Stuck between two bad boys

When I got back home all I could think of was Emily’s hug and how she scented like a flower. I made up my mind not to wash the shirt because it’s my good luck shirt. I sniffed it randomly and smiled.

After eating, I realized that I needed to get some groceries. I stood up and picked the same white pique polo and wore it over my sweatpants. I picked up a matching baseball cap and wore it. I slid my legs into my palm slippers and headed to the mall. I was out of groceries and needed to get some things.

When I picked up everything I needed, I walked to the counter and handed the cashier my card.

“Thank you, sir, see you next time,” she smiled.

I gave a quick nod and rolled the shopping cart out, so the next customer can be attended to. I flagged a taxi and was getting my things in the trunk of the car when my phone buzzed. It’s been only one person texting me since these days and it was James.

I read his text and gave a quick smile. It felt like after Emily hugged me I began smiling at everything and anyone.

Him: The new color sense was a good idea.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

It was till Xavier said all those petty shit in the bathroom. I was this close to pulling my hoodie over my head because I was insecure. Glad I met Emily who complimented and hugged me and saved my ass.

Me: Yeah it was.

I shoved my phone back in my pockets and lowered myself into the backseat. The ride was going to be a long one.

In less than two minutes, I received another text.

Him: I guess you know what to do next.

What was he thinking I’d do next? Ask her to be my girlfriend already?

“That’s not how this works,” I muttered.

Me: I know but I can’t do that yet. I need some time, we need to take things slowly.

I pressed on the send button and heaved a sigh. James wasn’t serious, he couldn’t be.

Instead of a text, a call came in. When I saw the caller was James, I swiped up and placed the phone on my ear.

“Yeah?”

“What the hell do you mean by you need some time?”

“Relax,” I first said when I sensed he was pissed. “I meant it wouldn’t look real if I asked her to be my girlfriend or just kiss her from the blues.”

“I need this job done as soon as possible.”

“It has to be a clean job. If I rush Emily she’ll only run away from me. She’s already scared of me and anything else can trigger her uncertainty about me.”

“Do I look like I fucking care? I don’t have all that time Devin! I don’t have forever!”

“I know, I know. Can you stop shouting and just listen to me?”

I heard him huff over the call and I just kept asking him to calm down.

“I have this all figured out, all you have to do is trust me and of course, be patient.”

“I do not have that time Devin. I came to you because you’re the hottest and most feared male. You don’t think I’d have anyone else do this if you weren’t my top pick?”

I remained mute. Such a compliment.

“I chose you because I know how easy it would be for girls to fall for you. I need you to get Emily for me.”

Why the hell would he be so desperate? Other fathers would yank me away from their girls but him?

“She hugged me today. I just need her to be comfortable before I can attempt to say or do anything.”

“I don’t care if you kiss her already, you should be doing your job.”

“I can’t just kiss her like that, it doesn’t make any sense.”

Seriously, I was beginning to feel scared for Emily. I need the money but who knew what this man really wanted to do with his child.

“I need Emily before the next term begins.”

“I do too,” I whispered, making sure he didn’t hear that part. How was I going to tell him I was interested in getting Emily as much as he was?

He sees the whole plot like it is just a plan to get his daughter for him but it wasn’t. What I felt wasn’t a joke and I wasn’t acting based on his script. I felt something for Emily and it made me crave her badly. I craved her touch, her voice, her lips, and every single thing about her. It drove me crazy to be this obsessed with a person, but I didn’t hate what Emily made me feel. She made me feel alive and that was more than whatever amount James was paying.

“You have no idea how I need Emily,” James’ angry voice explained.

“James I know that.”

That wasn’t meant to sound so rude but damn, it did anyway.

” you don’t. You’re only acting all considerate when in reality you’re wasting my fucking time. If this was Xavier’s job I can bet on my life he’d have had her lips bruised and had a visible boner too.”

“I-”

Before I could say anything, James disconnected the call. I let out a deep breath and shoved the phone back.

I knew Xavier had been up to something since I noticed how he started possessively at Emily. It was like he could kill anyone who came close to her.

After seeing Emily hug me, I could see the fierceness of his eyes and how his jaw clenched. I loved how I made him feel but I hated how I felt knowing he bruised her lips and had a fucking boner.

James must have seen them for him to be able to say it. The thought of it irked him. Xavier was Emily’s brother. Even if they weren’t related by blood, the marriage between their parents was supposed to bond them in some sort of way.

I angrily got down from the cab when it reached my destination. I offloaded the things I bought from Walmart and paid the driver. I got inside and took the grocery inside the store.

I couldn’t control how angry I felt, I stormed outside and stopped a taxi. I told him my destination and he gave a nod. I needed to see Emily and Xavier but I needed to have a plan.

I stopped at the movie house and bought three tickets for me, Emily and Xavier. I shoved the tickets in my pocket and walked outside. I took the cab waiting and headed to their house.

My previous visit had their mom staring at me like a criminal. She doubted most of the things I said and always looked for a way to make me feel like she was not buying my story.

I waved off the thoughts and tried to focus on something else to keep myself in check. I couldn’t afford to appear there angry, I could get triggered and throw a fucking fist at Xavier.

The moment their mom opened the door, I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Yeah?”

“Good day ma’am. I’m here to see Emily and Xavier. We’re supposed to see a movie together,” I raised the tickets so she could at least believe it.