Chapter 58 Lexi
LEXI
On the night of Jonah’s party, after the guests had gone and silence settled over the house, I turned to him.
“Did your dad text you today?” I asked, while we settled onto the couch. Rosa, Jonah’s housekeeper had cleaned up after the party, and I hadn’t believed it was possible to feel rested after a party, but I did.
Jonah’s smile faded for a bit before he forced it back in place. “No, but I’m sure he’ll come around to it. He usually remembers my birthday a few weeks later anyway.”
Was it really weeks? I was willing to bet months. Or never.
“How long have you been okay with that?”
“Lexi, let’s not talk about it right now.”
I met his stubborn gaze and knew today was one of those days he wasn’t going to budge. He’d had a good day so far and blocked out thoughts of how no one in his family had cared to call him or wish him happy birthday. He wanted to keep it that way.
“Fine.”
Earlier, his dad had sent me a text.
ED WALKERS
Can’t make it to the party.
And it had stung to read it. Why couldn’t he?
As though he knew the direction my thoughts were taking me, Jonah pulled me to him and planted a kiss on my lips, long and deep. My arms went around his neck, and I gave in, forgetting my troubles. I felt a sudden need for him course through my body, all the way down to my toes.
“Hey, why don’t we invite him over for dinner next weekend? A real sit-down dinner at home, and this time he can meet Evie.”
At that moment, Evie bounded in, demanding one of us follow her to see the surprise she’d made.
I gave in, and followed her, giving Jonah a look over my shoulder as I walked into Evie’s room. He had a scowl on his face, and I felt bad that this was how his birthday night was ending.
Later that night, after Evie had gone to bed, I walked into our room. I changed out of my clothes, my emotions calmer now.
But I couldn’t shake the conversation from earlier.
“Thank you for tonight,” Jonah murmured as he settled onto the bed beside me. “That cake was incredible.”
I answered him with a deep, sensuous kiss.
We broke apart and I settled against his chest, finding my familiar place there.
“Jonah, I want to talk to you about inviting your dad over for dinner. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Why? Because of Cora?”
“No.” I shook my head, wondering how to talk about this. “Listen, I know he means a lot to you. But I’m starting to think that he doesn’t care about you the way he should. He uses you when he needs you for his company and abandons you when you need him,” I sighed.
“Let’s not discuss this.” Jonah’s voice was sharp.
I frowned.
“You said he repeatedly ignored you while you lived under his roof. He undermined your self-worth, refused to let you meet your mother. And you still plan to have him over for dinner and pretend like none of that ever happened?”
“I’m aware, Lexi. I’m aware of all those things.”
“You sure aren’t acting like you are. Is it really that easy to forget all he’s done to hurt you emotionally?”
He pressed his mouth shut. “Who says he’s hurt me?” he demanded. “He’s the only family I’ve got.”
He turned to walk out, but I held on to his hand and pulled him back.
“You can say no. You can break contact with him to keep yourself from getting disappointed over and over. You can tell your dad to buzz off—because you’ve put up with enough shit from him, and no human person should take one tiny bit more. Especially not you.”
I paused, seeing him getting angry at my words.
“Are you going to give your dad so much importance when he gives you none?”
His face was quite close to mine. He looked pissed off, both at himself and at me.
He yanked his hands out of my grip and stared at me, fuming.
“I know you’re pissed off, Lexi, but you don’t know my dad like I do.
Without him, I’d be nothing today. I know we don’t agree, mostly because you think my dad just uses me somehow.
We’ll meet him again, and you’ll see that he values me.
I love you, and I know you don’t agree with my decision, but we’re not ending our first night here on this note,” he said. “So, let’s go to bed.”
“Jonah, this discussion isn’t done.”
He lifted his chin in a way that told me I had overstepped.
“It is for me,” he said angrily.
“Well then,” I said, getting up, “I think I can sleep in the guest room tonight.”