“She’s my wife.”
The words landed with an odd weight. I didn’t feel like I had the right to say it anymore. But we were still married. Just... broken.
Gabriel blinked, looking a little surprised. “Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah.” I glanced down at my left hand. The ring was still there.
And I knew Sloane wasn’t wearing hers.
I stood and grabbed my clothes from the locker. “I need to get dressed and go home. Long day.”
“All right,” he said as he stood. “See you tomorrow.” Then he turned and walked to his locker.
I let out a slow breath and started getting dressed. It didn’t take long. A few minutes later, I stepped into the hallway, head low, hands in my pockets, the weight of the day settling deeper with every step.
When I finally looked up, Sloane was walking toward the main entrance from the opposite direction, her bag slung over one shoulder, ready to head home too.
We stopped when we reached each other. She studied me for a moment, then asked, “Headache?”
She knew without needing to ask.
“Yeah,” I said with a nod.
“Have you eaten at all today?” she asked, her voice calm and even, as always.
“I had a small lunch,” I replied.
“You need to eat, then retake the medicine. Apply a small drop of peppermint oil to your temples and the back of your neck.”
Peppermint oil. She used to give me that whenever I had a headache.
“Okay...” I said slowly. “I don’t have any right now.”
Sloane’s dark eyes shifted. “Ask her to buy it for you.”
Then she walked past me, and I watched her go. I shook my head, feeling a little off balance, and made my way to the parking lot.
I caught sight of her again just as she was about to get into a taxi. I stood there as the car passed by, and I saw her face through the window, eyes downcast, not even a glance in my direction.
My chest felt heavier as I walked to my car. Just before I got in, I noticed Gabriel standing near the entrance, watching until the taxi made a turn and disappeared.
Then he looked at me.
Of course, he knew. He knew we weren’t going home together.
I sat in my car for a long time, head leaned back against the seat, my thoughts miles away.
Eventually, I pulled my phone from my jacket pocket and stared at the screen.
Then I dialed her number.
Evie picked up after three rings. Honestly, after last night, I wasn’t sure she would.
“Hey, I’m sorry about last night,” I said as I heard her sigh on the other end. “I chose you. You know that, right? I’m with you.”
There was a pause, long enough to stretch tight.
Then she said, “Come over, Cam. I’ll wait for you.”
