Laughing, I give her my most winning smile. “We’re going home. I got practice tomorrow.”
17
A PANICKED RESPONSE
CASSIDY
Somehow,the news of our Vegas wedding has failed to hit the mainstream media, likely because the current event news is consistently drowning out any other type of news without question.
While I’m happy for the reprieve from having to answer for my questionable choices, sometimes waiting is even more difficult. I spend a lot of time waiting for someone to slap me in the face with the question, and every time my father calls, I have a mild panic attack. I should have already told him, but instead I’ve decided to stay here in my little bubble until it is forced out of me.
Ren and I spent the first few weeks of our marriage staying at Ren’s condo. He used the excuse of wanting to downsize his belongings before making the move, having decided to sell it rather than have it remain vacant for a year or more.
Given the current real estate market, it’s a sound financial decision; however, this didn’t make me any less nervous about the fact he won’t have easy access to a secondary residence.
It seems so…final.
I roll my eyes at my ridiculous thought given the fact that either one of us are fortunate enough to be able to purchase a new residence at a moment’s notice, pretty much anywhere we’d like. So, it’s not like him selling his condo means he plans on living with me forever.
I also think he just made an excuse to have his way with me in every room of the place before selling it. I’d made a crass joke about him having already broken the place in with countless women, an accusation he quickly and vehemently denied. Obviously, I feigned nonchalance and pretended I didn’t care at all, but I can’t deny the thrill his admission sent through me.
I know he was never a monk; I’m not stupid. But to know some places were reserved for more serious endeavors helps ease the unfamiliar sting of…jealousy.
Unfortunately, our agreement to always travel together was immediately thwarted by commitments made before we struck our big deal. I had some underlying worry about how we’d manage the days apart, given our arrangement is so new, and Ren is infinitely horny, but for the most part, it has been nice for the occasional breather.
Then there’s the fact he doesn’t go too long without checking in with me, a habit I initially thought I’d get annoyed with, but ended up secretly enjoying. Not that I’ll be telling him that.
He had to travel to Seattle today for his game tomorrow, but I stayed behind because I had a few meetings I couldn’t get out of. I offered to go up tomorrow morning for his evening game, but Ren said he wouldn’t begrudge me some R&R given he’d rather I not travel alone. Part of me was disappointed, but a larger part of me was happy to have some time alone.
Currently sprawled in the middle of the bed, I smile as my phone pings, right on schedule. Retrieving it, I open our messagestring, shaking my head at the question he asks me several times per day, regardless of where he is.
Ren: Are you following the rules?
I don’t bother responding, instead hitting the video call, which he answers immediately. Saying nothing, I lower the phone as I lift my skirt, giving him a tiny glimpse of my lack of underclothing before raising the phone back to my face.
Smirking, I flip him the bird and then hang up on him.
Knowing he’s likely cursing a blue streak, I cackle then stare at my phone, waiting for his imminent disgruntled response.
And wait.
And wait.
And wait.
That fucker.
Refusing to be the first to respond, I mute my phone then toss it on the other side of the bed rather petulantly. The fact I’m being childish is irrelevant since this is the kind of game we’ve always played. He’s the grouchy, serious, boring guy, and I’m the bratty thorn in his side daring him to lighten up.
Yawning, I contemplate what order I should do all the evening things.
Eat. Shower. Sleep.
Shower. Eat. Sleep.
Sleep.
Suddenly, I’m exhausted, any thought of food or cleanliness pushed right off the to-do list. I shouldn’t be surprised to find myself tired after so many weeks of being tugged in one hundred different directions.
