Chapter 6 #2
I didn’t think I could get any colder, but somehow the temperature inside the car is colder than the outside of it. Tyler peels out of the parking lot into the street, and I risk taking a chance to look over at him.
The muscles in his jaw twitch and his gaze is set into a glare in front of us. My fingers ache from how tightly I am gripping my hands together. The rest of the ride home is silent, and the only thing I look forward to is getting out of this car and seeing Belle.
I hope he at least remembered that the neighbor girl watches her and brought her home.
Eventually, after what feels like the longest ride of my life, we make it to the house. Before I can say a word, Tyler is out of the car and walking to the door. I scramble out, almost forgetting my purse, and rush after him.
Following him through the front door, I stop in my tracks when I see inside.
My god. The house is a disaster. Did I leave it like this? There’s absolutely no way I left it in this condition before we left.
Tyler’s heavy footfalls on the hardwood echo through the house and the next thing I hear is our bedroom door slamming shut. The sound reverberating through my body.
I haven’t seen or heard Belle yet, so she must still be next door.
As much as I miss her, I will have to wait to go get her in a few. I’d rather not irritate Tyler more than he already is, and having her running around bugging him will just make his bad mood worse. I’m just lucky that my neighbor loves having her over there.
She has never once made me feel like a burden for needing her to watch Belle for me. Even when I run longer than originally planned.
A heavy sigh releases form my lungs as I kick of my shoes.
This is not how I wanted to spend my Saturday.
I had plans on relaxing on the couch and getting lost in my current romance novel.
I haven’t been able to read it with my busy schedule, and I left off just as the slow burn finally reached the breaking point.
Things were getting good, and I am itching to know what happens next. But unfortunately, it looks like that’s going to have to wait. Again.
Instead, I place my purse on the bag hook next to the door, slip out of my jacket and drudge towards the bedroom. The door creaks as I slowly open it.
He’s sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands. I hesitate a few feet away before going to his side. My chest tight, and the familiar pull of wanting to fix things weighs heavy.
I hate how easy it is for me to let him walk all over me. And how easy it is to fall back into it. Every time he does this, I tell myself it’s the last time. But I can’t help wanting to close the distance between us.
I know I shouldn’t… I know that I should just tell him to pack his shit and go. But I do it anyway. It’s ingrained at this point.
Something that I was taught and conditioned in throughout my entire childhood. Appease, soothe, keep the peace. Repeat. And I still haven’t figured out how to unlearn it.
Sitting next to him on the bed, I rest my hand lightly against his back and rub small, gentle circles.
“I’m sorry I didn’t text you last night.” My voice comes out in just barely a whisper.
He places his hand over mine on my lap and looks up at me. His anger slowly dissipates from his eyes, being replaced only by what I can describe as annoyance.
“Serena, you can’t just go out and not tell me where you are. I get worried about you.” I almost believe him.
“I’m sorry. I lost track of time and got a little drunk. But I’m fine.” I rub the back of his hand with my thumb. “You knew I was going to be with Jules, why didn’t you call her when you couldn’t get a hold of me?”
“She’s not my girlfriend. You are.” He snaps.
Anger rises when he pulls his hand away. “No, but she’s my best friend and you have her number.” I shoot back. “You could have easily called her if you were so concerned.”
He jumps to his feet and hovers over me. I lean back on the bed and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. My breathing rapid and shallow fills my ears.
“I shouldn’t have to track down every bitch in King county to get a hold of my girlfriend! You had me worried sick, and I couldn’t even enjoy my night with the guys.” His lips curl into a snarl and fear creeps into every cell of my body.
“I-I didn’t think it was going to be a problem since you were with the guys. I had a bad week and I needed to spend time with my friend too.” I stutter barely loud enough for him to hear.
“Oh, so now I am the bad guy for wanting to go hang out with the guys. Well sorry I fucking care. Next time I won’t call, and you just better hope you’re not being kidnapped or dying in a ditch somewhere.” His hands burst into the air, and he storms into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
Leaving me alone on the bed, wondering what the fuck just happened.
