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Nosy people were everywhere and there was no escaping them.
Linking my arm with his, I offered her a tense smile. “Like I said, we have no plans for either of those anytime soon, but thank you for the advice.”
She nodded, seemingly content that she’d been heard, then wandered off. William didn’t regain his color, not when we finished checking out and not even when we got back to my apartment.
He moved as if to leave–that decidedly ill face having not changed a bit–and I stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Will, are you alright? You’ve been off since Mrs. Bream stopped us in the store.”
He tensed to stone, every muscle down to his fingers freezing as he choked out. “I’m fine, I just didn’t expect her to drop that on me so suddenly. I should probably head home, though. Your parents will be here tomorrow, and I need to be ready.”
I blinked, taken aback by how clipped his tone was, as if this were some kind of business transaction.
“You don’t want to spend the night?” I asked, a bit disappointed since he’d stayed over as often as possible since we’d gotten together.
He shook his head, jerking away from my hand and putting space between us. “I don’t think it’s a good idea, not today at least. You’ll see me tomorrow. so it isn’t like it’s that big of a thing, right?”
Something lingered under his tone, sharp and blasé, that I didn’t like. Before he could make a retreat, I asked.
“Are you acting weird because of what Mrs. Bream said? It doesn’t matter. It’s none of her or anyone else’s business what we decide when it comes to those things.”
He tensed, shaking his head while refusing to meet my eyes. “I told you, I’m fine. What she said doesn’t bother me, I just need a little space. Is that so bad? We’ve been together 24/7 the past week. I just would like to stay at my house alone tonight.”
That sharpness to his tone increased and I backed away, not sure what switch had been flipped in him but sure something had been. Hurt poked me like needles but I put it aside for now. There’d be time to address that later on, but right now wasn’t the time.
“No, there’s nothing wrong with needing space. I’m just worried about you-.”
He cut me off, his lips pulling into a scowl as he shook his head. “I’ve said it already. I’m fine. There’s no reason to be concerned. I’ll be back here tomorrow to get grilled within an inch of my life, as expected.”
His tone turned downright acidic at the end and I frowned, not sure what to say, or if I should be saying anything at all.
This wasn’t how William usually acted and I was lost.
“I’ll be there with Devin to reel them back in if they get to be too much…” I said, hoping it helped soothe whatever was making him like this.
It didn’t.
He ground his jaw, his next smile looking more like a baring of teeth than anything.
“Well, that makes me feel better. I’m only going to get somewhat interrogated.”
The sharp tone jabbed another blade of hurt through me, and I straightened, having had enough. I may not know what was wrong, but he wasn’t telling me, and I wasn’t going to tolerate being hurt in the meantime.
Crossing my arms, I gave him plenty of space and frowned. “I don’t know what the hell is going on with you all of a sudden, but I refuse to tolerate you talking to me like that. Something is obviously wrong and while I understand needing time to work things out mentally, I’m not going to be your pin cushion while you do. I’ll leave you be to figure out whatever this is, but don’t take it out on me as you do.”
He hissed, dragging his hands through his hair. “I’m not trying to take it out on you, I just need some space, but I can’t leave when you keep talking to me!”
The shout rang in my ears, and after glancing at how he all but bounced from foot to foot, I moved past him to the door and opened it.
I didn’t say a word, despite the questions all but piling inside my head, and he paused while walking out of the apartment. He was next to me, close enough that I could all but feel the heat rolling off him, and I fought the urge to reach out.
It wouldn’t be appreciated right now.
Hadn’t it been less than an hour ago we were laughing and talking about what to make for dinner?
How had things changed so drastically?
He hovered for a minute, eyes flicking to me with open uncertainty, before finally he swallowed. “I’ll message you when I get home.”
