Page 11 of All or Something

“Should we stop?” he mumbles as his lips skitter across my neck.

This feels like a fork in the road moment. My heart pounds against my chest. Thump, thump, thumping as hard as it can. While my mind debates, I hear myself breathe, “No.”

Five

Sergey

Galina's headrests on my shoulder. Her leg is thrown over my hips and her fingers have tangled themselves with my necklace, my wedding band nestled in her grasp. She fell asleep pretty soon after our tangle in the sheets. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or not. Either she was so satisfied she passed out or she has a sudden feeling of regret and she decided sleep was the best route. Her body betrayed her while she slept, though.

This seems like a good sign, but with Galina, who knows. She stirs slightly, enough that I think she's awake now. I have no idea what to say, so I remain silent.

“Will they be upset that we didn't go back to the party?” she asks after what seems like forever.

“That's what you're thinking about right now?” I can't help but chuckle. Of all the things I thought she would say, that wasn't one of them.

Galina shrugs. “I feel like we're living in a bubble this very second and it'll burst soon.” She pauses and quietly adds, “I don't think I want it to.”

“Now you like me?” I tease.

“I like you enough,” she agrees. She’s quiet for a moment before she adds, “That was never the issue.” That I already knew. Galina sighs. “Part of me thinks if we do manage to make it work, it will be worse than if we divorce. My parents will likely swoop back in and overwhelm me, demanding a baby again. I just want peace. Why is that too much to ask?”

She sounds exhausted and sad. It's as if no matter which path she takes, she's expecting negative results. As if her life is doomed and she loses either way.

The words coming out of my mouth go against every fiber of my being, but so be it. “Stop talking to them. Our parents. Ignore them, tell me, and I'll be the go-between. No matter what happens, I will always be your ally. Let me deal with those battles.”

“Maybe that will work.” She doesn't sound like she has any faith that it will, but that isn't surprising for how negative her outlook can be. I'll take it.

Something has been weighing on my mind since earlier today, and hoping she'll tell me, I ask, “What did Sylvia say to you?”

Without any hesitation, she says, “She told me she knew who I was and that you were a good man. She basically thinks something is wrong with me because I didn't want to be with you, and that if I can't see what's right in front of me, then you should run far away from me.”

That's a bit harsh. Sylvia doesn't know enough about Galina or our background to be so forthcoming with her thoughts.

Galina surprises the hell out of me by continuing with, “She's right, though.” Her fingers finally release from my necklace. “I'm not saying I'm in love with you or anything, but,” she props herself up on her elbow, “I've been so angry with our parents and I lumped you in with them when I shouldn't have. We enjoyed ourselves when we spent time together before, but...” She shakes her head, seemingly at a loss for words.

“It was tainted by us getting married,” I finish.

She nods, a sad smile on her face. For the first time in years, I actually feel hopeful. This is the most progress we've ever made and it's something. It doesn't have to be all or nothing with us, I realize. Right now, all orsomethingworks. She's giving me something. We can work on the all part later.

“We can stay in our bubble for as long as you'd like,” I tell her.

The smile Galina gives me rocks the very core of my being. The warmth of her body pressed against me with all of the hills and valleys is suddenly impossible to ignore. Taking a chance, I grab her thigh and pull her on top of me. Her eyebrow lifts.

“Our bubble requires years of catching up, physically and otherwise.”

Her lips twitch with a smile. “Whatever you say, Sergey.”

I promised Galina three dates. I still owe her two, but I'm struggling to think of what to do with them. Ideas will come to me, I'm sure. Since the team party, things have been better with us. The only tension that remains is sexual tension. The downside is that since I last spoke to my mother, advising her to leave Galina alone, I'm getting more phone calls. A taste of what Galina had to deal with is what I now get to experience. In an odd way, I'm thankful. It's easier to see things from her point of view.

It’s tiring to have to speak to them so often and about my relationship with Galina. So far, I’ve been limiting the information to nothing of substance. I’ve been hinting that it’s none of their business in hopes that they’ll stop asking, but no such luck so far.

Today, though, I somehow got roped into taking Scotty's girls, Stephanie and Stella, and Raelynn's son, Jackson, to the local ice rink. Possibly even more surprising is that Galina decided to come along. The kids just wanted some ice time to skate. The twins are a bit competitive with one another and Jackson has been learning.

“Will you skate with us too?” Stephanie asks me after they've laced up.

I wouldn't mind, but there's Galina.

When I glance at her, she smirks. “I know how to skate too.”

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