Came Back Haunted (Experiment in Terror #10) - Karina Halle Page 0,63
hate to kick out my houseguests, but I really think you both oughta leave now while you have a chance.”
“While we have a chance?” Dex repeats, his voice low, his face sullen, doing all he can to avoid looking at me.
“Follow me. I’ll be your escort,” Max says, heading for the door.
“Dex,” I whisper, coming over to him, putting my hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, I—”
“Don’t.” He whips his arm away, his eyes a raging storm, angry and hurt. “I’m fucking mad at you.”
“Easy now,” Max reminds us, just as he opens the door. “Stay calm.”
Shit. I knew keeping things from Dex was going to hurt me, I just didn’t think he’d take it this bad. I’ve always kind of been like this, but then again, everyone has their breaking point. Perhaps tonight is ours.
I follow Maximus and Dex out of the room and up the stairs, my heart feeling heavier by the minute.
We make it to the front door without any incidents, and leave Maximus inside, giving us a quick wave goodbye before the door closes.
Dex and I walk in silence through the drizzle back to the Highlander.
It’s a painfully awkward car ride home.
Thirteen
Dex is still mad at me.
Even though I’ve just woken up, I can already tell. His animosity sits in the bedroom like lingering smoke.
Plus when I roll over, he’s not in bed beside me. Usually I’m up first, and I didn’t even sleep in this morning.
I sigh and roll back over, staring up at the ceiling and composing my thoughts.
When we got back to the apartment last night, I tried in vain to apologize for keeping things from him, not just about Maximus, but about Samantha, too. But he wouldn’t hear any of it. Dex is a force to be reckoned with when he’s angry. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, those storm clouds roll in, and he can be brutal. He doesn’t yell unless you provoke him, but he does turn inward and seethes and simmers on all fiery cylinders.
Suffice it to say, my apologies weren’t taken. We went to bed in a fight, which I fucking hate. And now, even though the morning usually has a way of making things seem brighter and lighter, I can tell that nothing has changed. He’s just as angry as before, so much so that he didn’t want to spend a second longer in bed with me than he had to.
Honestly, I feel sick. My stomach is in knots right now, my heart physically aching in my chest. I was already feeling like this thanks to Ada, but now I’m on a whole other level.
I sit up, clutching the covers to me, listening for Dex in the kitchen. It’s dead quiet. Maybe he left.
That thought makes me feel sick too.
Regardless, I know what I have to do today. I need to call my gynecologist and make an appointment to get my IUD out, I have to try and contact Rose, and I’m going to try and go to my morning spin class. It’s within walking distance, and if I skip my coffee and get going right now, I’ll make it.
I get up, slipping on my pajama pants, and step out into the apartment. I go to the bathroom, and when I get out, I nearly jump out of my skin when I see Dex sitting on the couch with Fat Rabbit in his lap, drinking a coffee from his favorite mug.
He doesn’t turn to look at me, even though the dog does, and I can’t help but feel he’s trying to turn the pooch against me.
I could be petty. I could pull the, you’re angry at me so now I’m angry at you bullshit, because I’m really good at that. But I don’t want to add fuel to the fire—I just want him to talk to me.
“I’m going to go to spin class,” I tell him, clearing my throat. “I’m running a bit late. I’ll call Rose after.”
Silence. I couldn’t feel more awkward. The chill coming off of him is punishing.
He takes a sip of his coffee but still doesn’t look at me. “Sounds good. I’ll get in touch with either Harry or Atlas. One of them will have to give us answers.”
“Okay,” I say, my voice faint.
I hurry back into the bedroom, shutting the door behind me, and exhale deeply. Have I mentioned how much I hate fighting with him?
I quickly get dressed in my yoga pants, sports bra, t-shirt, and sneakers, grabbing