Page 9 of A Very Miller-Cooper Life

“My parents took them to dinner, so we have the place to ourselves.”

“I really hope that doesn’t mean you’re expecting to have sex, because I’m way too wiped out for that.”

“I kind of figured that would be the case.”Even though less than a week ago you were saying how you wanted to do it every day.I tried to shake these thoughts from my head. Charlie and I had gotten ourselves back to such a good place last weekend, and even though I could slowly feel it fading away asthe days passed and real life took over again, I didn’t want to start another fight. Especially not over something as trivial as sex.

I took Charlie’s hand and led her up the stairs. “How ’bout we just cuddle instead?”

A small smile parted Charlie’s lips. “Snuggling sounds great. Just let me get changed first.”

“Perfect. I also want to show you something.”

“Can’t wait.”

I lay down in our bed and took out my iPad, bringing up the design I had worked so hard on. As soon as Charlie crawled into bed, she wrapped her body tightly around mine. “So, what did you want to show me?”

“This.” I could feel a proud smile spread across my face as I turned my iPad so she could see it.

“That’s cool, babe.” Charlie laughed as if she wasn’t staring at something I spent all week working on. “Why’d you make that?”

I shrugged, suddenly feeling extremely deflated. “Just messing around I guess.”

“Awesome.” The tone of Charlie’s voice and the hint of a huff she let out after saying it led me to believe she thought my hard work was anythingbutawesome.

“Just say it.”

“Say what?” Charlie asked, sounding sincerely confused.

“Whatever it is you’re thinking.”

“It’s nothing. At least, nothing important. Let’s just take a nap and relax while we can.”

I sat up, because I wasn’t willing to just blow this off. I thought Charlie would at least be somewhat impressed with what I made, but if anything, it seemed to have just annoyed her. “No. I’m not going to act like everything is okay when it’s clearly not.”

“And I don’t want to say anything that I’ll regret because I’m exhausted.”

The bite to Charlie’s words made my skin itch. I couldn’t just lay here andwonderwhat she was thinking when all she had to do was say it.

“It’s fine. Just tell me.”

“Fine. I guess I just wish you would spend your time actually looking for a job, rather than just messing around and doodling.”

“Doodling?” The itch turned to a burn as my body heated up with anger over the fact that Charlie could dismiss my hard work like that. “I actually worked really fucking hard on thisso called doodle,Charlie. Really hard.”

“I’m sure you did. It looks great. All I’m saying is that I wish you put that much work into finding a job.”

“Maybe I’m trying to find my passion instead of just finding a job.”

“Well, yourpassiondoesn’t buy our kids’ diapers and formula. Yourpassiondoesn’t put food on the table. You know what does? The fact that I’m working my ass off for us.”

Her words were like gas on a flame and I was about to blow up. I took a deep breath, but it was no use. Her words hurt, and I was livid. “Jesus Christ, Charlie, where is this coming from? You literally sound like your mom right now.” I cringed as soon as the words left my mouth. It might feel like the truth at the moment, but given the rocky relationship Charlie had with her mom, it was a low blow. “Charlie, I—”

Charlie threw her hands in the air and jumped from the bed. “This is why I didn’t want to talk about it. I’m going for a walk.”

Before I could even consider trying to stop her, she walked out of the room. Just a few seconds later, I heard the door open and slam shut.Shit.

Chapter 3

Charlie

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