The Tie That Binds: A Marriage of Convenience Novel

By the time Dominic wakes up, Daniel and I have already had breakfast. He didn’t even twitch when I walked in to get myself a change of clothes this morning.

I chuckle as he walks into the living room looking like a mess. He groans and sits down next to me, dropping his head on my shoulder. I laugh and pet him gently.

“That’s what you get for drinking so much.”

Daniel glances up from his laptop for a second before refocusing his attention. It’s clear he isn’t pleased with Dominic’s behaviour, but at least he isn’t scolding him.

“Feed me, Lyss,” Dominic pleads. He repositions himself so he’s lying down with his head in my lap. “I’m dying.”

I chuckle. “It’s your own fault, you know. I told you to stop drinking, but you weren’t listening. You barely even drank the water I gave you either. Daniel made some pancakes earlier. I think we might have some left. Do you want some?”

Dominic shakes his head. “I want your scrambled eggs,” he says, sounding cute and whiney. I sigh and gently slide out from underneath him.

“You’re the best! Love you,” he shouts as I walk to the kitchen.

“Yeah, yeah. Love you too,” I reply automatically. It’s so common for us to say this to each other that I never stopped to think that it might make Daniel uncomfortable, the way it made Lucy feel insecure.

“You want some coffee too?”

Dominic shakes his head from the sofa. He looks like that one small movement is taking its toll on him and I bite back a smile. Serves him right for drinking so much.

I put his plate and a glass of orange juice on the coffee table and help him sit up before putting the plate in his lap. “You’re so useless,” I tell him.

He smiles at me sheepishly and kisses my cheek. “Thanks for breakfast, Lyss.”

I shake my head and grab the remote. I glance at Daniel. “How do you feel about a rom com?” I ask him. He looks up at me blankly and nods before looking back down at his screen.

“Ugh, no, can’t we watch something interesting?” Dominic says.

I roll my eyes. “Adding random explosions doesn’t make a movie more interesting.”

Dominic looks at me in disbelief. “You jump every time a planet explodes and stare at the screen open-mouthed when the Death Star explodes, even though you’ve seen it happen a million times.”

I pout and look away. He’s got a point, but I’m not admitting it. Instead, I scroll through the movies on Netflix and put on Two Weeks Notice.

Dominic groans. “We’ve seen this like a hundred times. We both know you just want to watch Hugh Grant.”

I shrug and don’t bother to deny it.

“I don’t even see the appeal. He isn’t that hot.”

I ignore him and settle in to watch the movie. Usually I’d be sitting cuddled up to Daniel, but today it feels inappropriate. Thanks to Dominic’s confession and Daniel’s distant behaviour, I’m stuck sitting between them with plenty of space either side.

It’s like Dominic can read my mind because he looks at me and smiles. “I might have been drunk, but I meant every word, you know.”

Daniel tenses and glances at me. I give him a reassuring smile before turning to Dominic. “How’re you feeling this morning, anyway? Feel sick?” I ask, ignoring what he just said.

Dominic pulls a hand through his hair and looks at me, exasperated. “Is this payback for ignoring your confession last year?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Nothing like that. I just don’t think right now is a good time to discuss this.”

Dominic looks away and glares at the TV while I awkwardly try to focus on the movie. Not even Sandra Bullock can save me from the tension in this room.

“When you moved out you said you’d be back on the weekends, but you haven’t been back at all in a month now.”

I nod. Daniel and I did intend to go back, but neither one of us mentioned it. Weekends are the only time we get to spend whole days together without other people around. And though neither one of us has said it, I know it’s something we both enjoy.

“Mum misses you, you know? You should come back tonight. She’s been making your and Daniel’s favourite dishes every weekend because she keeps expecting you to turn up, but you never do.”

I bite down on my lip, suddenly flooded with guilt. Mary has always been like a mother to me. She’s never once treated me differently from the boys. If anything, she’s always treated me better. She’d always side with me in arguments and spend time going shopping with me or taking me to beauty salons when I was old enough. She’s the one who bought me my first bra and helped me through my first period.

“I didn’t know,” I whisper. I glance at Daniel, who clearly feels as bad as I do. “Dan? Maybe we should go back soon.” I murmur.

Dominic nods. “Let’s all go back together today,” he says excitedly. I glance at Daniel, who nods at me before looking away. He looks uneasy and I’m not sure why. Over the last couple of years Daniel and Dominic have grown apart, but it’s never been clear to me why. I’m worried I might become another thing that stands between them, and I’m not sure what to do about it.

Daniel clears his throat. “Why don’t you go shower, Nic. We can go home together once you’re done. I’ll take my work with me.”

Dominic yawns and nods. “Borrow some of your clothes?”

“I’ll put some in Alyssa’s room for you.”

Dominic looks at me in surprise. “That reminds me. Did you sleep okay? You weren’t there when I woke up. I hope I didn’t thrash in my sleep.”

I smile and try my best to keep a blank expression on my face. “I slept fine, but you did seem out like a log.”

Dominic chuckles as he walks to the bathroom, while Daniel’s expression darkens. He puts his laptop away when the bathroom door closes and turns to face me.

“He thinks you slept with him last night?”

I fidget with the hem of my skirt. “Seems that way.”

Daniel crosses his arms, drawing my attention to his biceps. He looks far too good in a simple tee.

“Why would he think that?” he snaps.

I swallow and stare at him with wide eyes. I’ve done nothing to feel guilty about, but I somehow still feel on edge.

“Did you get into bed with him before you sneaked into my room?”

“I — why do you have to say it like that? It wasn’t like that at all. I just put him to bed and waited till he fell asleep. That’s all.”

Daniel searches my eyes for something and purses his lips in disapproval.

“Did you get into bed with him or did you just put him to bed?”

I hesitate. How am I supposed to answer this without him overthinking?

“It’s a simple question, Alyssa.”

“I — I… It’s not like that. I did lie down next to him for a bit, but that’s all.”

I see the devastation in Daniel’s eyes before he manages to hide it.

“God,” I whisper. “What is going through your mind? He’s my friend, Daniel. We grew up together. You tucked us into the same bed countless times. Don’t you remember?”

Daniel laughs humorously. “Don’t pretend it’s the same as when you two were five. You got into bed with him after he told you he loved you.”

I don’t know what to say to that, and I don’t know how to make it right. Last night it seemed like the right thing to do.

“Just because he uttered a drunk confession doesn’t mean he suddenly ceased to be my best friend.”

Daniel pulls a hand through his hair, messing it up. “You can’t act like it doesn’t change anything, because it does. Besides, he told you he meant every word. He’s not drunk now, is he?”

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. Nothing I say will make this better. Daniel shakes his head and starts packing his briefcase. He’s done speaking to me and I know I’m in for some silent treatment.