Page 7 of Burden to Bear

Maybe I could turn it around. “Todd and I are going to be working on decorating the house this coming weekend in preparation for Christmas. I promise we’ll keep it tasteful and won’t be like Clark Griswold by lighting up the whole neighborhood.”

“It’s not my place to tell you how the two of you decorate your home,” Brock said.

Todd grunted. “You mean her home.” When Brock lifted his gaze from mine and focused on Todd, my boyfriend revealed, “Mia refused to buy the house with me. She had to prove she could do it all on her own.”

Even though it was getting dark, I worried Brock would see the flush creep over my face. I wanted to defend myself, but I didn’t think this was the time or place to do it.

Todd turned his attention to me and said, “Babe, I hope you’ve got dinner started. I’m starved.”

I shook my head. “Not yet. I just got home a few minutes ago, and I was just saying how exhausted I am. I’m really not up for cooking tonight.”

Jerking his head to the side, he suggested, “Oh, come on. I don’t want to order takeout. I want a home-cooked meal. Why don’t you pull the car forward, so I can do the same? Then we can get inside, and you can make dinner right away.”

Swallowing hard, feeling even more embarrassed that he didn’t seem to have a problem with speaking to me like he was in front of Brock, I pressed my lips together. I wasn’t going to humiliate myself further by telling Todd what I really thought of his plan. Plus, I was too tired for the fight that I knew would ensue, so I simply dipped my chin.

Todd turned and walked off toward his car.

I returned my attention to Brock again and said, “I’m sorry. He probably had a bad day at work. He’s typically much more friendly.”

Brock’s eyes narrowed for just a moment before he said, “You don’t need to apologize to me for someone else’s actions, Mia.”

Even still, I sent an apologetic look his way. “Right. Well, it was nice to talk to you.”

“Yeah. You, too.”

I could feel the cold down to my bones that had nothing to do with the weather. Everything that had been so warm and inviting about Brock was gone. I didn’t like the way it made me feel and wanted to address it.

But when Todd honked the horn, and I jumped, I figured I’d better leave it alone for now.

“Have a good night, Brock.”

“Thanks. You, too.”

Before I could say anything else, Brock turned and walked away.

I had no choice but to do the same.

And when I finally made it inside and wanted to avoid an argument, I decided to just push through and make dinner. But I did it wondering what Brock would have made if I’d been able to accept his invitation.

THREE

Brock

I was pulling on my sweats when my doorbell rang.

I’d just gotten home from work and immediately hopped in the shower. After a long day of dealing with metal and machines, nothing felt better than a hot shower and a relaxing evening at home, especially during the cold winter months.

I yanked my sweatpants on the rest of the way and snatched up a T-shirt as I walked out of my bedroom and descended the stairs without thinking twice about who might be at the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, but I also wasn’t even remotely concerned about who I’d find on the other side of the door.

Of course, that was the thought I had when I stood in front of the door and pulled the shirt over my head. The second I put my hand on the handle and opened the door to reveal who was behind it, my body instantly reacted.

Tension coursed through me, and I was caught off guard completely. Because I was staring at the woman I’d been avoiding for the last several days. It was now Thursday, and it was the first time I’d seen Mia since Monday, when I learned about her boyfriend. The mere thought of that guy made my skin crawl. I couldn’t allow myself to think about him now, or I’d get pissed all over again.

“Mia?”

“Hi, Brock.” Her voice was soft and small, unlike I’d ever heard it before.

“What’s going on?” I asked. Though I hadn’t intended for it to come out the way it had, I couldn’t miss the irritability in my own tone. Not only could I hear it, but I could see the way Mia winced when I spoke.

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