Chapter 12 Harrison - Consequences
Our enemies are our outward consciences.
Henry V, William Shakespeare
I stumbled in the door with Emma throwing her hands around my waist to grab my dick.
We never stopped. Being with Emma was like being caught in a sexual whirlwind.
This woman was everything I needed. I removed her hand reluctantly.
While I couldn't understand why Cordelia wouldn't just move out, I didn't want to throw my new relationship in her face.
I wasn't that much of an asshole. Though I was escalating our displays of affection in front of Cordy, I was doing it in a controlled, measured way, to minimize the hurt I was causing.
On the way to my room, I noticed a third person in the living room.
Cordelia and Miranda, who was rapidly becoming the world's biggest pain in my ass, were on the sofa, but the guy from next door was on the sofa with them.
Next to Cordy. In fact, very close to Cordy.
They were all laughing but stopped when Emma and I entered the room.
“Hey, it’s Dollar Tree Don Juan and Betrayoncé. Nice dinner?” Miranda asked innocently. Emma didn't even bother acknowledging Miranda's presence. I cleared my throat.
“Yes. Hello Damon.”
“This must be the new woman. I’m Damon from next door.” The asshole then looked at me and winked. “Like 'em young hey? I prefer my woman to be able to share a drink with me.” Emma gasped and grabbed my arm.
“While you're in my house, I'd appreciate some respect for my girlfriend,” I asserted.
“Nah, I’m in Cordy’s house.” I hated this guy. He may be stupidly possessive over his hose on his property, but he was in my house now, a place where I deserved respect and civility.
He leaned over, placing his hand on Cordelia’s leg.
What the fuck? Was he with her now? She'd not left the house in days, and she looked like a mess.
How could he have a relationship with her?
Even if he did, I guess it was none of my business.
She had the right to move on, but not in my house.
For a house that had held only two people a month ago, it now seemed to be bursting at the seams. This was unsustainable, but no way was I going anywhere.
“Right. Well, we’re going to bed.” I pulled Emma behind me, hoping to convey an air of nonchalance.
“She’s playing games, Harry,” Emma informed me, throwing her arms around my neck.
“Yeah, I think she is,” I agreed, but part of me felt uncertain.
I knew she wouldn't stay single for long, but to move on so quickly?
Emma and I fell in love gradually over weeks.
But I guess Damon had been on the scene for longer than that.
Maybe they'd had feelings before I moved on?
I must have spoken out loud, because Emma answered my thoughts.
“Who knows? Who cares, Harrison? If she’s got someone new, she’ll want to move on, not stay here.
Let this play out. That neighbor guy seems okay,” she encouraged while she removed her dress in a suggestive way.
The neighbor guy was not “okay.” He was a hose-hogging asshole who refused to wear shirts.
I was too distracted to pay attention to Emma.
I couldn’t let Cordelia win. She was not going to drive me out of this house.
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I woke the next morning to the heavenly smell of bacon and coffee.
In the kitchen, Cordelia skittered around serving a full breakfast to Miranda and Damon, who both sat at the table.
Hash browns, eggs, toast, avocado, and bacon filled every inch of the plate, the smell tantalizing my tastebuds.
While I was happy with Emma, I had missed Cordy's cooking over the past few weeks.
She was an amazing cook and took great joy in feeding those she loved.
I guess that wasn't me anymore because there were only three plates on the counter. This was confirmed when she, Miranda, and Damon tucked into their food. Why was he here in the morning? Did he stay last night? I didn’t hear anything, and my room was right next door to hers.
Emma entered the room, cooing in her soft voice. “Ooh baby, you cooked me—"
She broke off when she saw the happy threesome eating at the table.
She leaned up and whispered in my ear, “Never mind baby. Let’s grab something on the way to work.
” Why wasn’t she more bothered by this? This was disrespectful to her as well as me.
My hands felt sticky with anxiety, so I pumped out some sanitizer while I watched the cozy scene play out in front of me.
I wrung my hands together, but nothing absorbed.
What the ...? My hands were so slippery that rubbing them together was a real effort.
I rubbed and rubbed until Emma became irritated.
“Let’s go. We’re going to be late.” Something was wrong.
Miranda looked at me and innocently raised an eyebrow.
This woman had turned into a complete witch.
She was so sweet, if a bit impulsive and flighty, when Cordy and I were together.
I don’t know what was happening, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of washing my hands in here.
She'd done something. I'd have to throw away that sanitizer, but I wouldn't do it in front of her.
Without exchanging a word with anyone in that tension-soaked room, I took Emma's arm, and we left for work. Laughter rang out behind me.
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Work was busy, and as usual, Emma was my light in the darkness.
I was stressed by the situation at home and the other pharmacist had called in sick, despite having just been on leave.
She rubbed my shoulders and whispered soothing words.
I felt like I didn’t have the energy to return home tonight.
At least Damon wouldn’t be there, but I’d still have to face Miranda and Cordelia. Why couldn’t Cordy just give up?
Emma went straight to our room, but I sat on the sofa.
It was my way of ensuring Miranda and Cordy couldn’t claim it tonight.
If my ass was there, they wouldn’t enter.
Well, Cordy wouldn’t. Miranda would happily sit with me and insult me with a smile on her face.
A loud shriek from Emma had me jumping out of my seat.
One hand pulled through her hair and the other was pointed at a gold plaque on our door.
I stepped forward and read it. It was an artist attribution plaque from the gallery Miranda worked at.
“I’m not a homewrecker!” Emma sobbed. “You told me your relationship was dead. I wouldn’t have moved in if I knew things were going to be like this.”
Why wouldn't Miranda just let this go? I was done with Cordelia. No prank could make me love her sister again. She was obviously in this to win, the house and this petty game with me. I wouldn't let her get away with upsetting Emma like this.