I’m sorry!
Please come home after work.
I hit send and then realize I said home indicating our home, not mine. Great.
I lay down on the couch, pulling a throw blanket over me and place my phone on my stomach. I’m actually a little tired and decide to close my eyes waiting on Nick’s response.
THIRTEEN
When I wake up, I feel rested, but a bit lonely. Then I remember I sent Nick a text before I dozed off. I yank the cover off and search for my phone finding it tucked underneath me on the couch.
Looking at the time, my mouth falls open. I’ve slept for over five hours. I guess I was more tired than I realized.
Then I realize Nick hasn’t responded to my text from hours ago. It’s weird. He always responds immediately. I type out a quick message and hit send.
Are you ignoring me?
I wait on the couch and five minutes goes by without a reply. I’m starting to get pissed.
HELLO
I realize that sounds a bit bitchy, but he should have answered me when I sent the first message. My phone chirps. Finally!
I’m not ignoring you
I accept your apology
That’s it?
Ughhh. I quickly type out another message and hit send.
Well? Are you coming over tonight?
I’m gripping my phone a little too tightly. Luckily, it’s in a life-proof case so there is no chance of cracking it.
No, I think you were correct.
We need a little time apart
“No, I wasn’t,” I say, pouting out loud. I was mad and I lashed out at him. Does he not know women at all? It’s what we do.
No I wasn’t please come over
Not tonight. It’s not a good idea
What the hell?
YES, tonight!
I know about the fight
Calm down, I tell myself. I’m starting to get as irritated as I was this morning. I want to see him. I need to make sure he is okay.
My sister has a big fucking mouth
Yeah, Nikki’s going to be mad at me for that one. I’m going to see Nick tonight, so either he can come here, or I’ll drive to him. I doubt he is going to like the latter. I send him a quick text back.
I’m getting into my car.
I’ll be at your house in 10.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be provoking a tiger by telling a white lie, but as long as the end result is getting him here, then I’m okay with that.
My phone rings in my hand.
“Hello?”
“You had better be on the fucking couch when I get there,” he yells, and then the line goes dead. I chuckle and immediately regret doing it. A sharp pain shoots through my ribs.
I toss my phone on the couch and get up. I need to pee and brush my teeth before he gets home. Damn it! I said it again!
Entering the bathroom, I pee first and then wash my hands. After I’m done brushing my teeth, I head back into my bedroom and crawl into my bed. I’m not tired, but my body does ache. Niko jumps off the bed as I turn on my back and position myself up against the pillows in the middle. He trots out the room and Charmin follows. Apparently, there is no love for me from those two.
Thirty-five minutes go by and Nick isn’t here yet. What the hell is taking him so long? He didn’t tell me he was on his way, but I did assume that. Just as that thought is out of my head, I hear the door open and close, then the sound of plastic bags being set down.
Moments later, Nick enters the doorway to my bedroom. He fills it, placing his arms on the doorframe above his head. He’s staring at me and I’m looking back at him. He’s wearing the same suit from this morning, but his jacket is open, no tie, and the first two buttons from his shirt are undone. I’m reminded of the first night I met him at Quaint.
“Thank you for wrapping my ribs this morning. It’s helped,” I tell him, trying to go for a sweet appreciative look. I’m mad as hell at him. Not for this morning. I’m over that, but for getting himself hurt.
He releases the doorframe and walks into the room. When he gets to the bed, he reaches his hand out for me to take. Placing my hand in his, he pulls me out of the bed and I’m standing in front of him. He tugs me forward into an embrace, wrapping his arms around me.
“I’m sorry I was a bitch this morning.” I wrap my arms around his waist and look up. I immediately notice the cut above his left eye. Other than the cut, I don’t see any other marks that would tell me he was in a bad fight. His sister made it sound, or rather said, he was getting his ass kicked. He certainly doesn’t look like that’s what happened.
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he says on a sigh.
“Nick−” I start to say, but he cuts me off.