What the hell was that? He has never raised his voice at me like that before. I mean, he’s been angry and we have argued, but never like that. For a second I sit here stunned, my thoughts scrambling to catch up with reality.
I shake it off, forcing myself to move.
I’m going to just let him cool off and go make some dinner. Thankfully, I went grocery shopping earlier this week and got all the ingredients to make his favorite dinner. I’ll make it as a peace offering and hopefully that should help ease the tension.
Moving to the kitchen, I begin pulling out ingredients on autopilot, checking them off one by one.
Onions, check. Carrots, check. Celery, check. Potatoes, check. Flour, baking powder, chicken, chicken stock, butter, milk, heavy cream, and assorted spices. Check, check and check.
I’ve got all the ingredients boiling in the pot and I’m in the middle of mixing up the dough, when I hear a soft knock on the front door.
Was I expecting someone?
I wipe my hands on my apron and walk over to open the door. Blue eyes, strawberry blonde hair and a strong smell of Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea body spray greets me on the other side.
My next-door neighbor’s thirteen-year-old daughter stands in the doorway.
“Hey Serena, I’m sorry to bother you, but I noticed you were home and hadn’t come to get Belle yet.
It’s not like you, so I thought I’d bring her home to you.
” The breezeway filled with the sound of Belle’s leash hitting her collar as she furiously wags her tail next to her.
“Oh my gosh Amanda. Thank you so much. I’m so sorry. It’s been a crazy day and I completely forgot.” I take the leash from her and lead Belle inside.
“Yeah… so I heard... are you ok?” She peers around me to look inside.
“Yes. Thank you for your concern sweetie, but I’m just fine.” We say our goodbyes and I get Belle settled with her food and water. By the time I have the dumplings in the broth, Tyler is emerging from the room.
She rushes him, weaving in and out of his legs. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until he bends down to pet her. Air leaves my lungs in a quiet rush, my shoulders dropping.
That’s a good sign.
Turning my back to them, I return my focus to the pot boiling on the stove.
Tyler steps around the island and walks towards me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind when he reaches the stove. I stiffen at his touch.
“I’m sorry I yelled baby. I was just so worried last night, and I don’t know what came over me.” He kisses my neck and rests his chin on my shoulder.
“It’s fine. I’m sorry I made you so worried. Next time, I won’t forget to text you.” My shoulders relax as I continue stirring. Thank God, it seems like he has moved on.
“Oh, I’m not worried about that.” He kisses my neck again where my jawline meets the bottom of my ear.
“Mmmm. I’m glad.” I sprinkle some thyme into the soup and stir.
“Me too, because there won’t be a next time. So we have nothing to worry about.” I stop mid stir. He gives me a small kiss on the cheek and sits down on the other side of the bar.
What does he mean there won’t be a next time . He can’t mean not going out at all does he? There’s no way he thinks he can control when and where I go. He already controls my thoughts and feelings.
I understand he might have been upset, but that’s no reason to completely stop me from going out at all. Normal people would discuss their concerns like adults, come up with a solution together, learn and move forward.
The timer on my watch goes off and I turn off the stovetop. I fill his bowl, then mine, and set them down before taking my seat next to him. I consider asking him what he means. To clarify and avoid any miscommunications.
The question lingers on the tip of my tongue, and I inevitably swallow it down.
I learned a long time ago that questioning things means showing distrust. Accusations. And the consequence of those actions resulting in hiding the bruises.
The stove made it a lot warmer than usual in the house, quickly turning my sweatshirt into my own personal sauna. I pull it over my head, toss it over on the couch and continue to eat my soup.
“Babe, this is so good.” He shovels spoonfuls of soup into his mouth, and in between bites, I’m pretty sure I hear a “you’re the best” somewhere in there too.
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.” I stare down at my bowl, idly pushing food around with my spoon.
He leans over to give me a kiss but pauses when he sees my arm. He pulls away and laughs softly. “Did you run into a doorway again?”
My hand freezes. Suddenly a flash of grey eyes and a sinister grin appear in front of me and a sickening feeling settles in my stomach.
What the hell happened last night.