Page 120 of Salute, To Bravery
She probably saw my social media story about me being at the beach, which I had tagged Ophelia in.Great, now she’s probably going to stalk Ophelia.
“Everything was fine; it was a good first hangout.” I grinned, more distracted by driving than anything. “I’m on my way to meet my dad right now.”
“I don’t care about your dad. Love him, but don’t care about him right now. Tell me about Ophelia!”
I felt my skin turn rosy. “She was as enchanting as ever. Our conversation was radiant. It felt like I was talking to you, but it was more intentional. No offense,” I said quickly, hoping she wasn’t annoyed. But all I heard was a laugh from her side of the phone. “It was lovely to be at the beach. I haven’t been since the fire; it sure felt like forever.”
“Well, it has been a few years,” she said.
“You’re smiling, aren’t ya?” I could feel her happy energy beaming from the phone.
“Yes! My best friend found her soulmate! Of course I’m smiling. When you guys get together, I’m going to say, ‘told you so!’”
I laughed as I came up to my dad’s place. “I need to go now. Love you.”
“Love you, loser.” She hung up the phone as I parked the car at the top of the big hill.
I was kind of nervous for some reason. It was probably the fact that I was about half an hour late, and I had several missed text messages from him. I was never late.
I walked into the house. “I’m here,” I said as I took off my shoes in the entryway.
“Why are you late? You’re never late to our dinners.” The open layout of the cabin made the amazing smells flow to the doorway.
“I was hanging out with Ophelia at the beach.” I was scared of what he would say, and then he mumbled something to himself that I couldn’t understand. “What did you say?”
“Oh, nothing. Just thinking to myself how happy I am that you found someone who understands your worries and fears.”
“Thank you.”
I sat down in an old-fashioned wooden chair at the very modern table. The soft, layered rugs underneath the dining tablegrounded the space, giving it an even comfier feeling. My dad always liked to mix styles to create an eclectic feel in his house.
“So, what did you and Ophelia do at the beach?”
“We had some food. We talked. It was a lovely time.”
“I’m glad,” he said through gritted teeth. “Do you like her?”
“Luna says that Ophelia is my soulmate—” I say.
“Doyoulike her? I don’t care what Luna says or thinks about her. Doyoucare about Ophelia?”
“I think I like her.” I’d never liked a woman before; well, I have, but never this deeply.
This was unusual. Normally, I created emotional connections with men and physical connections with women. They never mixed—until now. Knowing Ophelia’s every thought and curve of her body was my dream. I wanted to know everything about her. But I couldn’t, at least not yet. It was too soon, but it felt like we’d known each other for centuries.
“Like, youlikeher?” he questioned me. His eyes were piercing into the food that he was preparing.
“I think so.”
His eyes were full of rage and hurt, as if I had just stabbed him with a sword.I hated this feeling of guilt that his eyes were forcing down my throat. It felt like his eyes were full of pain, and I had caused it. I lowered my gaze. The pain in his eyes made me feel like my feelings were invalid.
“Okay,” he said with no emotion.
He finished making dinner in silence, we ate in silence, and I walked out the door in silence. The quiet was heavy and tense. Anxiety crept in and suffocated me as if it were a snake to its prey. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t understand the world.Why couldn’t I be enough for him? Why couldn’t I be good enough?I joined the Air Force to prove myself, and he wasn’t pleased, so I decided to live my life how I wanted to. Now he wasn’t pleased? I would never be good enough for him.
Once I got home, I called Luna and told her about the silent treatment he was giving me, and she was not pleased. After she tried to comfort me, she hung up, leaving me alone with my mind.
Chapter Six.
