“So, you are just walking away?” she asks after a few minutes.
“How could I not? I heard him say I was letting myself go, that he was tempted by club whores, and that I was boring. When I told him that I had overheard what he said, he told me that he didn’t mean it. I just couldn’t believe him, so I cut off what he was saying and told him I wanted a divorce. It didn’t take me long before I walked out of there. I’m sure if his brothers weren’t there, he would have stopped me,” I say, feeling myself getting defensive.
“You know, mom and dad fought a lot after you left. He hated himself for everything he said, and mom was mad at him for driving you away and mad at herself that she did nothing to stop it. They started snapping at each other for everything. One thing I have noticed was that it takes two to make a relationship work,” she replies.
I open my mouth to snap at her, but she covers my mouth with her hand. “Now I’m not defending your man, but it sounds like you both stopped communicating and distanced yourselves from one another because you both felt guilty about not being able to get pregnant. He probably thought he was a failure too. Everything near the end sounds like it was his fault but, in the beginning, you both were slowly giving up.”
“I know you’re right, but I just don’t know how we could work after everything that has now happened,” I admit.
“Try and picture falling in love with someone else and making a life with them. Picture him doing the same. If those thoughts break your heart, I know you still love him somewhere deep down,” she says with a sad smile.
Thinking about all that hurts. It breaks my heart at the thought of Maverick with anyone else. That’s why him staring at the club whores all the time hurt. I wouldn’t ever be like them. Everyone is welcome to do what they want with their own bodies. I just mean I would never be skinny, nor would I ever be showing off my body like they do.
I was comfortable in my own skin. Maverick always had made me feel like he loved my body. I was so confused when I overheard him saying the things he had said at the club. Why would he stay with me if he thought so lowly of me?
I don’t think this is something we can just overcome.
Maverick “Viking”
Three fucking weeks since I have seen my wife. It’s a different feeling than when I would sleep at the club to ease my guilt. Staying in this house without her in it feels so much worse. I can’t imagine how she did it for all this time.
Ice has been staying here every night.
Most days, I am so busy fixing up the place that I can ignore the attraction I feel to him.
Then there are the days when he’s working on a room and doesn’t have a shirt on, and I see every muscle on display.
I’ve been attracted to a lot of my brothers through the years, but the amount that I want Ice is insane. The only other person I have wanted this much was Ana.
Then that thought brings me back to her, and I feel guilty for thinking of someone else.
Fuck, I need to find her and get her back.
I have this feeling that she needs me, but how would I go about that when I’m trying to give her space?
My phone buzzes. It startles me since I was staring at Ice, and I actually fucking jump. When he turns around, he smirks at me and gives me a knowing look like he knew I was just checking him out.
I grab my phone to avoid any awkwardness and read the text sent.
Button: My dad passed away. I feel like I can’t breathe.
I let out a curse and run down the stairs and out the door.
“Viking, man, what’s going on?” Ice shouts running after me.
“Ana’s dad died. I need to go to her. She just messaged me,” I say before climbing into Ana’s car.
Ice gets in the passenger seat. “I need to fly there. It will take too long to drive,” I tell him absently. My heart feels like it’s pounding out of my chest.
Ice slaps a hand on my thigh. “It’s okay, brother. I’ll take Ana’s car back and take care of the house while you are with your wife. Let us know if you need anything.”
I nod my head, but my mind is on Ana. There is only one additional thought in the background of my mind, which is that Ice having his hand on my thigh feels warm and heavy but very right.
“Thanks for everything,” I rasp.
It takes way too long for him to move his hand. He also gives my thigh a gentle squeeze before letting go.
When I pull up to the airport, he slaps me on the back. “Go take care of your woman. I’ll cover everything here,” he says with a serious look in his eyes.
