Page 39 of Another Round
Fuck that. She is not dismissing me or my question. I block her path as she tries to scoot past, taking everything I have not to grab her. Checking myself because of how strong my hands are despite not having put them on anyone in force for so long. I can’t take the chance of hurting her when I’m freaking the fuck out.
Defeat more than fear seems to draw her face down with me looming over her, and she huddles into herself. “I need to get something from my apartment.”
“Thisis your apartment.”
I’m being irrational and I don’t give a damn. She knows it too. Huffing in irritation, she shakes her head.
“Can you please stop being soyouabout this?”
Now I’m pissed too. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
“Forget it.”
Finally, she looks up. A steely gaze I haven’t generated in a long time hardens her usually docile face. The mafia princess is ready to battle.
“If you don’t let me pass, then you’re holding me in here against my will. Are you really going to keep me prisoner Andy?”
Motherfucker. She’s correct and sexier than fuck in her righteousness. I’d fuck her right now if I wasn’t so angry and terrified and confused. “I just want to talk.”
“But. I. Don’t. Want. To.”
All the emphasis without any of the emotion. No shrieking or fury. Her tone only holds detachment. She’s pulling away and I don’t understand or like it. Reasonable and patient have never been my strongest attributes. Especially when the woman I love tests me more than I can stand. I will try. For her. “Two minutes and then I’m coming for you.”
The rage I expect from me being a controlling bastard doesn’t happen. She only nods furiously and races around me. A wide path reflecting her desire to be as far away from me as possible. No talking or touching. Just devastation that she’s so eager and happy to leave.
I’m on the move too as soon as the latch clicks behind me. Flicking on my laptop and waiting for her to come into view. Heat blazes through my body when she locks her door, well aware I can easily get inside. A symbol of her wanting to keep me out.
Fuck it. I pull up the texts on her phone. Breaking another promise to myself that I would only invade her privacy for security reasons. I’m too far gone to care at this point about honor or integrity. I just need to know she’s okay. Because I’m definitely not fucking okay.
Messages from her friend at work who tried to set Evie up with her soon-to-be brother-in-law are the most recent.
Lauren: R U sure U can’t get away for just a few minutes
Evie: No. I don’t have any reason I can give him to leave without him
Lauren: How R U going to stand it all night
Evie: IDK
Lauren: I hate this for U
Evie: Thx. Me 2
Lauren: Just hang on until tomorrow
Evie: I’m trying but I’m scared he’ll figure it out
Lauren: He won’t. Guys r so oblivious sometimes. LOL! Josh didn’t even realize Andy was your boyfriend until I told him. Duh!!! ? ? ?
The realization hits me like a round of bullets.
She’s fucking seeing Josh.
I’m not her boyfriend anymore.
We’re breaking up.
Or so she thinks.
