Page 30 of Cold as (N)ice

“I didn’t want you to anyhow.”

“I know.”

Irene lay there on her back, adjusted slightly, and then huffed once more before adjusting again. It was exceedingly quiet except for Stephen’s little snores – which weren’t so bad. It was something she was used to, and honestly, it was probably genetic. She’d been accused of snoring more than once in her life and chuckled at the thought.

“Excuse me,” Barrett said quietly in the dark. “I’m trying to sleep.”

“So, sleep… go ahead.”

“I can’t with all that huffing, giggling, and flopping around over there.”

“I’m not doing any of that.”

“Sheesh – is this what married life is like for people? Someone hogs the bed sheets and pillows - while the other person can’t sleep?”

“I never stole the pillow!” she retorted in a hushed voice, looking toward where he should be lying in the pitch black of theroom. “You told me to take the new pillow, so I did, and now you’re…”

“Irene?”

“What!”

“I know we barely know each other, but I like to mock, tease, and pick on people when I’m nervous or uncomfortable. None of the garbage I’m spewing is accurate. It’s just me trying to keep the silence from being unbearable because this is…new. It’s new to me, and I’m trying to figure out some things in my head. Just ignore me, and I’ll try to do better – okay? Now, get some rest. You’re safe here.”

She blinked in the darkness, completely disarmed at his admission. This was her new life, her new world and he was offering her safety in more ways than one. This was not what she expected. He was dropping his walls and giving her a glimpse of who he was, which made her wonder about all those terse moments and the text messages – was that his way of communicating because he wasn’t entirely sure how to reach her?

“Barrett?”

“Oh boy, here we go again…” he groaned in obvious annoyance.

“Sweet dreams,” she said simply, ignoring his muttered statement. “And you’re fine – thank you for sharing.”

“You’re welcome… and good night.”

Nervously, she turned away and tugged the blanket up around her shoulders, listening to the silence and finally drifted off to sleep.

9

IRENE

Hearinga chuckle and her son’s choked laugh, her heart warmed at the sound that was always pulled from somewhere deep within Stephen. It wasn’t a normal ‘ha ha’ laugh but rather something more guttural and full of joy because the noise escaped him – and he couldn’t hear it. That sound was more precious than anything, Irene thought silently, smiling in her sleepiness, and then she froze.

The other laugh.

Her eyes shot wide open as her head flung to the side of the bed – only to come face-to-face with Barrett kneeling beside her son with a terse look on his face, and he had coffee.

“Bout time…”

“Oh my gosh, yesterday really happened – didn’t it?”

“I don’t usually get that after sleeping with a woman, but yeah.”

Irene looked away from him, scrambled to a seated position in his bed, and yanked the blankets up higher against her, tucking them under her arms protectively. He lifted an eyebrow and handed her a cup of coffee before signing to her son who was standing there, beaming happily.

Talk to your Mom while I go get us some cereal, buddy.

Yes, sir.

No,Barrett signed quickly.No ‘sir’ – we’re family now, remember? Call me Barrett like you used to. We’re still friends, and I’m still going to whup you in Mario Kart.

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