A Whirlwind of Color - Chapter 11
Friday
It took me awhile to completely relax around Rob.
But his inappropriate sexual comments and the fact that I barely knew him went out the window when we found a show we both loved.
Now my feet were propped up on his lap and we were laughing at a re-run of Shark Tank that didn’t feel like a re-run to me.
“I bet Kevin’s going to offer him a terrible royalty deal,” Rob said.
“Are you saying that because Kevin always offers royalty deals or because you’ve seen this episode before?”
Rob laughed. “Both. I’ve missed this,” he said and looked over at me.
“Missed what?” I asked through a mouthful of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream.
“Hanging out just the two of us. We used to do this all the time.”
I set my ice cream down on the coffee table. “What changed?”
He shrugged. “Marriage. Kids. Work.”
“You have children?” I smiled at the thought. He was probably such a good father. He was so fun. Any kid would be lucky to call him Dad.
“Two. Well, one with another on the way. My daughter Sophie is three and a half. And my son will be born next month as long as everything goes smoothly.”
“I’m sure everything will go smoothly,” I said. “If there weren’t any complications with the first delivery, there probably won’t be with the second, right?”
“Yeah. I guess.” But he didn’t sound all that convinced. It was charming that he was worried about his wife and child.
“If I ever have kids, I don't want to know the sex. The surprise is half the fun.”
He pressed his lips together, like he was holding something back.
“What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
I looked back at the screen, but I was having trouble focusing on the show anymore.
Rob had been so carefree moments ago, and now it seemed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I didn’t want to press him, but I still had so many questions.
Mostly about James and my life here. What we were like as a couple. What a normal day for us looked like.
“Where's James?” I asked as nonchalantly as possible.
Rob kept his eyes on the TV. “Um…he had a class.”
That pause was a little suspicious. “He teaches during summer session?” I pulled my feet off of Rob’s lap.
“Yup. He’s teaching two classes until fall when he’ll have a normal schedule again.” It was like his eyes were glued to the TV.
“And one of those classes takes place in the middle of the night?”
He took another bite of ice cream, clearly buying time for whatever lie he was about to tell. “He has more on his plate than just teaching.”
Like what, a mistress? I ignored the comment that wanted to spill out of my mouth. “Do you have work?” I asked instead. “It’s Friday morning. Surely you have something better to do than babysit me?”
He finally pulled his gaze away from the screen and smiled at me. “There’s nowhere I need to be right now.”
“The two bulldogs keeping watch outside aren’t exactly going to let me out. An inside man isn’t really necessary. Two watchdogs is plenty.”
“I’m sure Briggs and Porter will appreciate their new nicknames. And actually, you have four members in your security detail.”
“Yeah, I heard about that. It seems a little obsessive.”
“Apparently not obsessive enough. James called me in as backup. I’m lucky number five.”
I pulled my knees into my chest, hugging my legs close. “Why exactly do I need five security guards today?”
“I’ve already told you, you’re going to have to talk to James.”
“Pictures are missing from all over the apartment.” I looked over at one of the empty hooks on the walls. “Who were they of?”
“Penny, you know I can’t tell you.”
I looked up the stairs. I couldn’t see the locked rooms from my seat on the couch, but I knew they were there.
I knew there were secrets that I wouldn’t understand all over this house.
But I wanted to try to understand. “There are two rooms upstairs that are locked. Why? What doesn’t James want me to see? ”
Rob lifted the remote and turned up the volume.
I should have laughed the action off, but it made me angry. “You’re keeping secrets for him.” I practically had to shout. “Why?”
He ignored me.
“Rob! You can’t expect me to sit here all day with all these questions running through my head. I’m sorry if this is stressful for you, but…”
He reached over and started tickling me.
“What are you doing? Stop!” I gasped for air as I started laughing. “Get off of me.” I tried to push his hands away as I laughed hysterically. “Rob!”
When he started laughing at my pain, I took the opportunity to retaliate. “Oh, it’s so on!” I said and tickled his side.
He barely even flinched. It was like he was a tickling aficionado. He climbed on top of me and grabbed my arms to pin them down.
“Stop!” I yelled through a bout of laughter as he tickled me with his free hand.
“I can’t breathe.” I tried to squirm away from him, but I was trapped underneath of him.
“I surrender!” I said through a giggle. But I didn’t actually want him to stop.
I couldn’t even remember the last time I had laughed so hard.
Probably before meeting Austin. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like his hands on me.
Or him on top of me. God, did I have the hots for my husband’s brother?
Suddenly the sound from the TV disappeared. The living room was quiet except for the sound of my incessant laughter.
“What the fuck are you doing?” James said.
Rob’s hand froze on the side of my ribcage. His smile immediately disappeared as he looked up at James. “Okay…so this looks…bad. But she started it.” He tried to stifle another laugh as I squirmed beneath him.
“I did not, Robert,” I protested. “And I said I surrendered. You can let me go now.” I was very aware of his body pressed against mine.
But I was also aware of the edge in James’ voice.
He was clearly pissed about this. Couldn’t Rob sense that?
I avoided looking at James. Could he tell how much I liked this? Could he see through me?
“Ugh, back to Robert, huh? Don’t make me tickle you again.”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. He was funny.
“Get the fuck off of my wife. And out of my house.”
Rob slowly climbed off of me. “Lighten up, man. She was upset. I made her laugh.”
“If I ever see you touch her like that again…”
“We were just messing around, James. Chill.”
“I don’t care what you said you were doing. I asked you to leave.” James stepped to the side to let Rob pass.
But Rob didn’t move. “Yeah, I’m not leaving right now. She’s scared enough without you acting like this. Can’t you see that?”
“I think I know her better than you. And all I could see was you taking advantage of her because she doesn’t remember…”
“Oh my God, stop.” I stood up. “Both of you. Don’t talk about me like I’m not in the room. What is wrong with you?”
“Penny.” James stepped toward me but I put my hand up for him to stop.
“Honestly, I’m not interested in talking to you right now.”
Rob laughed.
“Either of you,” I added and glared at him. “You’re treating me like I’m some delicate damsel in distress. So clearly neither of you know me at all. I can take care of my freaking self. So you two pussyfooting around by not telling me the truth isn’t helping me at all.”
“Pussyfooting?” Rob laughed.
“Laugh at me all you want. But I’m not talking to either of you until you’re ready to tell me what happened to me.
I need to know why I’m not allowed to leave this apartment.
And what pictures were removed from the walls.
And why there are locked doors upstairs.
And why I freaking look like I’m pregnant. ”
James placed his hand on the armrest of the couch. He looked exhausted. But I didn’t really care. How was I supposed to help him if he didn’t let me in? How was I supposed to remember anything if pieces of my life were being hidden away?
“So, if you’ll excuse me,” I said and walked out of the room. I wasn’t sure where I was planning on going. I couldn’t storm out of the apartment. Running upstairs to my room was the best option. I just hated that it was James’ room too.