AllFreeNovel
Share Us
XENIA
Hobo can’t settle down. Not while we’re in bed or even as we walk around the lush woods surrounding the Pigsty. He only grunts in response to many questions. I feel like coming to the Pigsty has proven to be a mistake for our relationship.
At one point, Hobo has me stand at the clearing yards away from the back deck. He says he’ll be back. Ten minutes pass as he wanders around somewhere, needing space from me.
Once Hobo returns, we slowly walk back to the Pigsty, and I share the thoughts I had while he was gone.
“I could stay at a hotel a few nights a week,” I suggest. “Or Callie could help me find a rental you’d feel comfortable visiting.”
Hobo looks at me with a brokenhearted expression. “Why?” he asks like I’m tearing him apart.
“To offer you space. Everything happened too fast. You weren’t used to being at the Pigsty. Now, you feel trapped here with me.”
“Don’t tell me how I feel.”
His tone leaves me glued to my spot. Tears burn my eyes, as I consider how my affection makes him so unhappy.
Hobo throws up his arms and sighs. “What?”
“You tell me.”
“You don’t like it here.”
“I do.”
“You don’t like them,” he says and gestures angrily at the Pigsty.
“They’ve been nice to me, and I like having people to cook for.”
“So, it’s me?”
I don’t waste time explaining how he’s the one pushing me away. Hobo knows what he’s doing. He might not feel in control of himself, but he’s the one driving us toward a cliff.
Hobo storms off toward the woods. As I watch him leaving, I struggle with the urge to follow. Or should I go inside and pack? I also consider starting dinner and pretending nothing ever happened.
As he nears the tree line, Hobo jerks to a stop as if he’s hit a wall. I wipe my eyes, deciding I’m not going anywhere. If he’s like this in a few days, I might pack up and go. We can take things slower.
Right now, Hobo doesn’t know what he wants, so I won’t change anything. If he disappears into the woods and stays gone for long enough, I’ll ask his friends to help me find him.
Turning around, Hobo stomps back. He stops a few times, grumbling to himself. He is of two hearts right now. The freedom-loving, commitment-hating side isn’t happy with the lovestruck side’s recent decisions. They can’t both win.
As Hobo finally returns, his fearsome gaze tries to intimidate me. I just admire the man who owns my heart.
“I don’t want you to leave me,” he demands as if I’m the problem.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he snarls before shaking his head. “I feel like they’re going to take you from me.”
“Who?”
“People,” he says and runs his hands roughly through his hair. “Just everyone. I can’t have what I want.”
“Hobo, I don’t know who these people are, but I want to keep you. If you need more space, I’ll change rooms here or go to a hotel or get a rental. But I’m not giving you up. I’ll be patient until you’re ready.”
