Choices (9 page)

ELEVEN

Duke awoke and found that Paxton was not in bed. He had stayed over last night after they had a small Christmas celebration with Ryan. He was glad that Paxton didn’t have to spend Christmas alone. She had cooked a wonderful ham dinner that she fussed over. It was delicious. She and Ryan also declared a no-gift rule, which he abided by. Duke felt guilty as they celebrated knowing that Jack’s father was in the hospital. He wanted so badly to tell Paxton but he granted Jack’s wishes. He wondered how Jacob was doing as he hadn’t heard anything from Jack since their brief phone call yesterday.

Duke’s phone buzzed on the night stand. It was a reminder for a voicemail that he received. He listened as Jack’s voice filled his ear. Jack had called last night around midnight stating his father passed earlier that day. Duke called him back quickly.

“Hey man, I just got your message. What happened?”

“His heart gave out and ruptured.” Jack’s voice was horse and Duke knew he wasn’t doing well.

“I’m so sorry. I just wanted to call you although I don’t have much time right now. I don’t know where Paxton is. Should I let her know?”

“No, she doesn’t need a reason to run to me.”

“I think we should tell her Jack. She would want to be there for you.”

“No. Please don’t.”

“I don’t like this. I should come up there at least. It’s hard enough to keep this from her.”

Duke heard a creak outside the door. He wasn’t sure what it was but he decided to wrap up the call.

“No, Duke. Do not tell her. I can handle this without her.”

“Listen I got to go. Keep me updated and I will see when I can visit.” Duke hung up and set his phone down.

“Oh, you’re up,” Paxton said.

Duke turned to face her trying to hide the emotions he felt. He couldn’t believe Jack’s father died.

“Yeah, just wondering where you went.”

He tried to put on a smile. He knew he was failing by the flicker of concern that flashed across Paxton’s face.

“I just fed Link and put him out,” she paused studying his face. “I figured that maybe we can go out to eat today because I don’t feel like cooking or doing any dishes.”

“Yeah, sounds great.”

“Okay.” Duke saw the look of concern on her face. She was struggling to decide if everything was really okay.

Duke felt guilty for keeping the news from her. This is something that he should tell her but he didn’t want to push her away and have her running straight into Jack’s arms. He didn’t want to lose her quite yet. It was selfish of him but he knew that once this news broke, she would be gone.

“I’m going to jump in the shower, want to join me?” Duke got up and stretched.

“Not if we are going to get breakfast, we will be in there all day. Let
me take one first so I can do my hair while you shower.”

“Fine, I guess that will have to do.”

Duke waited as Paxton headed off to the shower. He decided to unpack his overnight bag. He didn’t have the energy to do it last night. He pulled out his jeans and a button down black shirt. He pulled out his fresh boxer briefs and socks. He laid out the outfit on the bed hoping to get some of the wrinkles out. He heard the water shut off in the bathroom. Duke got up and headed in there to get his shower in.

He turned on the shower and turned the water up. He knew he wouldn’t have a lot of hot water but he would stay in there for a few minutes to grieve. He wasn’t close to Jack’s father but he couldn’t imagine losing his own father.

He quickly cleaned himself then stepped out. He dried off and wrapped a towel around his hips. He looked at the mirror and it was fogged over. He took a hand towel and wiped a section of it. He looked at himself and saw the tension in his shoulders. He saw the grief in his face and knew that he needed to pull himself together and relax. He was supposed to be happy. He spent the night with the woman he was falling in love with. He was given a second chance but he knew that it would only be temporary if he kept lying to her. He knew that she would never keep a secret that big from him.

He heard the door open and Paxton stood behind him. She walked closer with a smile on her face. She threaded her arms between his and gripped his shoulders. Her bare chest was against his back and she kissed the back of his shoulder. Her eyes had a devilish grin in them and he felt her smile on his shoulder.

Duke turned around and hugged her, “Hey now! You said that we’d never make it out of here if we started that.”

“Hmm…should we test that theory?”

“Not today cupcake.” His smile faltered as he stepped away from her, leaving her in the steam filled bathroom.

Paxton didn’t protest as he shut the door behind him. He quickly dressed and fussed with his hair knowing that he didn’t have to do much to it. He was pulling on his boots when Paxton came out in a similar outfit. She had on jeans and a black shirt. Not a button down shirt but it has a shimmery effect with gold accents. Duke couldn’t help but stare, she looked beautiful.

“What?”

Duke shook his head, “You look good today.”

Paxton smiled and blushed a little, “You aren’t so bad yourself.”

She chuckled and Duke smiled. It was one of his favorite sounds. He wanted to hear it every morning when he woke up and right before he fell asleep at night. He knew that it would be a long uphill battle with her. She was fine being with him for now but he was scared to see what would happen when she went to New York, when she learned of Jacob’s passing. He wondered if that would change things. He could see her struggle from time to time but she sometimes gave into him. Those moments when she lets go of Jack, have been the best moments of Duke’s life.

