Hitched & Hitched Again: A Comedy of Marital Mayhem novel Chapter 623

Tarquin's brows furrowed upon hearing the words. He was on the verge of blowing his top but then thought better of it, swallowing his anger as he sullenly took a drag from his cigarette, staying silent.

Keaton already knew the answer and sighed inwardly. He always said, in the game of love, the first one to fall is the one who loses! The one who falls first is always the most vulnerable and gets hurt the easiest! And because Tarquin fell first, that's why he was sulking every other day.

Keaton didn't say anything, just smoked alongside him. When he felt Tarquin had cooled down a bit, he offered, "How about we crack open a beer?"

Tarquin, with a cold expression, flicked his cigarette ash, "No!"

If he got drunk and went off to bed, what about Elysia? He wasn't sure the kids could actually cheer Elysia up! And what if that Keith guy took advantage of him being sound asleep to go after Elysia? So, no drinking!

Keaton didn't push it, "So, what's going on with Elysia? Let me help you figure it out."

Tarquin took a deep drag from his cigarette and spilled the beans about Keith. After listening, Keaton couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, looks like you've got a wolf in sheep's clothing on your hands!"

Both Keaton and Elijah were outsiders in this, which meant they could see the situation clearly and immediately spotted what was really going on.

Tarquin, still with a cold demeanor, said, "The guy's a real piece of work, and Elysia won't believe me!"

Keaton replied, "Let's put him aside for a moment and talk about you. Your biggest issue is that even though you know Elysia doesn't like you, you're measuring her actions by the standard of 'she loves you.' How are you not gonna get hurt? From Elysia's perspective, first off, she doesn't like you, why should she trust you? She has no reason to blindly take your side. Second, she's clueless about the whole testing thing, doesn't know why you guys were fighting. So, her asking about the fight is a natural response. Also, you need to see things from another angle. She's taking care of the wolf in sheep's clothing maybe because of you. You were the one who roughed him up; if he died, you'd be responsible! Elysia is thinking ahead for you."

Tarquin, still smoking, didn't reply.

Tarquin grumbled, "Still unclear."

"Have you looked into him?"

"Checked him out, his background is clean."

Given Elliot's cautious nature towards Keith, Keith probably wasn't a threat. Elliot was cautious and would have noticed if Keith was up to no good. Regardless of whether Keith was truly after Elysia or had other motives, the goal was to get rid of him ASAP! But getting rid of him was tricky, given his special status as the teacher of Elliot, Evan, and Emmett!

Keaton guessed his thoughts and suggested, "If it's tricky to take direct action against him, then work it from Elysia's side. Arrange for Elysia to move out of the Blossom household, then switch her sons' preschool. Cut off any chance for the wolf in sheep's clothing to get close to Elysia."