where it didn't belong.  "I'm being serious, Abs.  All I ask
is that you quit with the ogling and canoodling when you're around me.  It just
isn't right, having to see you like that."  His pain-filled eyes begged me
to stop tormenting him.
    "Seeing me like what; happy?" I whispered, barely
able to finish the sentence.
    Edwin’s hand began to casually caress my thigh.  "Please,
just promise me."
    Aliah was watching us, chiding my indiscretion.  Jessica was
making a good effort to mind her own business.  Cameron and Hunter were at the
patio doors, not having a clue as to what was going on.  Did I even know
what was going on?
    Aliah flashed a look at Cameron, then scowled back at me. 
"Just promise the man already!  You owe him that much.”  Her words stung
me, even more than they should have.
    "Please take your hand off my leg," I begged,
suddenly envisioning the consequences.
    Cameron approached us blissfully unaware.
    "Promise!" Edwin demanded, holding his position.
    Holding my breath, I stuttered, unable to take another
second of it.  "Fine!  I p-promise!"  My heart skipped a beat as Edwin
removed his hand from my thigh and swam to the other side of the tub.
    Cameron handed me my glass and hopped back into the water
next to me.  I took a long sip of wine and collected all of my hair with my
free hand so it sat on my right shoulder.  As Cameron leaned in for a kiss, I
turned away, passing it off as though I didn’t see it coming.  He caught my
cheek, but that didn’t satisfy him.
    I smiled softly and took another sip of wine.  He waited
patiently for me to finish, then his lips found mine.  But I couldn't
reciprocate after giving Edwin my word.  Cameron pulled back, looking very
concerned.  I could only stare at the water.
    "Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice stark.
    I looked at Edwin, who was sitting directly across from me. 
I could tell he was making an effort to be a good boy, but I could see a fire
in his eyes that told me trouble still brewed.  Then I looked back at Cam and
cupped his cheek, feeling wretched for not sharing his kiss.
    "I think I may have had too much to drink."  And
that was the truth.  But that was not the only thing I was suffering from at
the moment.  Edwin had left me with deplorable, chaotic thoughts.
    I wanted to leave with Cam so I could kiss him until his
heart was content, but I also felt the need to nurse Edwin back to happiness.  My
face became stripped of all its colour and Cam watched me turn seriously ill
before his eyes.  Edwin didn't say a word, but neither would he unlock his gaze
from me.  It was like he was just waiting for me to break my promise.
    Cam seemed to notice how my illness was in direct correlation
with Edwin's attention.  "Is there a problem?" he snapped, argumentatively.
    "Did I say something to you?" Edwin barked back.
    Aliah put both of her hands up.  "Guys, cut it out."
    "Can't we all just enjoy the night?" Jessica
pleaded.
    "Cam started it," Edwin droned.  "First he
steals my girlfriend, and then he tries to rub it in my face.  It looks to me
like he's asking for a black eye."  He turned his stone-cold gaze on Cam.
    Cameron stood up and I forced my arm around his waist to
stop him.  But if he wanted to go, he could have gone.  Every muscle in his
body flexed, as I clung onto him.
    "Eddie, stop it!" I screeched, afraid of what
might happen if I let go.
    Edwin stayed relaxed, his arms stretched out over the back
of the tub, his cool glare held on me.  "Why don't you and your little
lover boy go screw or something?  Anything to get him out of my face right now."
    Cameron lifted his chest, his muscles rippling, rampant with
adrenaline, his teeth exposed like a rabid animal.  I could feel the