Throuple In Paradise - Faleena Hopkins Page 0,49
new decisions. “But while I waited just now for what you wanted to do, I know what I hoped. That you wouldn’t choose that.”
Exasperated I cover my head and walk away from them.
Troy asks, “Don’t you want to know what I wanted?!”
Waving wildly I spin around. “I know what you want! I could see it on your face! You want the baby. But him! He’s like Stone Henge — always the same!”
They look at each other with unvoiced communication that I don’t understand and don’t have patience for. Throwing myself on the bed I slide into the fetal position. “I can’t believe it.”
Troy sits beside me. “Did you want to put it up for adoption?”
“It won’t be put up for adoption!” Jack growls. “If she doesn’t want it, I’ve got the means. I will raise the child on my own.”
Sitting up with a start, I croak in shock, “You’d raise the baby by yourself?”
Troy says, “It might be mine.”
“It’s mine,” Jack says, gaze returning to the sea.
Troy’s tone is harsh, much harsher than I’ve ever heard it. “You don’t know that!”
“Yes, I do.”
They lock eyes, Jack patient even as Troy marches to him. “How the fuck can you say that with such assuredness, Jack? Why, because you’re so fucking virile, of course your sperm won the war over my weaker ones?!”
“That’s quite a leap you just took.”
“It’s what you’re implying, isn’t it?”
“That’s what your ego is implying.”
“Oh, is that so!?”
“Yes.”
I stare dumbstruck as Troy’s fist flies out and hits Jack in the jaw so hard his head swings. He adjusts and glares at Troy. “Don’t do that again.”
A cross-breeze billows into the room and suddenly Troy and I are alone.
“Got him walking!”
I roll my eyes. “He left so he didn’t hurt you.”
For the first time since we’ve met, Troy spins around with true rage directed at me. He’s so furious he can’t speak, and in a matter of moments I’m all by myself.
Touching my stomach I realize that’s not exactly true.
Chapter Thirty
MARION
I find Troy at the bar, which doesn’t shock me. But under these circumstances the fact that he’s not drinking alcohol, does.
“Is that just water?
The hint of surprise as he glances up fades immediately. “Yeah.”
Turning to the bartender, he motions for another and taps the spotless counter in front of me.
“Guess I can’t have champagne anymore.”
Troy grunts, “You haven’t had champagne since we got here.” At the look on my face he adds, “But it is what you drink back home.“
I reach for a bar napkin and slowly shred it as we sit in silence. When I’ve completely massacred the thing I sigh, “I hate this question so I can’t believe I’m going to ask it anyway… What are you thinking?”
The corner of his sexy lips tugs up. “What are you thinking?”
I bump his arm with mine. “Not fair to send it back to me.”
Tipping his head he finishes off his water, ice rattling until he bites down on one and returns the glass to the counter, loudly chewing in thought.
I take a sip, watching him.
Troy is such a laid-back guy; it’s weird to see him this tortured as he says, “I never really thought about having kids. It was, you know, just a given that someday I’d have them. Sure, I didn’t think it would be now, but I guess unless you’re trying, you’re never prepared.” His eyes lock with mine. “I want to do a paternity test.”
As if I’ve been hit I sway on the barstool, staring at him before two words I totally believe fall from my lips: “Doesn’t matter.”
But Troy deals me another blow. “It matters to me.”
My eyelashes flutter as I struggle to understand, “Why? It’s the three of us. If we’re going to do this, then we’re sure as hell going to do it with the three of us! We are committed to each other. We made that very clear.” My voice falters as I add, “I don’t want anything to change.”
“Everything is going to change, Mar.” Even as he gently squeezes my fingers, his voice is harsh. “Everything.”
I yank my hand away, fury coursing through my veins. “It doesn’t have to be that way. If you want to be small-minded about it, then you’ve totally surprised me! There is nothing small-minded about anything we’ve been doing, so why start now?” I jump off the barstool and storm out.
Troy calls after me, “Marion!”
His footsteps are fast and grow louder, but I’ve already broken into a run just to make him work for it.
He