I breathe a sigh of relief after sending that message. I will clock out in the morning, hang with Jax and Kai for breakfast, load up on coffee, go to class, sleep a few hours, and head to Osei for practice. Then, I’ll return to work. Let my cycle of work and school begin, hopefully, it purges Luke Blythe from my system.

Chapter 31

LUKE

On our drive to the airport for our flight home, Dele was relaxed next to me, her head on my shoulder and her hands wrapped around my arm. I placed my palm on her cheek, and she rubbed against it. At the airstrip, we boarded our return flight, smiling, hand in hand. I had arranged for a male flight attendant for us. I liked us this way—happy. I got up to speak with the pilot and heard my phone ring as I talked. I had set it down next to Dele, and it rang again, and again. I stopped speaking with the pilot and returned to get the phone. I saw that Lily was calling. I turned the phone off and put it in my pocket before returning to the pilot. I took my seat next to Dele, who was now looking out the window, subtly ignoring me. Her hand was wrapped around her. I stretched mine out to her for takeoff.

“No need,” she said. “I took Dramamine; I’ll be fine.” Her tone was dismissive as she turned away from me.

“Are you okay?” I asked calmly.

“I’m fine. I just want to rest. I have work tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I responded. There was a shift in the energy between us. I could feel it. She wouldn’t look at me, and I knew she hadn’t taken any pills. We had forgotten to buy it. What happened to cause such a sudden shift between us, I didn’t know. What I did know was that I didn’t like it.

We buckled up for takeoff, and the plane’s noise ramped up. Like a switch, she gripped the seat, her nails digging into the leather, her chest rising in fear, sweat forming on her forehead. I didn’t care what was off between us at that moment. I took her hand, and she gripped it tight. I pulled her closer to me.

“Breathe,” I whispered in her ear. “Breathe, Dele.” Slowly, she started breathing in sync with me until we were airborne.

I held on to her, but once the plane had leveled out, she pulled away from me. I tried to pull her back into my arms, but she gently pushed me away. She barely ate during the flight, sleeping for most of it.

I woke her when it was time to land and held her hand close. Again, she pulled away once the plane landed. Our drive home was quiet. If I hadn’t guessed before, it was now clear that something was off between us.

Once inside our home, Dele went straight to her bedroom and closed the door. I heard the shower running, and I wanted to demand that she tell me what was wrong. But I also knew pushing her wouldn’t help.

When she came out later to get some food, I stopped her. She was driving me insane with the silent anger, and I had no idea what was wrong or how to deal with it.

“Why are you shutting me out?” I asked, trying to maintain the calmest tone I could, though silent dismissal is ticking me off.

“I’m not shutting you out. I was just tired. I have work tomorrow. Plus, you said we should stick to the agreement in Chicago. I’m just making sure not to break it. Good night.” Shemoved out of the way and returned to her bedroom. I wanted to scream, but I held it in.

The fucking contract that I had used to get her now stood like a fucking wall of China between us, keeping me out. But I was going to tear that wall down, brick by fucking brick.

I went to my room to shower and get into bed. I couldn’t sleep because she wasn’t next to me. Five fucking nights was all it took to turn me into the guywhoneeded her softness and curves to mold into my body. I punched my pillow repeatedly, staring at the ceiling as my mind refused to cool. In frustration, I took another cold shower. It helped cool my body, but not my mind. My thoughts were consumed by her—the feel of her soft skin against mine, the smell of her perfume, the soft moans she made when I kissed her body. I missed tangling my legs with hers.

I returned to bed and gave my pillow another serious beating. I honestly believe I knocked out a few of its teeth, if it had any. I needed to find a way around this fucking mountain called the marriage agreement.

When I woke up, I stretched my hand to feel for Dele. Her side of the bed was empty. The memory of her sleeping in a different bed returned. I reached for my phone and noticed that it was already 9 am. Dragging myself out of bed, I went to her room and found the door open. I knew she was gone. I looked anyway and noticed her backpack was missing.Damn it!

I returned to my room and called Martin.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Is my wife’s car there?”

“No, she left around seven for school,” he said.

“Thank you. I should be down soon.” I hung up, letting out a loudugh!Dele sure knew how to push my buttons. She didn’t have class today—her classes started tomorrow, and her work wasn’t until later in the evening. But of course, she was trying toavoid me as if I had suddenly become a plague. I was damned if I was going to let that happen easily.

My plan had been to spend the day with her, but there was no point in sitting around. I left for work, knowing she wouldn’t return until the evening. I worked all day, called Dad to discuss work, and tried not to think about my wife. But every fucking second of the day, she was on my mind. Out of frustration, I sent her a text.

Me: What time are you getting home?

After waiting and getting no response, I went home late in the evening, expecting her to show up. Instead, I got a text from her.

Wifey: I picked up a shift. I won’t be home tonight.

Fuck!I didn’t reply. I knew she picked up the shift on purpose. Two could play this game, dear wife. Another night of cold showers for me.