I’m tired. Let me have a bit of time, okay? I’ll talk to you later.”
I hung up without waiting for his response and turned off my phone. Which I knew was rude, and yeah, probably immature, but it was better than staying on the line and letting my hurt get the better of me. We’d come back from this, I thought, but only if I made sure to take care of myself.
And what I needed most was to pretend the night hadn’t happened. I popped a melatonin and welcomed dreamless sleep.
19
Reagan
My worry about Channing not responding to my calls or texts all weekend had quickly become frustration and irritation. The party had been great until I’d realized Channing wasn’t there anymore. When I’d checked my phone and saw that he’d left by himself, shame surged up, and I’d spent the next few hours feeling sick with guilt. The night had gone from a soaring high to a crashing low with one text. And when I’d called him, he’d sounded so...blunt. Pissed off.
And he had a right to be. I wouldn’t try to defend myself there. I had gotten caught up in all of the familiar faces from my past. It had been exhilarating to have some of the discussions that truly got my blood pumping, ones I hadn’t had in years. Being surrounded by fine art and people who appreciated it… it had been really fucking nice. I’d let it wash over me, not realizing it had wiped clean any consideration for my date.
But now I was in my truck a couple of days after, looking at the shop. My fingers drummed over the wheel. I’d called. I’d texted. Hell, I’d sent a damned email. Who the fuck has to email their boyfriend to get a response? And I hadn’t even gotten that.
Channing was behind the front desk, working. I even caught a smile when Dane walked by. He was acting like everything was fine, and it wasn’t, because he wouldn’t just talk to me like an adult. There were many ways in which Channing was one of the most mature people I knew but at the moment it felt like he was being downright childish.
I don’t play the silent treatment game.
Storm clouds were growing blacker in me as I slid from my truck and headed in. The bell pinged and everyone looked up. A few people started to say hello but the look on my face must have tipped them off that now was not a good time. I went straight to the desk where Channing sat because I was ready to get this hiccup in the past.
We could have worked through this by now and not at work if he’d just had the consideration to return my calls.
“Channing, I’d like to see you in my office.”
The rest of the crew were doing that thing where they were trying not to watch us but were very clearly watching us. Channing shrugged. “In a bit. I’m trying to get set up for the day.”
He said it as if everything were fine. As if I wasn’t standing in front of him, my simmering anger becoming a full-on seethe.
“I’m your boss, and I’m telling you to come to my office. I’m not playing around.”
From the corner of my eye, I caught Dane’s face harden and he made to get up. I got it—he wanted to protect his brother-in-law. He and Channing were close. Javi, smart man, put a hand on Dane’s arm and stopped him. Channing said nothing, but his face was red and his eyes furious. He got up.
We waded through the sticky tension of the room toward my office. My shoulders were square and my jaw clenched hard enough my teeth ached. Once inside, I shut the door.
“Sit down,” I commanded.
Channing’s body shook, and for a moment my anger faded and I was worried I’d pushed too hard and made him cry. But he peered at me over his shoulder and nope...he was pissed off. His gorgeous sapphire eyes were bright with anger.
Well, me too, Channing. Me too.
We sat and stared at each other a moment until I got frustrated with myself for playing a game of don’t blink with my boyfriend.
“What in the hell is going on with you?” I asked, ready to get the ball rolling.
“I needed some space after the gallery to think, Reagan,” Channing snapped back, his arms folding in front of his chest. “I told you that.”
“What did you need to think about?” Had my