Chapter 17
Chapter
Seventeen
XAVI
The bed shifting has me blinking awake, though not happily.
It’s barely light out. Based on the weight that shifts my bed, it’s not Shapiro.
In fact, I hear Shapi’s grumpy mewl in response right before Sparrow practically drops on me and wraps me up in his arms, my blankets serving as a cocoon, and I’m trapped.
Sighing, I close my eyes. I don’t even care. I’m so damn tired. “Why are you awake?” I mutter.
“I’m always awake early, but I couldn’t sleep this morning, so I thought I’d come cuddle with you for a while.”
“Fine, but get under the blankets. I don’t like feeling trapped.”
Sparrow makes a lot of unnecessary, chaotic movements before he finally manages to join me under the blankets. I grumpily accept his offer to cuddle and bury myself in his chest. His fingers smooth through my hair. It’s so soothing that it doesn’t take me long to fall asleep.
When I open my eyes again, it feels as if I’d just closed them, except the sun is glaringly bright in my room. Though I’m not able to see through Sparrow, I imagine that the sky is clear.
“How you doing?” Sparrow asks.
I blink my eyes open and wonder if I was talking in my sleep. “I kinda have to pee, but otherwise, just tired.”
He laughs. “I mean with this whole situation. I’m not all about vibes and shit, but the atmosphere in the house feels a lot calmer.”
“It is,” I agree. I chew the inside of my lip as I think about it. Enfield has been around for the last couple days. We’ve talked about the contract endlessly, and I’ve listened in on a call when he’s spoken to Nash, his lawyer.
Nash explained that the reason they’re being slow and cautious is that he’s looking at the details having to do with the Undergrove trusts as well as the Undergrove Resorts company.
There are a lot of rules and red tape and shit, and Nash wants to make sure that the bylaws that are set up within the trust and company don’t override what’s in the contract.
Sparrow was sitting with us, and he brought up my trusts and shares in the Adair Sport Club franchise, to which I’m allotted some specific shares upon marriage. Nash offered to be in touch with my lawyer, but admittedly, I only have an LLC lawyer to help with my side business.
Which means I went through some legalese contract business with the Van Doren attorney at law, and Nash’s cousin or uncle or sister or something is now my official lawyer. They’re working together—one with each of our best interests in mind.
I was fine using Nash, but Sparrow refused to let that happen. I need someone who is solely on my side. I’m thankful he was there.
So, how am I feeling about this entire thing? Slightly sick to my stomach, but in a different way than before. I’m relieved that the hostility has run its course. I’m glad to be in on the plan. I’m even glad that this is almost over.
Yet, I feel like my marriage has already failed, even though it hasn’t even begun.
I feel scammed because I want a happily ever after.
I’m not even upset about my mother finding it for me.
The idea of having to go out in the world and find someone perfect for me, someone who wants all the same things and has the same life goals in mind, sounds terrifying. Statistically unlikely.
“That good, huh?” Sparrow asks.
Huh. Did I say something out loud? “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been silent for ten minutes in response to my question.”
“It hasn’t been ten minutes. You’re exaggerating.”
“I am, but you’re not answering, either.”
I sigh. “I’m feeling conflicted. I’m relieved and grateful that Enfield finally let me in. I’m even more horrified by his situation now that I know everything he’s told me—especially about his kids and how they’re treated by his family. I may not want kids, but holy fuck, Sparrow.”
“Yeah, I’m disgusted. That’s awful.”
“Admittedly, I looked it all up. The kids’ thing, specifically. Did you know that Enfield has a whole wiky page about him and his shenanigans?”
Sparrow laughs. “I did, actually. I never opened it. I assumed it was just a rich boy fan page, you know?”
“There are those, but no. This one has his kids and everything listed. It’s missing personal details, of course, but it’s all there for the world to see.”
“Wikys are notoriously not entirely accurate since literally anyone can edit them, but they often have enough details that will lead someone to ask questions. There’s a whole section about the fake affair with the Duke of Somerset.”
I nod. “I’m sad and hurt for myself, but I’m sick to my stomach for him.
Everything he’s told us, everything he’s been through.
I don’t ever want kids, but I can’t imagine treating my kid like this.
For ten years, he’s insisted he doesn’t want this future, and his parents have disregarded that, insisting that he’ll change his mind one day.
I just… can’t imagine living that life.”
