“In the sense your wife’s getting hit on. Ya know, some wives are never desired after they’re married, so that’s what I mean by a compliment.”
I tore the napkin into shreds, letting the pieces flutter down like dead leaves.
“Thanks, but we won’t be needing your compliments. Enjoy your meal, gentlemen.”
Without another word, I turned and headed back to the kitchen, the weight of Mel’s scent still clinging to my clothes, the taste of rage still bitter on my tongue.
25
MELANIE
Nick’s been on edge all night, a live wire ready to snap. He won’t say it, but after those guys were all over me earlier, he’s been brooding like he wants to kill something. And after two screwed-up orders at my table, he finally let the storm break, nearly biting my head off in front of the entire kitchen, humiliating me. I was ready to walk. Ready to tell him to shove his restaurant and his cold glares where the sun didn’t shine. But storming out? That would look too suspicious.
I’m not just an employee here. I’m his wife — at least on paper.
Instead of acting like a man, he’s decided to ice me out like a bratty kid. And after last night, after everything, I thought maybe — just maybe — he’d be less of an asshole. Not worse.
I’m wiping down a table when Sophia’s voice cuts through the noise.
“Hey sis.”
I look up, force a smile. “Hey.”
“Nick said I could go home for the night, but I heard what happened. Just so you know, if you want me to kick his ass, I will. He might have been in the military for a decade, but I’ve been in sports my whole life. These,” she grabs her thighs, “are like steel.One good kick to the shin and he’ll be limping for days, wishing he wasn’t a dick to you.”
I let out a half-hearted laugh, shoving the sting down deep.
“No, it’s fine. I’m just giving him space. He’s been in a mood since this morning, really.”
Sophia leans against the table, studying me like she can see through the cracks I’m trying to patch together.
“I know my brother’s a lot. Empathy of a serial killer, but underneath it, he’s got a big heart. He’s my favorite person.” Her voice softens. “He loves you. That’s a big deal. He hasn’t had a serious girlfriend since he enlisted.”
The words hit like a sucker punch I didn’t see coming.
I swallow the ache clawing up my throat.
Love. That’s what a husband should feel for his wife, right?
But with Nick, love is a battlefield — and I’m not sure if I’m fighting with him, or against him.
Sophia smiles, oblivious to the wreckage inside me.“After the incident,” she makes air quotes, “He’s been quiet lately and more distant, which is understandable but ever since you came along, he’s lightened up a bit, and from what I read on google, it takes time to find your new norm from being in such a highly adrenaline environment. Guns firing, bombs blowing up, I mean I couldn’t even imagine what it feels like to have to literally fight for your life.
Icould, because I survived a different kind of hell.
“So just be patient with him. I know my big brother is still in there.”
My heart slams against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. Why hadn’t Nick told me what really happened overseas?
Six months — that’s how long he’s been back in the States. Barely enough time to breathe after living in hell.
“Ya, I know, that’s what marriage is all about, for better or worse, right?” My stomach tightened, and I felt a burning sensation at the bottom of my chest. I didn’t have a problem lying, but it sickened me to my core that I had to lie to his sister. She’s beennothing but kind to me, and she was eating up everything I threw at her, and that’s how I justified it to be okay.
She blew out an exasperated breath. “I still can’t believe my brother is married before me.”
Panic set in,n and I feared she may be onto us, so I asked, “What do you mean? I thought you were only twenty-five?”
“Ya, but I’m the nice one, so it just doesn’t make sense and this is the Midwest, it’s normal for people my age to be married with kids already. This isn’t L.A. People there actually have goals. The goal for people here is to get married and pop out as many kids as you can to get a tax break.” She says with a playful glint in her tone.
