Page 46 of Right Next Door
Distance. Disconnection.
Alone. Always alone.
“Misty.” He covered her hand with his, the one that was braiding mindlessly at this point. Stilling her jerky movements. “I apologize for whatever it is I have done.”
“You haven’t done anything.”
“Surely, I must have, to put that look on your face.”
“No, Tsok.” She gave him a beseeching look. “You haven’t doneanything.”
“I… don’t understand.”
She took a breath, sitting up straight. Facing him and this head on. And though she hated to say it out loud, though it felt like she was picking at a scab, agitating a wound better off left alone, she forced herself to state-
“You are neglectful, bordering on emotionally abusive. I have never been treated so poorly by someone who would call me a lover, a mate, a girlfriend – hell, even fuckbuddies treated me better than this! You are a terrible mate to me, Char Tsok.”
Chapter 18
Tsok
The ground dropped out from under him. Plunging him into dark, cold depths that swallowed him as surely as a sinkhole claimed its unsuspecting victims. It must have. Why else would his stomach have sunk so quickly as a chill rushed over his body, the entire world narrowing down onto the look of heartbreak on his mate’s face?
He had done his best for her.
You are neglectful, bordering on emotionally abusive.
He had been a good, respectful mate.
You are a terrible mate to me, Char Tsok.
But how could he be?! He’d never done anything to her!
Neglectful.
He’d never done… anything…
Terrible mate.
“I…” Words failed him, breath stolen from his chest, as he struggled with the pain he had painted across his mate’s face.
Pain he put there,
Because he was aterrible,neglectfulmate.
“Misty… I do not… I…” How could he not think of anything to say? He was the honorable char of all Kree, a consummate politician, educated and powerful, but at this moment, he hadnothinghe could say?!
She let out a long sigh, still braiding but now the movements were slow, listless. The soft tugging pressure on his skin, strangely, grounded him back in the present. Reminding him that he hadn’t actually fallen into a black hole.
The two of them were silent for a time, lost in their own thoughts, as she continued working. He struggled to think of something to say. He wanted to apologize again, but how could he when he didn't really understand what was going on.
Aside from the fact that he hurt her.
With his terrible neglect.
He wanted to be sick. He held back only through sheer force of will.
“Why have you said nothing?” He finally managed to croak. At least the question didn't sound accusatory, but he was unable to disguise his own hurt from seeping through.
