Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Ellie
I was happy—happy he came over, happy he ate pizza with me, and happy that I was wrapped in his arms while we sat on the couch. My insides ached for him, and my skin trembled at his touch as his thumb softly stroked my shoulder. I could tell something was bothering him, but I didn’t want to pry. It was funny how we’d only known each other briefly, and I could already sense when something was off.
“Did you catch up with your sister?” I asked as I lifted my head to read his lips.
“I did. It’s great to have her back home.” He smiled.
I wondered if he’d told her about me and if he mentioned something to his parents. Most likely not. Guys were different from women. We'd tell everyone we knew the second we’d meet someone we were interested in. But guys tended to wait longer to make sure the relationship was going somewhere before involving their family.
“What is she studying at college?” I sat up and faced him.
“Finance and investments. She’s interning this summer at our company and will have an office next to mine when she graduates.”
“Lucky girl.” I grinned.
His eyes stared into mine as he brought his hand over and softly stroked my cheek.
“I’m happy I came over tonight.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“How is it that a handsome and sweet guy like you is single?”
“I guess because the right woman hasn’t come along.” He smiled as he stroked my cheek. “But somehow, I think my luck has changed.”
I trembled from head to toe as I stared into his eyes. My hunger for him was insatiable as I leaned in and brushed my lips against his. Our kiss turned passionate, and within seconds, I was on his lap, straddling him as my hands were planted on each side of his face. His arms wrapped around me, and I could feel his hard cock pressing against me. I wanted him so badly that it hurt. He broke our kiss and slowly closed his eyes as he placed his forehead against mine for a moment.
“I want you, Ellie. I really do. But it’s not the right time,” he signed.
“Why? I don’t understand,” I spoke and signed back.
He carefully lifted me off his lap and stood up from the couch.
“It’s complicated. There are things going on in my life right now that I can’t explain, but I will soon. I promise. I just need you to trust me.”
“Sure. Okay,” I signed as I furrowed my brows.
He took my hand and helped me up from the couch.
“I better get going,” he signed. “I’ll text you.”
He brushed his lips against mine before walking out the door. I didn’t know what was happening with him, and I was getting worried.
Henry
I couldn’t do this anymore, and I couldn’t put it off any longer. After tomorrow night, I’d be a free man. Free from Kirsten and all this wedding bullshit. She was going to be devastated and I felt like a bastard, but I wasn’t in love with her. It wasn’t fair to her or to me.
It was six p.m. the next evening when my phone rang, and Kirsten’s name appeared. Instantly, a knot formed in the pit of my stomach.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Henry. I just got home, and I would like for you to come over. We need to talk.”
“Of course. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
As I was on my way over there, the thought that she possibly would break up with me entered my mind. I hadn’t treated her very well the last few months and with any luck, she’d had enough. I silently prayed to God to let her be the one to call it quits so I wouldn’t have to be the bad guy.
“Hi,” she spoke when she opened the door.
“Hey.”
“Come on in.” She gestured.
“How was your trip with your mom?”
“It was good. We had a nice time.” She shut the door and walked into the living area. “I can’t believe you didn’t call or text me once while I was away. What kind of fiancé does that?”
“You were the one who was angry, Kirsten. Not me. You were the one who stormed out of my office.” I pointed at her.
“Because you put your friends before me all the time. I’m the one you’re marrying, Henry. I should come first.”
“Just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean I have to cut off all contact with my friends. Do I get mad at you when you see your friends?”
“No. But I always put you first. My friends always come second. I gave our relationship a lot of thought while I was away, and my mom and I had a long talk.”
“And?” I secretly prayed she was calling our engagement off.
“I made an appointment for us to go see a couple’s therapist tomorrow evening at seven o’clock.”
“What?” I shouted in disbelief. This was not how it was supposed to go.
“He’s a really good therapist and I know he can help us.”
“No! No, he can’t, Kirsten. I am not going to see a therapist,” I shouted. “You actually think that seeing a therapist before we get married will make things better?”
“Yes!” she shouted back. “I do think it’ll help!”
“Oh my God!” I placed my hands on my head and paced back and forth. “No, it won’t.”
“How do you know? I know you have some issues you need to work out, and he can help you with that.”
The more she spoke, the angrier I became.
“He can’t help me, and he can’t help us!”
“How do you know?!”
“Because I don’t love you, Kirsten,” I blurted out. “He can’t fix that,” I calmly spoke as she stared at me from across the room.
“What did you say?”
“Don’t, Kirsten. Don’t make me say it again.”
“No, you fucking bastard,” she shouted as she ran over to me and started pounding her fists against my chest. “I want to hear you say it again.”
“Kirsten, stop.” I grabbed her wrists and held them tight in front of me as I stared into her teary eyes. “I’m sorry, but it’s over between us.”
“Who is she?” she asked through gritted teeth as she broke out of my grip.
“There isn’t anyone else. Things haven’t been good between us for a while, and you know it.”
“Bullshit, Henry! Who is she?! Who have you been sleeping with?”
“I haven’t slept with anyone.” I pointed at her. “This has nothing to do with anyone else but me. I’m not happy, and I haven’t been in a long time.”
She placed her hand over her mouth as the tears poured from her eyes.
“How could you do this to me?” she sobbed.
“I’m sorry, Kirsten. I really am. But I can’t stay in a relationship that makes me unhappy. It’s not fair to you or to me. You have to realize that.”
Her hands reached out and clutched the front of my shirt.
“We just lost our way, Henry. I can make you happy again. I promise I’ll go to counseling alone and won’t say a word about your friends. You can do whatever you want. I can make you happy again.” She pleaded.
I placed my hands on each side of her face and softly wiped away her tears.
“I’m sorry, but it’s over.”
I inhaled a sharp breath as I walked out of her apartment. Now, I needed to brace myself for the consequences and wrath of my parents.