Page 33 of Bony Bony
“WhatamImissing,Gianna?”Irubbed the back of my neck.
Sheexhaled. “Youknow whatI’mlike,Sebastian.Iwas free and independent when you met me.Andthen we fell in love and got married and everything changed.”
Mybrain raced to catch up to the problem there. “Ithought that was a good thing.”
“Yes,” she admitted.Sheplaced her hand on her chest right below the pendant. “ButI’mstill me.AndIneed to be me.Doyou understand whatI’msaying?”
Ididn’t have one iota.
“Notreally, butI’mtrying to.”Asshe gazed at the horizon,Itried to read what could possibly be going on.WasIso clueless thatIdidn’t know what was bothering my wife? “AmIsuffocating you in some way?”
“No,” she said. “Yes,” she added soon after. “That’swhat it is.”Shecrossed her arms over her chest. “I’mfeeling—smothered.”
Smothered.Ouch.Iblinked as her words pierced me.Withour demanding work schedules,Ithought we didn’t see each other enough, andIlonged for the times whenever we reunited back at home together.Apparently, she didn’t feel the same way. “Ididn’t realize…It’sthe food-pushing, isn’t it?”Iasked. “IknowIcan be a little overzealous with trying to make everyone eat.I’llback off?—”
“No, it’s not that,Sebastian,” she said.
Didshe—find someone else?Igulped.Theidea was too painful to even fathom. “Thenwhat is it?”
Giannabrought her fingertips together and raised them to her face.Sherubbed her temples and closed her eyes.Shewas working up to tell me something.Aftershe lowered her hands back to her sides, she turned and met my gaze. “Ithink we should spend some time apart.”
Mywolf howled in protest inside.Mymouth fell open as the dagger plunged into my gut. “Wha—what—why?”
“Ineed space,” she said.
“Isthere…”Mymouth soured asIformed the words. “Haveyou met someone else?”
“No.”Sheshook her head in an agitated manner.
Iexhaled.Thatwould—destroy me.
Shefixed her gaze on me. “Canyou stay at your old place for a little while?”
No, my wolf tensed with anguish inside.Mygut tightened as my quickening heartbeat echoed around me, swallowing the sound of the sea.Istared down at the sand and sucked in a giant breath.Thiscouldn’t be happening.Ilifted my head. “You’rekidding, right?”
Herserious expression didn’t waver. “No.”
Iran my hand through my hair with frustration and dropped it to my side. “Thiscame from out of nowhere.Itdoesn’t make any sense.”
Shenudged her chin up higher. “Itdoes to me.”
Behindher, a fierce wave rose in the ocean and crashed against the rocks.
* * *
Blindsidedby what had happened withGianna,Islumped on the sofa in my old apartment. “Mymate doesn’t want me anymore.”
Lucaswalked over and handed me a glass of water. “It’sjust temporary,” he assured me. “Nothingto worry about.”
“Yeah, it’s totally normal for couples to take some time apart,”Diegosaid from the recliner across from me. “Theyget sick of each other and want a break.”
Ishot him a look. “Ididn’t say anything about us being sick of each other,”Ireplied in a pointed tone.
Diegoshrugged and took a swig from his blood pouch.Vile.Iturned away.
Lucasplopped down beside me. “So, what do you think you’ll do?”Shadowcrept around the corner and brushed againstLucas’slegs.Hebent down and rubbed him vigorously on the chin and cheek. “Hey, little buddy.Havea good cat nap?”
“Easy,”Diegosaid. “You’regoing to rub his face off.”
