“Are you okay? Your truck was still in the yard this morning?”
A smile spread across my face upon hearing Ella’s concern for me. Usually, my truck is long gone by the time she leaves for work in the mornings.
“Yeah, baby, I’m alright. Just not feeling so great today. Think I caught that bug that’s been going around. I just need a day or two to rest, and I’ll be fine.”
“You don’t sound so good. I can call in today and—”
“Absolutely not.” I cut her off. “It’s just a little cold or something. I’ll be fine. I just need a little rest.”
Even without being able to see her, I can mentally make out her worrying that bottom lip between her teeth as she contemplates my words. It’s refreshing being in this thing with Ella.
In the past, it’s always felt as if I gave more than I got in my relationships. Especially in my marriage. I can’t blame Val though, I got her used to me taking care of her and being everything she needed. She didn’t know how to do the same for me. Maybe she did and just didn’t want to.
A heavy sigh fills the silence over the phone. “Okay,” she finally says. “But if you need me, call.”
Even through the pain in my head, a grin filled my face. “I will. Have a great day at work.”
“I will.”
We sit in silence for a moment. As bad as those three little words burn to come out of my mouth, I don’t say them. Not because I don’t feel them. Despite only being in this thing with Ella for nearly three months, I was sure of my feelings for her.
But I know Ella isn’t ready for the truth. As much progress as we’ve made with her not mentioning the deadline to this thing, I know she’s not yet ready to accept that I want forever. So instead of telling her I love her like I want, I remain silent.
“Okay,” she mumbles filling the silence. “I’ll call and check on you later. Bye.”
“Bye.”
I allow her to disconnect first. After placing my phone on the nightstand, I roll over onto my back and let out a deep exhale. When I started this thing with Ella, I had no idea how hard and quickly I’d fall for the woman. But let's be honest, I was already half in love with her before it started. I guess I wasn’t expecting to fall even harder.
I won’t lie like it’s not alarming. Because as hard as I’m falling for her, I know she’s still unsure about me. Part of me understands because she is coming off a heartbreak and a divorce. If it weren’t Ella, I would’ve never started anything with a woman that was recently divorced and clearly still hurt about her ex. But I’m a damn fool for that woman.
Tossing the cover off me, I stumble to my feet and make it into the bathroom to take a leak. My head is throbbing and my body immediately gets chills. I’m starting to think I may need more than just a day to recover.
Heading back to my bed, I grab my phone off the nightstand and quickly send a text to Val.
Ex From Hell: I’m home sick today. Can you grab Jacob from school and I’ll get him tomorrow?
Ella usually picks Jake up and brings him home from school on my weeks, but I didn’t want Jake stuck in the house with me while I’m sick.
This was my two weeks to have my son. For as long as the arrangement has been set, I have never missed a day or cut my time short with him. Val shouldn’t have any issues picking him up today.
I placed the phone back on my nightstand without waiting for her to reply. My eyes close, and before I know it, I’m back to sleep.
When I come awake again, my head is even worse than it was earlier. I feel a little discombobulated. Turning to the side, I grab my phone. My vision is blurry. I wait for it to clear before looking at my phone. I have a ton of missed calls from Val. Before I can hit the redial button, a knock at my door has me lifting my head.
It sounds like the police are at my door ramming to get in.
“What the hell?”
Slowly standing to my feet, I sway a little and the room spins. My body feels heavy, and there are goosebumps covering my skin. I ignore my body’s plea for me to climb back into bed and make my way to the pounding at my front door.
I swing the door open and scowl down at the angry face standing on my porch.
“What are you doing here, Val?”
Her gaze narrows as she looks around me.
“You send me some bogus ass text about not getting your son today and then don’t answer your phone. Why do you think I’m here?” she shoves past me into my house.
