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Broody.
Closed off.
Silent.
And I fucking hate silence.
It’s the worst, sitting here with all this noise running through my mind, loud incessant chatter. I want to talk things out, hear what he’s thinking, how he’s feeling. How I can help.
Instead, he shuts down and locks me out.
I’m all alone again.
Just like before.
Like always.
And it fucking sucks.
King takes the Seaglass Beach exit, and we drive down Main Street, the familiar sights and sounds of our quaint beach town comforting me a little. A seagull squawks overhead, a shrill reminder that we’re near the ocean again. I roll down the window, balmy air hitting my hot cheeks.
Home.
Peachtree Grove was nice and all, but the beach will always be home.
At the stoplight, King hits his blinker, then hangs a left.
“You’re taking me to my apartment?”
He nods, his square jaw tense. “Yep.”
“I don’t work until tonight. I could come to the ranch, help you get caught up on the chores.”
“No need. Beau’s there. I’m sure it’s all good.”
I press my lips together so hard they’re probably turning white from loss of blood flow. Anger bubbles in my stomach, and I crack my knuckles one by one to release tension. Anything to distract myself from this terrible sinking feeling.
We pull into the apartment parking lot, and King slides his truck up next to my Toyota, cuts the engine. But he still doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t even turn to look at me, kiss me, nothing.
Just sits there staring straight ahead at the ugly gray stucco building, lost in his thoughts.
“I can’t do this with you.” I shrink back against the seat, my insides quivering.
“What?” He squints over at me, confused.
At least I got his attention.
“This—” I wave my hand between us, careful not to touch him.
Touching him could ignite something, some feeling I’m not interested in chasing at the moment.
“What are you talking about, Juliet?”
“This, King!” My voice tips up in exasperation, and his expression matches my tone, his brow creasing.
“What the fuck is this? What do you mean? What are you talking about?”
“You. Me. And the silent treatment. This is exactly what happened last time. After the baby. You always shut me out. And I can’t do it again.”
