Moments (Breath of Life Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

believe it. It was like everything he had with Paxton was forgotten, it never actually happened. Duke looked at the house wondering if they were inside waiting for him. He really hoped not. Climbing out of his truck, he headed into the house.
     
    Duke was grateful when he realized the house was empty. Needing to catch up on work, he grabbed the stack of papers sitting on his desk. The school year was just about over and playoffs were around the corner, his work would only grow if he didn't start on it now. Duke headed back out to the living room, setting them down on the coffee table. He then walked into the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee. Once he had a cup of hot coffee, he sat on the couch and just tried to clear his mind of tonight's events and the busy weeks ahead of him. After a few more moments, he lost himself in grading the papers that he had seemed to avoid over the last week.
     
    Duke was just about finished with the last essay when he heard the door open. He looked up and saw Paxton walking towards him. He set the paper down on the graded stack that sat on the coffee table. He was going to get up and move to his room, knowing Jack would be right behind her. When he looked back up, he realized Jack wasn't following her. She came alone.
     
    "Where's Jack?"
     
    "At the cabin. I told him that we needed to talk alone."
     
    "About what?"
     
    "Us."
     
    "There is no us. There will not be another us."
     
    She cast her eyes to the floor. She was obviously expecting more than Duke could give. "Listen, I know that you are still angry with me about the baby. I get that, but I was just trying to protect you."
     
    "Protecting me or not, I should have known right away. She was my wife, Paxton," Duke interrupted.
     
    "I know," she sat beside Duke. Duke didn't turn to welcome her on the couch. Instead he sat there unmoving. "Duke, I'm sorry we didn't tell you that we were back together."
     
    "I knew you guys were back together already. The weekend Jack first stayed with you, he told me what his plan was. He said he was going to ask for your forgiveness and to give him another chance. Apparently you did and so much more."
     
    "It wasn't like that. I mean, it was but,"
     
    "But nothing Paxton!" He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He rubbed his hands together as he looked down at the floor, "How long ago did he ask you to marry him?" Duke finally looked at her. He wanted to see her face as she answered. When she didn't answer right away he knew. He nodded his head as he stared at the floor, "The night he went to your place."
     
    "Don't be mad at Jack-"
     
    "I'm not mad. I'm upset, Paxton," Duke rolled his eyes. "The moment you said yes, the moment he came crawling back, you threw us away," he paused. "You just threw us away," he said quieter. "You didn't think about those nights I held you, took care of you, the nights we made love, the nights Jack wasn't there for you."
     
    "Stop it," her voice quivered. Duke looked at the tears forming in her eyes. No doubt she was remembering.
     
    "No, Paxton. How many different times are you going to lie to me, keep things from me? What else haven't told me?"
     
    "Nothing!" She screamed. Tears fell down her face.
     
    "I've heard that before," he muttered. He looked back up at her. "You know I used to think that we had a future together. That somehow Ella wanted us to be together. I never intended to walk away from you, never. You forced my hand though Paxton. You forced it when you kept my baby a secret. I had no other choice but to walk out that door, away from you and the future I was just started to dream about. You forced me to walk away." Sobs escaped from Paxton but Duke couldn't let up. His emotions were driving him down this angry, hurt road again. "So, go back to Jack."
     
    "I can't leave you," she cried.
     
    "Go back to Jack, where you belong. I am no longer you concern Paxton. You made your bed, now sleep in it."
     
    They stared at each other