Page 26 of Lie for a Lie

She steps towards me, and I lean further away from her down the counter.

“So, the boyfriend must be gone then?” I ask, trying to control my anger.

I have had some suspicions Kat was seeing someone else because she isn’t the type of woman to go without sex like I have been. Nothing about our relationship is what I want.

“I don’t fucking deserve this shit, Kat. That ring on your finger is a fucking joke.”

I feel my nostrils flare, and I try to calm myself with another large swig of my water. Right on cue, the crocodile tears begin to pour down her face.

“There isn’t anyone but you. I’m trying here, Graham. I realized while I was with—”

“No, you feel threatened.”

I realize the mistake as soon as the words left my lips.

Shit.

“So, I wasn’t crazy. You were into that nurse?”

Kat’s tone seems to be getting more aggressive, and she is trying to work me up. Trying to get me to fuck her instead of fighting her.

In the past, I would have just thrown her over my shoulder, taken her into our bedroom, and let our bodies work out the frustrations, but now I just don’t care. I have lost interest in Kat long before Paige was even a factor.

Hell, I honestly don’t even know if Paige is a factor.

“Kat, can’t you just be grateful for once in your life?”

I try to hide the plea in my voice, but I have no doubt she notices.

“Oh, that’s right, because I need to count my blessings. I need to be grateful that you’re my prince charming, right? Did you ever think that maybe I didn’t want to be stuck with you anymore?”

Venom drips off her words.

“Then fucking leave!” I bark.

She just holds my stare far too calmly, letting the ever-present silence take over like always.

I close the lid of my water bottle and began to leave the kitchen before heading up the stairs towards my bedroom. We haven’t slept in the same room for over a year and a half and have not been together in a year, which isn’t changing tonight.

That last time we spent together, I was wasted and don’t remember most of it. The next morning, I hated myself for it and pretty much have shut down since.

I grab a few things, pack them into my work bag, and notice Kat standing in the doorway. Saying nothing, she comes up behind me and hugs my waist. I still, for a moment, just to see how she will try to spin this. Once her hands drift toward my belt, I grab them firmly and push her back. She bumps slightly into the dresser, and shock is in her eyes.

“I need some time to figure out if this situation between us is what I want in my life.”

My tone is deadly serious. I had been thinking about it for some time before meeting Paige.

“Seth’s fucking her, you know,” Kat says, knowing it will hurt.

Paige has gone on one blind date with Seth, but after last night at the steak house, I am pretty sure Paige hasn’t slept with him yet.

“That’s her business,” I say, almost meaning it.

“Liar.” She laughs before heading back towards the door. “It’s okay. Eventually, you’ll get bored and come back home to me.”

“This hasn’t been a home in years, Kat, and you know it.”

I don’t hide my disappointment.

---