“Do you think if you’d told your parents you didn’t want the contract, they’d have accepted that?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “I’ve thought about that a lot over the last couple days and I’m inclined to say yes because I can’t imagine my parents forcing this on me if I was set against it but then I think about the child clause in the contract and how my parents refused to take it out because it’s just part of the contract so…
I don’t know. If I were a girl, I have a feeling I’d have dug my heels in a lot more because that’s a physical thing, you know?
All I need to do is jizz in a cup, so… whatever.
If my parents are fine with my offspring being raised by a nanny and me having nothing to do with it, then whatever. ”
Sparrow sighs. “One of the many reasons I’ve always been mortified about this contract thing since you shared it with me.”
“Anyway, I need a break from thinking about it. Breakfast?”
“Are you hungry or feel like going for a swim first?”
“I’m down for a swim.”
“Good. Let’s go. I miss the water.”
“I’m surprised you’re even here. I expected you to disappear on your boat for the summer.”
“Yeah, well. Unless you let me drag you with me, my summer trip is being delayed.”
I don’t comment as I climb out of bed. What he didn’t outright say is that he’s not willing to leave me alone in this situation right now.
I feel bad that his summer is being interrupted because of me.
I’m glad he’s here, though. I don’t want to go through this alone.
Under different circumstances—like if this were turning out like I always dreamed it would—that would be different.
Otherwise, I want my best friend beside me.
I pee, brush my teeth, and slip into some slinky shorts for the pool. Sparrow is waiting for me. Together, we head to the main floor and the far end of the house, where the indoor pool is. It’s one of those fancy indoor pools that’s not only heated, but it also expands outside the house.
Since I can tell it’s a beautiful day already, I immediately hit the wall to open the giant glass panels and open the pool’s full length. Half is outside; the other half inside. The patio continues, so it’s true indoor/outdoor living.
This isn’t to be confused with the pool I usually sit beside. That one is pretty small, and while it’s kept for swimming purposes, it’s freshwater and primarily a soaking pool. It’s not deeper than three feet anywhere.
The big pool is saltwater and drops to almost seven feet in the deep middle.
I turn to Sparrow just as he drops his pants. I slap a hand over my eyes. “Seriously?!”
Sparrow laughs. “I brought my swimsuit, but I love skinny dipping. Why are you being so shy? You know what a dick looks like in all its states of softness and hardness.”
“Ugh. Why are we friends?”
He laughs again, and I hear the water splash. I’m not actually a prude or anything, but you don’t need to see your friends naked.
I don’t join him in the water. Instead, I turn on the jets and sink into the hot tub while Sparrow splashes around. It isn’t long before he climbs over the side and joins me in the hot tub.
“It’s still so strange being in the pool just the two of us.” He looks around as if seeing the phantom memories of my brothers running around and jumping in.
We’re not reminiscing for more than a few minutes when the door opens, and Enfield pops his head in. He looks around, and I think he’s impressed with what he sees. Stepping inside, he turns his head and calls, “Found them.”
“Uh oh,” Sparrow says, leaning forward. Is he going to jump up nude?
Enfield moves aside, and three familiar faces walk in. Sparrow grins. “What’re you doing here?”
His triplet siblings join us. Corvin is already pulling his shirt over his head as he comes toward the pool.
“Who’s this guy?” Violet asks, pointing her thumb over her shoulder toward Enfield.
“My… fiancé,” I answer as Enfield joins us in the pool room. He kicks off his shoes and sits at the side of the hot tub, sinking his feet into the water with us. “Enfield.”
“Ah. Not a housemaid, then,” Corvin says as he drops into the pool.
“That was a legitimate accusation,” Enfield says, raising his eyebrow in my direction. “Who are they? They’re kind of bullies.”
Sparrow laughs. “My triplet siblings. Violet, Corvin, and Phoenix.”
Enfield looks between the siblings as Phoenix joins Corvin in the pool, but Violet sits on one of the chairs. “Sparrow, Phoenix, Corvin… Interesting names.”
“Says Enfield,” Violet deadpans.
Enfield snorts.
“Sounds like our parents are granola-loving, tree-hugging hippies, right?” Phoenix asks, grinning.
“Kinda, yeah,” Enfield agrees.
“My legal name is River,” Sparrow says, “which might not be proof that the first assumption is different. One of our parents’ names is also River, so I’ve been called Sparrow since I was a kid.
