Chapter 29
APOV
"Don't freak out," I tell myself. Christian wouldn't do that to me. Why would he when he is the one that wanted me back? This is probably from a previous relationship, and he didn't realize it was there. It has to be that. Right?
I make my way up to the apartment and try to push the nagging feeling to the back of my head. I walk into the great room and Christian is in the kitchen pouring himself a glass of wine.
"Hey, baby. You're back. How is Ray? Want a glass of wine?" I walk over to him.
"Ray is doing well. We had a lovely time. Sure, I'll take some wine." He hands me the glass he just poured and takes out a new glass to pour some for himself.
"That's good. How is my other woman?"
Other woman? What the fuck? "Um… what?" I stutter nervously.
"My R8?" he chuckles.
"Oh, right. She is a very nice drive. And you'll be happy to know she is still in perfect condition."
"That's my girl. You know, the thought of you with all that horsepower turns me on. It's lucky I didn't go along with you or I would have had to have you right in the car."
"Surely, car sex is old hat for you."
"Actually, Mrs. Grey, It's something I have never done before. It would be another first." His voice is low and seductive.
I am momentarily stunned by this bit of news. He's been open with me about his previous sexual experiences, so why wouldn't he tell me now? "You OK Ana? You look like you accidentally swallowed a bug."
"Oh, no, I was just thinking about car sex." I manage to stammer out.
"You look tired. Let's take a bath." He says to me, and wordlessly, I take his offered hand and follow him to the bathroom, not sure what to think. As hard as I try to forget what happened, it still nags at me, always there in the background.
CPOV
It's Monday, and I am meeting Elliot for lunch at the Pike Pub for our customary lunch. "Hey, bro." he greets me in typical Elliot fashion.
"Hello, Elliot."
"Dude, why do you always sound like a robot?"
"Because I don't want to sound like an idiot," I tell him as I take my seat at the table. He's the only person who I allow to speak with me like that, except Ana.
"Good afternoon. I'm Ashley, and I'll be your server today." She pauses and looks at us and blushes. It's almost like she short-circuits as she tries to stammer out the rest of her spiel. "Um, can I start you off with something to, um, drink?"
"I'll have the Space Needle Golden IPA." Elliot orders. She writes down his order and looks at me for mine.
I don't like to drink if I am going to work, so I just order water. Elliot smirks at me, and the waitress walks away. Quickly Ashley returns with our drinks and takes our lunch order.
While we wait for our burgers, Elliot tells me, "I forgot to thank you for lending me the R8 the other night. It made my date night with Kate really special." He has a stupid smile on his smug face.
"Why are you smiling at me like that? How did you desecrate my car?" Although, I think I have an idea.
"Let's just say that Kate is pretty flexible."
"That's fucking disgusting. Even I haven't fucked in my car, and it's my car."
Now he actually starts to laugh. "Well, little bro, we both know you have some catching up to do in that department." I would love to wipe that smug look off his face, but that's not something I want to get into.
"I don't want to talk about that with you. But I do have something I want to speak to you about."
"Oh yeah? Shoot."
"Have you and Kate discussed having kids?"
"Yeah, like in the future. We want them but not right now. Why? Is Ana pressuring you for kids?"
"No. I want to have children with her, and I want to start right away. But I don't know if she feels ready, and I don't want to pressure her." It feels awkward being so candid with my brother but I really need someone to talk about this, someone other than John Flynn.
"She is young, but you really need to speak with her. Tell her how you feel. I mean, it's not like you have to worry about affording it and she can stay home if she wants."
"Yeah, you're right. I never wanted children until I met Anastasia. Now I want to have a huge family with her." Elliot and I talk about less serious things while we eat like the Mariners and the upcoming Metallica concert at the CenturyLink Field.
APOV
Rachel isn't in today, and I don't have much going on this afternoon, so I decide to treat myself to a much-needed pedicure at lunch. I pick up one of the magazines to read as my feet are soaking. I open it up right to an article titled Is He Cheating? Signs Your Bae is Stepping Out on You. Seriously? The world is fucking with me. But I read it anyway; apparently, I must be the masochist who married a sadist.
-1. He occasionally agrees to plans, then backs out later - hmm… Portland.
-2. He lies, even about small things - car sex.
-3. His work schedule becomes noticeably different - he worked late a few times now, and he normally doesn't.
-4. He buys you expensive gifts for "no reason" - the earrings.
I've become so focused on this I don't even hear the woman telling me to pick up my other foot. Embarrassed, I quietly apologize to her but still can't get rid of the thoughts. His weird behavior, well, weird for Christian, hasn't started until that temp started filling in for Andrea. She is an attractive brunette, and it was quite obvious she has the hots for him. I'm starting to get that nauseous feeling again. I have to say something. But, how? When?
That evening I get home, and Christian is in his study talking to Taylor. Taylor probably knows everything, and I look like a stupid laughingstock. The knot in my stomach gets bigger.
Suddenly I hear the telltale ding of an incoming text. I look over at the breakfast bar and sitting next to his wallet is Christian's phone. I can't help it. I pick up his phone and swipe to see what the text is. It's from Elliot.
*Thnx 4 lunch bro. Ur secret is safe w/ me, but U should tell Ana.*
Secret? I knew it. I've heard it said that if you snoop, either way, you only hurt yourself. I didn't understand that until now.
Suddenly, my world is falling apart. I feel like I am in a tunnel and it's difficult to breathe. I put the phone back just where I found it and numbly walk into our bedroom and lie down. I don't know for how long I am there. It could be minutes, hours, days… nothing else matters.
"Finally. I've been looking for you, baby." He walks into the room and sits down on the bed next to me. "I have something I want to talk to you about. And I don't know how you are going to react." Oh my God, this is it. He's going to tell me he doesn't want to be married to me anymore.
