“I have to get Stormy,” he murmured, turning away stiffly.
“Miles…” His name was a miserable whisper on her lips. Not loud enough for him to hear and turn back.
But it was probably better if he didn’t turn back. If he never turned to her again.
She stifled a sob and screwed her eyes shut.
Inhaled deeply, threw back her shoulders…
And continued on.
For the first time in over two weeks, they did not share a bed. And Miles found himself unable to sleep because of it.
He missed her. Missed the way she hogged the covers, and that adorable snorting snuffle on every third breath. He missed her warmth, and the way she often curled up tightly against his side, crowding him almost off the bed. He had quickly grown accustomed to her presence, and not having her next to him felt wrong.
The pain of loss was intolerable. And it was made worse by his recognition that this was how the next thousand nights would be. And the thousand after that.
This was what all his nights would be like.
He would be alone. Lonely. Lost.
Forever…
He sat up in bed, propping himself up against the headboard to stare into the black, desolate void of the night. The perfect canvas against which to replay the tormenting memory of Charity flinching away from him, over and over again.
If he lived to be a hundred, he would never forget the way she had curled herself up in fright against the violence of his movement. He had been responsible for that reaction. No matter what she said, the blame lay with him. He knew her history and should have foreseen how she would react to an unpredictable motion like that in the middle of a heated argument.
It had been fucking unforgivable.
He scrubbed his hands over his face. Calling himself every awful name under the sun.
And she was leaving him. So much sooner than he was ready to let her go. But considering how today went that was probably for the best anyway.
His phone chimed, and he glared at its brightly lit face on the nightstand. He reached for it, and then frowned at the message displayed on the lock screen.
Hey!! Guess what?
He sighed and swiped the screen to get into his message app. Vicki may prove exactly the diversion he needed right now.
What?
You’ll find out soon enough
What the hell was that supposed to mean?
What are you up to, Vic?
Who me????? Nothing. Just your beloved sister being beloved. Hugs!!!!!!!!!!
Vicki!!
Miss you, big bruvva.
He sent a few more texts demanding answers, but they remained unread.
Damn it!
He hoped she wasn’t up to something ridiculous again. His sister was sweet, creative, and smart as a whip…but she was stupidly impulsive at times. He trusted that Chambers would keep her from doing anything too imprudent.
He sighed disconsolately. As diversions went, this one hadn’t been particularly effective because his mind refocused on Charity all too damned soon.
He should get used to it. Because this was just the start of the rest of his miserable life without her.
Charity was already prepping for breakfast by the time Miles dragged himself out of bed and into the kitchen the following morning. He had succumbed to a restless doze shortly before sunrise and had barely scraped together three hours of sleep.
He was in a dark emotional space, and seeing her standing in the middle of the kitchen back in her Mrs. Fucking Cole get up, felt like a shot to the heart.
“Morning,” she greeted, eyes averted, as she removed a carton of eggs from the fridge.
He said nothing. Instead he glared at her until she lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Why are you dressed like that?”
She carefully placed the eggs on the island between them and gave him an imploring look. “Miles…”
“Why, Charity?”
“I thought it would be easier.”
“Easier to use the same shield that worked for you after years of spousal abuse?” Didn’t she get what a total fucking affront that was? “You thought you needed it with me? After everything we…”
His voice cracked, and he shook his head in frustration.
“It’s not like that,” she hastened to explain. “Miles, I never intended to insult or to hurt you. I just feel less vulnerable with a clearly defined role to play. No misunderstandings…no emotions. Just work. Until I leave.”
He. Could. Not. Bear. It.
He hated seeing her like this. Dressed in that horrendous armor. As if she needed to physically shield herself from him.
She was breaking his heart to pieces, and she thought she was the one who needed protection?