Duke watched Paxton walk out of the room. He stood and followed her out. All he had was one more day before she was over a thousand miles away from him, closer to Jack, and closer to the secret he was keeping from her. He knew there was a chance it would be in the papers up there.

Duke pulled into the small parking lot. They decided they didn’t want to go on the other side of town for breakfast. They hadn’t been to Early Edition in months.

“This sounds so good right now. I’m starving!”

Duke laughed at Paxton. She could be so over dramatic sometimes. You would think he kept her locked up.

“I already know what I want. Hopefully they aren’t too busy.”

“From the looks of it, it doesn’t seem like it,” Paxton replied.

Duke looked around the parking lot. It wasn’t empty but usually there were a lot more cars around. It was confirmed when they walked into the place, that it was dead. There were a few open tables and he was happy for that. He could tear up some food right about then. He always ordered the same thing every time.

“Hello! Welcome to Early Edition!” the young hostess greeted as they walked in. “Just the two of you?”

“Yeah,” Duke slid his arm around Paxton which she gracefully accepted. He even felt her lean into him some.

The hostess smiled, “Right this way.”

She led them to a booth on the other side of the room. It was near other patrons but a little more secluded.

“Your waitress should be with you shortly,” the hostess smiled and left.

“I have no idea what to get, I’m so hungry I could eat it all!”

Duke glanced at her as she looked over the menu. He was scared of losing her. Duke wondered if she would be upset about him not saying anything to her. Maybe Jack wouldn’t tell her that he knew about it. If she found out, maybe he would believe it was from a newspaper article, a news channel, anything but him. Duke realized this was the first secret he kept from Paxton. His heart dropped as he loved how open and honest she was. She would never keep something like this from him.

“Well, I know what I’m getting,” Duke said trying to distract himself from his own thoughts.

Paxton smiled up at him, “You would. Do you ever deviate from anything at restaurants?”

“Sometimes,” he flashed a smile at her.

“Hello! My name is Abby and I will be takin’ care of y’all today. What can I start you off with to drink?”

“Water for me please,” Paxton answered.

“I’ll take coffee and water.”

“Sugar or cream?”

“Just black.” Duke smiled up at her. He noticed how she smiled a little longer at him before she turned to get their drinks.

“Way to hide your crush honey,” Paxton said when she was out of ear shot.

Duke looked at her. He smiled, “Jealous?”

“You woke up in my bed, remember? She won’t ever get that lucky, plus isn’t she a little young for you?” Paxton raised her eyebrows.

“Yeah,” Duke chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”

He watched Paxton a few minutes longer before he turned his attention to the menu. He already knew what he wanted but he needed to get away from her gaze. He wouldn’t be able to hold on to his secret if he looked at her for too long.

***

Paxton sat back and rubbed her stomach, “Ugh, I am so full!”

She looked at her now empty plate. Two plate-sized pancakes, 2 strips of bacon, and an egg no longer sat in front of her. She couldn’t decide on any one thing so she ordered a few things. Now she regretted it. She didn’t understand how she just fit a meal for two in her.

“You hardly had anything!”

She looked over at Duke knowing he had to feel the same way. He got the usual Cat Backer Skillet. It consisted of potatoes, onions, cheese, two eggs, and toast with ham, bacon and sausage. He then ordered biscuits and gravy. She knew he didn’t work out too hard but his body still stayed in amazing shape. She knew that her meal she would have to spend at least two hours in the gym to work off. It just reminded her that she missed three yoga classes in the last week. She really needed to get back into the gym routine.

“I had more than I should have. I should go to the gym today.”

“You have to pack first.”

“Yeah, I know.” She knew it was going to be a daunting task. She didn’t know what she wanted to wear to the formal charity event.

Duke waived at the waitress signaling they were ready for the check. Paxton sat there thinking about everything she would need. She made a mental list hoping when they got back she’d actually remember all of it.

“Ready?” Duke asked breaking her concentration.

“Let’s go!” She said as she started scooting out of the booth.

As Duke paid the cashier in the front by the door, Paxton wondered if he would go quiet again. He seemed kind of off today since he woke up. She knew he was on the phone. He was talking to someone as she heard a murmur of his voice when she was walking to the room. He had just hung up when she found him sitting on the bed.

Paxton smiled as
Duke grabbed her hand as they walked out. She enjoyed Duke’s company. She was starting to see a future with him, she
wanted
a future with him. Every once in a while though Jack crossed her mind. She just couldn’t shake him or the feelings she had. She knew it was going to take every ounce of her strength not to go see him in New York. He would be within reach but she figured if she could make it through this trip without seeing Jack, she had a chance to move on.  Paxton saw the amazing man Duke was and maybe he was right all those months ago, maybe Ella would want them both to be happy. He always seemed to know when she needed him, what she wanted, and how to make her smile.