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Tilly couldn’t stop the sob that ripped from her throat. Her tears falling harder. “I can’t either.”
“Come here, Tilly.” Gage told her in his deep voice.
Her purse dropped from her shoulder as she crossed the room to him, not stopping until she was pressed up against him, her fingers gripping the cotton as her tears soaked his tee.
Gage wrapped his arms around her, holding her snug against him, as he accepted that neither could walk away even knowing they should.
_______________
Gage stood in front of the grill, phone in his hand, typing out.
Steaks, have potatoes in the oven. And, not sure why she’s coming home early.
He had been home for three days. Three days from a weekend he would never forget, bringing it to the grave with him. After his and Tilly’s heart to heart, they both realized walking away wasn’t an easy process. Should they? Absolutely. But even the tempting things in life could help you breathe easier and find happiness where you shouldn’t. As the days went on, it seemed that their connection grew stronger. Where before, when they had texted and talked had been scattered chances, now, they made it a point to talk as much as they could. From the moment they opened their eyes until they closed them at night, they had an ongoing communication through messages or talking on the phone.
Gage had come to a conclusion when he had come home. After spending days with someone who he had a connection with, enjoyed being around, to come home to his day-to-day normal routine, it changed how he viewed the world around him. The little annoyance you found in your spouse turned to irritation that ate at you. The insignificant imperfections about them, amplified. You developed an unreasonable grudge against them. Found every little thing wrong with them that you could and did it without reservation. Something as small as Heather leaving her travel mug on the counter and not washing it till the next morning. Something Gage had never given thought to before, now ate at him until he voiced it the other night, causing an unreasonable argument between them.
Tilly stirred the sauce on the stove, reaching for the pasta to add to the boiling water. Returning home, she waited for the guilt to kick in. Waited to feel what she knew she was supposed to feel, but instead, the only emotion she felt was loss. She missed Gage. Their weekend together was one she’d always remember; whatever happened, they’d always have that. And their talk, she thought that conversation was going to be the end of them, but it had only brought them closer. One weekend and she was changed, but she returned home, and everything was exactly the same. She’d missed her kids terribly, and they her...hanging with her that first night, keeping her company while she cooked dinner. Luke, on the other hand, he didn’t come home early or even on time. He was late, and when he did come home, he asked a few questions, not seeming particularly interested in the answers, and that was it. She didn’t mind, was happy she didn’t have to pretend. Her marriage was over. It had been for a long time. She needed to make some changes, needed to think through her options, but for the moment, she was enjoying the deepening connection with Gage. They talked nonstop, all throughout the day, and it helped with missing him, but it wasn’t the same as seeing him, watching his expressions, the light in his eyes that could go dark with want.
Reading his text, she was curious about Heather’s action. A part of Tilly wondered if Heather had learned about their weekend, but knowing what she did about Heather, if she knew, Gage would know.
Maybe she wants to talk about her girl’s getaway. Isn’t that coming up soon?
Gage flipped the steaks, shut the lid on the grill and reached for his phone on the grill’s work table. Pulling up Tilly’s message, he read it. He hadn’t given that topic a thought.
Oh shit, yeah, it is. The weekend after Thanksgiving. That’s probably it. We still on for Friday, 9am at the park?
Tilly reached for her phone when it buzzed with Gage’s message, her body growing warm with the anticipation of seeing him. A smile curved her lips as she began to text back.
“Hey, Mom. What’s ya cooking? Smells good.” Justin asked, strolling into the kitchen.
Warm turned cold, as she lowered her phone. “Pasta.” Her voice cracked a bit.
Justin stopped at the fridge and looked back at her. “Are you okay?” He studied her a second. “Maybe you should step away from the stove. Your face is on fire.”
It wasn’t the stove. It was times like this, when her kids walked in on her, that were the only times she felt guilty. And not because of what she was doing, but because she wasn’t being completely truthful to them. “I’m fine. Are you done studying?”
He yanked open the fridge door. “Not yet, but I’m understanding it now.”
“Oh good, that’s great.”
Justin leaned against the counter, taking a long drink from the bottle of water he’d grabbed. “Yeah.” He studied her again. “You should take weekends more often.”
Her head jerked to him, her heart pounding.
“I like seeing you happy,” he said, but didn’t wait for her to answer, exiting the kitchen.
She didn’t move, just stood there, as Justin’s words played over and over again in her head. She was happy.
Justin just came into the kitchen. He told me I should take more weekends for myself because he likes seeing me happy. He’s right. I am happy. You make me happy, Gage. Yes, I’m counting the days until Friday.
Gage read her text and smiled, then typed out.
You make me happy too, baby. By the way, I saw the pic you posted on Open Book, his hair came out good, even if you aren’t happy with it.
Gage hit send, placed his cell in his pocket and took the steaks off the grill. Walking in the house, he found Heather standing at the kitchen sink. Her eyes came from the window to him.
“Playing the game?” She asked, gesturing with her head toward the window and where he had been standing outside.
