The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

“It’s me. I need to know Emersyn’s height and weight.” He nods a couple of times, then rolls his eyes, I’m sure in response to a snarky remark from Gelissa.

He spits the words out through his teeth, trying to keep his composure. “I’m getting her a car seat for the truck I’ll be using. Can you just give me the information I need?” The Target guy looks even more uncomfortable than one could already feel in such a bright shirt and khakis.

Jaxon hangs up the phone and tells the guy her measurements.

After about fifteen minutes, we’re heading towards the checkout counter with the safety seat and a cart full of other toys, books, and whatever else he threw in thinking it’d be a necessity.

The cashier who rang us up is a dad who must be able to tell how overwhelmed Jaxon is, so he offered to follow us out to the parking lot to correctly install the seat into Sayeed’s Ford Explorer. After he goes through the dos and don’ts, Jaxon runs through his list of questions about how to buckle Emersyn in, and we’re on our way.

Gelissa texted him the address of where she’s staying, and I put it into Google Maps on my phone to take the quickest route.

We pull up to a large apartment complex with several tall brown buildings surrounding a small playground. We park the car on the street and walk onto the grounds to find the building Gelissa said she’s staying with Emersyn.

We pass a few families bundled up outside with their small children on the swings and sliding down slides chasing each other. The screams and laughter of the little kids slowly fade as we walk to the back of the projects, spotting the building.

As we approach the entrance, four guys in North Face coats are huddled together, talking low. Three of them are in fitted Yankees hats, while one stands out in a bomber hat.

The one in the bomber eyes us warily as we pass them. I notice two teardrops tattooed under his eye and quickly avert my gaze. Jaxon pulls me protectively into his side, matching his intimidating stare.

I’ve grown so used to Jaxon’s free spirit and carefree attitude, it’s moments like this, and the night I was attacked, that remind me how intimidating he can be. Jaxon isn’t just a life-sized teddy bear with blue eyes; he turns grizzly, fast.

We enter the building and head straight for the elevator to wait. Still feeling uneasy about the guys outside, I stand as close as I can to Jaxon until the elevator’s ping goes off. The sliding door opens, and a child runs out laughing as a woman yells at him to slow down. We step inside, and he presses number six and watches as the doors slide closed.

Bouncing on his feet, Jaxon rubs his hands together nervously. “What if she cries when I take her?”

I lift the plastic bag I’m holding. ”That’s what the toy is for.” I rub his arm encouragingly. “It’ll be fine, Jaxon. I bet she’ll be excited to go to your house.”

He looks at me now, his expression growing tight, making me wonder if I’ve said something wrong.

We don’t have time to address the tension because the elevator doors open, and we’re staring at the hallway. Jaxon stays still as I mentally nudge him to move.

As we walk down the hall, some doors have kids yelling behind them, some have music playing, others are completely silent. We approach Gelissa’s door, and Jaxon freezes again, staring at it for a minute before knocking. The door opens abruptly.

In front of us is a very petite brunette, almost like me, but I’m surprisingly curvier. Her hair’s up in a messy bun, and she’s wearing nothing but a camisole and leggings. “Yeah?” she asks, impassively.

Jaxon stands tall. “Is Gelissa here?”

“Hold on.” The girl, who I assume is Gelissa’s cousin, slams the door in our faces, making it clear this family shares ill-mannered tendencies.

After what feels like forever, the door opens again, this time with Gelissa holding Emersyn. The baby is bundled up in a purple winter coat and white sparkly crochet hat with a puffy ball on top.

As I take another look at Jaxon’s ex, I can’t get over how gorgeous she is. Her curves are perfectly proportioned, and she has an abundance of cleavage showing through her thin tank top. There are also light freckles under her eyes and around her nose, which make her bright green eyes pop. It’s not until she speaks that you realize she’s actually ugly and mean.

Handing Jaxon an overnight bag, Gelissa runs through things he should know about Emersyn before adding, “I need you to take her for two nights. I have a job interview on Friday that I need to prepare for.” She bounces the baby on her side while she awaits his response. I step back slightly, unaware of how this conversation will escalate.

Jaxon’s words are unsure when he explains, “I work on Friday. I don’t know--”

She cuts him off. “Why can’t your mousy little girlfriend here do it then?” She points her judgmental chin at me and turns back to him.

Oh shit, no. I feel like there’s a golf ball inside my throat as I shift on my feet, panicking but trying to hide it.

Please, please, please, don’t ask me, Jaxon.

He looks at me from the corner of his eye as I stare at the ceiling, trying to avoid confrontation with both of them now.

Shaking his head, he says, “I’ll figure it out. It’s fine.”

Looking overly pleased with him now, Gelissa hands the baby over to Jaxon, catching him off guard. He’s jumbled with her at first, but once he guides his arm under her thighs and secures her back with his other hand, he seems much more confident.

In an attempt not to scare her, Jaxon bounces Emersyn just like her mom did before, and she stares at him curiously.

Gelissa clears