” He nods in Phoenix’s direction. “His legal name is Jordan, but our other parent’s name is Jordan, thus the nickname. ”
“Ah. And Corvin?”
“We think our parents were playing off aviation, and it’s a play on corvid,” Violet says.
“We often call Vi Bluejay, just so she’s not left out,” Corvin says, smirking at his sister.
“We have a theory about names,” Phoenix says. “You have siblings?”
Enfield nods. “Two.”
“Their names?”
“Quincy and Eloise.”
“Yep, and do they have kids?”
Enfield nods again. “Quincy’s are Sally, May, and Adam.”
Violet grins. “His wife? Husband?”
“Antoinette.”
“Ha!” Corvid says. He looks at me. “Does he know your siblings’ names?”
I shake my head. I turn my attention to Enfield. “In age order, Ayren, Jabarie, Nelly, Dontrae, and twins Mick and Myrl. Then me.”
“Not to get too hung up, but Ayren’s family?” Violet prompts.
“Ayren’s husband is Omaris. Their kids are Ann-Marie, John, and Jason.”
Enfield is not following along. He nods, his gaze looking between us, trying to connect the dots.
“So, we think people with boring names tend to go off the wall with weird names,” Corvin says. “Xavi’s parents, for example.” He nods in my direction.
“Patricia and Paul,” I supply.
“Uh-huh. Arguably boring. No imagination. Somewhat common, right?” Everyone nods. “So they name their kids with names that don’t have seven Pauls and five Patricias in their class. I bet your parents have the same kind of naming nomenclature, right?” he asks, looking at Enfield.
“Yes, Betty and Ryan. They went very old, traditional in their kids’ names. And those old, traditionally named kids moved back into your everyday, common names.” He chuckles.
“What about your kids?” I ask.
The triplets look at Enfield with surprise.
Enfield tilts his head to the side. “Well, Courtney named Ronan John. I suppose that can follow the trend. Amelia named Lissander Mariano, so yeah, that one supports your hypothesis. And then Sarah named Theodora Evelyn.” He shrugs.
A silent beat passes as the triplets continue to stare at Enfield.
“You have three kids?” Violet asks, her gaze flickering to me briefly. In the corner of my eye, I see Sparrow shake his head subtly.
“Yep. I gave their mothers naming rights as long as they carry my surname.” He shrugs.
“That’s cool,” Corvin says and turns his attention to Sparrow. “You’re not on the boat.”
“Subtle,” Phoenix mutters.
Enfield raises a curious eyebrow as he studies the triplets’ sudden change in topic. Of course, this one also leads to more questions.
“Decided to hang with Xavi for a while. He’s been so busy we haven’t had a chance to catch up the last few months,” Sparrow says, shrugging.
Nope. Not bought. Enfield looks amused.
“Why did you come home from camp?” Sparrow asks.
“Ran out of food,” Violet says. She rolls her eyes. “They eat like they haven’t eaten in a year. For every damn meal.”
“You sneak your partners in?” Sparrow asks.
“No,” all three answer in unison.
“Just us,” Corvin says.
“Triplet bonding time and shit,” Phoenix says.
“Right,” Sparrow looks between the three of them. “I feel a plot brewing.”
Violet flicks her hair over her shoulder, but twin-boy smiles don’t pull off the innocent look quite so well. Especially not with their smirks.
“Yeah, I believe that.”
I laugh and glance at Enfield. He’s smiling, watching the siblings interact.
“You have mischievous siblings, Enfield?” Sparrow asks.
Enfield shakes his head. “Mine are boring. We’ve never been close.”
Predictably, all four Madison kids frown at him. I laugh quietly.
“That’s just sad,” Violet says. “I may find my brothers the most annoying, obnoxious people on this planet, but they’re still my very best friends, and I can’t imagine living a day without them.”
“That’s just a weird triplet thing,” Sparrow says, waving his hand.
Corvin and Phoenix dive toward him, sending a wave of cold water into the hot tub. I squawk and try to move away. I’m not sure whether he forgot he’s commando or what, but Sparrow gasps at the cold onslaught and jumps to his feet, giving everyone a good flashing of his junk.
All three siblings slap their hands over their faces and complain. Enfield bows his head, laughing. I squint at him, staring at the grin on his face. He winks at me and slowly retakes his seat.
Fucker.