Page 22 of Now & Forever
“It’s gotten ‘real’ before, asshole.”
“Yes, and you remember what we did when it gotreal.”
Gwen kept her focus on the mirror in front of her. “What clean breakup are you talking about? We lost our chance at that two years ago.”
James rolled away from her, facing the empty side of the bed usually reserved for Gwen’s form. “I wish you’d talk to me about what’s really bothering you. I want to work through this. I need you by my side, Gwen. You’re the only one with enough bite in my corner.”
“I’ve been trying for a whole year. I’m tired.”
“If you want to break up, fucking say so.”
She said nothing. He expected as much.
When Gwen finally came to bed ten minutes later, the lights were off and the ceiling fan turning on its highest setting. James waited until Gwen had settled in before scooting up behind her and saying, “I love you. We once said that was all that mattered.”
“I never said I didn’t love you. Why do you think this is so hard?”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest. Gwen didn’t put up a fight. When her head rested upon his hand, James nestled his face into the back of her neck and said, “We’ll get through this. We’ve gotten through everything. Why would this be so different?”
He knew why. So did Gwen. His only hope was that his faulty bravado was enough to convince them that everything would be all right.
