Page 56 of Love in Pieces

“I think I’ll sleep in my room tonight.” She moves to the bathroom.

A gut punch if I’ve ever heard one. “Is everything okay?” Leaning against the bathroom door, my heart sinks.

“Yeah. I think I just need some space.” She dries her face with a towel before moving past me into her room. She pulls back a corner of her black comforter, sitting on the white sheets below.

“Did I do something?” I’m not sure I want to know the answer to that.

“No.”

No? That’s it? No explanation? “Okay. Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me. And if you decide you need some big strong arms to cuddle, I’ll be there.”

No laugh. Not even a smile.

“Goodnight.” It comes out more as an order to get out of her room.

“Goodnight, Abby.”

Fuck.

?CHAPTER 21

Abby

Did I sleep last night? Absolutely not. The quiet of my bedroom was both pleasant and unnerving. I tried focusing on the whirring of the fan to lull me to sleep but had no such luck. I felt like some space between Dallas and me would be good after what happened the night before. I don’t want him to feel like I rushed into it or that I rushed him into it either. If I’m being honest, I got scared. Getting into another relationship so fast after leaving Sam was not the plan. But neither was leaving Sam, I guess. My head feels like it’s spinning as I lie awake, staring at the ceiling. Rays of sunshine beg their way through the cracks in the curtains, illuminating bright white streaks down the length of the opposite wall. Bare wall.

I feel like I’ve hardly been in this room since moving in other than to store my things. The the days following graduation, Dallas and I slowly picked up a few things for my room. Mostly furniture from garage sales or things people were selling online. I didn’t want to spend too much money, especially since Dallas insisted on paying. Whatever I couldn’t find, we ended up going to IKEA for the rest. My duffle bags sit empty at the bottom of the open closet. My textbooks line the top of the wooden dresser across from the foot of my bed. The mostly empty closet practically begs for something to fill it. All my fiction novels sit neatly on the bookshelves collecting dust. I’ve been so caught up in getting away from things that I haven’t taken the time to do things I enjoy, like reading. I’ve barely been writing. Meredith’s birthday and my birthday were great distractions. But I know deep down that my nerves were and still are running at high speed. I’m good at distractions. I’m not good at dealing with my problems.

I pull myself out of bed, rubbing my eyes. I throw on some clothes and head out of the room. I hadn’t checked the time until now: ten o’clock. Okay, maybe I slept a little.

The apartment is empty. Only the sound of the A/C hums in the background. I check my phone to find a couple texts from Meredith and Dallas.

M: Hey Abs. Did Sam come back yesterday? If he did, please be careful. I’m here if you need me. Or even if you don’t. Miss you.<3

I scroll down to Dallas’s message.

D: I work a double today. Feel free to join. Don’t hesitate to call or text if you need me. Hope you have a good day. And please be careful.

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