Page 43 of Deprived No More

“Oh, thank you, Rachel. I really needed this tonight.”

“It’s no problem. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before I cash in my request for a favor.” She giggles. “Good night. See you in the morning.”

“Good night.

Watching her walk away, I feel a sense of unease. Reaching into my purse, I retrieve my phone. I don’t want to wake him if he’s fallen asleep, but it’s so unlike him not to reach out.

10:20 p.m.

Kat: I missed saying goodnight. I love you. Call me in the morning.

Heading off to try and get a good night’s sleep, I grab a glass of water and make my way to the bedroom. Washing up, I brush my teeth, put on my sleep shorts and cami, and climb into bed. I’m about to turn off the bedside lamp when I notice my phone vibrating on the nightstand.

Nick

10:29 p.m.

Nick: I heard you were out. Didn’t want to interrupt your evening.

I bolt upright in bed. This doesn’t sound good. Had Sam gotten straight on the phone with Sebastian? Had he called thinking I was stepping out on Nick with Holden. Reaching for my phone, I immediately dial Nick’s number.

“Hello?”

“Hey. What was all of that about? I didn’t hear from you, and then I get that cryptic text.”

“It wasn’t cryptic. I was on the phone with Sebastian when Sam text him and said he’d seen you at the Vineyard.”

Shit. Shit. Shit. Was I going to have to explain this now? I didn’t entirely understand how I’d make him understand how innocent it was when the entire situation with Holden boggled my mind.

“Kat?”

“Yeah?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Just tired. I just needed to get out of the house. Clear my head.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

I don’t want to have this conversation over the phone. I’ve waited this long to explain how I’m feeling. I don’t want to do it this way. “We can talk about it later. Did you get called in tonight?”

“No. Well, one call. But they were looking for Holden?”

The fine hairs along my forearms are now standing at attention. “What? Why would they be calling you if they were looking for Holden?”

“Beats me. I’m not even entirely sure it was a consult. They sounded like the mob.” He chuckles. Dropping his voice, he mimics the caller, “Is this Holden Knight? Maybe he’s got a loan shark after him.”

Unsure how to answer this, for fear I might be falling into a weird trap, I just hum my agreement. “Okay, well, I’m going to get to bed. I’m sure the kids will be up early and raring to go since Rachel, Luke, and Jenna are here. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Okay. Goodnight.”

I realize he’s hung up before I can even tell him I love him. Maybe he’s just tired. I know he hasn’t been drinking if he’s on-call. Maybe I’m just reading too much into this.

The following day is active from sun up to sun down. Rachel and I prepared large meals for the kids to enjoy together. We went for walks along the water. The kids enjoyed hide and seek and other outdoor games where they were free to run and laugh. All and all, it was nice.

Yet underneath the surface, something felt as if it was brewing. I hadn’t heard from Nick all morning. After the awkward conversation last night, I decided to avoid round two. We’ve been married for eight years, and experienced lots of on-call weekends. Never has he neglected to call not once but two days in a row. I’m not sure why I’m making such a big deal of it, other than it bothers me. Is he waiting to confront me in person on why I was seen out at a the vineyard with Holden Knight? Or does he sense I have something important I want to discuss, and it’s making him feel cornered?

“Still no word from Nick?” Rachel asks as we toss popcorn in a little salt and butter to prepare for the Disney movie the kids have all chosen.

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