Page 5 of Guarding Our Love
I watched him snatch the shirt up and hastily put it on. Each button was fastened in anger. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I didn’t like the feeling I got from it. It wasn’t abnormal for us to ask the other one who we were talking to, especially if we thought something was wrong. I could see if he whispered not to wake me, but that wasn’t the case. At least that wasn’t what he said, which made me think he was on some bullshit.
“I won’t be able to pick the boys up this afternoon.”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest. I counted down to five in my head because Roy had pissed me off. Over the last couple of days, he acted like he was so busy he couldn’t pick the boys up, even though he did any other time.
“What do you have to do this time?”
“I have something I need to handle,” he replied as he put his pants on and buttoned them.
My eyes turned into slits as I stared at him. Something was up, and sooner or later, I would find out.
“And what’s that, Roy?” I got out of the bed and stood in front of him.
He looked down at me and sucked his teeth.
“Gone on, Sloan. It’s too early for your bullshit.”
“And what bullshit is that, huh?” I got closer to him, and he stepped back.
He pointed his finger in my face. “I’m telling you to leave shit alone.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. It was too early in the morning for us to argue. The boys were still asleep, and I wasn’ttrying to wake them up. I tried my best not to let the boys hear or see their father and I argue. I never wanted them to see the unhealthy parts of our relationship.
“You know what, Roy? I’ll get the boys. Don’t worry about it.” I stomped toward the bathroom and slammed the door once I got inside.
I hated arguing, especially before work, because I would have an attitude all day. Roy and I seemed to be okay a couple of days prior, so I was confused about this new attitude he had. Things weren’t perfect between us, but we never argued without a reason. Whenever we did, it was usually about finances or household chores. At times, it seemed like I was doing more cooking and cleaning than he was, but we both worked full-time jobs.
I used the bathroom and turned the shower on. I needed to get dressed and have breakfast ready for the boys by the time they woke up. They both were pretty good at getting themselves up, but I still liked to check on them.
There was a knock at the door just as I stepped into the shower. I didn’t bother answering because I knew it was Roy.
“You didn’t hear me knocking?”
“No.”
He sucked his teeth for the second time. “I’ll be home later than usual, so y’all can have dinner without me.”
“Whatever. Have a good day.” My voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Yeah, you too.” Roy closed the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts, and I didn’t like where they were headed.
I took a couple of deep breaths while the hot water ran over my body. I wasn’t going to stress myself, but I knew my mood would be shot for the rest of the day. Hopefully, I could stay in my office all day because I didn’t want to inadvertently take my attitude out on anyone.
I satin my office all day going over paperwork. I had a few patients that I had to set up for rehab or in-home healthcare, so I took care of that. Luckily, I didn’t have to meet with anyone. I even ate lunch in my office. I didn’t hear from Roy the whole day, and that wasn’t like him. Even if we didn’t talk, he would send me stuff he saw on social media or at least check on me. Maybe he was just as mad as I was from our argument.
I grabbed my cell phone when it rang, thinking it was Roy, but it was my best friend, Kendyll, instead.
“Hello.” I sat back in my chair and stared at my computer screen. It was almost time for me to go.
“Eww. Why do you sound like that?”
“Nothing. I thought my husband was calling.”
“Oh, sorry. Not him. Is everything okay?”
I sighed and told her about the argument Roy and I had. Kendyll and I had been friends since the day we met when Roy and I were looking for the house we currently lived in. She and I hit it off instantly and have been riding together since.
“Maybe it’s nothing. Has he been busy at work or something? Maybe he’s just under stress.”
