The Conspiracy of Baby-Switching novel Chapter 24

Gabriel

I walk out of my building and see Mark standing by the car, he gives me a weak smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Good morning.” He opens the back door for me.

“Hello,” I say as I get into the car.

We pull out into the traffic and I watch him in the rearview mirror, his face is etched with worry.

“What is it?” I ask.

His eyes flick up to me. “What’s what?” “What’s wrong with you?” “Nothing.” He exhales heavily.

“Don’t lie to me, you’ve been a sad sack of shit all week.”

He rolls his eyes and keeps driving, and I can’t stand it. “Pull over.”

“What?”

“Pull the fucking car over.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

He pulls the car over to the side and I get out of the car and open his car door. “Get out.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m driving today.”

He stares at me, confused. “What the hell am I supposed to do, then?”

“Get in the passenger seat, you idiot. Unless you want to walk home.”

He rolls his eyes and walks around to get into the front passenger seat, and I pull back out onto the road.

He looks over at me. “What are you doing?”

“Driving.”

“Why?”

“Because when I’m depressive and moody, you drive me, so now it’s my turn to drive you.”

“I’m not depressive and moody.”

“Good, because that’s my position around here.”

We drive in silence for a while.

“Depressive isn’t even a word,” he says casually as he looks out the window.

I keep driving.

“And for the record, you’re not depressive, you’re just moody,” he continues.

“Well…for the record.” I stop at the traffic lights. “I’m not moody, people are just imbeciles.”

“Are you calling me an imbecile?”

“One hundred percent. Tell me what’s wrong with you.” Silence.

“I’m driving around this city until you tell me and I don’t have time for your bullshit, spit it out.”

He drags his hand through his hair. “Zoe gets married this weekend.” My heart sinks.

Zoe was his childhood sweetheart who left him when he was on a deployment. She said she couldn’t put her life on hold for a man who goes to war.

“Well…” I grip the steering wheel. “Good riddance to her.” He nods sadly.

“You are seeing someone else, why do you care what Zoe is doing?” I ask as I turn another corner.

Silence.

He shrugs. “I’m not seeing her anymore.”

“Oh. Why not?”

“I just… I compare everyone to her, you know?” I do know.

I listen as I drive.

“And I know we can’t be together and I don’t even want to be, but…” He hesitates.

“But what?” I ask.

“Thinking of Zoe takes me back to a time in my life when I was happy and everything was simple because she was the only girl in the world that I wanted.”

The traffic comes to a standstill.

“Every woman just seems so average.”

“Amen to that.” I sigh. “I thought it was just me.”

We keep driving in silence.

“Maybe we’re just getting old and maybe the thrill we used to get from love has lost its luster,” he says.

“Lucky prick,” he mutters under his breath.

I smirk. “I’d ask you to join us…”

He raises his eyebrow, suddenly interested. “But I don’t share.” “Fuck you,” he whispers.

I chuckle and walk across the gangplank and onto my yacht. I look around for the girls. “Where are you?” I call.

“Up here.”

I take the stairs two at a time and once at the top and into my bedroom, I find them both naked and on their knees, waiting for me. My cock thumps in appreciation. “Good girls.”

Violet

I read the text from Deb.

I need to see you Urgently.

Can we have lunch today?

Huh?

I text her.

What’s wrong?

I wait for her reply.

Nothing is wrong but I need to see you.

Jeez, I wonder if she’s fighting with Scott. I reply.

I have lunch at 12:30 Meet at usual place?

A reply bounces straight back.

Okay see you then.

Twelve forty, I walk into Chachi’s to see Debbie sitting at the back, and I wave as I make my way to her. “Are you okay?” I ask as I kiss her cheek. “I’m fine, but you need to sit down.” “What’s wrong?” I slump into the seat.

“I could be the worst friend in the world for wrecking this surprise, but I’ve been thinking about it all night and I want you to be prepared and not ruin this.”

“For what?” I frown.

“Russel is going to propose.”

My face falls. “What?”