He steps out of our embrace, and I frown at the look on his face. “What?” he asks.
I literally told him about this weeks ago, how excited I was. Shit, I bought the tickets before we even started dating.
“I’m… going to Colorado. I told you about it.”
Seeing the disappointment on his face makes my stomach twist.
“Ayden, I thought you canceled your plans. Shouldn’t we spend our first Christmas together?”
The thought did cross my mind, but we’ll have so many more. “No, I didn’t. I’m really?—”
“I already told my parents you’d be at dinner with us.” There’s a hint of agitation in his tone as he turns toward the bathroom. “But, alright, if that’s what you want.” The way he says it, I feel like it doesn’t match how he truly feels.
“Mike… I haven’t seen my family in two years.”
“Yeah, but you can go anytime. It’s just a few states over.” He opens the bathroom door. “Whatever.It’s fine. I get it. They’re definitely more important.”
My stomach twists, and despite having eaten not long ago, it feels like it’s ready to cave in. I glance down at my phone, then up at the closing door.
It’s fine.
I can go next year. He’s right—this is our first Christmas together.
I pull out my phone, shooting a quick text to my dad and Alysa that something came up, and that I’ll see them next year.
“Mike, wait. I’ll stay.”
Age 21
Two weeks before Christmas
“Why, Michael?” I slam the trunk of my car shut, bags stacked inside, as he suddenly appears at my side.
“Why do you always insist on going during the holidays? Why can’t you go any other time?” His agitation is clear.
I don’t understand why he is acting this way. It isn’t like I’ve not told him about me leaving weeks ago. For months, in fact. Plus, it isn’t just around the holidays… I planned a surprise trip to see Alysa in the summer, but conveniently, Michael booked us a trip to Los Angeles for the exact same week.
“I’ve told you; it’s the only time I can see my sister. She lives in the UK.”
He rolls his eyes. “You always use her as an excuse.”
“It’s not an excuse!” I raise my voice. The flash of rage on his face makes me instinctively step back. “Mike, why don’t you just come with me?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know if I’m ready to meet your sister. The way she sounds when you’re on the phone with her and I’m around gives me the impression she hates me.”
“You don’t know that.” I know for a fact she can’t stand him, but I hope once she meets him, things will change. He really is nice… when he isn’t controlling, or tired, or…
“Next year. I promise.”
I groan. “I don’t want to wait another year to see my sister…” And Keoni. I saw my dad in February when he came with Leilani for a vacation. It was nice showing them around San Francisco. They met Mike, and I could sense they weren’t his biggest fans.
It was a rough time—he was still in the first couple months of being a beat cop, stationed in Oakland. He was exhausted all the time, and it showed in his attitude.
Not that I should be giving him excuses.
“Mike, please, I want?—”
He cuts me off with a kiss, my back hitting the car as he sandwiches me against it. “M—” I can’t get any argument out before he presses himself harder. We’re together, he’s my boyfriend, so it’s fine—but this isn’t about affection. It’s about control.
