Page 123 of Finding Storm

Storm hasn’t been able to look me in the eye since he came back in the parlor. And that’s not like him. Usually, he can’t keep his eyes or hands off me. It’s one of the things I like about him. How tactile he is.

But there’s been nothing.

And it’s fine. I was expecting this.

Okay, it’s not fine.

But it will be.

I think.

Maybe.

Probably not.

Fuck.

We reach his room, and he unlocks the door and lets us inside.

I step aside, and he shuts the door behind me.

Usually, I’d kick my shoes off and climb onto the bed. Storm would jump on me, and we’d make out for hours. That, or I wouldn’t even make it to the bed before he was tackling me onto it.

Guess those days are over with now.

Because right now, I’m hanging by the door he just closed.

He’s crossed to the other side of the room without even looking at me.

The silence is evident. It’s painful. I could carve my name into the air; it’s that thick.

I silently watch him as he takes off his jacket. Hangs it on the back of the chair. Kicks off his shoes. Empties his pocket of his cell and wallet and the ticket stub from the cinema. He puts them on the table. Then, he takes off his ball cap and places it on the chair. Runs his fingers through his hair.

Basically, he’s doing everything but looking at me.

It’s painfully obvious what’s happening.

I just wish he’d get it over and done with.

I bind my hands together in front of me.

Finally, he turns to look at me, and part of me wishes he hadn’t because it hurts to look at him.

All the unsaid words are in his clear blue eyes.

My heart starts to ache.

Unlinking my fingers, I wrap my arms around my stomach. I wet my dry lips with my tongue and knowingly nod my head. “You’re leaving.”

He’s staring at me. Time seems to stretch out, dragging on, before he finally confirms what I already know. “Yes.”

That one simple word.

Yes.

I’ve never been hit before. But I’m pretty sure this is how it would feel if someone punched me in the stomach.

I actually wince at the ache I feel in my abdomen.