Chapter Thirty-Nine - I need to destress.

McKenna

I am having breakfast with Carter. Well, he is; I am playing with my food. I am not hungry this morning.

“McKenna, are you okay? You have been a little off since we arrived home a couple of days ago. Did something happen in New York to upset you, or is it related to the false stories going around?” he asks, concerned.

When I arrived home, I learned that I was all over social media and in the press because I was with Paxton. I have been called his secret girlfriend, another fling, and a notch on his bedpost, to name a few. I removed all the apps from my cell because I would have been tempted to read what other people were saying if I didn’t. I knew it would mostly be lies, cruelness or judgment that would not have done me any good. I have been ignoring them, or I will end up hating myself.

“I am tired, is all. No, nothing happened. I haven’t bothered reading the things about Paxton and me either. I am still recovering from the weekend because it was a lot.” I reply softly.

“As long as that is all it is. Please, stop playing with your food and eat it.” He says.

I nod and do as I am told. I don’t want him worrying over nothing. Paxton still hasn’t come back. I am not sure if he will. I haven’t heard from him, but he did say he wanted to give me space.

“It is. I promise.” I smile.

“I should head to work. What are your plans for the day?” he asks.

“I have work too, but a little later. Hopefully, I won’t be there much longer if my interview goes well next week.”

“I am sure it will go great. Sis, I told you, quit this one. I have more than enough money to make sure you have everything you need until you find something you like.” He reminds.

I smile, “I know, but I told you I need to take care of myself.”

I have an interview next week for a full-time real estate agent position. It offers great pay and hours, plus any training I will receive while I work. It isn’t my dream job, but it is a good one for now.
“Yeah, yeah, you are so stubborn.” He chuckles.

He cleans up after himself before he heads out to work. I have a few hours before I need to leave. I checked my cell to see if there was anything from Paxton, but there was nothing. I sigh and set it aside. I eat some of my breakfast, but not all. I will have a decent lunch to make up for it.

My plan for the rest of my morning is to do yoga and meditation, which I need since I am stressed out, and swim. All those things will help destress me. I am happy to be back in my small town rather than the city.

I apologised to Morgan for what happened, but we haven’t spoken since. I can’t blame him after what happened, and if he uses social media, he has probably seen everything, too. I wouldn’t want to be involved in any of the mess, either.

I pull myself from my thoughts before I get too lost in them and head upstairs to change to start my destressing routine. I hope to centre myself and clear my mind. If it doesn’t work, the swimming will need to do.

I can’t be bothered with work today. It is so boring, and my boss is an asshole. I can’t wait until I can tell him to shove his job. I wish I could do it now, but I need a backup.

I strip out of my pjs and change into my bikini, pulling some shorts and a tee over the top. I tie my hair into a messy bun and head back downstairs. I set my mat up outside and try to centre myself, but it doesn’t seem to work. I groan in frustration. I hate it when this happens. Swimming it is, then.

I strip down and dive straight in. No matter how annoyed or stressed I am, swimming always helps me. I swim a couple of lengths, stop for a minute and then continue. I don’t know how many more I swim, but I don’t stop until I need another breather.

I come up for air, feeling a little exhausted. I may have overdone it.

“Hey,”

The sound of someone’s voice makes me jump and squeal. I soon hear a familiar chuckle and relax when I realise who it is.

“Paxton?” I ask, surprised, and glance up.

He smiles brightly, “Why so surprised to me? I promised I would be back in a couple of days.”

“Yes, but I wasn’t sure if you would show,” I say softly.

He kneels before me, “I told you I would be, dimples. Did Carter not tell you I was coming?”

I shook my head, “No, he didn’t mention it. How are you?”

“I am okay. How are you? I am sorry for all the photos and stories going around about us.” He sighs.

I shrug, “I am ignoring them. I don’t want to get into them.”

“That is the best way. I am trying my best to get it sorted.”

I smile, “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

I don’t know how he will manage that because I am sure it has been shared millions of times by now. It will always be online somewhere.

“Are you coming out?”

I nod. Paxton grabs my towel, holding it out for me. I climb out, step into it and wrap it around myself. When I turn to face him, he is only inches from me. My breath hitches in my throat with the closeness. Our eyes meet, neither saying a word. No, I am not falling for it again!

I break the eye contact and put a distance between us. A disappointed look takes over his face, and he sighs loudly. Did he think after a couple of days apart, I would change my mind? I haven’t. It was not an easy decision for me to make, but it was the right one for everyone. Things were already beginning to get complicated. It was better to end it before it got more complicated.

“Are you still staying for the rest of the summer?” I ask softly.

“That is the plan unless something changes. Are you still okay with me being here?”

“I told you it was fine, Paxton; that hasn’t changed.” I smile.

“Okay. I wanted to make sure. Do you have work today?”

“Yes, I need to leave in a couple of hours. Will you be alright here? You could always stop by Carter’s work and keep him company.” I suggest.

“I will be fine. It will be nice to have some alone time, somewhere peaceful and no one to bother me.”

“True. I need to get showered and whatnot. Help yourself to whatever.”

“Thanks.”

I nod and stroll inside. I rush upstairs. I was not prepared to see him this morning. I honestly thought he wouldn’t come back. He must have decided he did not want to break another promise to me. I don’t know how I will handle him being around. I need to stay strong and not fall back into bed with him. The man is seductive without even trying. I will manage. I need to. There is only another five weeks left. I can make it through five weeks.

When he leaves, he will probably forget about me again, like he did for all those years. He will go back to his life and have a different woman every other night. It will all be for the best.