Teasing Phoenix novel Chapter 20

My mind goes back to the lunch I spent with my family. I can’t help but think about how Samantha’s dad died. What if? My stomach twists, and the longer I think about it, the more I feel I want to throw up.

“Penny for the thoughts?”

I look at her who’s lying in my arms after our wall-banging. I break into a grin. “Just thinking about the wall that almost collapsed. It actually shook.” She giggles. “And that’s what you’re thinking all this time?”

I push the thought back into my head. “What else would I thought about, princess?”

I really don’t want to lie to her about what is bothering me because I hate being lied to, as well, but that night accident keeps flashing back to me. I still remember the face of that man when the EMT tried to take him out of the wrecked car.

“I don’t wanna go back home yet, but I have classes and I have to attend them to graduate,” she says while tracing her fingers on my chest.

“Have you decided yet?”

“About what?” She leans her elbows on the bed then looks at me.

“Princess, about moving in. You may have replaced your bed, but I still did not change my mind.”

She pecks my lips then lies back on my shoulder. “We are still in New York, Phoenix.”

“Just tell me already that you don’t wanna move in with me, and it’s too fast, or too early shit like that, princess.”

She releases an exasperated sigh. “It’s not like that, but—”

“But what?”

“Okay, fine. I think it’s too early, and what if it doesn’t work?”

“How will we know if we don’t wanna try, Samantha? You gave us chance as friends, and we are still not killing each other, in fact, look at us, we are dating and starts our relationship, and so far, it’s been great and one of the best things that ever happen in my life.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“And you haven’t thought about it? You’re really planning on telling me no, aren’t you?”

“Phoenix, what’s in the after New York you don’t get? You’re so persistent and bossy. You always get what you want, don’t you?” She sounds annoyed

“Fine, I’m sorry. But tell me honestly what’s stopping you?”

“Can you just drop it!” She rolls her eyes. “A typical you.”

“Tell me, Samantha.”

“First, I think it’s too early. We haven’t been in a relationship for a month. Second, I have to tell Mom because I may be an adult, but I promised her that I will only move out if I get a job far from her, and that’s after I graduate. Third, we are from two different worlds, you know what I mean? I work in your shop, so, technically you are still my boss.”

“Then I will have to fire you if that what’s stopping you from moving in with me,” I say half-jokingly.

“You can’t fire me because I don’t wanna move in with you, Phoenix. That’s unfair!” She glares at me.

“Who said I can’t? You’re fired!” I say and look at her intently.

Her eyes widen, and her mouth hangs open. I raise my brow to challenge her, but she sits straight on the bed and covers her chest with the sheet.

She clears her throat. “Okay. Then, I’m breaking up with you.”

My heart literally stops beating. My jaw drops as I stare at her in disbelief.

She stands up from the bed, takes the sheet with her, and tucks it under her arms. When she starts opening the closet, it alarms me.

She’s fucking serious!

She just broke up with me, and now, she’s leaving. I don’t have any idea that her job means so much to her. Or is it because of her mom?

“Princess, what are you doing?” I ask quickly. My stomach feels heavy, and my heart crushes and bleeds to the thought that she’s leaving me that easy.

I stand up from the bed and head toward her. She stops and just looks at the opened closet. She doesn’t say anything. I hug her from behind and press my nose against her neck. I inhale her sweet scent. She wraps her arms on my arms, running her palm over my skin.

“I shouldn’t have said that. I Shouldn’t—”

I hush her, “It’s my fault, princess. Forgive me. I don’t have any idea that your work there means so much to you. I should have thought about your mom before firing you. I just want you to be with me, all to myself. It’s selfish I know, but you make me so incredibly happy. You give me everything I thought I never wanted. I-I—” I groan when my phone rings.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” she finally says, but I can still hear the hint of sadness in her voice, and it’s because of my stubbornness and stupidity.

“I’m not gonna answer that, and I don’t care whoever calls. I wanna apologize to you first.”

She loosens my arms and turns to face me.

I can see clearly the sadness in her eyes, and it’s killing me. I open my mouth to say something. It affects me so much that my brain stops processing, and my heart aches—that’s how much she means to me.

“We’ll talk later, Phoenix. Go take your phone and answer the call. It could be an emergency.”

I shake my head stubbornly.

She rubs her hands on my arms, then cups my face and tiptoes to press her lips against mine. I instantly close my eyes and wrap my arms around her to pull her closer to me. I apologize and boost all my feelings into my kiss. I want to show her how sincerely sorry I am.

“I’m also sorry that I overreacted. Can I take it back?”

I lift her chin when she doesn’t meet my gaze. “You should because I didn’t agree to that, so that’s invalid.”

She scowls. Shit!

“You don’t have to agree if I broke up with you if I say it, that means whether you like it or not, we still broke u! Why I even explaining this to you? Because I know you know it.”

I smile. “Well for your information, Samantha Lorraine, ours is different. We both have to agree for break up, otherwise, it’s not valid.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “Phoenix, we are not married. We are not getting an annulment or divorce for both parties to agree, and I didn’t sign a written paper on that.”

“Then I guess we should sign, right?” I tease her.

“You’re impossible!”

“Are we good?”

“Like you’ll agree if we are not.” She rolls her eyes.

She tries hard to hide her smile, but it finally breaks.

“Good! Because I’ll sue you if you won’t.”

She shakes her head and shuts the closet’s door close. “What did I get into?”

“I heard that.”

“I know. Now, go and check your phone, Phoenix. We need to pack up. We have a flight to catch in six hours.”

A loud bang on the door interrupts us causing us to exchange a look.

“I’ll get the door, wear something, Princess,” I tell her while I start wearing my boxers.

She picks up her clothes and walks to the bathroom. Knock continues with the voice of my brother this time. What he wants that he has to come all the way here?

“What took you so long to open the door? Why aren’t you answering your phone? You should throw it to the window, man, if there is no more use of it.” He glares at me.

“And what’s got your panties in a wad?” I open the door wider to let him get inside.

“Wear clothes. Where is Sam? We need to go to the hospital.”

I freeze midway from picking up my clothes scattered on the floor.

“What hospital?” I furrow my brows.

“Mom had chest pain. Mike brought her to the hospital. I’ll explain later.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and rub my face with hands.

“Is she okay?” My voice turns to whisper.

“Just get dress.”

We ride to the hospital in Hawk’s car with his wife. Samantha keeps saying she will be fine because she sees the worry on my face. I can’t even join them as they talk throughout the ride.

I love my mother so much, and I don’t want her to suffer that’s why we make sure she has everything she needs.

I slow my walk when I notice everyone is around. Samantha looks up at me and squeezes our intertwined hands. I swallow and nod at her.

“Thank, God, you’re here!” Abby marches toward us. She pecks Hawk and moves to Izzy and does the same.